Former England striker Trevor Francis, Britain’s first-ever £1million footballer, has died at the age of 69.
In a short statement provided by Francis’ family to former controller of sport at Central TV Gary Newbon, reported by ITV, it was confirmed that the ex-Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday forward had passed away after a heart attack suffered at his apartment in Spain on Monday morning.
The statement read: “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.”
Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest made Francis Britain’s first footballer to command a £1m transfer fee when they signed him from Birmingham back in 1979.
He quickly proved worth the money after famously scoring the club’s winning goal against Swedish side Malmo in that season’s European Cup final, his back-post header from a John Robertson cross securing Forest’s first fairytale triumph in the competition.
Francis also scored in it three times the following season as Forest retained their crown, including in the semi-final win over Ajax.
Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 24, 2023
A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/BPsLxGG73K
Reacting to Francis’ passing, Forest tweeted: “Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis. A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten.”
Francis spent only two years in total at Forest, also winning the European Super Cup against Barcelona in 1979.
Francis made his name as a prolific frontman for Birmingham, also starring during a brief stint in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Detroit Express.
After leaving Forest he played for Manchester City, Rangers, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, also enjoying a five-year spell in Italy with Sampdoria, where he lifted the Coppa Italia, and Atalanta, plus a loan move in Australia with Wollongong. He won League Cups with both Wednesday and Rangers.
His career also included 12 goals in 52 senior international caps for England, with Francis missing out on the 1980 European Championship squad due to injury but later playing and netting twice in the 1982 World Cup in Spain under Ron Greenwood.
We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69.
— England (@England) July 24, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/GNBeV4onDp
“We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69,” England said. “He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals – including two at the 1982 World Cup – for the Three Lions between 1977 and 1986.
“All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs.”
Francis served as player/manager at QPR and was also appointed Sheffield Wednesday boss while still playing in 1991, finishing third in the final campaign of English top-flight football before the introduction of the Premier League and also reaching another League Cup final and also the FA Cup final.
Francis hung up his boots in 1994 aged 39 and also went on to manage Birmingham for five years, getting to the League Cup final in 2001. His last managerial job came at Crystal Palace between 2001-03.
Blues is deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Club legend Trevor Francis, at the age of 69 on Monday 24 July 2023.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 24, 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… pic.twitter.com/o960MYJhQZ
Birmingham tweeted: “Blues is 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. Blues sends its thoughts and deepest sympathies to Trevor’s family and friends.”
Gary Lineker was among Francis’ former team-mates to pay tribute on Monday, writing: “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.”
