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| Tony Book | |
|---|---|
| Name | Anthony Maurice Book |
| Birth date | 30 September 1934 |
| Birth place | Bath, Somerset |
| Position | Right back |
| Youthclubs | Bristol City youth |
| Clubs | Bristol City F.C., Gloucester City A.F.C., Yeovil Town F.C., Bournemouth, Cambridge United F.C., Poole Town F.C., Manchester City F.C. |
| Nationalteam | England B |
| Managerialclubs | Manchester City F.C. |
Tony Book
Anthony Maurice Book (born 30 September 1934) is an English former professional footballer, captain and manager best known for his association with Manchester City F.C. as a player, captain and later manager. He rose from non-league football in the Southern Football League to top-flight success in the Football League First Division before transitioning to coaching and a brief managerial spell that secured major domestic silverware. Book's career intersected with prominent figures and institutions across English football history.
Book was born in Bath, Somerset and began his footballing pathway with youth ties to Bristol City F.C. before army service with the Royal Army Medical Corps interrupted his early progression. He played for semi-professional sides including Gloucester City A.F.C. and Yeovil Town F.C. in the Southern League, featuring against clubs such as Weymouth F.C. and Bath City F.C.. After a spell at Bournemouth under managers who worked in the Football League structure, he moved into the lower divisions with Cambridge United F.C. and Poole Town F.C. before being signed by Manchester City F.C. in the mid-1960s, having been scouted from non-league competitions and friendlies that involved Torquay United F.C. and Exeter City F.C..
At Manchester City F.C., Book established himself as a reliable right back in the Football League First Division under manager Joe Mercer and coach Malcolm Allison. He was appointed captain and led the team through a golden period of domestic success, partnering with teammates such as Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Mike Summerbee, Gerry Baker and Alan Oakes. Under Mercer and Allison the club won the Football League First Division title, the FA Cup, the Football League Cup, and the European Cup Winners' Cup campaigns that defined the era, while contesting fixtures against rivals including Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., Leeds United A.F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and Arsenal F.C.. Book's leadership on the pitch contributed to triumphs at Wembley Stadium and to performances in European football against sides from the Bundesliga, La Liga, and other continental leagues.
After retiring as a player, Book joined the coaching staff at Manchester City F.C., working with managers such as Frank Swift and later taking caretaker and then permanent charge following high-profile departures. His managerial tenure included lifting the Football League Cup with City and navigating the club through seasons in the Football League Second Division and First Division campaigns, dealing with transfers involving players who later moved to clubs like Everton F.C., West Ham United F.C., Nottingham Forest F.C. and Aston Villa F.C.. Book later served in backroom and ambassadorial roles, linking with The Football Association structures, contributing to youth development in regional associations such as the Lancashire County Football Association and interacting with managers across the professional game, including Brian Kidd, Joe Royle, Sven-Göran Eriksson and Kevin Keegan.
While Book did not earn full senior caps for England, he represented England B and featured in representative fixtures for FA XI sides against international touring teams. His performances at club level brought him into consideration alongside contemporaries from West Germany contests and inter-league representative matches organized by The Football Association and media fixtures that involved players from Scotland and Wales. Book's era included fixtures influenced by British Home Championship traditions and European calendar obligations.
As a right back, Book combined defensive solidity with positional awareness typical of the 1960s and 1970s eras, forming part of disciplined units that faced attacking talents from Real Madrid CF, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and other continental giants. His leadership style mirrored that of captains such as Billy Wright and Bobby Moore, emphasizing organization, communication and resilience in matches at Maine Road and during away fixtures at grounds like Old Trafford, Anfield, Elland Road and Highbury. Managers including Joe Mercer praised Book's influence on dressing-room morale, his role in mentoring younger professionals like Joe Corrigan and Dave Watson, and his capacity to adapt to tactical evolutions introduced by coaches such as Malcolm Allison.
Book's contributions have been commemorated by Manchester City F.C. supporters and by civic acknowledgements in Manchester. He received recognition in club histories and halls of fame alongside City icons such as Denis Law, Peter Doherty, Bert Trautmann and Eddie Colman. His name appears in retrospectives published by football historians who reference archives from institutions like the National Football Museum, the English Football Hall of Fame and regional press outlets including the Manchester Evening News and The Guardian. Book is associated with charitable and community initiatives linked to Manchester City Community Trust and has been involved in events celebrating past squads, reconnecting with teammates from cup finals and European campaigns and honoring figures such as Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. His legacy endures in club lore, museum exhibits, and oral histories collected by organisations like the British Library and local heritage projects.
Category:1934 births Category:English footballers Category:Manchester City F.C. players Category:Manchester City F.C. managers