FRANCIS: JUDE SHOULD HAVE JOINED UNITED
FIFTY years ago, the golden boy of British football was paid a weekly wage of £7 and scrubbed the boots of his team mates. On Saturday, September 5, 1970, Trevor Francis made headlines when (below), at the age of 16 years and 144 days, he found the target for Birmingham City against Oxford United at St Andrews.
That made him the youngest player to score for the club and the record stood until last season, when Jude Bellingham broke it.
Bellingham, 16 years and 63 days old when he netted against Stoke City in the Championship last August, went on to join Borussia Dortmund for a £25million fee this summer and made a goalscoring debut for the German giants.
Though Francis and Bellingham both came through the ranks at Birmingham, their apprenticeships were very different.
“I know they don’t do it any more,” said Francis, “but I got a thrill out of cleaning the senior players’ boots.
“You cleaned three pairs and one of mine was Trevor Hockey, who played for Wales. I was chuffed to think I was cleaning his boots.
“It was good for young players to have the discipline to do chores. It kept you grounded.
“I was earning £7 per week playing for Birmingham City regularly. I played 40-50 times before I was 17 and could get a professional contract.
“I don’t know what Jude is earning, but I’m sure it’s more than
£7 a week! It’s probably nearer £50,000. I think it’s too easy for them now.”
Francis is impressed by Bellingham but says if he had been advising him he would have joined Manchester United rather than Borussia Dortmund.
“It’s a brave move to go to Dortmund,” said Francis. “You have to give him credit for making it. I understand he was wanted by Manchester United.
“I’m not saying he is wrong to go to Dortmund, I’m just saying I was a bit surprised. If I had been given that opportunity at 16 years old, I would have gone to Manchester United.”
Francis left St Andrew’s for Nottingham Forest in a record £1m transfer in 1979, but he has remained a City fan. He is still a regular at Blues games and saw plenty of Bellingham last season.“he has a good understanding of the game for someone so young and that’s a big plus,” added Francis. One In A Million: The Trevor Francis Story (Pitch) available now. is