Farewell Francis Lee: Football greats gather to mourn Man City and England ace

Football greats have gathered for the funeral of Manchester City and England striker Francis Lee who died aged 79 after long battle with lung cancer.

Lee, who was Affectionately known as 'Franny', passed away earlier this month, with his heartbroken family saying that he would be 'sorely missed'.

Legends of the game have been pictured ahead of the funeral service for the former Manchester City chairman, who was also a highly-successful businessman and racehorse trainer.

Newcastle legend Graeme Souness, former Manchester City players Micah Richards and Mike Summerbee, and former captain of the club Keith Book have all been seen attending Manchester Cathedral today where the funeral is being held.

Lee scored 148 goals in 330 appearances for Man City before spending four troubled years as chairman of the club in 1994, replacing Peter Swales.

Lee had aimed to transform his former club into a Premier League outfit, but they were on the brink of relegation when he left in 1998.

He became a multi-millionaire in his retirement thanks to the success of his toilet paper company which allowed him to take over as the majority shareholder at Man City in 1994, replacing Peter Swales as chairman.

It would be football that first brought Lee into the limelight - including his unforgettable sending off after getting into a vicious brawl with Leeds United hardman Norman Hunter.

Described as one of City's all-time greats, Lee won the First Division, FA Cup, League Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup during eight years with the club.