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Finney, pictured in 2007. EMPICS Sport

English football legend Tom Finney dies aged 91

As Bill Shankly said, “he would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age… even if he had been wearing an overcoat.”

ENGLAND FOOTBALL GREAT Tom Finney has died at the age of 91, his former club Preston North End said.

“Preston North End have been informed of the extremely sad news of the passing of Sir Tom Finney,” a statement on the English third tier club’s website said.

“Sir Tom was the greatest player to ever play for Preston North End and one of all time greats for England.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club, and those connected with it, are with his family at this time.

Finney, a winger who could play in several positions across the forward line, was famously loyal to his hometown side in Lancashire, north-west England.

Finney made his debut for North End in 1946 and remained with the club until his retirement in 1960, scoring 210 goals in 473 appearances for the Lillywhites.

His England record was equally impressive, Finney scoring 30 goals in 76 matches for his country.

One of the most popular British sportsmen of his era, with fans and fellow players alike, Finney was nicknamed the ‘Preston Plumber’ after his father insisted he complete an apprenticeship at the family business he later ran alongside his football career.

Former England striker and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: “Sir Tom Finney has left us. One of the greatest players this country has ever seen, and a true gentleman.”

The late Bill Shankly, the legendary Liverpool manager who played with Finney at Preston, once said: “Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age… even if he had been wearing an overcoat.”

- © AFP, 2014

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    Mute Patrick Keane
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    Feb 14th 2014, 11:39 PM

    433 appearances for Preston, 187 goals, never played for any other club, ,great loyalty

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    Feb 14th 2014, 11:36 PM

    Legend. RIP

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    Mute verbal kint
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    Feb 15th 2014, 12:53 AM

    ‘ Finney on the wing ‘ is down in football folklore. RIP.

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    Mute Paul Kenny
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    Feb 14th 2014, 11:44 PM

    Great career and a long life.RIP.

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    Mute John Michael
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    Feb 15th 2014, 1:49 PM

    What a great and what a pity we’re stuck watching today’s overpaid prima donnas. Finley could’ve taught them a bit about sportsmanship.

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    Mute kopper96
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    Feb 15th 2014, 4:59 PM

    As history has shown Shanks was never wrong.

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