Argyle icon Tony Book passes away

Plymouth Argyle has joined the national football community in paying tribute to the great Tony Book, a star at Home Park who went on to become an all-time great with Manchester City.

Born in Bath in 1934, the Tony Book story seems unimaginable in modern football. His family moved to India when Book was just four years-old, with his father serving for the army in Burma during World War Two.

The family returned to the UK after the war and Book settled into an amateur football career with the Peasedown Miners before embarking on his national service. Next on the list were stints with Frome Town and Bath City (under the management of Malcolm Allison), alongside work as a bricklayer.

When Allison accepted a job in Canada as coach for Toronto FC, Book went with him and took just three months to be voted the best full-back in the Canadian League.

He returned to sign for Argyle in 1964, making his Football League debut at the age of 30. Over the next two seasons, he treated the Pilgrims to a demonstration of pace, poise, ferocious tackling and inspirational leadership.

Tony Book was a top-class footballer; it seemed impossible that he almost missed the pro boat. His two swashbuckling years at Argyle led to a swoop from Manchester City, where he won Player of the Year in his first full season.

He was named captain of City and immediately led the club to the League championship. In eight glorious years at the club, Book also won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.

He played until the age of 40 and later became part of the management and coaching staff at Manchester City. His journey followed a unique path but a wonderful footballer to both Argyle and Manchester City.