Francis Lee (footballer)

He was also later the chairman and main shareholder of Manchester City, as well as briefly a racehorse trainer and amateur cricket player.

Noted for his speed and determination, he scored more than 200 goals in his career, in which he won League Championship medals with Manchester City and Derby.

As a 16-year-old amateur footballer, Lee made his debut for Bolton Wanderers in November 1960 against Manchester City at Burnden Park.

[14] Lee's name is often cited in debates about diving in football; referees' chief Keith Hackett described him as a player who "had a reputation of falling down easily".

He was upset at Manchester City's decision to sell him and marked his first match against his former club by scoring the winning goal for Derby.

[18] On 1 November 1975, Lee had a confrontation with Leeds United defender Norman Hunter, which gained a level of infamy after it was screened on Match of the Day.

After intervention by both sets of players, Hunter left the pitch and Lee was restrained and ushered off the field by a club official.

On 24 April 1976, the final day of the 1975–76 season, he played his last game as a professional footballer in a 6–2 win at against Ipswich Town, in which he scored two goals.

His toilet roll manufacturing business FH Lee Ltd once employed Peter Kay, later a famous comedian, who mentions his time there in his autobiography, The Sound of Laughter.

[29] Lee was welcomed as a hero by City's supporters, who had formed a movement named Forward With Franny backing his attempt to gain control of the club.

Notable horses trained by Lee include Sir Harry Hardman,[34] Allwight Then[35] and Young Jason.

"[37] Before becoming a professional footballer Lee showed promise at cricket, representing the Horwich and Westhoughton Schools FA Team in 1958.

[38] When his football career came to an end, he briefly returned to cricket, playing for Westhoughton's first XI in 1977 as a medium-fast bowler and middle to lower order batsman.

[39] Lee was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football and charity.

Lee (centre) alongside Martin Peters (left) and Jack Charlton (right) at Schiphol Airport , 1969
Lee signing an autograph