Gary Lineker leads Trevor Francis tributes after the first British million pound player passed away at the age of 69: ‘A wonderful footballer and lovely man’

Gary Lineker has paid tribute to Trevor Francis following his passing at the age of 69.

Francis enjoyed a glittering playing career that saw him burst onto the scene at Birmingham City before going on to win two European Cups at Nottingham Forest after becoming the first British million pound player when Brian Clough brought him to the City Ground in 1979.

He also earned 52 caps for England, scoring 12 goals, and played alongside Lineker for the Three Lions between 1984 and 1986.

The BBC presenter reacted to Francis’s passing in an emotional post on Twitter.

He wrote: ‘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.’

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

The former striker also earned 52 caps for England between 1977 and 1986

Gary Lineker paid tribute to his former England team-mate on Twitter on Monday afternoon

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 many will remember him for most fondly, 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.’

Francis’s former team-mates 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 team mate Trevor Francis such a wonderful gentleman a friend and a terrible loss.’

Viv Anderson, a Forest team-mate 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.’

Stan Collymore followed in Francis’s footsteps at Forest, enjoying a prolific spell at the club between 1993 and 1995 before joining Liverpool.

Stan Collymore labelled Francis ‘one in a million’ in an emotional social media post

His tribute to Francis read: ‘The loveliest of men, humble, humorous, always giving of his time and advice. Absolutely gutted that Trev has gone, they say never meet your heroes, well, I met mine and he was an absolute gentleman. Rest in peace, Ledge, one in a million.’

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.

‘Oh no, just heard Trevor Francis has passed away. What a player he was & what a gentleman. Got to know him well when Trevor was doing his Co Commentary’s for Sky a job he loved. RIP Trevor the first Million pound player who always looked a million dollars.’