Tony Book dead at 90: Legendary former Man City captain and manager dies as club lead emotional tributes
FORMER Manchester City captain and manager Tony Book has died aged 90.
The ex-full-back played 315 times for City between 1966 and 1974.
He won four major trophies as the club’s skipper, before later going on to have three stints as manager.
City have posted an emotional tribute to their club icon.
Their statement 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.”
On their website, they added that Book was “Mr Manchester City“.
Book’s career was largely influenced by fellow City icon Malcolm Allison.
He was managed by Allison at hometown team Bath City, before following him to Toronto in 1964.
When Allison landed the Plymouth Argyle job, he made Book his first signing at Home Park.
Amazingly at the age of 30, this was Book’s first taste of League football.
Two years later he joined City in a £17,000 deal, after Allison had taken a job as Joe Mercer’s assistant.
With City, Book won the First Division, FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup.
He was also named Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year in 1969, sharing the award with Tottenham icon Dave Mackay.
And George Best once named Book as his most difficult-ever opponent.
In 1973, Book took temporary charge of City while still a player.
He retired the following year aged 39 to work as Ron Saunders’ assistant, before landing the manager gig six months later when Saunders was sacked.
One of his first games in charge saw City beat Manchester United 1-0, in a game that effectively relegated their rivals.
Book won the League Cup as boss in 1976, before being replaced by Allison in 1979.
He soon returned in the 1980s, and worked in a variety of roles across the club.
The City icon worked as a youth coach, before stepping in as caretaker boss in 1989 and 1993 – while he also made up part of Peter Reid’s coaching staff.
Following his coaching career, Book was named Honorary President of the club.