Frank Worthington

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Frank Stewart Worthington (born 23 November 1948 in Shelf near Halifax, Yorkshire) is a former English footballer. Frank was born into a footballing family. 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.

[edit] Playing career

He 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. 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.

Worthington won eight caps for England in 1974, scoring two goals.

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

Frank was a talented, flamboyant and freescoring player, delighting supporters with his skill and showmanship. With his long hair and big sideburns, Frank also had the reputation for enjoying the high life, which probably restricted his international appearances. It also stopped a move to Liverpool, when Bill Shankly wanted to sign him but this became conditional on Worthington reducing his blood pressure. He went away to a resort to relax but, living up to his reputation, had some success with the ladies and failed to lower his blood pressure.^{[citation needed]}

Following retirement from the game Frank turned to the after-dinner speaking circuit and also published his autobiography "One Hump Or Two". The front cover featured a smiling Frank contemplating putting lumps of sugar in his cup of tea with the book title also alluding to his interest in the ladies.

Worthington is remembered for scoring one of the most remarkable goals in English football when playing for Bolton v Ipswich on 21 April 1979. Having his back to goal at the edge of the 18 yard box, with the Ipswich defence moving out to play the offside-trap, he controlled the aerial ball with his knee, kept it up twice with his foot whilst moving away from goal before flicking it over his head, wrong-footing the defenders, to turn and volley it past the 'keeper.

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

[edit] Honours

Southampton

• Football League Division 1 Runners-up: 1983–84

Bolton Wanderers F.C.

• Football League Division 1 Leading Goalscorer Season: 1978–79

[edit] References

• Frank Worthington (1994). One Hump or Two?. Polar Print Group. ISBN 1-8995380-0-3. 

[edit] External links

• Frank's great goal Bolton W v Ipswich T 1979 - YouTube
• Frank Worthington management career stats at Soccerbase
• Englandfootballonline England The National Team
• Frank Worthington Bob's 70-71 Footballers
• Article on Leeds Legends website