Francis Lee’s health and illness issues have become topical since his death was reported on October 2, 2023. When he died at the age of 70, people wanted to know what kind of disease he was battling that led to his death.
Francis Henry Lee, CBE, was a striker for the English national team who played professionally from April 29, 1944, to October 2, 2023. He participated in matches for England, Derby County, Manchester City, and Bolton Wanderers. With more than 200 goals in his career and medals from the League Championships with Manchester City and Derby, he was known for his pace and tenacity. He was admitted to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
In a little while, we will delve into Francis Lee’s health and illness issues, but for now, let’s get to know just who he was.
Due to the fact that his name frequently seems to appear on the list of goal scorers for City in the match results lists in the Sunday papers, he was given the nickname Lee 1 (Pen). He holds the English record for the most penalties scored in a season. This sparked claims of diving. Norman Hunter of Leeds United made one such allegation, which sparked a brawl on the field.
Lee established F.H. Lee Ltd. in 1966 as a business that produced toilet paper and kitchen rolls out of recycled paper. He became a billionaire because of it, which ran until 2003. Francis Lee took over as Manchester City’s chairman and largest shareholder in 1994, but he left his position four years later. What was Francis Lee’s health situation? We will delve into that in a short while.
Francis Lee Death
Lee passed away on October 2, 2023, at the age of 79. “It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and chairman Francis Lee, aged 79,” a City statement read, calling Lee “a club legend in every sense” and one of City’s “all-time greats”.
The statement continued: “Francis’ wife Gill and children Charlotte, Jonny, and Nik say he will be sorely missed and would like to thank everyone for their kind words.” “Everyone at Manchester City would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Francis at this very difficult time. As a mark of respect, flags around the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy are flying at half-mast. More tributes from the club will follow in the coming days.”
Tributes have since come in from clubs that Francis Lee played for, as well as some of his former teammates. One of them was the former City striker Paul Dickov, who said, “Such sad news to hear of the passing of Francis Lee. A gentleman, proper football man with a great sense of humour. The main reason I signed for Man City with his sheer love for the club & will be forever grateful. Love & condolences to all his family & friends. RIP, Mr. Chairman.”
Francis Lee Health
Francis Lee’s health has been under scrutiny in the past few years, and that is to be expected given his advancement in age. In the wake of his death, people wanted to find out what illness he was battling before his death.
Prior to his death, the former Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, and Derby County man had health issues, as he was said to have battled an illness for quite a long time. What was Francis Lee’s illness?
Francis Lee Illness
Cancer was reported to be Francis Lee’s illness, a disease he was said to have battled for a long time, which ultimately led to his sad demise on Monday, October 2, 2023.
On December 11, 1968, at Wembley Stadium in a friendly match against Bulgaria, Lee made his international debut for England at the age of 24. On March 12, 1969, he scored his first goal in his subsequent match, a 5-0 victory over France in a friendly match. The first English player to ever receive a card at a World Cup was Lee, who played for England in Mexico in 1970.
He was carded for kicking Brazilian Félix. He participated in England’s elimination game from the 1970 World Cup, a 3-2 loss to West Germany in the Estadio de Guanajuato in León, as well as the matches against Brazil, Romania, and West Germany.
