Trevor Francis death updates — UK’s first £1million footballer, 69, faced ‘toughest challenge’ when beloved wife died

Trevor Francis’ career

• Birmingham: 1971-79
• Nottingham Forest: 1979-81
• Man City: 1981-82
• Sampdoria: 1982-86
• Atalanta: 1986-87
• Rangers: 2987-88
• Wollongong City: 1988
• QPR: 1988-90
• Sheffield Wednesday: 1990-94
• England: 1977-86

How did Trevor Francis die?

On July 24, 2023, it was reported that Trevor passed away at his home in Marbella.

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.”

Francis’ lasting impression at Nottingham Forest

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?”

Inside Trevor Francis’ England career

While Trevor Francis is famed for his European Cup-winning goal with Nottingham Forest, he also had a successful international career.

The Birmingham City legend played 52 times for the Three Lions, scoring 12 goals between 1977 and 1986.

Two of those goals came at the 1982 World Cup.

Fans can sign book of condolences

Nottingham Forest fans wishing to pay respects to Trevor Francis can sign a book of condolences at The City Ground.

Those wishing to sign the book can head to the The City Ground main reception from 9:00am - 5:00pm for the remainder of the week.

A dedicated area for fans to lay tributes has also been set up.

How much was Trevor Francis' transfer to Nottingham Forest?

Trevor became the first British footballer to request a £1million transfer fee when he joined Forest in 1979.

The club's manager at the time, Brian Clough, claimed the official price was £999,999 to make sure the pressure didn't go to Trevor's head.

During his time with Forest, he scored a total of 28 goals in 70 appearances.

He also scored the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final.

Speaking in an interview in 2019 about being the first one million pound player, Trevor said: “I never realised at the time the significance of it,” he says.

“I smashed, literally smashed, the transfer record. Doubled it. It was just a magical figure – a million pounds. Paris Saint-Germain spent nearly £200m on Neymar, but I don’t think it has the same magical appeal that £1m did. Do I feel proud of being the first £1m player? Absolutely.”

Trevor spoke of ‘heartbreak’ after losing beloved wife

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.”

Who was Chris Bart-Williams?

Bart-Williams was a former football player and coach.

He won 16 England Under-21 caps and one England 'B' cap, and spent more than three decades of his life involved in the sport.

After retiring from playing in 2006, he moved to the United States and helped coach their successful women's national team. 

Chris' death was confirmed in a statement from his former team Sheffield Wednesday on July 24, 2023.

In the statement, the club said: "We are deeply saddened at the passing of our former player Chris Bart-Williams."

His death came the same day ex-Nottingham Forest forward and England legend Trevor Francis died aged 69.

How many children did Trevor Francis have?

Not much is known about Trevor and his wife Helen's family life.

However, Francis is survived by two children - who he shared with Helen.

The football icon faced his "toughest challenge" when his wife died in 2017, having been together for 45 years prior to her passing.

Speaking to the  he said: "It’s so hard because of the deep love I had for Helen. It's a tougher challenge than anything I ever faced in football."

Former Leicester City manager pays tribute

Nigel Pearson, who managed Leicester City prior to their Premier League title win, has paid tribute to Trevor Francis.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "I'm deeply shocked to hear of Trevor Francis' death. Such a gentleman and a wonderful player.

"I still reference him when talking to players, with his mid-stride toe-poke finish.

"I played with him when he was 37 but still a class performer. Thoughts with his family and loved ones."

More tributes pour in for British football icon

Martin O'Neil, who played with Trevor Francis at Nottingham Forest, has paid tribute to the UK's first-ever million-pound player.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "Really devastated to hear the tragic news that Trevor Francis has passed away.

"A phenomenal player, superb teammate and a great friend. Football has lost a true great of the game."

Trevor Francis' most iconic goal

Most football fans remember Trevor Francis as the man who won Nottingham Forest the European Cup.

The forward headed home the winner against Malmo on his European debut, bringing glory to the midlands club.

Speaking on the goal, 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?”

Trevor spoke of ‘heartbreak’ after losing beloved wife

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.”

Premier League teams pay respects

Several Premier League teams have shared tributes to the late Trevor Francis following his death.

Tottenham Hotspur shared a message on social media as it wrote: "Rest in peace, Trevor. The thoughts of everyone at Tottenham Hotspur are with Trevor's friends and family at this sad and difficult time."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa's official account added: "Everyone at Aston Villa is deeply saddened by the passing of Trevor Francis, a true legend of the game, especially in the Midlands but also across the football world.

"The thoughts of all at the club are with Trevor’s family and friends and everyone at Birmingham City at this time."

Inside Trevor Francis' England career

While Trevor Francis is famed for his European Cup-winning goal with Nottingham Forest, he also had a successful international career.

The Birmingham City legend played 52 times for the Three Lions, scoring 12 goals between 1977 and 1986.

Two of those goals came at the 1982 World Cup.

Which teams did Trevor Francis play for?

Francis began his career as a schoolboy for Plymouth before he joined Birmingham City.

In 1970, at the age of 16, the footballer made his debut 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 - and he made a lasting impression with the club thanks to his world-famous European Cup-winning goal in 1979.

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.

Francis also made the England squad for the 1982 World Cup where he scored twice in the first group stage.

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 later managed both QPR and Sheffield Wednesday - famously causing Eric Cantona to storm out after a trial for the Owls -  before hanging up his boots for good in 1994 after a last managerial role at Crystal Palace.

How did Trevor Francis die?

On July 24, 2023, it was reported that Trevor passed away at his home in Marbella.

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."

Which other teams did Trevor Francis play for?

Trevor was eventually sold to Manchester City in 1981 after his spell with Forest.

He also played for Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday.

The footballer won 52 caps for England scoring 12 goals between 1977 and 1986.

He also featured at the 1982 World Cup in Spain before retiring from football in 1994.

Who was Trevor Francis’ wife Helen?

Helen Francis was married to Nottingham Forrest star and England legend Trevor Francis - who was instrumental in helping Brian Clough's Forest win the European Cup in 1979.

On July 24, 2023, Trevor's family confirmed that the he had sadly passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home.

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."

The couple spent 45 years together before Helen tragically died in 2017, leaving Francis heartbroken after her passing.

Following the devastating loss, Francis told how life without Helen had been "so difficult" in his autobiography, One In A Million.

Speaking to the  Francis admitted that he was unable to talk about his wife for two years - as he didn't feel ready.

Who was Trevor Francis?

Trevor Francis was born on April 19, 1954 in Plymouth, where he showed early promise as a footballer at school.

He made his debut as a forward in 1970 for Birmingham City, where he made 280 appearances for the club.

In that time, he score an impressive 119 goals, which meant when he departed the club for Nottingham Forest, he was a very valuable asset.

As a result, his transfer broke records and became the first £1million transfer in England, though his new manager, Brian Clough, claimed it was just shy of this amount by a penny to stop the pressure going to his new signing’s head.

Birmingham City honours Trevor Francis

Birmingham City FC have taken to Twitter paying tribute to club legend Trevor Francis.

In a heartfelt post, the team wrote: “Blues is deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of Club legend Trevor Francis, at the age of 69 on Monday 24 July 2023.

“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.”

Francis' lasting impression at Nottingham Forest

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?"

First £1million transfer fee

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.

What has Trevor's family said?

On July 24, 2023, Trevor's family confirmed that he had sadly passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home.

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."

Who did Trevor Francis play for?

Trevor Francis had a storied and illustrious footballing career.

During his time as a player, Francis played in England, Scotland, America and several other countries.

Francis’ teams include:

• Birmingham City
• Detroit Express
• Nottingham Forest
• Manchester City
• Sampdoria
• Atalanta
• Rangers