July 24 – Former England forward Trevor Francis, who famously became Britain’s first £1 million player when he moved to Nottingham Forest from Birmingham in 1979, has died aged 69 of a heart attack in Spain where he regularly spent half the year.
Shortly after his record move to Forest, Francis headed the winner in the 1-0 victory over Malmo in the 1979 European Cup final. He missed the final against Hamburg a year later because of injury and joined Manchester City in 1981.
Francis made 52 appearances for England and later became manager of both Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham. He also managed Rangers in Scotland and Crystal Palace.
“On behalf of the family, this has come as a huge shock to everybody,” his family said in a statement. “We are all very upset. He was a legendary footballer but he was also an extremely nice person.”
Premier League Nottingham Forest paid one of scores of tributes to Francis.
“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.”
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