Manchester City and Arsenal fans will come together as one at this weekend’s Community Shield match, as they remember late great Joe Mercer.
The former City manager and Gunners player would have been celebrating his 100th birthday on the day and fans from both clubs could be singing the praises of their former hero.
Posts on social media have suggested that both sets of fans could chant the name of Mercer during the game in remembrance of the footballing legend who was nicknamed ‘gentleman Joe’.
Manchester City fan Gary James posted: “It’d be great to remember him with perhaps a few renditions of Joe Mercer’s Aces or, my favourite, ‘Joe Mercer Came…’.
“Maybe a ‘there’s only one Joe Mercer’ would get the Arsenal fans joining in.”
Mercer managed the Citizens between 1965-1971 – winning the First Division in 1967-68 and the FA Cup in 1969 amongst other honours whilst at the club.
He famously left the club after he became embroiled in a takeover clash with his assistant manager Malcolm Allison.
Despite this, City fans still hold him in high regard with many keen to remember this Sunday.
One forum member posted online: “Legend and a gentleman, what he achieved in his career and how he built City into a fearsome team from nothing is miraculous. Let’s hope he gets a great tribute on the day.”
Another wrote: “England Player, England Captain, England Manager, City Manager, Arsenal Manager……above all a lovely man admired & respected by everyone who knew or met him. RIP VIP.”
The Cheshire-born footballer had his playing career cut short at the age of 30 when he broke his leg in two places during a match after playing 247 times for Arsenal.
He then went into management taking over at Sheffield United and Aston Villa before moving to Manchester.
The former England player even had a spell in charge of the international team, taking charge for seven games after Alf Ramsey resigned.
Manchester City themselves are set to honour their former manager, by publishing parts of his biography Football With A Smile, on their website over the next week.
Joe died in 1990 on his 76th birthday.
Image courtesy of russsmiff1, via Youtube, with thanks
