Finney, Sir Thomas O.B.E. Born: 5th April 1922, Position:  Outside Right, Outside Left, Striker (Preston North End and England)
Major Honours:  Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, 1954 and 1957; OBE, 1961; and Knighthood, 1998. Relevant Career Statistics: 76 caps and scored 30 goals for England. 433 games and 187 goals for Preston North End.
Admitted to the Hall of Fame: March 2006 with 25% of the votes. Typical comment listed by voter during poll: "Finney was fantastic!"
Roy of the Rovers References:
Internet Links: There are a number of web pages dedicated to Sir Tom: The profile of Sir Tom Finney on the Internet's best and free encyclopaedia. This page also give links to other references to this hall of famer. The FA.com - a profile of Sir Tom. International goals - full list of all Tom's goals for England International Football Hall of Fame - Tom's entry at the IFHOF Interview with Finney from 1999 - read this interview on the Bill Shankly website Tom Finney tribute  - a tribute to Sir Tom Finney - 60 yrs since Preston North End debut Celebrating 60 years! - a local newspaper article on Sir Tom's time in football
Books:  Tom Finney - A Football Legend - The complete authorised biography of England's greatest ever footballer.	Tom Finney - My Autobiography - The complete authorised biography of England's greatest ever footballer.

Tom Finney was born at home in Preston, on a street next to the Deepdale stadium, where he was to spend the rest of his playing and none playing football career. As a youngster he stood only 1.45 m (4 foot 9 inch) at the age of fourteen. When he was offered the opportunity to sign for Preston North End, his father insisted that he complete his apprenticeship in the family's plumbing business before signing as a professional.  He joined Preston in 1937 and turned professional in 1940 upon completing his plumbing apprenticeship and from then on and throughout his career he was known as 'The Preston Plumber', a title given to him by the newspapers. The road on which the Deepdale stadium is located bears his name (Sir Tom Finney Way), while outside the ground is a statue taken from a famous picture of him to celebrate the great man's contribution to his hometown club.

Two years after he signed for the North Enders, however, World War II began and normal football was suspended, though Tom started to achieve some recognition during war-time tournaments. He figured prominently in war time representative games and had been brilliant as Preston won the war League Cup final in 1941. Preston had met Arsenal in that game and they came out on top 2-1 at Blackburn's Ewood Park after a 1-1 draw at Wembley. 

On return to England after the war, he made his league debut for the club in August 1946 at the age of 24 and soon established himself as a forward of much promise.  Post-war demand for plumbers also ensured that he had a second income to supplement the £14 he received under football's maximum wage restrictions. One month after his first appearance for Preston, Tom made his England debut. He helped the club finish 7th in the first division in both 1947 and 48 as well as reaching the FA Cup quarter finals in both years.

Tom's complete mastery of footballs' arts was already apparent. As a youth he had been small and had at first been rejected by Preston on the grounds of his size. His response was to train emphatically to build his physique and develop his skills. Naturally left footed he practised with his right so much that he came to trust it more completely than his left. Despite looking frail he became as strong as an ox, was good in the air and could handle himself in a tackle. His shooting was powerful and he also had an eye for goal. Bill Shankly had watched Tom practice his skills using both feet, against a wall at Deepdale. When he became manager of Liverpool in 1959, he introduced similar drills at Anfield. Real Roy of the Rovers dedication.

After playing for England in Italy in 1952, Tom was approached after the game with an offer to join Italian club Palermo. The signing on fee was £10,000 which was enormous money in those days as his weekly pay packet on offer was £100. Tom's was earning just £14 per week. He went to see his chairman telling him that he had the chance to go to Italy to better himself. The chairman curtly told him "If you don't play for us, you don't play for anyone!" and that was that! Tom's wages did rise to £20 per week though!

Tom was the first double winner of the Footballer of the Year award. He won it first in 1954 when Preston reached the FA Cup final, losing 3-2 against West Bromwich Albion. When he won it again in 1957, he had moved to the centre-forward role at the age of 35 - a real Roy of the Rovers storyline! He scored 28 of Preston's 80 goals that season! The major domestic honours eluded him and Preston. He also played in the 1954 FA Cup Final when Preston lost 3-2 to West Bromwich Albion.

Above all else though Tom Finney was fantastic with the ball at his feet. He could go past a defender on either side without breaking stride. Once he had the ball defenders would be lucky to see him again.

Tom could play equally well on both the right and left wing. He played most of his games for Preston on the right wing which was his favourite position, but almost half of his 76 England games were played on the left wing, without the slightest detriment to his effectiveness. From the age of 35 he played as a Centre Forward and won the Footballer of the year award for the second time.

He scored 30 goals for England with only Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker and now Michael Owen, scoring more. He had a 12 year International career from 1947 to 1959. Often compared with his great rival Stanley Matthews - many an opponent considered Tom to be the more complete player. He could create and score goals and had that bit of magic which could turn matches.

He retired from football in 1960, after being forced out with a persistent groin injury at the age of 38, having devoted his entire career to Preston North End and England. He was unfortunate to win far fewer honours than his talents deserved. After his retirement, the club were immediately relegated from the top flight and are still awaiting a return.

Bill Shankly used to say that Tom would have been great in any team, in any age, in any match, 'even if he had been wearing an overcoat!" A statement right out of a comic strip story! Let's extend a warm welcome to Sir Tom Finney to the Roy of the Rovers Hall of Fame.