Man City legend Tony Book has passed away at the age of 90 (Image: Getty)
Former captain, manager and vice-president Tony Book has died at the age of 90, the club have confirmed.
Somerset-born Book won four major trophies as City skipper, including the first division title in 1968, an the following season, which helped him win the FWA Footballer of the Year award, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969/70.
The former right-back spent decades as the most decorated captain in the Blues’ history and racked up over 300 games for the club.
City paid tribute to Book in a posted to their official X account, which read: “It is with huge sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of former 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.”
Book took on coaching responsibilities one year before hanging up his boots in 1974, and was placed in caretaker charge of City shortly after retiring. He was appointed on a permanent basis after only one game and spent the next five years as their leader in the dugout.
A League Cup victory in 1976 made Book the first person to win the competition as a player and a manager – a standout achievement in what proved to be a successful spell in charge.
Book went on to hold a variety of other City roles, including another stint as caretaker manager in 1993. In retirement from coaching he was named Honorary President of the club and Life President of the Official Supporters Club.
The Blues hero racked up nearly 400 appearances for Bath City during the first part of his career, and two years at Plymouth Argyle preceded his move to Manchester at the age of 31.
Book would go on to play until he was 39. Nicknamed ‘Skip’ since taking the captain’s armband, he is still fondly remembered as a legend of the club and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
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