Can you detail the progression of the British record transfer fee since Trevor Francis?

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 14 June 2024

Sports Mole challenges you to detail the progression of the British record transfer fee since Trevor Francis's famous £1m move in 1979.

The summer transfer window has now officially opened, with teams working to boost their squads for the 2024-25 campaign.

While the focus is currently on Euro 2024, and indeed the upcoming Copa America, clubs are working to bring in the right players for the new season.

It will be fascinating to see how much money is spent in the Premier League this summer due to the strict financial rules, but many of the major clubs are looking to strengthen in a number of different positions, and there could be some huge fees paid out once again.

There have also been suggestions that Manchester United, who are set to keep Erik ten Hag as their head coach, could get close to the British transfer record with the signing Portugal international Joao Neves from Benfica.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are also capable of being huge spenders again this summer, with the 2024-25 campaign shaping up to be fascinating.

Nottingham Forest's Trevor Francis pictured on January 1, 1970 © Reuters

Trevor Francis became Britain's first £1m footballer when he transferred from Birmingham City to Nottingham Forest in February 1979, with the fee believed to be in the region of £1.18m.

The 52-time England international also went on to represent Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta BC, Rangers and Queens Park Rangers before retiring at Sheffield Wednesday in 1994.

Francis famously netted the winning goal for Forest in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo and also helped the English club lift the trophy the following year.

He would late step into management, taking charge of QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham and Crystal Palace.

Francis's name will forever be remembered when it comes to British transfers, but can you detail the progression of the British record transfer fee from February 1979 to the present day?