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English football pay incredibly special tribute to Trevor Francis who dies aged 69

English football pay an incredibly special tribute to the former player and manager Trevor Francis who sadly dies aged 69.

He played as a forward for a number of clubs in England, the US, Italy, Scotland and Australia.

In 1979, he became Britain’s first £1 million player following his transfer from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest, and went on to score the winning goal for Forest in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmö. He won the European Cup again with the club the following year.

At international level, he made 52 appearances for England between 1976 and 1986, scoring 12 goals, and played at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Between 1988 and 2003 he was a football manager, most notably with Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City. His final managerial post was at Crystal Palace, whom he left in 2003.

A statement from his family said: “Trevor Francis has died at the age of 69.

“He had a heart attack at his apartment in Spain this morning.

“On behalf of the family, this has come as a huge shock to everybody. We are all very upset.

“He was a legendary footballer but he was also an extremely nice person.”

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol said: “Trevor Francis will go down in history as not just the first British £1m player but also as one of the best English players of all time.

“I was fortunate to watch him play towards the end of his career when he was playing for Queens Park Rangers and he was an incredible player to watch. His touch, vision, movement, some of the goals he scored for QPR are still talked about to this day.

“I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times at Sky Studios. The last time I met him I told him he was one of the best players I’d ever seen in my life, and I think he was quite touched by that.

“The move to Nottingham Forest was incredible not just because it was for £1m – that was an extraordinary amount of money in 1979 – but also because of what Forest had done. They’d gone from the Second Division and in their first season back in the top-flight they won the title.

“Then the following season they won the European Cup and again. He joined Forest when they were the champions, Brian Clough signed him. When he was introduced to the press, Clough turned up in his squash kit and a racquet because he was going off to play afterwards.

“Trevor Francis went onto score one of the most famous goals in English football, the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final – a brilliant header.

“He was an incredible player, an incredible man.”

 

Gary Lineker tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that Trevor Francis has died. A wonderful footballer and lovely man. Was a pleasure to work alongside him both on the pitch and on the telly. RIP Trevor.”

Former teammate Viv Anderson said on Instagram: “Just heard the unbelievable news regarding Trevor Francis, he was such a wonderful person and fabulous teammate he will be sadly missed, my condolences go to his family and friends RIP.”

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton has tweeted: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear about my old team mate Trevor Francis such a wonderful gentleman, a friend and a terrible loss.”

Former defender Paul Robinson says: “I had the pleasure in meeting Trevor numerous times whilst at Birmingham. A fantastic man who was well respected around the club and the footballing world. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends at this difficult time.”

Chris Kamara tweeted: “Oh no, just heard Trevor Francis has passed away. What a player he was & what a gentleman. Got to know him well when Trevor was doing his Co Commentary’s for Sky a job he loved. RIP Trevor the first Million pound player who always looked a million dollars.”

Former England goalkeeper David Seaman tweeted: “Very sorry to hear that Trevor Francis, my old team mate and manager has sadly passed away…sending my deepest condolences to his family.”

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
1969–1970 – Birmingham City

Senior career
1970–1979 – Birmingham City – 329 games (133 goals)
1978 → Detroit Express (loan) – 22 games (25 goals)
1979–1981 – Nottingham Forest – 93 games (37 goals)
1979 → Detroit Express (loan) – 16 games (14 goals)
1981–1982 – Manchester City – 29 games (14 goals)
1982–1986 – Sampdoria – 104 games (30 goals)
1986–1987 – Atalanta – 30 games (3 goals)
1987–1988 – Rangers – 25 games (0 goals)
1988–1990 – Queens Park Rangers – 42 games (15 goals)
1988 → Wollongong City (loan) – 3 games (2 goals)
1990–1994 – Sheffield Wednesday – 90 games (9 goals)
Total – 783 games (282 goals)

International career
1977–1986 – England – 52 games (12 goals)

Managerial career
1988–1989 – Queens Park Rangers
1991–1995 – Sheffield Wednesday
1996–2001 – Birmingham City
2001–2003 – Crystal Palace

Honours

Player

Birmingham City
Football League Second Division runner-up: 1971–72

Detroit Express
American Conference Central Division: 1978

Nottingham Forest
European Cup: 1978–79,[43] 1979–80
European Super Cup: 1979
Football League Cup: runner-up 1979–80

Sampdoria
Coppa Italia: 1984–85

Rangers
Scottish League Cup: 1987–88

Sheffield Wednesday
Football League Cup: 1990–91

Individual
PFA First Division Team of the Year: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1981–82
Coppa Italia top scorer: 1984–85 (9 goals)

Manager

Sheffield Wednesday
FA Cup runner-up: 1992–93
Football League Cup runner-up: 1992–93

Birmingham City
Football League Cup runner-up: 2000–01

Individual

Premier League Manager of the Month: December 1993

As mentioned, English football pay an incredibly special tribute to Trevor Francis who dies aged 69…

@ADAM27MUFC: Rest in peace Trevor condolences to his friends and family ❤️

@jason_bhandari: RIP Trevor Francis. Growing up in Nottingham during Forest’s most successful years, this man was indeed a true legend.

@paulwoolfson: Very sad to hear that Trevor Francis has passed away. The years he spent at #swfc were one of the most enjoyable periods following the Owls. Have so many great memories from his time as both player and manager. May he RIP 🦉🦉🦉

@Carl_Portman: As a Villa boy I still grew up knowing how awesome Trevor Francis was. Yes, he played for ‘the old enemy’ but he graced the city of Birmingham and beyond. A player of consumate skill, grace and vision, I loved watching him. I am truly saddened. RIP. 🙏

@TomTB1995: Awfully sad news about Trevor Francis. A great bloke, read his book last year, came across really well. Excellent player in his day and played a big part in a great period for our club. Thoughts with his family.

@runnerglyn1: I love the Nottingham Forest story, Cloughy, conquering Europe, brilliant players, wonderful times as a kid watching the “Proper” European Cup that diving header from Trevor Francis from the superb John Robertson cross just brilliant, games gone now 💰 💷 💰 💷

@Benjfordays: I don’t have many regrets in life but one has been that I never got to witness Trevor Francis play for Blues. An absolute icon of the club, loved by all and will be missed. Rest in Peace 💙

@LDNBlackCab: Trevor Francis what a great footballer he was, still remember clearly watching the European cup final as a young kid and seeing him score the winner, Rip #trevorfrancis

@MttMllr14: Trevor Francis brought some fantastic memories to me as a young Palace fan: the Brighton 5-0, AJ’s arrival, winning at Anfield – all seminal occasions supporting an unfashionable team living in deepest Sussex. Thoughts with his friends and family.

@joefleming65: RIP Trevor Francis. Always pained me to admit that he scored the finest hat trick I ever saw at Villa Park. This was when he was player/manager for QPR in 1989. Got dogs abuse all afternoon and executed a brilliant chip to score his third goal. He was a brilliant player.

@jimhampshire: My favourite memory of Trevor Francis was when he sliced a ball during a warm-up and knocked me and about 5 other kids off the fencing at Plough Lane. RIP Trev

@AndyMcHale12: A very sad day for all us bluenoses and football with the passing of Trevor Francis, our TF, the greatest player of all time in a Blues shirt. Great memories of him growing up in the 70s such a talent and some brilliant goals! RIP Superboy KRO

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