Manchester City legend Joe Mercer given stamp honour

Royal Mail said Joe Mercer embodied "charm, sporting values and remarkable skill" Credit: Royal Mail

The life of Manchester City's legendary manager Joe Mercer is being celebrated in a new stamp which goes on sale this week.

Mercer, who died in 1990, is one of ten "remarkable lives" being honoured in the centenary year of their birth.

His portrait, and others including Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and actor Sir Alec Guinness, will feature on First Class stamps in recognition of their contribution to British society.

Mercer was born in Ellesmere Port, the son of a Tranmere Rovers player, and began his footballing career at Ellesmere Port Town.

He joined Everton in 1932 and while at Goodison Park he gained five England caps between 1938 and 1939.

But it's his career at Maine Road for which he is most fondly remembered.

As manager of Manchester City he led the team to the 1966 Second Division title and, two seasons later, they took the First Division Championship, followed by the FA Cup in 1969, the League Cup in 1970 and European Cup Winners' Cup in the same year.