Jude Bellingham continues tributes to Trevor Francis after his tragic death at the age of 69 – with the fellow Birmingham icon calling the first £1m man ‘beyond legendary’

Jude Bellingham has continued the tributes on Monday to fellow Birmingham icon Trevor Francis, who has died aged 69.

The former England striker is regarded as Blues’ greatest player while 20-year-old Bellingham, who this summer joined Real Madrid in a deal worth up to £113million, also began his career at St Andrew’s.

Both are depicted on a mural a short distance from the stadium.

Bellingham tweeted an image of the mural and added the caption ‘An honour’ accompanied by a blue heart emoji. He wrote: ‘A very sad day for @BCFC and all of football. Beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon of the game.

‘The only thing that could exceed his quality and accolades on the pitch was his class off it. Thank you for all the guidance and benchmarks you set. Rest in peace, King Trevor!’ 

Striker Francis, a fellow Birmingham icon, was the first ever £1million footballer in England

Bellingham (second left), who left Birmingham for Borussia Dortmund before joining Real Madrid this summer, called Francis: ”beyond legendary, a trailblazer, a great and an icon’

After becoming Britain’s first £1m footballer when he moved from the Blues to Nottingham Forest in 1979, Francis then scored the winner in that year’s European Cup final in Munich, when Forest beat Malmo 1-0.

John McGovern captained Forest that day and said: ‘When I got the news he had passed away it obviously came as a shock.

‘I am more than four years older than Trevor and it’s a sad day for Nottingham Forest. My condolences go out to his family. As a footballer, he was absolute top class, but as a person he’d probably be up there as well.

‘He would always find time for people. He certainly wasn’t a big head. You’d think the £1m price tag might have affected him — not a chance. Real ability, real talent, and a nice guy as well.’

Francis was 24 when he joined Forest and had remarkable success before moving Manchester City in 1981. He made the England squad for the 1982 World Cup and won 52 caps, scoring 12 goals.

Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘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 had spells in Italy with Sampdoria and Atalanta before returning to British football, first with Rangers and then as a player-manager of Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.

After retiring with 235 goals in 632 games across his playing career, Francis also managed Birmingham and Crystal Palace.