Manchester City honour Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee with statues
Work has been commissioned to represent the trio, stars of the successful side of the late 1960s and early 1970s, at the Etihad Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City are to honour three more of their greatest players in Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee with statues.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has announced that work has been commissioned to represent the trio, stars of the successful side of the late 1960s and early 1970s, at the Etihad Stadium.
It comes after the club recently unveiled a sculpture of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero alongside those of fellow Premier League winners David Silva and Vincent Kompany already in place.
Khaldoon told the club’s website: “Over the last couple of years we’ve had the statues of Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, and these three represented the most successful era in the history of this club.
“But there are other very successful eras and I think remembering Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee is very important.
“This club has a great history. These are players that have contributed immensely to this club, and have earned the right to be appreciated forever, eternally, with statues.
“I won’t say too much right now until it’s done but what I will say is, these three legends will be properly respected and represented with a work of art that all the fans of this club will be able to see.”
Bell, Summerbee and Lee were at the heart of the City side that won the old First Division in 1968, the FA Cup the following year and a double of European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup in 1970.
Bell, who died last year after a short illness, has already had a stand at the ground named after him.
Khaldoon, speaking in his now customary end-of-season interview, also believes City have emerged strongly from the coronavirus pandemic.
The club announced a return to profitability and a 19 per cent increase in total revenues earlier this year.
Khaldoon said: “We’ve done very well. Covid was an anomaly, a very challenging black swan event that put an incredible challenge on the whole world.
“It was very difficult but, from day one, my direction to the team and to the organisation was we have to work towards ensuring that we weather through the storm and that we come out stronger.
“And I’m delighted to say that we’ve weathered through it and we have come out stronger.
“I expect us to continue to grow and go from strength to strength and the pandemic is hopefully now behind us.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments