Man City to unveil new Etihad statues honouring three more legends of the club

23 November 2023 , 08:00

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Man City to unveil new Etihad statues honouring three more legends of the club

Manchester City have built a statue to their legendary trio of Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee at the Etihad Stadium.

The trio inspired City to glory in the 1960s and 1970s, helping the Blues to the First Division title in 1968, the FA Cup the following year and the European Cup-winner's Cup and League Cup in 1970. Summerbee is the only surviving member of the triumvirate, with Bell passing away in January 2021 and Lee - who also held the post of City chairman - last month.

Bell, who made 498 appearances for City, scoring 153 goals, already has a stand named in his honour at the Etihad Stadium. The sculpture will be located on the west side of the stadium and will be unveiled on Tuesday morning, ahead of City's Champions League match with RB Leipzig.

Sculptor David Williams-Ellis, who created the lasting monument, said: “It is a great honour to create a work of art for Manchester City celebrating the diverse, talented players, Bell, Lee and Summerbee.

“It’s been an extraordinary last two years, working on this project that celebrates these players from a great era in Manchester City’s football history. “I hope that the work will give a sense of history and place to the legions of fans and visitors that come to the football ground from around the world and become an enduring part of Manchester’s cultural landscape.”

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Modern-day City legends Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva already have sculptures on the east side of the stadium. ""Fans at today’s game are among the very first people to see the statues in person and up close, and I hope they provoke memories of the truly magical moments created by both men over 10 years," chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak said when they were unveiled in 2021.

Mike Summerbee is among the stars being honoured by Manchester City (Mirrorpix)

Colin Bell is also being honoured, along with fellow club legend Francis Lee (Mirrorpix)

Premier League winning captain Kompany, now manager of Burnley, said at the time: "I didn't really expect to be recognised by such a great club in that way. My wife is from Manchester, my kids are born in Manchester, and they go back to a place where they can see something that represents what their Dad has achieved and that is something that I can't describe.

"The first time I saw the statue I couldn't believe how big it was, but then again, I'm a big boy, so fair enough! And then especially the pose, for me it means a lot."

David McDonnell