The 1960s: Significance of Tony Book

It seems appropriate in the week that Tony Book died that I write an article highlighting how significant Tony was as a player.

As a player Tony was a hugely successful captain with Manchester City during the Mercer-Allison period.  He was undoubtedly a key figure in each of City’s trophy successes during the seasons 1967 to 1970, and was regarded by many at the time as the greatest ever captain to have appeared for the Blues.  Certainly his record of trophy success placed him some way ahead of all earlier captains. His trophy record has been eclipsed of course but do not let that downplay anything of what he achieved. Few in the game had ever achieved what he had. It’s even more remarkable when you consider his age when he arrived at Maine Road.

Book joined the Blues in July 1966 for £17,000 after a relatively brief League career with Plymouth Argyle.  The transfer was one that saw Malcolm Allison use all his skills to persuade City boss Joe Mercer to take a gamble.  

Allison had been a fan of Book’s ever since their days together at Bath City and the City coach explained the player’s strengths to Mercer.  It should be remembered that Book had only made his League debut a month before his 30th birthday.  Mercer, remembering how his own career had been given a new lease of life at a similar age, backed Allison’s judgement, and the Tony Book fairy tale began.  

Within weeks, Book was considered to be one of the driving forces on the pitch at City. The following cutting is from the end of August 1966 and mentions him:

Inevitably, Book played a major part in each City trophy success following his arrival at Maine Road, but he was also voted FWA Footballer of the Year (held jointly with Derby’s Dave Mackay) in 1969.  It was a fitting award and said much about what made Manchester City tick – potentially he should have been awarded it in 1968 but there are several stories about that season’s award which we’ll save for another day. 

Had the FWA award been given to one of City’s more familiar names – Bell, Lee or Summerbee – then that would of course have been a great honour, but going to Book proved that the side was more about teamwork than about individuality.  Book was City’s influential captain.  He did more than most to bring glory to the Blues. 

People often overlook what happened when he was missing from the team. After winning the title in 1968 Book was injured during the close season and ended up missing the opening 25 League games, plus City’s first European Cup tie. It is significant that during his absence City struggled to find consistency both in the league and the other competitions.  Once he returned to the side the Blues powered their way to FA Cup glory. It makes me wonder what would have happened that season had he been fit from the start. He ended that season after playing only 21 League and FA Cup games – and was still judged FWA Footballer of the Year! What an achievement.

Tony eventually moved into coaching and, once his playing days came to an end, he developed a new career as an inspirational coach and manager. I’ll talk about that another day.

It cannot be stressed highly enough that Tony Book’s position in City’s history is a significant one.  He was a tremendous player, inspiring coach, and a loyal club servant. His time as a player was one of significant achievement, with him taking the lead for most of his playing days. His time as manager was also, without doubt, one of the most exciting periods in the club’s history.  He brought major success and allowed City to challenge the near-dominant Liverpool.  It wasn’t until the arrival of Roberto Mancini that a City manager found major trophy success again.

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