The Rotary Club of Preston is saddened by the death of its past president and honorary member, the footballing legend, Sir Tom Finney.
Sir Tom joined the Rotary Club of Preston in December 1961 and was president for 1971/72. He always showed the same loyalty and commitment to Rotary as he did to Preston North End Football Club, attending meetings on a regular basis until only recently. As well as being an active Rotarian, his post football career was dedicated to serving the local community in Preston. He served as chairman of the local health authority and chairman of the local magistrates bench.
Keith Cameron, President of the Rotary Club of Preston said: “His dedication was widely appreciated and he was much loved in the local area, as much for his community service as his legendary footballing skills. Such was his popularity that even local criminals were known to brag when they were sent to prison that it was Tom Finney that had ‘sent them down’. At Rotary street collections, Tom was always placed in the busiest parts of town and inevitably had the heaviest tin by the end of the day.”
Rotarians held a special celebration to mark his 90th birthday at Preston North End football ground in 2012. The event attracted Rotarians from all over Lancashire who shared many stories of Tom’s exploits on and off the field. He will be greatly missed.
