Man City unveil tribute to club legends Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee... with the bronze statue hailed as 'truly special' for the players and their families

A bronze statue paying tribute to Manchester City legends Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee has been unveiled outside the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League champions have been eager to honour the trio for their combined 30 years of service to the club during the 1960s and 1970s.

Now, ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, the bronze statue, which sits on a single plinth has been unveiled.

'This is a truly special moment for me and my family,' Mike Summerbee said. 

'I joined Manchester City in 1965 and it is the best decision I could have possibly made. 50 years later, I am still here, still treated with such respect.

'I feel incredibly lucky to be recognised in this way, amongst friends whose contribution to our history this Club never forgets, despite the amazing success we have enjoyed in recent years. It is an honour to be part of this extraordinary club.'

Speaking on behalf of his late father Colin, Jon Bell said: 'This Football Club meant so much to my father. He gave so much to Manchester City, not just throughout his playing career but beyond it into his later life.

'His bond with this club's supporters was truly exceptional and that he will be remembered in this way forever is something that our whole family is incredibly touched by and will take great pride in.'

As well as paying homage to the famed trio, City have also chosen to celebrate all those who had a hand in those two decades - where they won a First Division title, an FA Cup, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup - of rich success.

To do so, the names of all 29 players who contributed across that trophy-winning period are inscribed on the bronze plate that sits atop the statue's plinth.

'My father enjoyed the most successful period of his career at Manchester City and to see that legacy immortalised in this way is so meaningful to his whole family,' Jonny Lee, speaking on behalf of his late father Francis, said.

'We only said goodbye to him in recent weeks and it was important to us that the club was at the centre of that. The supporters gave him the most beautiful send-off and to follow that up with such a permanent tribute is everything he could have hoped for.'

The statue, which measures almost 4.5 metres high (14.5 feet) and four metres wide (13 feet), with an approximate weight of 2,000 kilos (4,409 pounds), is situated on the west side of the Etihad Stadium, close to the Colin Bell stand.

World-renowned sculptor David Williams-Ellis was the man tasked with creating the tribute.

Manchester City's Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, was essential in hand-picking the sculptor, and he has been left delighted with the end result.

'This statue honours three players who are unquestionably City legends and have deservedly earned a special place in the history of the Club and hearts of the whole City family,' he said.

'The artist's decision to feature the three men in motion on a single plinth, as well as include the 29 names of their team-mates, gives us the opportunity to acknowledge a trophy-winning era of City football history that has, and will, resonate for generations to come.'

As well as having illustrious playing careers with Man City, the three honoured players all had post-playing roles at the club. 

Bell worked as a coach, Lee was chairman between 1994-1998, and Summerbee remains club ambassador to this day.

A feature length documentary highlighting the story of the statues from inception to build will be released on Man City's YouTube channel and their City+ platform on Saturday.

'It has been a great honour to work alongside Manchester City in celebrating their rich history and the vast contribution of this very special team,' sculptor Williams-Ellis said.

'I have been made aware throughout the process of the depth of feeling towards all three of players and how that has spanned across almost six decades.

'I hope my work brings that legacy to life as a timeless reminder for future generations of supporters.'