Former England striker Trevor Francis dies, aged 69

Former England striker Trevor Francis has died aged 69 after suffering a heart attack in Spain.

A spokesman for the family confirmed that Francis died at his apartment near Marbella in Spain on Monday morning.

The statement said: "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."

Francis began his playing career at Birmingham City, where he scored 119 goals in 280 league games, before becoming Great Britain's first £1m player when he completed a move to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1979.

The forward went on to net the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup against Malmo, and he was part of the Forest squad that retained their European crown the following season.

Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis.

A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/TRHnjr2Mmr

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 24, 2023

He also lifted the European Super Cup during his time with the East Midlands club, before joining Manchester City in 1981.

After spending time in Italy with Sampdoria and Atalanta BC, France returned to the United Kingdom in 1987 when he signed for Scottish giants Rangers.

At international level, Francis scored 12 goals in 52 appearances for England and represented his country at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Towards the end of his playing career, Francis took on player-manager roles with Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday, before retiring in 1994.

As a coach, he guided Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City to major finals, and he also spent time in the managerial dugout at Crystal Palace.

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 @FIFAWorldCup – for the #ThreeLions between 1977 and 1986.

All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs. pic.twitter.com/GNBeV4onDp

— England (@England) July 24, 2023

Tributes have been paid to Francis by his former clubs, including Nottingham Forest, who said he was a "true Forest legend who will never be forgotten".

Francis' former teammates and colleagues from the media industry have also taken to social media to pay tribute.

Viv Anderson, who played at Forest with Francis, wrote on Instagram: "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."

Chris Kamara, a colleague of Francis at Sky Sports, said: "What a player he was & what a gentleman. Got to know him well when Trevor was doing his co-commentary for Sky a job he loved. RIP Trevor the first million-pound player who always looked a million dollars."

Former England international Gary Lineker wrote on social media that Francis was "A wonderful footballer and lovely man", while ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton said that he was "such a wonderful gentleman a friend".