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This is not intended as a definitive list of Manchester City legends, as the subjective nature of such a list means it is bound to fail. Rather it should be considered a list of great players (and managers) who have represented Manchester City in the past. (Current players are not included).

Billy Meredith
Position: Forward
Manchester City Career: 1894-1906, 1921-1924
Appearances:501
Goals:148

Billy Meredith was born in Chirk, a North Wales mining town, and was already working underground by the age of 12.

He played for both Chirk and Northwich Victoria before joining City in 1894, quickly establishing himself in the team as a skilful, goal-scoring winger.

By 1904 he was City's captain, leading the team out for the 1904 FA Cup Final against Bolton and scoring the only goal of the game.

But a year later he received an eight month ban for allegedly trying to bribe an Aston Villa player. Meredith always denied the charge and when the ban was lifted he moved across Manchester to join United, helping them win the FA Cup in 1909 and the league in 1910-11.

He rejoined City as a player-coach in 1921, finally hanging up his boots three years later, four months short of his 50th birthday.

More about Billy Meredith

The second-leading goalscorer in City's history, Johnson also enters Manchester City legend as the scorer of the most goals in a season (38 in 1928-29).

An incredibly popular figure with City supporters, his transfer to Everton in 1930 sparked protests and even a boycott on the terraces.

Eric Brook
Position: Striker
Manchester City Career: 1928-1939
Appearances:500
Goals:180

A goal-scoring left winger with a fierce shot, Eric Brook is Manchester City's all-time leading goal-scorer.

He was an integral part of the 1934 FA Cup winning side, and the League Championship winning side of 1937.

Brook made over 450 appearances for City and also played 18 times for England.

Frank Swift
Position: Goalkeeper
Manchester City Career: 1933-1949
Appearances:376

One of finest goalkeepers to play for the club, Swift spent his entire professional career at City and was a member of the FA Cup winning team of 1934 and the League championship winning team of 1937.

He was also an England international, playing 19 times between between 1946 and 1949.

He retired in 1949, and became a football correspondent with the News of the World.

Tragically, Frank Swift died in the Munich air disaster after reporting on Manchester United's European tie with Red Star Belgrade. He was 44 years old.

Doherty was signed from Blackpool for a, then, record 10, 000 pounds but failed to make an impact in his first season.

However, in his second season, he scored 30 goals - including 11 in the last 7 games - as City stormed to the League title.

In all he scored 142 goals in 223 appearances for the club before moving to Derby County, where he won the FA Cup.

Later distinguished himself as a manager, leading Northern Ireland to the quarter-finals the World Cup in 1958.

Bert Trautmann
Position: Goalkeeper
Manchester City Career: 1946-1964
Appearances:545

Widely considered the greatest goalkeeper in the club's history.

Bert Trautmann had been a paratrooper in the Luftwaffe in WWII, before his capture and internment in a prisoner-of-war camp in Lancashire.

After the war he chose to stay in England and played for St Helen's Town before City signed him in 1949, sparking mass protests.

However, Trautman's performances soon won over the fans, and he firmly established himself as a Manchester City legend in the 1956 FA Cup Final. With 15 minutes of the game remaining Trautmann dived at the feet of Birmingham City's Peter Murphy, breaking his neck in the process.

Incredibly, he continued playing, making several crucial saves, and was even able to collect his winner's medal.

Trautmann was voted FWA Footballer of the year in 1956, and continued playing for City until his retirement from professional football in 1964.

He was awarded an honorary OBE in 2004.

Alan Oakes
Position: Midfielder
Manchester City Career: 1959-1976
Appearances:680
Goals:34

The most decorated player in the club's history, Alan Oakes won the League Championship, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the second division championship with City.

Oakes signed for City in 1958 and made his first-team debut in November 1958. He spent 17 years at Maine Road, and still holds the appearance record for the club.

His last appearance came in a substitute appearance against arch-rivals Manchester United on 4 May 1976.

Oakes was renowned for his professionalism both on and off the field. Liverpool manager Bill Shankly described him as "exactly the kind of player youngsters should use as a model".

A true Manchester City Legend.

Mike Doyle
Position: Defender
Manchester City Career: 1963-1978
Appearances:570
Goals:41

A tough, hard-tackling defender with a particular loathing for Manchester United, Doyle was idolized by the City faithful throughout a career that included 550 appearances over sixteen years.

His trophy haul at City included the League title, FA Cup, Cup Winners Cup and two League cups.

Fans recently voted this Manchester City legend the hardest player ever to play for the club.

Mike Summerbee
Position: Winger
Manchester City Career: 1965-1975
Appearances:452
Goals:68

A talented right-winger, Summerbee (or "Buzzer" as team-mates called him) was a key member of the City side that won four trophies between 1967 and 1970.

Signed from Swindon by Joe Mercer, he went on to make over 400 appearances for the club, including every game during his debut season.

Something of a practical joker, Summerbee was also known for his fiery temperament, a trait that team-mate Francis Lee described as "retaliating first".

Tony Book
Position: Defender
Manchester City Career: 1966-1974
Appearances:315
Goals:5

The most successful captain in Manchester City's history, Book came to the professional game at the grand old age of 31, having played much of his career in non-league football.

He would lead City during four golden years between 1968 and 1971, when they won the League, FA Cup, European Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup.

After retiring the Manchester City legend had a successful spell as City manager from 1974 to 1978, and has subsequently held various coaching roles at the club.

Known as 'King of the Kippax' to City fans, Bell is widely considered to be the greatest Manchester City legend of all.

He joined from Bury in 1966 and soon established himself as a key member of the successful City side of the late 60's and early 70's.

Possessing incredible speed and stamina, strong in the tackle and with an eye for goal, he the complete midfielder.

Unfortunately, his career was curtailed by a terrible knee injury as a result of a tackle from Manchester United's Martin Buchan. He would never fully recover and retired in 1979.

The West Stand at the City of Manchester Stadium has been renamed the Colin Bell Stand in his honour.

Joe Corrigan
Position: Goalkeeper
Manchester City Career: 1967-1983
Appearances:603

Corrigan joined City in 1967, and despite a shaky start went on to become a Manchester City legend during a career spanning 16 years.

Establishing himself as a first team regular during the 1969–70 season, 'Big Joe' was part of the team which won the European Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup that season. He was also a member of the 1976 League Cup winning side.

Along with Swift and Trautmann he is considered one of City's greatest ever keepers.

Francis Lee
Position: Striker
Manchester City Career: 1967-1974
Appearances:330
Goals:148

Signed from Bolton Wanderers by Joe Mercer, Lee was an integral part of the successful City side of the late 60's and early 70's.

A stocky and powerful forward he was City's top scorer for four consecutive seasons from 1969–70 onwards. He was also known for going down 'somewhat easily' under a challenge - a trait which earned him the nickname 'Lee Won Pen'.

He left for Derby County in 1974, where he added another League title to his medals haul before retiring in 1976.

A successful business career followed, before he returned to City as Chairman in 1994. His disasterous tenure in this role did nothing to distract from his status as a Manchester City legend.

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