"Forward with Franny": How Francis Lee tried to save Manchester City in the 90s
manchestereveningnews.co.ukIt's September 11, 1993 and The Rev Jim Burns' beloved Manchester City are in turmoil. The club are languishing in the then fledgling Premier League and fans have been calling for the head of chairman Peter Swales since the start of the season.
But hope is on the horizon, in the shape of club legend turned multi-millionaire businessman Franny Lee. A beleaguered Swales had indicated he would be prepared to sell up to the City and England legend - if the price was right.
But Mr Burns, a leading figure the 'Forward with Franny' demonstrations, which would that afternoon see thousands of fans wave red cards at the Maine Road directors during the match against QPR, remained sceptical. READ MORE: 'Mr Personality' Francis Lee led one Man City golden age then helped to deliver another READ MORE: Man City legend Francis Lee passes away aged 79 "We'll believe it when we see it," Mr Burns, vicar at St Paul's, Chorley, said. "The action will continue until such time as Francis Lee is chairman or in control of the club." Five months later the vicar got his wish.
On February 5, 1994, Lee, who died this week aged 79, bought £3m of shares from Swales and took control of the club. As he flew in from a holiday in Barbados to complete the deal, his arrival was greeted with an almost religious fervour. 'St Francis: The Second Coming' went a tee-shirt seen on Kippax at the time.
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