Tag Archives: Tony Book

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. Incidentally that photo of Book with three trophies was taken by the brilliant photographer Peter Robinson.

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. 

Alan Jubb’s photo of Tony Book with League Championship trophy, 1968

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.

1969 MCFC

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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Bluemoon Podcast, Tony Book and More

I was invited on to the Bluemoon Podcast along with Andy MacNab by David Mooney to talk about City’s recent games, upcoming matches etc. plus we also spent some time talking about Tony Book and what he meant to City. We also managed to give mention to Bobby Kennedy, another member of that 1967-68 title winning squad, who also died this last week. You can listen to the podcast via this link:

https://pod.fo/e/29eb98

The 1960s: 1968-1969 The Fourth FA Cup

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1968-69 season. Another trophy winning season. If you’d like to read this 6,000 word article , plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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Tony Book

I’ve just heard the news that Manchester City’s legendary captain and manager Tony Book has died. I’ve met Tony many times over the decades and it’s difficult to put into words how significant he remains in City’s history. My thoughts are with his family and close friends. I last saw Tony at the former players dinner a few months back. To commemorate his life here’s a profile of him I wrote only a few months ago.

Tony was of course a major footballing star of the 60s and early 70s. It seems appropriate today to highlight some of his achievements with quotes here from interviews I’ve performed over the years.

Tony arrived at Maine Road in 1966 and captained Manchester City to phenomenal success.  When he arrived at City Book he was in his thirties:  “I hoped I’d get a couple of years and I would have been very happy with two years at City, of course.  Because of what happened and the way the success came in my second year, I felt I could go on again. Winning the League in 1968 was like a spark and I wanted to keep the flame going.”

Book lifted more trophies as captain than any other Blue, until the incredible success experienced during Vincent Kompany’s time. Back in 2015-16 as Kompany was nearing Book’s record, Book told me: “Next time he lifts a major trophy he’ll have matched my record as captain. I hope that success comes soon, and that he then goes on to pass my record this season.” 

His time as captain and player was incredible and this was a golden era for City. What is often overlooked though is Tony’s contribution as a manager. In 1973-74 he became manager of City for the final month of the season – a spell that was noteworthy for the infamous Manchester derby when Denis Law netted against United in the Reds’ relegation match.  In the years that followed, Book developed a squad of real talent, blending well-regarded internationals with enthusiastic youth to create a flamboyant and entertaining team.  

Book’s second full season saw his team of entertainers annihilate United 4-0 in the 4th round of the League Cup – on a night remembered more for the devastating injury to Colin Bell – and progress to the competition’s final where they defeated Newcastle 2-1.  The victory meant Book was the first man to win the trophy as a player and as a manager.  He said at the time:  “Two weeks ago I met Gordon Lee (Newcastle manager) and we agreed that whoever won, it was more important for us to provide a good final.  I think we have done that.  This was my greatest moment.  It was a tremendous final and Tueart’s goal was something special… quite out of this world.”

Looking back on 1976 Book believes the key to the success lay in City’s preparation: “We wanted everything to be low key and travelled down early in the week.  We did simple training and tried to build an environment around us that was positive.  It worked well and by the day of the final we were ready.”

City were missing Kenny Clements, and Colin Bell was still out of action, causing Book to bring youngster Ged Keegan in. There had been media talk that Keegan and another youngster, Peter Barnes, would feel the pressure but Book felt differently: “I had total faith in my lads. Barnes scored the first – in a move that we’d worked on in training – and Keegan more than justified his place.  I never had a doubt.”

Book managed City through one of the club’s most exciting periods: “As a manager I was proud that in five years we won the League Cup; finished runners up by a point to Liverpool; we were in Europe for three consecutive seasons; and we reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. I had some good players that came in – Dave Watson, Brian Kidd, Joe Royle, Asa Hartford – and did an excellent job for me.”

City fans loved what he had brought the club and at the 1976 League Cup homecoming they chanted ‘Tony, Tony’ repeatedly for some time.  At various film shows over the last decade I’ve shown (together with Will McTaggart from the North West Film Archive) a rediscovered film of the homecoming parade which shows exactly what the success meant to the City boss: “I wanted to win the League Cup for them and I remember looking out over the crowd in Albert Square. They were celebrating and singing. Everything we did was for the fans.  These fans have been so loyal over the years and they had made me so welcome when I arrived in 1966.  Such a special club and wonderful fans. They deserved that success – and so many more for the way they stood by this club during the painful years that came later.”

Almost sixty years after he first arrived at City, Tony Book remained a regular and popular presence around the club:  “I love this club and am grateful to all those who brought me here and involved me for so long.  Whenever I’ve been given a job to do I’ve always tried to give my best.” 

Book certainly represents all that is good about football and he is a powerful reminder of the successes Manchester City achieved during his captaincy and as manager.

The 1960s: 1967-1968 Congratulations

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. A trophy winning season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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The 1960s: 1966-1967 A Late Developer

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1966-67 season. Yet another important season in City’s development. If you’d like to read this 3200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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Programme Flashback City V Wolves 29 December 1984

On this day in 1984 Manchester City faced Wolves.

Here for subscribers is a flashback piece detailing what features were in the MCFC match programme that day:

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Juventus & MCFC

Tonight it’s Juventus v Manchester City and here’s a report (& film) of Manchester City beating Juventus in their first competitive meeting. It was played on 15 September 1976. That day Brian Kidd scored the only goal (a header) and you can see that goal here:

The match report expresses the disappointment City felt at only taking a 1-0 lead to Italy for the 2nd leg.

Here’s a photo from the game. Notice anything odd? Follow the link after the photo for the story.

Maine Road 100 – Day 24

Subscribers can read more about the game here:

On This Day in 1976: Juventus

Ron Saunders Arrives

Today (24 November) in 1973 new Manchester City chairman Peter Swales appointed Ron Saunders as the club’s new manager. He didn’t last the season! You can read about both the appointment and the sacking in this 1,700 word article on the 1973-74 season – a season which included a Wembley final, multiple managerial changes and a controversial Manchester Derby at Old Trafford! You can read this below. Enjoy!

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Dennis Tueart Goal (and Video Interview)

On 20 November 1976 Dennis Tueart scored the only goal as Manchester City defeated West Bromwich Albion at Maine Road. Here’s a video of an interview I did with Dennis last year. In this we focus on him leaving Manchester City for the NASL and New York Cosmos; his experiences there and his return to City. Dennis is always a great talker and there are some wonderful moments in this as he talks about this significant time in the changing Manchester City and in the excitement of New York soccer.

The conversation links Tony Book, Leonard Rossiter, Pele, Carlos Alberto, John Cleese, Dave Sexton, Malcolm Allison and Franz Beckenbauer amongst others.

It lasts about 50 minutes so get your self a brew and sit down to watch:

Dennis’s biography is still available (see link below).

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Dennis Tueart’s biography is available at most bookshops, including the usual online retailers such as: