Frank Worthington
Encyclopedia
Frank Stewart Worthington (born 23 November 1948) is a former English
footballer. Frank 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.
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's spell at Tranmere Rovers was as player-manager and although he had some success he did not return to management.
Worthington had the reputation for enjoying the high life. 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 Wanderers v Ipswich Town on 21 April 1979. Having his back to goal at the edge of the 18 yard box, with the Ipswich Town 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.
In 1984, Worthington made three guest appearances for Manchester United
against the Australian 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.
Signed for Galway United
in February 1989.
in 1974, scoring two goals, during his time at Leicester City.
Worthington further represented England in the 1991
edition of the World Cup of Masters
, scoring in the opening round against Uruguay
.
Bolton Wanderers
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer. Frank was born into a footballing family in Shelf
Shelf, West Yorkshire
Shelf is a village in West Yorkshire, England. The village is situated halfway between Bradford and Halifax. It has a population of 4,496.In the Domesday Book it is called Scelf....
near Halifax
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
, West Riding of Yorkshire
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county, County of York, West Riding , was based closely on the historic boundaries...
. Both of his parents had played the game and his two older brothers, Dave
Dave Worthington
David "Dave" Worthington is an English former professional football player and coach. Worthington, who played as a right back, made nearly 500 appearances in the Football League between 1961 and 1976.-Personal life:...
and Bob
Bob Worthington (footballer)
Robert "Bob" Worthington is an English former professional footballer who played as a right back, making nearly 300 appearances in the Football League.-Personal life:...
, became professional footballers, both began their careers with Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
. His nephew Gary
Gary Worthington
Gary Worthington is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. Active in the Football League between 1984 and 1994, Worthington made nearly 200 career appearances, scoring over 50 goals...
was also a professional footballer.
Playing career
Worthington began his career as a forward for Huddersfield TownHuddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in 1966 before playing for Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
, Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
, Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
and Galway United. Worthington played into his 40s making 757 English League appearances and scoring 234 goals. He also played in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(with NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
teams Philadelphia Fury
Philadelphia Fury
The Philadelphia Fury was a soccer team based in Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Among the club's investors were rock musicians Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon. The team played at Veterans Stadium....
and Tampa Bay Rowdies), South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and in English non-League football.
Worthington's spell at Tranmere Rovers was as player-manager and although he had some success he did not return to management.
Worthington had the reputation for enjoying the high life. 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 Wanderers v Ipswich Town on 21 April 1979. Having his back to goal at the edge of the 18 yard box, with the Ipswich Town 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.
In 1984, Worthington made three guest appearances for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
against the Australian national team, Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
on their post-season tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He then made a further guest appearance for the club in May 1985 against an Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
XI for Peter Foley
Peter Foley
Peter Foley is a retired footballer. Born in England he went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level. After retirement he managed numerous semi-professional clubs around Oxfordshire & Wiltshire...
's testimonial.
Signed for Galway United
Galway United
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. They are a football club currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top tier of the Irish football....
in February 1989.
International career
Worthington won eight caps for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1974, scoring two goals, during his time at Leicester City.
Worthington further represented England in the 1991
I World Cup of Masters
I World Cup of Masters was the fourth edition of the World Cup of Masters. For the first time, it was held outside Brazil. It was held in Miami, and all of the matches were played at the Joe Robbie Stadium. The six "Master" teams were reigning champions Brazil, Italy, Uruguay, Argentina and for...
edition of the World Cup of Masters
World Cup of Masters
The World Cup of Masters, also known as the Pelé World Cup and Mundialito de Seniors was an event that ran every two years from 1987 until 1995. The tournament was for senior players. In 1990 the term "seniors" was replaced by "masters". The editions until 1991 were organized by Brazilian TV...
, scoring in the opening round against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
.
Honours
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Runners-up: 1983–841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Leading Goalscorer Season: 1978–79