It’s my sad duty to inform J&S readers that the legend Trevor Francis died today after a heart attack, he was 69.
Trevor was a Plymothian but was picked up by Blues in his teenage years. He famously scored 4 goals against Bolton when he was still a teenager. Freddie Goodwin recognised Trevor’s ability and he became a regular for the first team in the promotion season, also achieving a semi-final appearance in the FA cup losing 3-0 to Leeds. Between 1970 and 79 Trevor scored nearly 120 goals in just under 300 appearances. Who knows how many assists he was responsible for. The second game I went to was v QPR, and he scored an amazing goal which won goal of the month on Match of the Day. I believe it was also second in goal of the season.
Trevor became the first one million pound player when Cloughie took him to Forest. He also played for England getting over 50 caps and scoring 12 times. He deserved to be picked more than that in my opinion, however being at Blues seemed to hinder that. Of course he also lifted the European Cup with Forest, scoring the winner, that’s the real European Cup by the way!
Trevor also played for Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday before retiring. He then went into management and was manager at Sheffield Wednesday for a reasonably successful 4 years after being player manager at QPR.
Of course he returned “home” after Sullivan and Brady bought him in after Barry Fry was sacked. He was with us between 1996 and 2001 getting us to the play-offs several times and a league cup final. Unfortunately he could never quite get us over the line and eventually parted ways with the club.
That said, he always was, and always will be a legend. RIP Trevor, you were my first football hero and I am grateful that I got to see you play in blue and white.
Just heard this awful piece of news. I was the same age, 16 when he made his debut and as you indicate Kev he was a pleasure to watch. Easily our greatest ever player. RIP Trevor.
A fitting tribute, thanks Kev.
He’ll forever be remembered as perhaps the best player ever to don the royal blue shirt but he’ll be sadly missed by the world of football. It was sad he didn’t meet his true potential as Blues boss but Steve Bruce would admit he owes him a debt of gratitude. A truly talented footballer, a good manager and a true gentleman…
Rest in Peace
Greatest player I ever saw in a blue shirt. I was at the game when he scored that goal against QPR ans an even better one against Carlisle I think it was when he scored from miles out right on the touchline. Thanks for the memories Trev.
The goal I remember was one of his first if not his first! It was against Oxford United and Trevor scored at the Tilton end an equaliser from the tightest of angles into the far top corner. Brilliant goal in a dire game between two poor sides. Trevor was the only light of class on the pitch at the time and he was only sixteen!
Trev was a truly class act with some amazingly creative skills, though he did admit to copying one of those skills from Johan Cruyff!
I was fortunate to be there when he scored 4 in a home game at just 16 years old. Magical.
He’ll be missed.
Went to Wembley for his England debut along with several hundred blue noses Proud of him playing for England despite playing for little old Birmingham City Should had a hundred caps not 52 How do you mend a broken heart RIP KRO
Trevor Francis legacy is that he IS bigger than the Club and not many players living or dead can say that.
The big is pity in the 70s Blues game really had camaras at them. I was born in 54 and watched most of his early game he scored some amazing goals. At Leyton Orient he flicked the ball over the defender and it on the volley as it dropped from 20 yards. Then against Millwall he played the ball between the defenders legs on the halfway line ran to there goal with there defence miles behind before putting it past the keeper. He loved the Blues as much as any of us. A real GIANT of the club. We will never see a Blues player as good as him again.
RIP Trevor