RIP Sir Tom Finney ( aka the Preston plumber ) a player who I was privileged to see play both centre forward & winger for Preston .when I was a kid my uncle Mick who was a fellow addick would always take me to see Tom when Preston were playing in London.
Virtually all the people I spoke to over the years who saw them in action rated Finney as a better all round player than Matthews - he could play in the centre or on either wing and be the best player on the pitch. One of the all time greats, RIP.
When i was growing up and learning about football Tom Finney's name was one that was always brought up as the best English attacker ever despite him being retired 30 years.
RIP Sir Tom. A great footballer and top gentleman. I wish I had seen him play.
NB. I think the press-photo above won "the picture of the year". You can just see the full back who is virtually obscured by the spray. Just puts into perspective the health & safety concerns of pitches today and "yesterday".
Remember a game in '56 when Preston went 1-4 up. Johnny Summers completed a hat-trick with 20 minutes to go but it finished 3-4. Finney played a blinder and as we were relegated that season I think it was probably Sir Tom's last visit to The Valley where he always seemed to score against us. RIP Sir Tom, one of England's most skilful players and a true gentleman.
Bill Shankly said of Finney "He'd have been a great in any team, in any match, in any age....even if he'd been wearing an overcoat."
He said he did regret not going to Italy when he was sought after. He was offered £10k up front (£500k in today's money). Preston would not let him get out if his contract though.
The word legend gets thrown about at a drop of a hat these days. This man was what the word legend was invented for. RIP Tom.
Spot on. To many people, he was undoubtedly the finest footballer they had ever seen. Off the pitch, he was down to earth and a proper gent - generous, kind and with principles.
He was more than a footballer to the people of Preston - he was a figurehead for the city and the club and they will really feel this loss and be forever grateful for the pride that he gave them.
Comments
RIP
Sad news, my thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.
An English football great and a gentleman
And one of my all time fav photos is, and bear this in mind, there was no photoshop or digital cameras about..
RIP a football great
Legend
RIP.
Lets try & behave tomorrow shall we - let the norvan monkeys show themselves up & not us.
A name weaved into the very foundations of the sport in this country and therefore the world. Legend surely....and a real one at that.
NB. I think the press-photo above won "the picture of the year". You can just see the full back who is virtually obscured by the spray. Just puts into perspective the health & safety concerns of pitches today and "yesterday".
RIP Sir Tom, one of England's most skilful players and a true gentleman.
He said he did regret not going to Italy when he was sought after. He was offered £10k up front (£500k in today's money). Preston would not let him get out if his contract though.
He was more than a footballer to the people of Preston - he was a figurehead for the city and the club and they will really feel this loss and be forever grateful for the pride that he gave them.
RIP, a true legend as a footballer and a man.