Sir Tom Finney slams the withdrawl of premiership players from England's friendly with Germany

SIR TOM Finney believes the withdrawal of top Premier League players from the midweek friendly with Germany was "inexcusable".

Sir Tom, who played 76 times for his country and scored 30 goals, was not only one of England's greatest ever players, he was also a byword for loyalty.

He was famous for playing his entire career for just one club - scoring 187 times in 433 games for Preston North End - and being a passionate advocate for the cause of St George.

The footballing legend, now 87, said: "For me, and for players of my day, it was always great honour to be selected for England. Withdrawals didn't happen very often. My manager would always want me to play.

"If a club objected I know that a majority of players would put forward the case that they wanted to join up with the England squad.

"In our day you wanted to play for your country. It was as simple as that. We were very proud.

"It was always a wonderful occasion. You'd meet up with great people like Stanley Matthews and Nat Lofthouse.

"Stan was a lovely person, very modest. And there was Wilf Mannion and Stan Mortensen, both great characters. As was Nat Lofthouse - who was always making fun of people in the dressing room.

"It's important to represent your country. Preston were always proud of any player that played for England.

"So what happened was very disappointing. To play for your country when I was a player was something wonderful.

"It's sad that Germany were playing an England side that wasn't representative.

"This was inexcusable. The fans don't get to see the best players playing - not the players that really matter."

The number of withdrawals from Fabio Capello's squad for the prestige friendly in Berlin sparked a heated club-versus-country debate, with former England boss Graham Taylor accusing some stars of lacking commitment to the national team.

Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were among a string of withdrawals from the Italian coach's usual line-up - but Finney insisted he didn't blame the players and certainly didn't doubt their patriotism.

"I think the players still respect the national team," he said. "I think that any player who gets a cap for England is still very proud."

Sir Tom, now president of the Lilywhites, is renowned for rejecting a 1952 offer from Palermo that included a £10,000 signing-on fee. "We got peanuts back then, compared to today's players," he said. "But, again, I don't criticise them for what they are paid these days.

"The money at Palermo was certainly very tempting. I was on £12, 10 shillings a week. I thought I was very well-off. But we, the players, just didn't have the power.

"And anyway, I was born and bred in Preston and I'd always wanted to play for Preston North End. I think people here are proud I've never moved away. I have had a great life."

He doesn't see a big difference between his era - to many the golden age of football - and the modern one. He said: "The main differences are speed and fitness. But as far as excitement goes, both eras are equally thrilling."

* Sir Tom Finney presented the National Football Museum with a cheque for £81,000 from the Football Foundation to launch the new Poetry in Motion initiative.