TRIBUTE TO TONY BOOK (1935 - 2025)

It was with sadness that I heard of the death of footballer Tony Book at 90 years of age.

Tony was a footballing hero from another era. When I started supporting Manchester City in 1969 Book was the team captain. A solid right back he had something to start with that few other players had. He signed for City from my other favourite tea, Plymouth Argyle. 

Malcolm Allison was manager of Argyle before Joe Mercer brought him to City as his assistant in 1966. One of the first things Allison did was sign Tony Book. He signed Colin Bell as well. City won promotion back to the top Division in 1866 and beat United to the League title, on the last day of the season in 1968. Then it was the FA Cup in 1969 and both the League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup in 1970.

Book was captain throughout those glory years. What is more amazing, looking back, was that he was 31 years old when City signed him. He had played 387 games for Bath City in the non league and then 81 for Plymouth. Quite a story to sign for City at that stage. Not much chance of it happening in 2025.

His age though probably was the reason that even with all that silverware he never threatened an England call up. 

His age didn’t get in the way of that thrilling City career, a solid, consistent right back and club captain. He sent confidence through team, club and supporters. 

He continued to be club leader when he took over as manager in 1974, a position he held for 5 years, and led us to our last trophy for 35 years when we won the League Cup in 1976 with a free flowing attacking side that should have won the league at least once between 75 and 78. 

Tony spent the rest of his life around the club. He was Honorary President of Manchester City and Life President of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club. 

Tony Book is a much loved legend for us City fans. I wonder if he ever dared imagine the career and life that was ahead of him when at almost 30 he signed for Plymouth Argyle in 1964. It’s a remarkable story. A remarkable life.