Preston North End legend Sir Tom Finney has passed away at the age of 91.
Finney was the definition of a one club man, devoting his whole career to North End, making 433 appearances, scoring 187 goals in a superb career at Deepdale.
The stalwart was considered one of the greatest players of English footballing history, certainly one of the best of his generation, in a career that spanned 14 years for the Lilywhites.
In many ways, he was the perfect player, with Finney able to play inside right, left or as a main striker, with the nation adoring such a humble and proud lad from Preston.
Finney enjoyed a superb England career, winning 76 caps for the three lions, scoring 30 goals for his country, putting him sixth in the all time England goal scoring list, joint with Alan Shearer, and former Bolton Wanderers great Nat Lofthouse.
Following Finney’s service in the forces, a period in which he turned down a move to Italian side Palermo to stay with his beloved North End, he went onto become a national treasure, Finney was named footballer of the year in 1953-54 and 1956-57 and was twice a runner-up in the league with North End.
He was also an FA Cup runner up, and played in two World Cup Finals, in 1954, and 1958.
Finney was also a qualified plumber, adding another tool to his box of talents.
Tributes have come in around the footballing world for Finney, with his former club Preston North End issuing a statement….
“Sir Tom was the greatest player to ever play for Preston North End and one of the all time greats for England.”
Preston are due to play Leyton Orient in a League One fixture on Saturday afternoon, in what will be an emotional afternoon.
The statement added: “Preston North End have been informed of the extremely sad news of the passing of Sir Tom Finney.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club, and those connected with it, are with his family at this time.”
Speaking two years ago, ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations, former international team mate Bobby Charlton praised Finney’s superb career…
“I used to look at him and think, this is fantastic.
“Watching him, you knew full well that the full-backs had had it. He was just too good for them. Occasionally I had the pleasure to play with him and it was the greatest pleasure anyone could ever give me.
“I have so many happy memories of watching him play. His contribution to football is immeasurable.”
North End collaborated with Finney to produce a website based tribute to the one club man to mark his 90th birthday celebrations in 2012.
All of us here at sillyseason want to send our dearest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Sir Tom.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
