Biography and City Career:

Lee was born in Westhoughton on 29 April 1944. Lee played for Bolton Wanderers from 1956 until his transfer to City.

Lee joined City in 1967 for a then record transfer fee of £60,000. He was the top scorer for five consecutive seasons from 1969/70 to 1973/74. During his time with the club, City won the First Division, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup Winners Cup, Charity Shield (twice) and the Second Division.

Lee scored the fourth goal in a four - three victory away to Newcastle United to clinch the First Division title in 1968. He also scored a penalty in the European Cup Winners Cup final in City’s two - one victory over Gornik in 1970. Lee left City in 1974 to join Derby County.

Notable facts/stories:

 Joe Mercer remarked when signing Lee, he was “the final piece in the jigsaw” which proved to be a very accurate statement. In the 1971/72 season Franny scored 35 goals of which 15 came from the penalty spot earning him the nickname of ‘Lee Won Pen’.

Non-City career:

After leaving City Lee joined Derby County where he won another First Division title and the Charity Shield. Lee made 27 appearances and scored 10 goals for England between 1968 and 1972. He played in the England team in Mexico where he was the first England player to receive a  red card in a World Cup game.

After retiring from football in 1976 Lee concentrated on his business activities including toilet roll manufacturing once employing the comedian Peter Kay. Lee also had a career as a racehorse trainer, which he gave up in 1971 to concentrate on his business commitments.

In 1994 Lee became Chairman of City following the ‘Forward with Franny Movement which arose due to disillusionment with Chairman Peter Swales. However, in 1998 Lee stepped down as Chairman with City on the brink of relegation to the third tier of English football. David Bernstein became the new Chairman; Lee retained his shares but subsequently sold them to Thaksin Shinawatra.

In 2016 Lee was appointed a CBE for his services to charity and football.

He passed away in October 2023 with tributes pouring in from across the football world, including from former team-mates, and senior figures at Manchester City thanking him for his huge contribution to the Club.