Birmingham City legend Trevor Francis has died at the age of 69.
Trevor Francis, a legend of Birmingham City, passed away at the age of 69.
One of the all-time greats from Birmingham, Francis was the first football player in British history to earn £1 million. He passed unexpectedly on Monday morning while on vacation in Marbella.
“Trevor Francis has passed away at the age of 69,” his family said in a statement. This morning in his Spanish apartment, he suffered a heart attack. Everyone in the family has been shocked by this, to say the least. We’re all quite angry. In addition to being a renowned football player, he was a really kind person.
Trevor Francis at St Andrew’s on 10th August 1971
Figures from across the football world, as well as clubs including Blues have been paying tribute to Francis, who lived in Solihull with his family.
A prolific forward known globally for winning two European Cup titles with Nottingham Forest in 1979 and 1980, Francis racked up 626 career appearances, scoring 231 goals.
He spent nine years at St Andrew’s, playing 330 times for Blues and netting 133 times before making a groundbreaking transfer to Forest in 1979. He also returned to St Andrew’s for a five-year spell as manager between 1996 and 2001 and led them to the League Cup final against Liverpool in 2001.
We’ve decided to take a look back over some of his finest moments in a Birmingham City shirt, as well as his days with Forest and as a manager.
Trevor Francis during Birmingham City team photo in 1973
1972: Francis during a League Division One match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane
Francis playing for Birmingham City in 1971
Francis leads the line for Blues against Spurs in 1972
Francis holds the ball up against John Gregory of Aston Villa during the League Division One match held on October 1, 1977 at Villa Park
Francis races through the Malmo defence during the 1979 European Cup Final at the Olympic Stadium on May 30, 1979
Trevor Francis, who scored Forest’s winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final, lifts the trophy
Winning goalscorer Trevor Francis and goalkeeper Peter Shilton parade the trophy after the 1979 European Cup Final between Nottingham Forest and Malmo
England’s Trevor Francis traps the ball as Willie Miller comes in to tackle from the right as Scotland beat England 1-0 at Wembley in 1981
Francis in action during the 1982 World Cup match between Spain and England at the Bernabeu stadium on July 5, 1982
Francis on the touchline during his time as head coach of Blues in 1997
Francis talks to his team before the penalty shoot out during the League Division One Play Off Semi-final Second Leg between Preston North End and his Birmingham City team
Francis leaves St Andrews Stadium for the trip to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff ahead of the Worthington Cup Final between Blues and Liverpool
The former Blues manager on the touchline against Wimbledon in 2001
2001: Crystal Palace manager Trevor Francis waves to the Birmingham City fans during his return to St Andrew’s
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