Lovely little vignette about Trevor Francis

From the Guardian's 'Joy of six' blog.

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"Francis also belonged to a time that nostalgia can make feel that little bit more innocent. His father, Roy, a shift foreman with the South West Gas Board, would make the seven-hour drive from Plymouth (before the days of the M5) to every game at St Andrew's. His mother, Phyllis, raised petrol money by sewing and tailoring, at six shillings an hour. From the age of 15 to 17, the scorer of 800-plus goals in Devon schools football lived in three lots of digs. As a 16-year-old tipped for England stardom and described by his manager, Freddie Goodwin, as "the best prospect since George Best", he was operating to a 10.30pm curfew and had to get written permission before he was allowed to see in the new year."

You can keep your Tom Daley. Francis as the best sportsman that Plymouth has produced?

i wanted hairless legs like his, not gurt hairy ones like my dad! unfortunately puberty put an end to that thought

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