A regional daily gave over its front page to wish a fond farewell to one of its patch sporting greats.

The Manchester Evening News splashed on the death of footballer Francis Lee, known as ‘Franny’, who represented Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Derby County, as well as the England national team, during his career.

The MEN also ran five pages of tributes to Mr Lee, who was 79, in its tribute edition on Tuesday.

He was twice a winner of the First Division, then England’s top tier, first with Manchester City in 1968 and then with Derby in 1975.

The MEN’s splash featured a picture of him with hands aloft in front of 20,000 travelling City fans at Newcastle United, after scoring the goal which clinched them the 1968 title.

Lee also won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Manchester club.

In an obituary, MEN chief reporter Neal Keeling wrote: “He was a swashbuckling centre forward, a Manchester City legend, and a fine England international.”

“The iconic picture of Lee with hands aloft in front of 20,000 travelling City fans at Newcastle United, after scoring the goal which clinched the First Division Championship in 1968, captures him perfectly – drive, skill, nous, and exuberance.”