Who became England's first million pound footballer?

Trevor John Francis (born 19 April 1954) is an English former footballer who played as a forward, playing most of his games for Birmingham City (1971–1979). Throughout his playing career, he played for several clubs in England, and also had spells in the United States, Italy, and Scotland. He became England's first £1 million player following his transfer from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest in 1979, and later won two consecutive European Cups with the club in 1979 and 1980. At international level, he played for England 52 times between 1976 and 1986, scoring 12 goals, and played at the 1982 World Cup.

Nottingham Forest, the reigning First Division champions and League Cup holders managed by Brian Clough, put in a bid for Francis which totalled just over £1 million. No player had ever been sold between English clubs for a seven-figure fee before (the present record was less than half), and the deal was sealed, with Francis famously being introduced to the media by a manager impatient to play squash – Clough was in his red gym kit and carrying a racquet as he addressed the press conference.

While recognised as the first British million-pound player, the actual transfer fee for the player was £1,150,000, including 15% commission to the Football League. Clough wrote in his autobiography that the fee was £999,999, as he wanted to ensure the million-pound milestone did not go to the player's head, although Francis says that was a tongue-in-cheek remark by Clough.