Summerbee played alongside Young for seven years, winning the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later.
“It is a very sad day for Manchester City Football Club because we’ve lost one of our favourite sons and as a former team-mate of Neil’s, I feel I’ve lost a member of my family,” said Summerbee.
“Everybody refers to those days as the Bell, Lee and Summerbee era, but it really should be the Lee, Bell, Young and Summerbee era because he was a great player who scored countless vital goals for us.
“He was like a ballet dancer in the fact he was so graceful on a football pitch.”
Francis Lee agrees that Young’s name should be added to the famous trio.
“He was a great guy and a smashing footballer. He had lovely, sublime skill and a great left foot. I suppose he will be remembered for his goal in the cup final but he scored plenty like that.”
Former Blues skipper Tony Book said Young would always be considered one of City’s greats. “What a tragedy to happen to such a great lad,” he said. “He was a wonderful, elegant footballer who seemed to glide across the pitch.
“He took everything in his stride and become one of our greatest players.
“He wore the blue shirt with great pride and I feel numb at the moment.”
Glyn Pardoe played in the same youth team as Young before the pair went on to lift the cup together in 1969.
Pardoe said: “He had a terrific left foot but he played in such a great team that I don’t think he ever got the recognition he deserved. He would certainly be in my list of the greatest ever City players.”
Colin Bell said of his former team-mate: “He was very underrated.
I remember going down to Lilleshall to train with City after I joined and he went past me like I wasn't there.
“He looked me in the eye and the next minute he was gone.
“He was a great finisher and he had a wonderful left foot. He was a great striker of the ball too, not just power, but the way he swung his foot, like a golf club. The main thing was that he was lovely lad. He was down to earth and not big-headed.
“We've lost a big part of the club's history.”
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As a City fan of 40 years I would like to thank all the United fans who have come on this site with their kind comments. You have done yourselves and your great club proud.
Yes, It's something I have always thought, that Neil Youngs name should have been in there as part of THE quartet, rather than the trinity. All greats. So sad . Can't believe he wasn' t granted a testimonial.
Very sad news. Shabbily treated for so long by by the club he loved and such a contrast to the multi-millionaire footballers of today, Nelly will be remembered long after the Robinhos and Jos have been forgotten. Thanks for the memory!
What sad news! Neil Young loved the club, yet was treated so shabbily for so long.
What a contrast with today's pampered, greedy and disoyal multi-millionaires. He will be remembered long after they have been forgotten. "Nelly", thanks for the memory!
One way we could honour Neil Young as City fans is by remembering that his elegant style was successful. Instead of jumping on the back of players and managers as seems to be the fashion on here in particular we could do well to remember that Nellie grew into the player he became and was allowed the time and space to do so. We also tended to have far fewer moaners (or the ones that did were easier to ignore) to get on his back back then, so to all those criticising the current players or manager just remember how we became a successful side back then - it wasn't by continual criticism, but by that crucial word 'support'.
Heard the sad news even here in Canada, what a sad day.
I remember all the "footy" games we played together in Platt Fields Park, always played on his side, not much point trying to play against him, he was too good.
A bit of nostalgia for all the fans, Neil was also a brilliant cricketer, went together for a trial for Manchester Boys, he only hit the ball once, they never did find it, he was offered an opening straight away, if he would have accepted, what a loss he would have been to football.
I am fortunate to have your school football picture with all your mates. No, I am not on the picture, was never good enough for the team
Eric McDermott, BC Canada
A true gent does anybody know when or where his funeral is I am sure many city fans would like to pay their respects?