Frank Worthington

This article is about the England international footballer. For the Canadian general, see F. F. Worthington.
Frank Worthington
Personal information
Full name Frank Stewart Worthington
Date of birth (1948-11-23) 23 November 1948
Place of birth Halifax, England
Playing position Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1972 Huddersfield Town 171 (41)
1972–1977 Leicester City 210 (72)
1977–1979 Bolton Wanderers 84 (35)
1979 → Philadelphia Fury (loan) 21 (10)
1979–1982 Birmingham City 75 (29)
1980 → Mjällby AIF (loan) 12 (4)
1981 → Tampa Bay Rowdies (loan) 26 (11)
1982 Leeds United 32 (14)
1982–1983 Sunderland 19 (2)
1983–1984 Southampton 34 (4)
1984–1985 Brighton & Hove Albion 31 (7)
1985–1987 Tranmere Rovers 59 (21)
1987 Preston North End 23 (3)
1987–1988 Stockport County 19 (6)
1988 Cape Town Spurs
1988 Chorley 3 (0)
1988–1989 Stalybridge Celtic
1989 Galway United 2 (0)
1989 Weymouth 4 (1)
1989–1990 Radcliffe Borough
1990 Guiseley 2 (0)
1990–1991 Hinckley Town
1991 Cemaes Bay 1 (0)
1991–1992 Halifax Town (player-coach) 0 (0)
Total 828 (260)
National team
1974 England 8 (2)
Teams managed
1985–1987 Tranmere Rovers

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Frank Stewart Worthington (born 23 November 1948) is an English former footballer. Worthington was born into a footballing family in Shelf near Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire. Both of his parents had played the game and his two older brothers, Dave and Bob, became professional footballers, both began their careers with Halifax Town. His nephew Gary was also a professional footballer.

Playing career

Worthington began his career as a forward for Huddersfield Town in 1966 before playing for Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Leeds United, Sunderland, Southampton, Brighton and Hove Albion, Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End, Stockport County and Galway United.[1] Worthington played into his 40s making 757 English League appearances and scoring 234 goals. He also played in the United States (with NASL teams Philadelphia Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies), South Africa, Sweden and in English non-League football.[2]

Worthington's spell at Tranmere Rovers was as player-manager and although he had some success he did not return to management.

He showed flair and skill in his play and was always noticeable; he did not wear shin guards and his socks often fell to his ankles. Worthington also had the reputation for enjoying the high life.[3][4] After his retirement from the game he turned to the after-dinner speaking circuit and also published his autobiography One Hump Or Two. The front cover featured a smiling Worthington, contemplating putting lumps of sugar in his cup of tea; the book title is a deliberate sexual pun.

In 1984, Worthington made three guest appearances for Manchester United against the Australia national team, Nottingham Forest and Juventus on their post-season tour of Australia. He then made a further guest appearance for the club in May 1985 against an Oxford United XI for Peter Foley's testimonial.

He signed for Galway United in February 1989.[5]

International career

Worthington won eight caps for England in 1974, scoring two goals, during his time at Leicester City.[6]

Worthington further represented England in the 1991 edition of the World Cup of Masters, scoring in the opening round against Uruguay.

Personal life

Worthington is married to the daughter of Noel Dwyer. In May 2016, his daughter revealed that Worthington has been battling with Alzheimer's disease for several years.[7] Worthington denied those claims shortly afterwards.[8]

Honours

Huddersfield Town
Southampton
Bolton Wanderers

Notes

  1. ↑ "UNCOVERED: Our first picture ever of THAT Frank Worthington goal – 34 years on". The Bolton News. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Mavericks: Frank Worthington – ESPNFC". Soccernet.espn.go.com. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Ian Ladyman (April 29, 2016). "A goal at Chelsea and then Raquel Welch tried to kiss me on the dance floor...". Daily Mail. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Football's drink problem". BBC. 12 October 1998. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Monday, February 13, 1989 – Page 004". The Irish Times. 13 February 1989. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  6. ↑ "Frank Worthington: Ex-England striker has Alzheimer's disease, says daughter". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Leeds | LUFC Former striker battling Alzheimer's". Leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Frank Worthington: Ex-England striker denies Alzheimer's diagnosis". BBC Sport. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.

References

  • Frank Worthington (1994). One Hump or Two?. Polar Print Group. ISBN 1-899538-00-3. 
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