Former Nottingham Forest forward Trevor Francis has opened up about the tag that has followed him throughout his career, and how both he and his manager at the time dealt with it.
Despite scoring twenty-eight goals for Forest, including a European Cup winning strike, Francis's achievements do not crown his name - his former pricetag does.
Francis famously became Britain's first £1 million player after being transferred from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest, a move which is often presented in a way that overshadows his abilities and playing career.
In a detailed conversation with football podcast Football Ramble Daily, Francis opened up on his perceived 'dislike' of the 'million pound man' tag, and the larger context of the million pound transfer.
'What it is, is if I was to go to a sportsman’s dinner tonight, I guarantee that I’d be introduced as ‘we have with us tonight the first £1m footballer Trevor Francis’ said Francis to Ramble host Luke Moore.
'That’s fine. I just think that I actually played professional football from the age of 16 until I was 39. 23 years.
'Now there aren’t many that play at the top level for 23 years. There are many things I did in my career, that I think, sometimes it’s as if the only thing I ever did was transfer for £1m. But I have to say I’m still very, very proud.
'Birmingham put a big price tag on my head. I wasn't annoyed at all because I knew Nottingham Forest and Brian Clough were involved in negotiations. Coventry City also wanted me, and their financial package was better - but it wasn't about finances. That price tag did eliminate a number of clubs who would've liked to have taken me.
'But I was happy. Nottingham Forest, in the Midlands, Brian Clough. Walking into the dressing room on that first day was like walking into the England dressing room. I mean, there were so many star players there.
'I was going for a million pound, but I've never been the big 'I am' - but walking into a dressing room with Peter Shilton, Kenny Burns, Viv Anderson. It was daunting, but I was excited. It puts your feet on the floor though.'
As for Clough's view on the pricetag, he found a unique way of dealing with Francis' cost. One that Francis didn't particularly enjoy at the time.
‘He was big on spirit in the dressing room, having a togetherness.
'He’d want everyone to help one another. I think he quite enjoyed, on one occasion, I wasn’t able to play, and he turned to me and said ‘Trev, listen, you’re not involved today, these lads are going to try and win the match for yourself, get them a cup of tea and get me a tea’. But then, he would go and tell the press. So then, the following day, I became known as the ‘million pound tea boy’.
'He quite enjoyed that, because I think he didn’t want everything to revolve around.
Francis didn't seem to enjoy a tremendous start to his Forest career - and his relationship with his boss - from the outside looking in. Clough himself seemed like he'd have rather been at the courts when he introduced his new signing wearing sports gear and wielding a squash racquet.
Still, Francis came to understand Clough's style - and his managerial abilities.
'He was a fabulous goalscorer himself - every single chance that came our way, he used to regard it as an easy chance. He was a special guy, a special manager. I'm fortunate. For me, Brian Clough was the best.
'He was brilliant.'
You can listen to the full hour-long interview here, which is part of the Football Ramble's 'Ramble Meets...' series.
.jpg?w=600)
