Trevor Francis dies aged 69 as tributes paid to Britain's first £1m player
Former England star Trevor Francis has died, aged 69.
The Three Lions icon passed away at his home in Marbella on Monday morning having suffered a heart attack.
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."
Francis spent half a year in Spain and the rest in Solihull. He suffered a heart attack 11 years ago and had kept himself fit with daily power walks. He had an annual health check through the League Managers' Association and, according to his spokesman, was "enjoying life very much having eventually got over the death of his wife". Helen passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer.
The ex-Birmingham City striker played 52 times for his country between 1977 and 1986. Francis joined Blues as a schoolboy and made his debut in 1970, aged just 16.
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His goalscoring prowess was evident immediately, scoring 15 times in his debut season. In all, he would find the net on 133 occasions for Birmingham in 329 games across nine seasons.
Legendary Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough made Francis Britain's first £1million player in 1979, and he would help Forest to back-to-back European Cups, a feat never since matched by an English side, including scoring the winner in the first final against Malmo.
He left Forest for Manchester City in 1981 before spells in Italy with Sampdoria and Atalanta.
Francis in action for England against Denmark in September 1983 (Getty Images)
Pele pictured with Francis in Birmingham in February 1972 (Mirrorpix)Francis returned to the UK in 1987 when he signed for Rangers, but spent just one season at Ibrox before departing for QPR where he became player-manager.
He then signed for Sheffield Wednesday and took over as boss following the departure of Ron Atkinson, leading the Owls to a third-placed finish in the top flight in 1992.
Francis then steered Wednesday to both cup finals the following season, where they were beaten twice by Arsenal. He hung up his boots in 1994 and was dismissed by the Hillsborough club a year later.
Francis celebrates winning the European Cup with Nottingham Forest (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)He then returned to St Andrew's in 1996, spending five years as Blues boss including leading them to the League Cup final in 2001.
His final managerial appointment came at Crystal Palace, but he was sacked after a couple of seasons in charge.
Internationally, Francis scored 12 times in his 52 appearances for England, including strikes against Czechoslovakia and Kuwait in the 1982 World Cup.
Francis undergoing his Birmingham City medical aged 16 (Getty Images)Gary Lineker led the tributes to Francis, posting on Twitter: "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."
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Nottingham Forest were among his former clubs to pay tribute, posting: "We are deeply saddened to learn the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis. A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten."
England also paid tribute, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69. He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals – including two at the 1982 @FIFAWorldCup – for the #ThreeLions between 1977 and 1986. All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs."
Francis on his appointment as Birmingham manager in 1996 (PA)Birmingham City, where Francis begun his playing career, said: "Blues are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Club legend Trevor Francis, at the age of 69 on Monday 24 July 2023. Trevor will forever be revered as a giant of the Club, the player everyone wanted to see. He represented Blues on 330 occasions, scoring 133 goals. We send our thoughts and deepest sympathies to Trevor’s family and friends."
Rangers posted: "All at Rangers Football Club are today saddened to hear of the passing of our former player Trevor Francis, at the age of 69. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Sheffield Wednesday said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Trevor Francis. Our thoughts are with Trevor’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
Francis pictured at the release of his autobiography (TIM EASTHOPE/BIRMINGHAM MAIL)Manchester City added: "Manchester City are deeply saddened at the passing of our former player Trevor Francis. Our thoughts are with Trevor’s friends and family at this difficult time."
QPR said: "Everyone at QPR has been saddened to learn of the passing of former player and manager Trevor Francis. Our thoughts are with Trevor’s family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace."
Peter Shilton, who played with Francis for Forest and England, posted: "I’m absolutely devastated to hear about my old team mate Trevor Francis such a wonderful gentleman a friend and a terrible loss."
Chris Waddle, who played under Francis at Sheffield Wednesday, said: "So sorry to hear the sad news that Trevor Francis has passed away, he was a lovely man and such great player and thank you so much for bringing me to SWFC. RIP legend."
Francis after signing Des Walker for Sheffield Wednesday in July 1993 (MIRRORPIX)Former Sheffield Wednesday and England teammate Viv Anderson wrote 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."
Fellow Birmingham wonderkid Jude Bellingham, who now plays for Real Madrid, also paid tribute posting on Twitter: "A very sad day for BCFC and all of football. Beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon of the game. The only thing that could exceed his quality and accolades on the pitch was his class off it. Thank you for all the guidance and the benchmarks you set. Rest in peace, King Trevor!"
Close friend and former ITV presenter Gary Newbon told the Nottingham Post: “I was staggered when I heard the news. I’ve known Trevor since he was a nervous 16-year-old. He was the boy they all wanted to sign and he signed for Birmingham in the end.
“Ron Atkinson marked him in his home debut when he was 16 against Oxford at St Andrew’s and he scored the goal. I’ve known him all his life and followed him up here by coincidence when I joined ITV.
“He was quite a private guy. Great footballer, a good sense of humour, mad on his music. The last time I saw him we had dinner at San Carlo and went to see Rod Stewart at the Utilita Arena.”
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