Gary Lineker leads Trevor Francis tributes after the first British million pound player passed away at the age of 69: ‘A wonderful footballer and lovely man’

Gary Lineker has paid tribute to Trevor Francis following his passing at the age of 69.

Francis enjoyed a glittering playing career that saw him burst onto the scene at Birmingham City before going on to win two European Cups at Nottingham Forest after becoming the first British million pound player when Brian Clough brought him to the City Ground in 1979.

He also earned 52 caps for England, scoring 12 goals, and played alongside Lineker for the Three Lions between 1984 and 1986.

The BBC presenter reacted to Francis’s passing in an emotional post on Twitter.

He wrote: ‘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.’

Francis also enjoyed spells at Sampdoria and Atalanta in Italy, before returning to the UK to play for Rangers. 

He became player-manager at QPR in 1988, and then held the same role at Sheffield Wednesday between 1991 and 1994.

After leaving Wednesday the following year, he had a five-year spell as Birmingham manager, before coaching Crystal Palace between 2001 and 2003.

But it is his days at Forest that many will remember him for most fondly, and the club posted their own message for him on social media.

‘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,’ they wrote.

More to follow…