It is always sad when an all-time great leaves this life. I'm old enough to have watched Tom play, and I feel privileged by that fact. I loved some of the comments on the BBC website, but this one really hit home:
"The likes of Bill Shankly and Tommy Docherty idolised him," said former England defender Jimmy Armfield. Docherty, who played with Finney, said: "He was the best player I've ever seen, alongside Lionel Messi."
"I watch a lot of Barcelona and when I watch Messi, I close my eyes and can see Tom. I'm serious when I say that Messi is the Tom Finney of today. Just like Finney, Messi is always getting fouled, but doesn't complain and just gets up and gets on with the game."
Rinaldo, are you reading this?
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Tom Finney
comment by The Owl 🦉 & hELLo Kitty (U1750)
posted on 16/2/14
R.I.P.
comment by CrazyRover (U2509)
posted on 16/2/14
I never saw Tom Finney play and footage from those days is difficult to find. However, there is no doubt that he was a truly great player and from what I have read, a very decent and honourable man. RIP.
comment by DonaldoRover (U5032)
posted on 16/2/14
I didn't see him either; Stanley Matthews was probably the only one of his era who enjoyed the sort of recognition, common today, which went beyond football. But anyone who took an interest in the game would have been aware of Sir Tom's considerable talents. It was perhaps an advantage that PNE were, I think, always in the First Division in his day. One club men were probably more common in those times though because of the maximum wage. Our one-club man of the same era was Syd Bycroft who also ran a business (painting and decorating in his case I think) alongside his many years playing for the Rovers and living in a semi-detached house in Bennethorpe.
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