Britain's First Million Pound Footballer, Trevor Francis, Dies

Former England star Trevor Francis - Britain's first £1m football player - has died aged 69.

The striker, who rose through the youth ranks at Birmingham City, signed for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1979 for a then record £1,150,000.

He was instrumental in helping Clough's side to win the European Cup in Munich later that year, scoring the winning goal against Swedish side Malmo.

Close friend and former TV presenter Gary Newbon said in a statement:

"Trevor Francis has died at the age of 69.

"He had a heart attack at his apartment in Spain this morning.

Sky News (c)

"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."

His former club, Nottingham Forest, described Francis as a "true Forest legend who will never be forgotten".

England Football said it was "deeply saddened" by the news.

A skilful and athletic striker, he impressed in the youth ranks at Birmingham, before making his debut with the first team, aged 16.

He scored 118 goals in 220 appearances for Birmingham City over the next nine years, before making a move that would etch his name into football folklore.

In February 1979, Nottingham Forest splashed out £1,150,000 for Francis - twice the previous British record fee at the time.

Clough claimed the club had paid a pound less than the reported £1m transfer fee.

Trevor Francis with his wife, Helen, and Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough (Credit: Sky News)

However, Francis confirmed in a 2011 interview that he was in fact the first £1m British player and that Clough was attempting to take the pressure off him by downplaying his fee.

Price tag pressure or not, Francis was an instant hit at Nottingham Forest.

In May 1979, scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Swedish side Malmo in the European Cup, heading home a dipping cross from winger John Robertson.

Injuries and a switch of position to the right wing, instead of his favoured central position, meant Francis struggled to find his best form over the next two years for Forest, netting 28 goals in 70 appearances.

Trevor Francis pictured in 2004 (Sky News)

He was sold to Manchester City in 1981 for £1.2m, before spells with Italian sides Sampdoria and Atalanta, before returning to the UK to play for Rangers and Queens Park Rangers, before ending his career with Sheffield Wednesday.

Alongside a successful club career, Francis also represented England 55 times, scoring 12 goals.

He later swapped the pitch for the dugout, becoming manager of Sheffield Wednesday, before returning to his boyhood club, Birmingham City in 1996.

His final managerial job was at Crystal Palace in 2001, where he spent two years before being sacked in 2003, at which point he moved into punditry.