The National Football museum Football Legend:Sir Tom Finney

Early Life

Finney was born at home in Preston on a street next to the Deepdale stadium.He was frail and somewhat sickly in his youth and stood only 4 ft 9 in(1.45m)at the age of fourteen.When he was offered the opportunity to sign for Preston North End(PNE),his father insisted that he completehis apprenticeship in the family's plumbing business before signing as a professional.This led to one of his nicknames,the "Preston Plumber".

Post-war Career and England Debut

Tom Finney was Footballer of the Year in1953-54,the year 0f his only appearance in the FA Cup final,and again in 1956-1957,becoming the first player to win this award more than once.

Continuing Links With Preston North End

As of 2007,Sir Tom maintains his first league debut for PNE.To mark this occasion the National Football Museum,an organisation which he has championed and has closed links with,invited football fans to sign a specially commissioned flag which was presented to Sir Tom at the beginning of the 2006-07 season to mark his 60 years with PNE.

Reference:

1. Holley,Duncan,Chalk,Gary(1992).'The Alphabet of the Saints'.Available at:http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com.Accessed 19th October 2009
2. Brian vinner(17 February 1999).'Sir Tom the pride of Preston'.Available at:http://www.ifhof.com/hof/finney.asp.Accessed 19th October 2009