By
Rick Dewsbury
05:24 EST, 14 April 2012
|
05:28 EST, 14 April 2012
Emergency: Trevor Francis is in hospital having suffered a suspected heart attack
Britain’s first ever footballer to cost £1m is recovering in hospital today after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Ex-England star Trevor Francis, 57 was taken ill yesterday and is being treated in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.
One of his former clubs, Birmingham City, wished him a ‘speedy recovery’, adding they had been informed he had been taken ill by a family friend.
A statement on the Birmingham City website said: ‘Everybody at Birmingham City FC would like to send our best wishes to club legend Trevor Francis following news that he is recovering in hospital from a suspected heart attack.
‘The former Blues striker and manager is much loved by everybody associated with the club and we’d like to wish Trevor a speedy recovery.’
Francis played for the Blues between 1971 and 1979 before becoming England’s first £1 million player when he joined Nottingham Forest. He also managed Birmingham between 1996 and 2001.
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital spokeswoman Janet Mee said: ‘Trevor Francis has been admitted to the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. I am unable to confirm any other details.’
Francis remains the youngest player to have featured in a first-team game for Birmingham having made his debut in September 1970 at the age of 16 years and 139 days.
He is widely regarded as one of the finest players to have played for the club and helped them win promotion back to the old Division One in 1972.
After a highly successful career with Blues, including 118 goals, 280 league appearances and a full England debut against Holland in February 1977.
He earned his place in history when he joined Nottingham Forest as the first £1 million footballer. This was the most paid for a British footballer at the time.
Glory days: Francis, far right corner, celebrates winning the European Cup with with Nottingham Forest after he became Britain’s first £1m player
He went on to score the winning goal for Forest in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo, before helping the team reach the 1980 final against Hamburg, although he missed the showpiece match due to injury as Brian Clough’s side retained the title.
He left Forest in 1981, going on to play for Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Rangers.
He won 52 England caps and represented his country at the 1982 World Cup, and worked as a player-manager at QPR and Sheffield Wednesday, with whom he reached the League Cup and FA Cup finals in 1993, losing both to Arsenal.
Recovery: Francis was taken to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital where he is being treated after the suspected cardiac arrest
He took over as Birmingham boss in 1996, and led them to the 2001 League Cup final where they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
He dramatically quit in 1998 after his son was verbally abused during a game – but withdrew his resignation two days later.
Since leaving Blues he had a spell as manager of Crystal Palace from 2001 to 2003 and worked extensively as a television pundit, but will always be thought of as ‘the £1 million man’.
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Surely its suspected until its confirmed or otherwise??
In any event, hope you get better soon Trevor
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Get well soon Trev. With love from an Argyle fan.
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Best wishes Trev….one of my all time favourite attacking forces in the 70“s.
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He was very good in his day. All the best for a swift recovery!
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Absolute legend at Birmingham !
Get well soon Trev, the greatest !
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Your comments:you can’t have a suspected cardiac arrest, you either arrest or you don’t, but you can have a suspected heart attack.
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