Trevor Francis is laid to rest in Marbella as grieving family and friends including Graeme Souness g
The friends and family of Trevor Francis have gathered to pay tribute to British football’s first million-pound player as the former England striker is laid to rest in Marbella today.
Francis died aged 69 at his home in Spain on Monday, having suffered a heart attack, his family said.
Former Scotland captain Graeme Souness, who also captained Scottish club side Rangers during Francis’ stint there in the 1987-1988 season, was among those seen arriving at the service today. Souness and Francis were also teammates at Sampdoria in Italy’s Serie A.
The hour-long service, conducted by a UK-born Church of England chaplain now based on the Costa del Sol, took place at a chapel in San Pedro de Alcantara near Marbella.
Francis’ remains were then transferred to Manilva for a private cremation a short drive away.
Mourners included Francis’ brother and sister, Ian and Carolyn, and his two sons, James and Matthew. Trevor’s wife, Helen, passed away in 2017.
Guests attend the funeral of football legend Trevor Francis in Marbella, Spain
Former Liverpool and Scotland star Graeme Souness, was spotted wearing shades as he arrived at the funeral.
A priest blesses the coffin of Trevor Francis ahead of his funeral in Marbella
The former striker earned 52 caps for England between 1977 and 1986
Mourners included Francis’ brother and sister, Ian and Carolyn, and his two sons, James and Matthew
Guests attend the funeral of football legend Trevor Francis in Marbella, Spain
Francis enjoyed a glittering playing career that saw him burst onto the scene at Birmingham City in 1970 before going on to win two European Cups at Nottingham Forest.
He hit the headlines when he was transferred from Birmingham to Forest in 1979 for one million pounds, scoring the winner in that year’s European Cup final against Malmo, and also played for several other clubs including Manchester City, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.
He earned 52 caps for England, scoring 12 goals.
Leading the tributes to Francis following his death, former England forward and BBC Match of the Day presenter 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.’
England star Jude Bellingham, who also began his career in Birmingham, 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!’
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 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 will be remembered most fondly by many, 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.
Meanwhile, Wednesday posted on Twitter: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Trevor Francis.
‘Our thoughts are with Trevor’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’
James Francis is seen greeting a guest at his father’s funeral
Matthew Francis and Graeme Souness are pictured outside the funeral
A man carries floral wreaths to Francis’ funeral in Marbella today
Trevor Francis (centre) has passed away at the age of 69, with his death confirmed on Monday
Trevor Francis won the European Cup twice under Brian Clough at Forest
Birmingham City said they were ‘deeply saddened and shocked’ by the passing of the ‘club legend’.
‘Trevor will forever be revered as a giant of the Club, the player everyone wanted to see,’ Birmingham City posted. ‘He represented Blues on 330 occasions, scoring 133 goals. Blues sends its thoughts and deepest sympathies to Trevor’s family and friends.’
The Football Association also posted a tribute to the former England international on social media.
‘We are deeply saddened by the news that Trevor Francis has passed away aged 69,’ the post read.
‘He won 52 caps and scored 12 goals – including two at the 1982 @FIFAWorldCup – for the Three Lions between 1977 and 1986.
‘All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs.’
Francis’s former teammates also sent messages of condolence to the ex-striker’s family.
England’s most-capped men’s player Peter Shilton added: ‘I’m absolutely devastated to hear about my old teammate Trevor Francis such a wonderful gentleman a friend and a terrible loss.’
Viv Anderson, a Forest teammate and the first black footballer to play for England 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.’
After moving away from management in 2003, Francis went into broadcasting and worked alongside Chris Kamara on Sky.
The popular presenter labelled Francis ‘a gentleman’ on Twitter.
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