THE world of football is mourning Bolton Wanderers legend Francis Lee, who has passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer.

Tributes have poured in for the Westhoughton-born forward, who kicked off a prestigious football career with the Whites before going on to forge a glittering career with Manchester City, Derby County and England.

Francis Henry Lee was born in Westhoughton on April 29, 1944, and went to Westhoughton Boys Secondary Modern, and later to Horwich Technical College.

Gifted, tenacious and charismatic, Lee became the youngest player ever to score on his Bolton debut when he netted against Manchester City in November 1960.

Also on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win was Nat Lofthouse, and Lee would eventually succeed the great Lion of Vienna, topping the club's scoring charts in 1962/3 and 1963/4 and again after relegation in 1965/6 and 1966/7.

In total, he notched 106 goals in 210 appearances in all competitions and still stands 11th in the club's all-time goalscoring list – and though his move to City for a then-record £60,000 was viewed as controversial at the time, following a number of transfer requests, he remains one of Bolton’s most successful homegrown players.

“All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee,” read a club statement. "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis' family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time."

After moving to City in 1967, described as the “final piece of the puzzle” by manager Joe Mercer in his efforts to create a title-winning team, Lee helped his manager realise his vision in 1968, alongside an FA Cup in 1969 and a European Cup Winners Cup in 1970.

He was City's top scorer for five consecutive seasons from 1969/70 to 1973/74 and went on to win 27 England caps, scoring 10 goals.

Lee signed for Derby in 1974 and won another league title before retiring in 1976 and starting a business manufacturing toilet rolls, famously employing comedian Peter Kay as a youngster.

He took over as City’s chairman between 1994 and 1998 and was also a successful racehorse owner.