Former England striker, Frank Worthington, passes away aged 72
Sad news in the footballing world emerged this morning, as football legend and former England striker, Frank Worthington, passed away at the age of 72 after a battle with a long illness.
His family announced that Worthington passed peacefully in a Huddersfield hospital on Monday evening.
England striker Worthington had a long illustrious career
Frank Worthington had a wonderful football career that spanned from 1966 to 1991.
During this time, Worthington played for over 20 clubs as well as making 8 England appearances in 1974, scoring twice for his country against Argentina and Bulgaria.
As a player, Worthington managed 266 goals in 882 appearances, playing not only in England, but also in Sweden, South Africa, America, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
Worthington also had a spell at management when he became the player-manager of Tranmere Rovers from 1985-1987.
14 of his seasons as a player were played in England’s first division, scoring 150 goals in 466 matches.
During this spell, Worthington played for the likes of Leicester City, Brighton, Leeds United, Birmingham City, Southampton and Bolton, as well as starting his career at Huddersfield Town.
Notably, Worthington won the England First Division Golden Boot in the 1978-79 season, beating the likes of Arsenal’s Frank Stapleton and Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish.
During this incredible season, Worthington scored arguably the best goal of his career against Ipswich.
As the ball bounced to Worthington at the edge of Ipswich box, he controlled it with his head before taking two keepy-ups and flicking it over his head and past the Ipswich defence, where he then fired a volley into the bottom corner.
Not bad for a player that famously never used to wear shin-pads.
“The working man’s George Best”
As former Bolton and Huddersfield manager, Ian Greaves, once said, Worthington was “the working man’s George Best” – showcasing just how revered Worthington was.
Former Leicester and England striker, Gary Lineker, paid tribute to Worthington on Twitter, saying “He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC.” as well as describing Worthington as “a beautiful footballer, a maverick and a wonderful character.”
Worthington’s wife, Carol, also paid tribute to her late, great husband by stating “Frank brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life” as well as adding “he will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him so much.”
Rest in Peace to Frank Worthington.
Tributes to Worthington
🖤 It is with great sadness that Bolton Wanderers has today learned of the passing of club legend Frank Worthington.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/tEYRFCaw1P
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) March 23, 2021
It is with great sadness that we heard the news of the death of Leicester City legend Frank Worthington, who passed away on 22 March, 2021. pic.twitter.com/bTbmAQf5TE
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 23, 2021
Everyone at #htafc is devastated to hear of the passing of Town legend Frank Worthington.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/mERIBbCzBv
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) March 23, 2021
RIP Frank Worthington One of football’s great entertainers and a great cook 👨🍳 Had a ball making Celebrity Come Dine With Me with him, @TheFash1988 and @CarltonPalmer you will be safely missed my friend, what a player 🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/6qsfV3UO50
— Neil Ruddock (@RealRazor) March 23, 2021
First game I was allowed to go to with mates, aged 9, up the road at Hednesford Town.
Why? Frank Worthington was playing for Blues. A great player, entertainer and character, even at 9 we had to go just to see him play.
Rest in peace, Elvis. pic.twitter.com/ocbp3eaZco
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 23, 2021
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