Trevor Francis, Legendary Striker for England and Iconic Clubs, Passes Away at 69
The first British footballer to play professionally, Trevor Francis, played for teams including Sheffield Wednesday, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Rangers. As the first £1 million player in British football history, he made football history and helped Forest win the European Cup twice. He also accrued 52 England caps and scored 12 goals for the national team.
Iconic England Striker and Trailblazing First British £1m Player, Trevor Francis, Passes Away at 69.
The family spokeswoman confirmed that Trevor Francis, age 69, passed away on Monday morning at his home close to Marbella, Spain.
According to the official notification, Trevor Francis, 69, passed away suddenly. This morning he had a heart attack in his Spanish flat. On behalf of the family, this news has startled everyone greatly. All of us are quite sad. In addition to being a renowned football player, he was also tremendously kind.
Francis, who was born in Plymouth in 1954, started his professional career at Birmingham City, where he finished with 119 goals in 280 league appearances. He joined Nottingham Forest in 1979, becoming the first $1 million player in British football history.
In a 2019 interview, Trevor Francis reflected on becoming the first player to earn £1 million and acknowledged his surprise at the magnitude of the achievement. “I never understood at the time the significance of it,” he reflected. I smashed the transfer record, in all seriousness. Double it. Simply enough, a million pounds was a magical number. Neymar cost Paris Saint-Germain about £200 million, but I don’t believe it has the same allure as £1 million had.
Francis moved from Forest to Manchester City in 1981 during his brilliant career, and then he played for Sampdoria and Atalanta in Italy to show off his skill. He proceeded to leave his imprint by signing on with Sheffield Wednesday, Queens Park Rangers, and Rangers before eventually retiring in 1994, despite having made a number of outstanding voyages.
Francis distinguished himself by honorably representing his nation, winning 52 caps for England between 1977 and 1986. He was able to participate in the historic 1982 World Cup that was hosted in Spain thanks to his hard work and on-field talent, scoring 12 goals for his country.
Francis entered the world of management after a successful playing career, taking over several illustrious clubs. At QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City, and Crystal Palace, he served as manager.
He demonstrated his managerial abilities by taking Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham to important finals. This demonstrated his ability as a coach and the respect he enjoyed in the footballing community.
Peter Shilton, a former teammate of Trevor Francis’s from the Forest, expressed his sorrow over his demise on Twitter. Shilton described Francis as a good man, a friend, and a tremendous loss in his tweet, which also expressed his shock.
When she learned the news, Viv Anderson, a different former teammate, also expressed shock. He acknowledged the loss Francis’ departure will cause but remembered Francis with affection as a fantastic man and a superb teammate. Anderson sent his sincere sympathies to Francis’s loved ones and wished him a peaceful death. The football world lamented the passing of a brilliant player and a cherished person.
Both Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest paid poignant homage to the late Trevor Francis, leaving the football world in sadness.
Birmingham City tweeted their sorrow and grief upon learning of their club legend’s passing on July 24, 2023, at the age of 69. Everyone praised Trevor Francis as a club giant that they loved and revered. He made 330 games and scored 133 goals during his distinguished career at Birmingham City. The post acknowledged Trevor’s enormous influence on the team and the fans while expressing the club’s condolences to his family and friends.
When they learned that Trevor Francis, their two-time European Cup champion, had passed away, Nottingham Forest also tweeted their heartfelt sorrow. His services to the club will be cherished forever and never forgotten, and he was honored as a true Forest legend. The tweet offered their sympathies to Francis’ loved ones and served as evidence of the great impact Francis had at Nottingham Forest.
The football community came together in their grief over the passing of a legendary player and sport icon. There is no doubt that Trevor Francis’s legacy will endure in the hearts of both players and fans.
Another of Trevor Francis’s old teams, Sheffield Wednesday, likewise expressed their deep grief at the news of his loss. They expressed their profound sorrow in their tweet and their condolences to Trevor’s family and friends during this extremely trying time. The tweet was a moving reminder of Francis’ influence on the team and the football world at large. Those who knew him and admired him during his time at Sheffield Wednesday will definitely cherish his memory.