Remembering Trevor Francis The Legendary English Footballer’s Legacy Lives On
Former England star forward Trevor Francis passed away at the age of 69 in Spain on Monday due to a cardiac arrest, as confirmed by a family spokesperson.
Trevor Francis made history as the first player to be transferred for £1 million in Britain. He achieved further glory by scoring the winning goal for Nottingham Forest in the European Cup just months after joining the club.
His football career was illustrious, starting at Birmingham City when he was only 16 and later playing for Forest, Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta, and Rangers. He also ventured into management, initially as a player-manager.
With 52 caps for England and 12 international goals, Francis had a significant impact both on and off the field. As a manager, he guided Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham to major domestic finals.
Upon hearing the news of his passing, former Forest teammate Peter Shilton paid tribute to Francis, describing him as a wonderful gentleman and a dear friend.
Nottingham Forest also tweeted their condolences, stating that Francis was a true legend who would never be forgotten by the club and its fans. Birmingham City acknowledged him as a giant of the club, cherished by everyone.
In 1979, Forest set a British transfer record by signing Francis for £1.15 million, although manager Brian Clough playfully claimed the fee was slightly less to ease the pressure on the player.
Francis’s legacy includes heading the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Malmo, securing the European Cup for Forest just a few months after joining the club. He missed the European Cup win over Hamburg a year later due to injury before moving to Manchester City in 1981.
Throughout his career, Francis played for several clubs, including Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, and QPR, where he also served as a player-manager. He later managed Sheffield Wednesday, taking them to the finals of the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993, where they lost to Arsenal on both occasions.
He went on to manage Birmingham and Crystal Palace before spending time in Spain and eventually settling near Birmingham. Francis maintained his fitness with daily power walks after suffering a heart attack 11 years ago.
The spokesperson noted that Francis had an annual health check through the League Managers’ Association and was enjoying life despite the loss of his wife. His passing is a great loss to the football community, and he will be remembered fondly for his significant contributions to the sport.
