During the third match of the 1972-73 season, Manchester City were awarded a free kick in their home game with Norwich City, a game played out to an appreciative short-sleeved crowd. In those simple, unreconstructed days, it always seemed to be sunny in August and seasons always seemed to start in this way. On this occasion, however, Francis Lee and his teammates had something different planned for the expectant crowd.
Colin Bell and Lee stood over the centrally placed ball, awaiting the referee's go-ahead. On his whistle, Lee ran full pelt at the ball -- he was well known for his blasted free kicks and penalties, so the Norwich defence would have been aware of what they reckoned was about to befall them -- but the stocky striker ran straight over the ball.