Why Finney won’t be forgotten

Deepdale, home of Preston North End, was a sad place on Saturday as I, along with many thousands, paid tribute to Sir Tom Finney, one of the greatest players ever to grace a football field.

Outside the ground stands a statue of Sir Tom with a fountain, a reproduction in bronze of one of the most famous football photographs of all time, ‘The Splash’, which shows Finney sliding but some how miraculously controlling the ball in a rainstorm at Stamford Bridge in 1956.

There was a sombre mood as fans placed flowers, scarves and shirts with messages, around the statue, and what was particularly moving was watching disabled people struggle through the gathering to make their tribute.

Sir Tom Finney was the epitome of a local hero. During World War II he served with Montgomery’s Eighth Army and at war’s end resumed his career at Preston. 

He made 433 league appearances for the club scoring 187 league goals before retiring in 1960. 

He was a one-club man in an era of the minimum wage, modest about his talent, and it was his humility that made him endearing.

Finney won 76 England caps and scored 30 goals, placing him sixth in the list of the country’s highest goalscorers.

He was awarded the prestigious Footballer of the Year title twice, first in 1953-54 and again in 1956-57.

I did not formally meet Sir Tom Finney but he always seemed to be part of my life. As a child, my father talked endlessly of Finney’s skill and how he could mesmerize defences. 

Finney’s father had insisted that his son learn a trade so he would have something to fall back on when his football life was over.

This Tom did and became a plumber, and one of his first workshops was in the next street to where I lived.

My mother reminds me that when I first learned to ride a bike I would cycle around the corner to get a glimpse of the great man. I remember him giving me a broad grin as I waved to him.

I feel privileged that I was able to see Finney’s last season with Preston, as I was then just about old enough to appreciate his skills.

In those days star players were accessible, and none more so than Sir Tom. 

In that season, I remember him finishing off a plumbing job across the road from my home on the morning of an FA Cup game at Deepdale.

I became agitated as the morning wore on, fearing he would miss the game, and began pacing outside my front door wondering how long the job would take. 

My father kept telling me off and in the end had to drag me back into the house. It was with some relief at about 11am that I saw Finney place an old bath in the back of his van and drive off. I need not have worried as Finney helped Preston through to the next round.

Finney, although slightly built, was strong, two-footed, and would have been quite at home in the modern game. 

He could play on either wing, at centre-forward, or anywhere up front with equal success. Lionel Messi, in style and temperament, is perhaps the closest modern-day equivalent to Finney. 

Islanders may wonder just how Finney would fare today. Wonder no more, for the late Bill Shankly, Finney’s old team-mate, told us years ago: “Finney would be great in any team in any era even while wearing his overcoat.”

Throughout England this weekend a minute’s silence was held for Sir Tom at all major football matches. I found it touching that at the FA Cup game at Arsenal the Liverpool fans, after observing the minute’s silence, spontaneously broke into the chant: “One Tom Finney... there’s only one Tom Finney....”

Sir Tom Finney’s talent will always be remembered when any speaks of remarkable footballers; those with the ability to dazzle and to bend games to their will. 

These qualities are timeless, and this is why he deserves his place in the pantheon of truly great players.