Gerry Francis

Gerald Charles James Francis (born Chiswick, 6 December 1951) is an English former footballer and manager, now working as First Team coach at Stoke City.

Playing career

Francis made his debut for Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool in March 1969. He was captain and central midfield player during the 1970s and was a key player in the QPR side which came within a hair's breadth of their first-ever league title in 1976. He won 12 caps for the England team between 1974 and 1976, and was captain for eight of those matches. He left QPR for in 1979, although he subsequently returned to QPR for a 2nd spell, before a move to . However this was a time when he suffered injury problems.

Later career

In 1983 he was appointed player-manager of Exeter City although they endured a difficult season. Francis then had further short playing spells at , and before a move to in 1985 yielded 32 league appearances, where he ended his playing career in 1987.

Management career

Bristol Rovers

Following this playing spell he succeeded Bobby Gould as manager of Third Division side Bristol Rovers. In 1990 he guided the Pirates to the Third Division title and thus they won promotion to the Second Division, but a year later he returned to QPR as manager.

Queens Park Rangers

In 1992-93, QPR finished fifth in the inaugural Premier League - highest placed of all the London teams. They finished ninth in 1993-94 and eighth in 1994-95, but in November 1994 Francis left Loftus Road for Tottenham......
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