NOTTINGHAM Forest star and England legend Trevor Francis has died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Marbella.
The icon was England’s first-ever £1million player and was instrumental in helping Brian Clough’s Forest win the European Cup in 1979.
He later managed both QPR and Sheffield Wednesday – famously causing Eric Cantona to storm out after a trial for the Owls.
Francis died at his apartment near Marbella in Spain today from a heart attack, his family confirmed.
A statement said: “Trevor Francis has died at the age of 69. He had a heart attack at his apartment in Spain this morning.
“On behalf of the family, this has come as a huge shock to everybody. We are all very upset.
“He was a legendary footballer but he was also an extremely nice person.”
Veteran ITV sports presenter and close pal Gary Newbon led tributes to the footballer following the tragedy
He told The Sun: “This is obviously a terrible shock for Trevor and his family and friends.
“He was revered throughout football and has his place assured in the history of the game.
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“But he was also an incredibly kind and popular man, who will be greatly missed by so, so many people.”
Gary told how Francis had a stent fitted following a heart attack 12 years ago but appeared to be in good health.
He added: “Since then he had stayed in incredible shape. He power-walked daily and barely drank. That’s why this comes as such a shock.”
The footballer began his career as a schoolboy for Plymouth before he joined Birmingham City.
In 1970, the forward made his debut aged just 16 and went on to net an impressive 119 goals in 280 appearances.
Francis became the first British footballer to command a £1million transfer fee when he moved from Birmingham to Forest in 1979.
Manager Clough actually claimed the price tag was £999,999 to make sure the pressure didn’t go to Francis’ head.
Forest put out a touching tribute on social media this afternoon, saying: “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.”
Francis made a lasting impression with the club thanks to his world-famous European Cup-winning goal in 1979.
He nodded home a header against Malmo in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico to write the team into European folklore forever.
Speaking about the goal previously, he said: “It was a magical moment. I used to write a column for the Roy of the Rovers comic and this was my own Roy of the Rovers moment.
“A European debut in a cup final and scoring the winning goal. Nobody had ever done that, had they?”
The rest of Francis’ time with the club was blighted by injury but he still managed to secure a £1.2million fee to move to Man City in 1980.
He scored two goals against Stoke City on his debut but was frequently forced to sit out due to injury.
Despite this, Francis made the England squad for the 1982 World Cup where he scored twice in the first group stage.
On the news of his death the team said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69.
“He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals – including two at the 1982 World Cup – for the Three Lions between 1977 and 1986.
“All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs.”
He later went on to have stints at Italian giants Sampdoria and later Atalanta before moving back to the UK to play for Rangers.
Francis had been signed by Graeme Souness, as part of his self-styled “English invasion” at Ibrox, and helped the team win the 1987-88 Scottish League Cup.
The forward later became a player-manager at QPR in 1988 but left after a year in charge to be replaced by Down Howe.
He then took over from Ron Atkinson at Sheffield Wednesday before hanging up his boots for good in 1994 after a last managerial role at Crystal Palace.
Away from his football career, Francis was left heartbroken in 2017 when his beloved wife Helen died.
The couple, who had been together for 45 years, shared two children together.
In his autobiography, One In A Million, Francis told how life without Helen had been “so difficult”.
He also told how working as a pundit was helping to keep him sane after a horrific two years.
Francis added: “It’s so hard because of the deep love I had for Helen and also because I am useless in the house. She did everything for me. I don’t mind admitting that.
“All of a sudden I am living by myself and I suppose I never contemplated this would ever happen. It is a tougher challenge than anything I ever faced in football.”
Tributes have flooded in for the star, including from former teammate Viv Anderson, who shared a black and white image of Francis.
He said: “Just heard the unbelievable news regarding Trevor Francis, he was such a wonderful person and fabulous teammate he will be sadly missed, my condolences go to his family and friends RIP.”
Gary Lineker said: “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.”
Birmingham shared an image of Francis as a teen at the club as they revealed they were “saddened and shocked” by his death.
The club added: “Trevor will forever be revered as a giant of the Club, the player everyone wanted to see. He represented Blues on 330 occasions, scoring 133 goals.
“Blues sends its thoughts and deepest sympathies to Trevor’s family and friends.”
Nottingham Forest called Francis a “true Forest legend who will never be forgotten”.
While Palace said: “Crystal Palace are mourning the loss of former manager Trevor Francis, who has passed away at the age of 69.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Trevor’s friends and family at this sad time.
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“Rest in peace, Trevor.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
