On This Day: QPR's Gerry Francis Captained/Played for England for the Last Time

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Thirty-one years ago, today - June 13, 1976: Gerry Francis Captain England for the last time as England won 4-1 in Finland..

This was Francis's 12th and final game for England, and his 8th as captain. Unfortunately, for himself, for England, and for QPR, Francis underwent bad back injuries which ended his internatioal career.

The England Team for this final game, captained (and played in) by Francis vs Finland Game

1. Ray Clemence Liverpool
2. Colin Todd Derby County
3. Mick Mills Ipswich Town
4. Phil Thompson Liverpool
5. Paul Madeley Leeds United
6. Trevor Cherry Leeds United
7. Kevin Keegan Liverpool
8. Mick Channon Southampton
9. Stuart Pearson Manchester United
10. Trevor Brooking West Ham United
11. Gerry Francis Queens Park Rangers
Data

Francis made his England debut in October 1974 against Czechoslovakia
at Wembley Team

Francis first captained England, September 3, 1975 against Switzerland, in Switzerland. - Team

FA Profile of Gerry Francis as England Captain
Gerry's profile
Gerry Francis might have played only 12 times for England, but he captained the side on no fewer than eight of those occasions.
Francis made his name as a stylish midfielder at QPR, having broken into the side in 1969, and quickly earned a reputation for his excellent technical ability and pinpoint passing.
He was a key member of the QPR side that won promotion from the Second Division and then finished runners-up to champions Liverpool in the top flight in 1975-76.
That same season, at the age of 22, Francis also made his England debut against Czechoslovakia, and for the next year or so he was a virtual ever-present in the line-up.
Indeed, he became captain in just his fifth international appearance and he retained the armband in his remaining eight matches for the Three Lions.
But perhaps the biggest individual highlight came in the game before he took up the captain's role when he scored two goals against Scotland in a famous 5-1 rout of the Auld enemy at Wembley. One was a real scorcher as well, as Francis picked the ball up in midfield before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yarder right into the top corner.
Francis would undoubtedly have won more caps, but he became troubled by a back injury and made his final international appearance - still as captain - against Finland in 1976. ..

Also: Wikipedia on Gerry Francis

See Complete List of England Captains

England Captains, Post-WWII