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What can you say about Frank Worthington? A hugely talented
player. A truly terrible haircut. He came to Leeds in the twilight
of his career - in an exchange with Birmingham for Byron Stevenson
- and his goals in 1982 came within an inch of saving Leeds from
relegation. It wasn't to be, and he left after just 9 months at
Elland Road. Throughout his career, he'd always been a flamboyant
and free-scoring player with a reputation for enjoying the high
life, and it was probably that reputation that meant that he only
made 8 appearances for England when his on-field form justified
more. He continued to play league football past his 40th birthday,
and had a spell out in South Africa and back home in non-league
football beyond that.
Walter Algotsson says: Hi! Please, give our regards to the great
man - Frank Worthington. We are a Swedish football team - The
Bonecrackers - a club of our own and we played vs each other
Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 30 years. We do remember Frank
since he played for the Swedish team Mjllby AIF in the highest
division in Sweden - Allsvenskan 1980. Frank don't remember us but
we do remember him. One of the players in MAIF from Frank's days in
80's is today a member of our club. His name is Tommy Nordgren.
Perhaps Frank will remember the Hanhus Night club? "That's the best
club I've ever played," Frank told the press when he left us and
Sweden in 1980. We would be happy to hear from Frank! Our dream is
>: To see Frank as guest player in our team.
Chris Sedwell says: scored the best goal ever, for Bolton
against Ipswich. Back to goal, edge of 18yd box, controlled on his
knee, flicked it over his head and volleyed past keeper - superb!
His pre match warm up routine was worth the entrance fee. A
pleasure to have watched him at Burnden Park. Who is there like him
nowadays?.
Gillian Newbury says: I just wondered if Frank Worthington ever
reads this page? I met Frank a very long time ago in Bolton and he
used to drink in a nightclub in Bolton called Scamps where I
worked. If you do read this Frank they where the good old days yeah
lol thanks. He was a real nice guy and always full of laughter.
Ali Short says: Met Frank a few times at Preston. Two moments
are key to Frank and Preston, one the goal he scored against Wolves
when he was already back celebrating on the half-way line before
the ref gave it for a sublime chip from 18 yards over a crowd of
players better than Best's against Spurs by miles. The other was
the night we got promotion and me and a mate were pissed but happy
in a restaurant and then in came Frank a blonde on each arm and sat
with us, well we asked him if he wanted to avoid waiting for a
table, what a night, what a hangover.
Bob Gladstone says: Oh Franky Franky without doubt the most
talented footballer I ever saw (even Bestie). I admired his silky
skills and enjoyed it first hand at the Dell towards the end of his
career. I went to his testimonial in Birmingham. What a player -
it's a pity England's hierarchy never recognised his undoubted
world beating talents. Thanks for the memory Frank.
Pat (Sweden) says: I've never met Frank senior or even seen a
game with him not even a single gaol scored by him...BUT I know his
son Frank "junior" Worthington...we play football together in a div
3 club in Sweden, and I've just heard great things about Frank
"senior" Worthington!! That's all i have wanted to say!!
dolores says: Frank always wanted to play for Chelsea.
Dessie McGennity says: When I worked at Leicester University I
watched him play for Leicester City in the 1970's. He was the most
gifted centre forward I ever witnessed. I can't understand why he
only won eight England caps. I asked him once when he visited the
students union if he really enjoyed playing for Leicester and he
replied. "I would rather lose a match 5-4 and give all the
supporters entertainment than win 1-0 and bore everyone to death".
That was Frank the entertaining footballer. What would he be worth
in todays market the mind boggles.
Brandon Platt says: I met Frank Worthington when he arrived in
South Africa to play for a club in Cape Town called Cape Town
Spurs. Although many years older than his team mates,he still
showed a few deft touches.We became friends and I had some really
good times with him. He was a real party animal.I often wondered
what happened to him as I am a regular visitor to the UK and would
love to catch up with him.I last spoke to him shortly after his
South African stint ended.I think he was running a pub with Frank
McClintock and doing celebrityt appearances.I also saw him on the
celebrity weakest link before the last World Cup.He was voted off
in about the 4th round!
Iain Craig says: I was at a charity dinner last night and had
the great pleasure of sitting beside Frank and the famous ref Pat
Partridge wot can i say but two absloute diamonds one of the most
enjoyable nights of my life.
Ron Ranson says: I thought I saw Frank on the M62 last March
15th, heading for Manchester like a bat out of hell in a newish
pale green Rover 75. I guess he was on his way to a good do, or on
his way back from one.
eric clay says: I was delirious in 72 when Frank was about to
sign for my beloved Liverpool. When the deal failed it was so
disappointing. my fave player in my fave team-man,what were the
possibilities? still think about what might have been 30 yrs
later.he was the greatest.
Jim Munnis says: I saw and met Frank while he played for the
Philadelphia Atoms in the NASL. I remember meeting him, usually at
cocktail parties after the game. His nickname was "Elvis". Great
talent. He once commented to me about Manayunk, on the outskirts of
Philadelphia..."the scenery is so picturesque." He said that with a
straight face.
Frances Clarke says: My Dad said that Frank Worthington was the
best looking player in the first division and played like a dream.
I agree about the looks but know nothing about football. So how is
Frank these days? What is he doing? I see he played for Bolton; my
partner is a Bolton fan born and bred: we live in Southampton and
F.W. played for Saints for a while. Good old Frank, keep it up
Frank, be good and best wishes for my dad's sake.
Paul says: I saw him a a pub in Birmingham last Saturday. We
were discussing his career. Did he ever work n Portugal as a
coach?
Michael Osbourne says: Never got the chance to see Frank play in
the flesh, he never played for the Boro but I am fortunate enough
to own a video entitled "Match of the day, The entertainers" Frank
appears on that video. On that video it showed him scoring two over
head kicks, a character of which the likes will never be seen
again, such is the nature of the game. What a player!!
Hans Baelemans says: I follow Leeds since the early 80's but
never saw Frank Worthington. In those days there was no coverage of
English Football in Holland.The only things i saw from him were
pics in Shoot Magazine and newspaper clippings. Is there anybody
out there who has video's of Frank as a player? I know his period
at Leeds was short so videos of Frank playing for other clubs are
very welcome as well. I'm prepared to pay a good price.
Ben Watkinson says: I watched frank from the manny rd end at
burnden park as a young 6 year old boy. i am now 31 and he still is
my hero. The best player ever to wear a Bolton shirt . All the best
frank ...
Steve Papworth says: Hi Im Steve and live and work in London at
the Society of Antiquaries. I did see Frank play once for Leicester
City against Southampton in 1972 and they won 1-0 I think Dennis
Roafe was the scorer on that occation. It was agreat game and Frank
was well marked that day, I think by Terry Payne. Anyway Frank was
always in the right place at the right time well the ball was
passed to him, he was a great holder of the ball and play maker for
other players to score goals.I remember this game as it was my very
first division one game, as it was then. Frank was a great player
all of his playing days. He gave all fans from all clubs that he
played for and against entertainment. I saw him once close in a
cinama in Manchester, he was playing for Bolton then that was in
1980. I was living there at the time. I did say hello to him and he
said hello back to me. Not to sure where he is these days but he
still should be involved in the game somewhere. A great player.
Alan Freedman says: Without doubt one of the great goals of all
time is Frank's goal for Bolton against Ipswich,as described by
Chris Sedwell.
enid ross says: have been doing some family research and he is
my cousin wondered if he could give me any family information
thanks.
Ken Riley says: I grew up with Frank in Shelf, and I'm sure
Frank will agree with me that our mate Dave Lewis was the better
player, he taught Frank a thing or two. Just for the record, Lewey
went on to have a successful career in the Halifax Football
League.
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