Manchester City Honors Legendary Trio: Unveiling Monumental Tribute To Bell, Summerbee, And Lee

In a monumental gesture celebrating footballing greatness, Manchester City is set to unveil an everlasting tribute honouring the indelible legacies of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, and Francis Lee. The revered trio, synonymous with an illustrious era in the club’s history, will be immortalized in a permanent display, marking a poignant moment in the heart of the Etihad Stadium.

The much-anticipated reveal is scheduled for next Tuesday, coinciding with the morning of Manchester City’s pulsating Champions League encounter against RB Leipzig. This tribute marks an esteemed addition to the iconic works of sculptor Andy Scott, which grace the east side of the Etihad, immortalizing the achievements of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero.

In a bid to encapsulate the essence of another golden era, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak envisioned an alternative perspective, seeking to pay homage to the formidable contributions of Bell, Summerbee, and Lee. Renowned sculptor David Williams-Ellis, acclaimed for his masterpieces, including the revered D-Day memorial above Gold Beach in Normandy, dedicated several years to encapsulating the essence of these footballing icons from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The monumental work, meticulously crafted by Williams-Ellis, will grace the stadium’s west side, poised to take its rightful place before the much-anticipated Champions League fixture next week.

Expressing profound honour, Williams-Ellis remarked, “Creating this work for Manchester City Football Club to celebrate the diverse talents of Bell, Lee, and Summerbee has been an extraordinary journey. It is my hope that this art piece will imbue a sense of history and pride, becoming an enduring part of Manchester’s cultural landscape, welcoming fans and visitors from across the globe.”

While Summerbee, the lone surviving member of this iconic trio, witnesses this grand gesture, the tribute serves as a poignant remembrance following the untimely passings of Bell in January 2021 and Lee just last month.

This unveiling promises not just a celebration of sporting prowess but a cherished homage to three remarkable individuals whose contributions remain etched in the annals of Manchester City’s storied history. The tribute embodies a lasting ode to their unwavering commitment, inspiring future generations and weaving their illustrious stories into the fabric of the club’s narrative.