14 Facts About Gerry Francis

Gerald Charles James Francis was born on 6 December 1951 and is an English former footballer and manager.

Gerry Francis made his first team debut for Queens Park Rangers against Liverpool in March 1969.

Gerry Francis was captain and central midfield player during the 1970s and was a key player in the QPR side, which came close to winning their first-ever league title in 1976.

Gerry Francis won 12 caps for the England team between 1974 and 1976, and was captain for eight of those matches.

Gerry Francis left QPR for Crystal Palace in 1979, although he subsequently returned to QPR for a 2nd spell, before a move to Coventry City.

Gerry Francis then had further short playing spells at Cardiff City, Swansea City and Portsmouth before a move to Bristol Rovers in 1985 yielded 32 league appearances, where he ended his playing career in 1987.

Arguably the finest player at the club during this time was striker Les Ferdinand, who had joined the club from non-league Hayes in 1986 but not established himself in the first team until the season before Gerry Francis arrived, when he scored eight goals in 18 First Division games.

Mid table finishes in the next two seasons were unconvincing and Gerry Francis resigned in November 1997 with Spurs battling against relegation from the Premier League.

In September 1998, Gerry Francis was named as QPR manager for the second time.

Gerry Francis kept them clear of relegation over the next two seasons before finally resigning in February 2001 with a return to the lower half of the league imminent after more than 30 years.

Gerry Francis briefly became Director of Football at QPR before beginning his second spell as manager of Bristol Rovers in June 2001.

Gerry Francis worked with Graham Muxworthy and Ian Holloway whilst at Bristol Rovers.

Gerry Francis followed former Stoke manager Tony Pulis to Crystal Palace when he became a coach under Pulis at the London club.

Gerry Francis was a Brentford supporter as a youth and his father Roy was a professional at the club in the late 1940s and early 1950s.