Manchester City have revealed a brand new statue paying tribute to club legends Colin Bell, Francis ‘Franny’ Lee and Mike Summerbee.
Unveiling the new permanent bronze sculpture of Bell, Lee and Summerbee outside the Etihad Stadium on 28 November, Man City stated that “the magnificent statue will serve as a reminder of three of our greatest ever players.”
Designed by artist David Williams-Ellis, an Irish sculptor who specialises in capturing the human figure, those attending City’s Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig on Tuesday night will be among the first fans to see the trio of trophy-winning players.
Hailed as the three best players in the club’s first true golden era in the late ’60s, when they won the 1968 First Division title, the 1969 FA Cup, the 1970 Cup Winners Cup and a League Cup, they gave Blues their very first taste of success and years of memories to look back on.
As a touching addition, the statue is both a way of honouring Bell, who died back in 2021, the late Franny Lee who passed away back in October, and the surviving Summerbee who is now one of the few remaining members of that incredible team, as well as a special nod to the squad at large.
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On the plinth beneath their likenesses, the artist has also included a bronze plate featuring the names of the 29 teammates who played alongside Man City’s own ‘Holy Trinity’.
A touching tribute not only to the talented triumvirate but the other beloved footballers who helped them shine on the pitch. The statue will now stand proudly outside the ever-developing home ground alongside sculptures of modern-era club legends Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
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Here’s what manager Pep Guardiola had to say on the unveiling and the players’ legacy.
"Three legendary, unbelievable persons"
We're live at the Etihad Stadium this morning as Manchester City unveil a statue to salute the legacy of legends Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee.
The club’s Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said in a statement: “This statue honours three players who are unquestionably City legends and have deservedly earned a special place in the history of the Club and hearts of the whole City family.
“The artist’s decision to feature the three men in motion on a single plinth, as well as include the 29 names of their teammates, gives us the opportunity to acknowledge a trophy-winning era of City football history that has, and will, resonate for generations to come.”
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As for Summerbee himself, the 80-year-old said of the new installation: “This is a truly special moment for me and my family. I joined Manchester City in 1965 and it is the best decision I could have possibly made. 50 years later, I am still here, still treated with such respect.
“I feel incredibly lucky to be recognised in this way, amongst friends whose contribution to our history this Club never forgets, despite the amazing success we have enjoyed in recent years. It is an honour to be part of this extraordinary Club.”
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
28th November 2023 
