Thousands of people lined the streets as leading figures from British soccer came to Preston on Friday for the funeral of England great Tom Finney.
Finney, who died two weeks ago aged 91, spent his entire professional career with hometown club Preston North End, making 569 appearances, while for England he scored 30 goals in just 76 matches – a superb strike rate for a player who was primarily a winger.
He was never booked or sent off. Finney’s nickname of the “Preston Plumber” reflected the fact his father insisted he go into the family business and learn a trade alongside his football career.
Former England midfielder Trevor Brooking, representing the Football Association, was among the packed congregation in Preston Minster church in northwest England to pay tribute to a boyhood hero.
Tom didn’t dive, he didn’t feign injury, that wasn’t part of his repertoire. He was the footballers’ footballer
“He was one of the most genuine individuals you would ever be likely to meet,” Brooking said. “Everyone admired and respected him.
“To come to this event, over 50 years since he played, and see all these people both here in the minster and on the streets, I can’t think of many who would get the same reaction.