A number of former footballers led the tributes to “great gentleman” Trevor Francis following his demise on the age of 69.
A spokesman for the household confirmed on Monday the previous Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and England striker had died following a coronary heart assault.
Francis grew to become Britain’s first £1million participant when he joined Forest in 1979 and he went on to rating the membership’s winner within the European Cup ultimate later that 12 months.
He earned 52 England caps and later led Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham to main finals as a supervisor.
Peter Shilton, the previous Forest and England goalkeeper, tweeted: “I’m completely devastated to hear about my previous team-mate Trevor Francis. Such a beautiful gentleman a pal and a horrible loss.”
Former England striker turned TV presenter Gary Lineker wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear that Trevor Francis has died.
“An exquisite footballer and beautiful man. Was a pleasure to work alongside him each on the pitch and on the telly. RIP Trevor.”
What a participant he was & what a gentleman
Chris Kamara
Chris Waddle, who was a member of Francis’ Owls aspect that reached the League Cup and FA Cup finals of 1993, tweeted: “So sorry to hear the unhappy information that Trevor Francis has handed away, he was a stunning man and such nice participant and thanks a lot for bringing me to SWFC..RIP legend.”
Mark Vibrant, one other member of that Wednesday aspect, added: “RIP, Trevor Francis. Trev signed me when he was participant/supervisor at SWFC.
“The membership skilled some nice instances within the early 90’s, each Trev his spouse Helen have been very type in serving to me to settle in on the membership. I tremendously appreciated it then & now. Love to sons Matthew & James.”
Chris Kamara, the previous Brentford and Swindon midfielder who later grew to become a media colleague of Francis’, additionally supplied his condolences.
He wrote: “Oh no, simply heard Trevor Francis has handed away. What a participant he was & what a gentleman. Obtained to know him properly when Trevor was doing his co-commentary’s for Sky, a job he beloved.
“RIP Trevor the primary million pound participant who at all times seemed 1,000,000 {dollars}.”
One other media colleague, Hayley McQueen, daughter of former Leeds and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, mentioned: “Gutted concerning the passing of Trevor Francis, he was by no means the identical after the passing of his beloved spouse Helen six years in the past.
“One of many loveliest {couples} you could possibly meet who took me underneath their wing while engaged on a World Cup method again, dinners, lunches & even meet-ups again in London.”
Francis broke into the Birmingham staff on the age of simply 16 and after profitable the European Cup twice with Forest he additionally went on to have profitable spells with Samdoria and Rangers. He additionally performed for QPR, Manchester Metropolis and Wednesday and his fame went past the sport.
Former heavyweight world boxing champion Frank Bruno tweeted: “Trevor Francis RIP. Unhappy information concerning the sudden demise of Trevor, he performed in an period after I watched Match of the day avidly, one other legend gone too quickly. We met just a few instances, particularly after I did occasions in and across the midlands.”
Journalist and TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “RIP Trevor Francis, 69. Britain’s first £1m footballer who had 52 caps for England and gained back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.
“Then grew to become an outstanding TV pundit and was by all accounts a stunning man. Unhappy information. RIP.”
