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.”
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
28th November 2023 
