The Forgotten Legends of Football: Sir Tom Finney

Good Old Fashioned Loyalty

However, despite all that acclaim, Finney never left his beloved home town club. There are very few footballers in history who are truly deserving of the distinction of being “loyal”, but Sir Tom Finney is undoubtedly one of them. After being born in Preston on a street right next to the Preston North End football ground no less, Finney would go on to spend his entire life with the local football club.

The Sir Tom Finney Stand at Preston’s Deepdale stadium bears the face of the club’s greatest legend

Because of his loyalty, the only trophy he would ever win as a professional player would be the old English Second Division title (although he would play in two FA Cup finals), making him probably the most talented player in the history of the game to go his entire career without a noteworthy medal.

It could have been so different. Finney was clearly too much of a talent to remain at Preston. In fact, his dominance in such a mediocre team was so clear that it was once joked that “Tom Finney should claim income tax relief for his 10 dependants”. It was clear for all to see that the Lancashire lad was destined for bigger things than Preston North End.

But the Preston boy never left.

Loyalty like that does not exist in the game any more. You may point to Ryan Giggs, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes as modern examples, but remember that each of those players has enjoyed multiple trophy-winning seasons and accolades at their respective clubs. If any of them played at an underachieving club, it would not be surprising to see them chase trophies and a fatter paycheck elsewhere. Money, it seems, has made mercenaries of us all. Except Tom Finney of course.

Even when Preston were relegated in 1948-49, Finney refused to abandon his team. He was an established and respected England international and one of the best talents in the entire country when it happened. But despite serious interest from local rivals Blackpool and Manchester United, who were willing to pay a record fee for his signature, Finney decided to stay with his childhood club. And he has been there ever since.

After his retirement in 1960, Finney continued his close affinity with Preston North End, serving as Club President and regularly attending games even into his late 80s. His loyalty has not gone unnoticed by the Preston faithful, who have celebrated their greatest ever player in more than one way over the years. The largest stand in their Deepdale stadium is named the Sir Tom Finney Stand, and bears a giant picture of the Lancashire legend across the seats. In fact, the stadium itself sits beside a road called Sir Tom Finney Way. Preston is as much a part of Finney as Finney himself is of Preston.