Our 2-1 victory in Vienna against Polish side Gornik Zabrze 51 years ago was a magnificent, memorable achievement with skipper Tony Book lifting the trophy aloft after a superb display by the gifted side assembled by manager Joe Mercer and coach Malcolm Allison.
However, it remains our sole European trophy to date – and ahead of tonight’s huge showpiece occasion in Porto, several key members of that fantastic squad were united as one in passing on their own best wishes to Pep Guardiola and his City players.
The boys of 1970 were also unanimous in asserting that 51 years on, it would be more than fitting for the European torch to be passed on to the squad of 2021.
And they are also adamant that a first Champions League success could prove the catalyst for a period of sustained success for City on Europe’s elite stage:
Tony Book (skipper of city’s VICTORIOUS 1970 side):
“I’m sending Pep and his players and staff all the luck in the world for Saturday. They have done a magnificent job in getting to the final.
“It’s been a pleasure to watch them, and we’ve played some great stuff over the course of the season.
“We have shown we are the best side in the Premier League. They are worthy finalists and I fancy them strongly.
“Chelsea may have beaten us in the FA Cup and league, but I’ve got a good feeling about this one.
“It should be a fantastic occasion
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“And I would be so delighted to see us win another European trophy. The fans have been patient and it’s been a long time coming but I feel it’s our time again.
“Hopefully, the European torch can finally be passed from the 1970 team to the current side.
“If we can win on Saturday, there is no doubt it would go down as the greatest season in the Club’s history.”
Francis Lee (who scored our winner in Vienna):
“It’s an amazing situation and I feel we are playing a Chelsea side who we can get the measure of.
“I’m pretty confident we can get the job done.
“The start of the season wasn’t so good but suddenly things picked up and when we started to play without a lead striker and still kept knocking the goals in all around the team, I thought it was a sensational idea.
“Nobody has worked it out yet. It is an amazing ploy.
“We had a fantastic run to win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970.
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“But I think 51 years on, it’s more than about time we won in Europe again.
“They’ve proved they can win many trophies over the past few years and if we win on Saturday, I feel it could be the start of many more European successes.
“As soon as you get that first trophy you can go on to be a multiple winner.
“I also wouldn’t be surprised if Sergio Aguero didn’t come on off the bench and knocked in a goal.
“And if we were to win three trophies in the season – it would be an amazing end to an amazing season.
“I send them all the best of luck and if they play to the best of their ability, I think we will win.”
Joe Corrigan (Goalkeeper)
“It’s such a fantastic achievement to have got there and such an exciting prospect for us all and let’s hope we can get the right result, and all celebrate afterwards.
“We should have a lot of confidence given the way the season has panned out; having already won the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
“Everyone in Europe wants to win this trophy but we’ve got a great chance.
“I don’t like to make predictions but I’m sure Pep and his staff will have the players up for it and though the two recent results we have had against Chelsea haven’t gone our way, and I’m sure the manager will have looked at it and addressed it with the players.
“It’s a bigger tournament than when we won the Cup Winners’ Cup. This is the biggest trophy in Europe if not the world now.
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“If we win on Saturday, I can see the Club going on and on in Europe as it would give us so much momentum going forward.
“And that’s not only for the players and staff but also the owners knowing they have invested in such a fantastic way both in the club and the community.
“What has happened on the field has been backed by really good people off it.
“It’s an exciting prospect to try and win it and to see what could develop afterwards.
“51 years is long enough to wait in Europe. It was a brilliant night when we won in 1970 and hopefully the lads can have a brilliant night this Saturday.”
Tommy Booth (Centre half)
“The team has been fantastic, and to win tonight would be a great way to cap off an incredible season.
“We have been the only City team to win a European trophy down the years so hopefully Pep and the boys can get the job done and I wish them all the luck in the world.
“And I really feel if we turn up on the day and play to our ability then we will win.
“Don’t get me wrong, Chelsea are a good side and obviously they have got the better of us on a couple of occasions in the past month or so.
“But I think Pep is such a great, great manager and I’m sure he’ll find the right words to fit the occasion to pass on to the players.
“It’s time we won again in Europe and there is nothing all the lads from 1970 would like more than for the guys to win on Saturday.
“We’ve had such a great season and amazing few years under Pep but this would top the lot.
“This is the one that we want. I’ll be very nervous watching the lads but hopefully we can get the job done.”
Mike Summerbee (Winger)
“For this football club it is the ultimate - Sheikh Mansour’s investment has helped Manchester City become one of the best teams in the world and reaching the Champions League final has been like climbing Mount Everest.
“The players and coaching staff have all put an incredible amount of hard work in.
“They are all top professionals at the top of their game and apart from the World Cup final, this is the biggest stage they could play on.
“They are stepping into an era where Manchester City have arrived at the top and they are pleasure to watch and a pleasure to be in their company because they are all good, great lads.
“If they win this, they will have done something magnificent for this football club.
“I’m more nervous about this game than the match in Vienna which I missed through injury.
“This is a very special moment for everyone at this football club and I’d like to thank Sheikh Mansour, the chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Pep for what they have done and what they are doing for Manchester City.”
