Mike Summerbee

Player name in full: Mike Summerbee

To/from dates: 1965-1975

Number of appearances: 449

Goals scored: 67

Biography and City Career:

One of the most popular Manchester City players of all time, Mike Summerbee made his professional debut for Swindon Town in 1959, aged just 16. By the time Joe Mercer brought him to Manchester City in 1965 for £35,000, the 22-year-old had more than 200 league appearances under his belt. He was to spend a decade at the heart of the stylish, attacking City side that at the time was seen as the greatest in the club’s history.

As an incisive, goal-scoring right winger, he was a key component in the team that won four trophies between 1968 and 1970. Alongside team mates Colin Bell and Francis Lee he was the third member of the “Holy Trinity”. In the deciding League fixture of  1968, he scored one of City’s goals in the thrilling 4-3 win over Newcastle which clinched the Championship. During the 1969 FA Cup Final, Summerbee’s run down the wing and eventual cross set up Neil Young’s goal; the only one of the game.

Something of a practical joker, Summerbee (or “Buzzer” as teammates nicknamed him) was also known for a fiery temperament, a trait described by teammate Francis Lee as “retaliating first”.

Over a five-year period, which encompassed the 1970 World Cup, Summerbee played for England eight times. He made his international debut against Scotland in front of 134,000 spectators at Hampden Park on 24 February 1968, and helped to secure a 1–1 draw to clinch qualification to the UEFA Euro  Championships in 1968.

After a career at City spanning 10 years Summerbee left Manchester City in June 1975, moving to Burnley, for a £25,000 fee.  He made more than 400 appearances for City.

Notable facts/stories:

Off the pitch,  Mike has been involved with a number of business ventures including a period where he co-owned a menswear business with George Best and he had  a speaking part in the cult film ‘Escape To Victory’ alongside Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.

Non-City career:

Summerbee signed for Blackpool on Christmas Eve 1976. The transfer had been the Blackpool chairman’s idea, not that of manager Allan Brown.He made just three League appearances for the Seasiders.

Mike ended his footballing career at Stockport County, where he was player-manager in the 1978–79 season. In 1980, he returned to the game for one match, playing for non-League Mossley in their single goal FA Cup defeat .

Summerbee is now the Club Ambassador for Manchester City travelling the world promoting the club and he is also present at the Etihad for every home game, as well as being an avid City fan.