Frank Worthington

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.

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[1]
Date of birth (1948-11-23) 23 November 1948[1]
Place of birth Halifax,[1] England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) 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

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.[3] 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 and Sweden as well as in English non-League football.[4]

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[5] and skill[6][7] in his play; he did not wear shin guards and his socks often fell to his ankles.[5][8] Worthington also had the reputation for enjoying the high life.[6][9] 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.

Late in 1988, Worthington had a brief spell with Chorley in the Football Conference, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Weymouth at Victory Park on 5 November 1988.[10] He signed for Galway United in February 1989.[11]

International career

While a Leicester City player, Worthington won eight caps for England in 1974, scoring two goals.[12]

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 had Alzheimer's disease for several years.[13] Worthington denied her claims shortly afterwards.[14]

Honours

Huddersfield Town

  • Football League Second Division Champions: 1969–70

Southampton

Bolton Wanderers

Notes
  1. "Frank Worthington". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  2. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 62. ISBN 0362-02017-5.
  3. Sharrock, Gordon (21 April 2013). "UNCOVERED: Our first picture ever of THAT Frank Worthington goal – 34 years on". The Bolton News. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. Hackett, Robin (7 February 2012). "Frank Worthington: All shook up". ESPN.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  5. Garside, Kevin (22 October 2012). "Kevin Garside: Oh for some flair like Frank's to fire up dull England". The Independent. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  6. Booth, Mel (21 November 2019). "Breathtaking Frank Worthington moment as Huddersfield Town mark his 71st birthday against Birmingham City". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  7. Skelly, Ed (21 April 2019). "Frank Worthington - The man, the myth, 'that' goal". lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  8. Dixon, Barry (10 November 2015). "They Could Have Been One of Football's Greatest: Frank Worthington". LWDS. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  9. "Football's drink problem". BBC News. 12 October 1998. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  10. Chorley v. Macclesfield Town programme, 19 November 1988
  11. "Monday, February 13, 1989 – Page 004". The Irish Times. 13 February 1989. p. 4. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  12. "Frank Worthington". Englandstats. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  13. "Frank Worthington: Ex-England striker has Alzheimer's disease, says daughter". BBC Sport. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  14. "Frank Worthington: Ex-England striker denies Alzheimer's diagnosis". BBC Sport. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2019.

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