Booth: Stones reminds me of my playing style | OneFootball

For many lifelong Blues, watching John Stones today puts them in mind of former City defender Tommy Booth.

Booth clocked up 491 appearances for City over a 13-year period, but a devastating injury to Colin Bell resulted in a move into midfield for the central defender.

Booth had joined City aged 17 as an inside forward, but it was Malcolm Allison who identified him as a centre-half and subsequently changed his position.

Allison liked Booth’s ability to bring the ball forward out of defence and so played him as part of a cultured back three trio that included Mike Doyle and Alan Oakes.

But a serious back injury cast doubt on Booth’s playing career, though he would remarkably return just three months after a serious operation to remove three discs.

On his comeback, with Bell sidelined indefinitely Tony Book – who had signed Dave Watson effectively as Booth’s replacement – started playing Tommy in centre midfield.

He adapted quickly and he admits he has enjoyed watching Stones regularly move into midfield from defence in a role Pep Guardiola has created for him.

“I do enjoy watching Stones and I love watching City, but that’s down to Pep,” said Booth.

“When I moved into midfield, people asked what it was like replacing Colin Bell and I’d say that nobody knew the difference!

“Stones is a classy, footballing centre-half and that’s how I tried to play.

“Years and years ago, a centre-back was a stopper, but me, Mike Doyle and Alan Oakes were footballing centre-backs and so were a couple of others at the time, but there weren’t many.

“Most of the defenders back then would either put the ball in Row Z or the player they were marking!

“Let’s just say they were somewhat limited in what they could do so long as they got rid of it or stopped the threat.

“They’d never think of moving with the ball into midfield and they would never assist or score a goal unless it was from a corner that they went up front for.

“So yes, I see a lot of similarities between me and Stones.”

Former City and England winger Peter Barnes agrees completely.

Barnes, who was at City with Booth for seven years, said: “Tommy could really play the game. My Dad always said he could pass the ball great. He could head the ball. He was a bit like John Stones is today – he’s the nearest modern day equivalent to Tommy in my opinion.

“Tommy played in midfield in the 1976 League Cup final and he wanted to get the ball down and play and pass it. That's the sort of centre half he was.

“He wasn't booting the ball in the stand like old fashioned centre halves did.

“He wanted to pull the ball down on his chest, get the ball down and play it to a blue shirt and pass it out of the back.

“He was such a cultured centre half. He wasn't the quickest defender, but he read the game so well.”

Booth’s reputation at City once even surprised the big man himself.

He may have made 491 appearances for the Club, but he was surprised when he was recognised by Pep Guardiola.

“When Pep first arrived, I was doing hospitality at the stadium during the week where people would pay for lunch and get to meet former players,” said Booth.

“This one particular day, I was by the side of the pitch and Pep walked across the grass and said, ‘Tommy, you’re doing a great job’ – I was gobsmacked that he knew me.

“A guest who’d I’d been talking to said, ‘Tommy, you said you didn’t really know Pep?’ I just said, ‘’Nah, we’re great mates!’”

Tommy is 75 today – happy birthday from everyone at Manchester City!