Man City icon dies as tributes paid to 'true club legend in every sense'

Manchester City have announced the passing of former club captain and manager Tony Book at the age of 90.

Book played 315 times for City between 1966 and 1974 before retiring from playing to become the club’s assistant manager and later taking the reigns as manager.

City announced his passing in a statement, which read: “It is with huge sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of former Manchester City captain and manager Tony Book, aged 90.

“A true club legend in every sense of the word, Tony made 315 appearances for City in total between 1966 and 1974, scoring five goals.”

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak led the tributes to Book, saying: “For nearly sixty years Tony helped to shape Manchester City. Not just in what he contributed as a player, captain and manager, but in the way he conducted himself. His hopes and ambitions for his club were matched only by his incredible humility regarding his own significant achievements.

“He will forever be remembered by our supporters as a man who helped to lay the foundations upon which unprecedented success could be built. A player and leader whose outstanding abilities not only helped return us to the peak of English football, but also delivered our first ever European honour.

“Tony’s devotion to his club meant he was still fulfilling club duties earlier this season. I will miss seeing him at our games enormously, and witnessing first-hand the regard in which he is held by every generation of the City family.”

The full-back joined City from Plymouth Argyle and went on to win the First Division in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969, the League Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup the same year, all as captain.

Book took temporary charge of City in 1973 when manager Johnny Hart resigned due to ill health before retiring from playing the following year, becoming assistant manager to Ron Saunders. However, Saunders’ tenure lasted just six months and Book was named temporary boss again before being appointed permanently after just one game.

As manager, Book led City to League Cup success in 1976 as his standout triumph in the dugout before he took on various roles within the club after he was replaced as manager in 1979, later returning as interim boss in 1993. In retirement, he was named honorary president of the club and life president of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club.