Mike Summerbee paid tribute to “a lovely, humble man” and Manchester City’s “greatest footballer” following the death of former team-mate Colin Bell.
City announced Bell had “passed away peacefully” on Tuesday afternoon aged 74 after a “short, non-Covid related illness”.
Former England international Bell made 492 appearances and scored 152 goals for City during his 13-year stay after joining from Bury in 1966, helping secure promotion to the top flight.
Tributes to Bell will be paid at City’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, with players set to wear a retro number eight shirt before kick-off.
His son Jon, a consultant interventional radiologist and clinical director delivering cancer care at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, said on Twitter: “Difficult 48 hours seeing our hero slip away. Devastated to be without our amazing husband, dad & pops.
“Man City fans will share our immense loss. Thank you for the kind messages of support. We will be watching the team wear the No. 8 shirt with pride tomorrow.”
