The funeral of Francis Lee

On Sky news at the funeral of Francis Lee, Tony Book told the interviewer that during his time at Bath City he had to mark Francis Lee in the FA Cup against Bolton. Only a passing comment but always good to get even the briefest of mentions. It was good to see Tony Book again. I remember patting him on the back after a match at Twerton Park.

I was too young to attend the Bolton match at Twerton but was told many times by friends who were that Lee would not have saved his team with the penalty if we'd not changed our square posts for new rounded ones before the match. They claimed his shot would have rebounded rather than crossing the line!

Is there any photos from that Bolton game. Was that the 18,000 record attendance game or was Brighton. Would love too photos of 18,000 at Twerton Park. Apparently the popular side and Bristol end were even higher back then with more depth. Incredible. Imagine if TP was still that size now. We really should be football league a club our size and population. We lost the vote too Wigan I think in 1978.

Paul, if you’re not already, you should join the ‘Bath City Old Photographs’ group on Facebook. There are photos of the Bolton and Brighton games on there.

I was only 11 and we had only just moved to Bath. My dad said he couldn't get tickets for it. Would it have been all ticket?! Can't believe there were 18,000 in there. I'm sure the Bristol End was just a bank of stinging nettles? Francis Lee had the nickname ” Lee wun pen” which is exactly what he did that day Lee 1 (pen) !

The attendance for the Bolton game was 12000+, some 6000 less than for Brighton. I believe that for the latter it was all pay at the gate but the Bolton game was all ticket which some felt was the reason why it was a smaller crowd.