RIP Sir Tom Finney

[Tal]

5 April 1922 - 14 February 2014

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26200831



Years                      Team              Apps†   (Gls)†
1946–1960   Preston North End   433      (187)
1963              Distillery                       0            (0)

National team
1946–1958     England                       76   (30)

[tikay]

He really was something special.

Wiki reports two quotes about him by Bill Shankly, who was not easily impressed.


"Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age ... even if he had been wearing an overcoat."


 Shankly was asked about how a top star of the day compared to Finney: "Aye, he's as good as Tommy – but then Tommy's nearly 60 now."

[kp24]

Never saw him play but they say he was great but also such as gentleman and humble man

[Sheriff Fatman]

RIP, Sir Tom.

I've always thought this was a great way to honour a footballer and club legend.  It's been there for quite a few years now, but particularly poignant today.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeVJJHPhklI/UDtMbh7l6GI/AAAAAAAAAAA/vYENexKZbww/s1600/Deepdale%2B9.JPG


He's known as a 'one-club' player, but he actually played for Barnsley on one occasion - a specially arranged friendly vs Bolton Wanderers in 1962 to commemorate the opening of the floodlights at Oakwell.  Barnsley had two guest internationals in their team, Sir Tom Finney and Jimmy Hagan.  Check out the teamsheet below (note the advert at the bottom of the page!)

https://twitter.com/OakwelHistorian/status/434442653908750336/photo/1