Just days after the death of Leeds legend Peter Lorimer, news came through on Tuesday that Frank Worthington had passed away.
The former England forward died at the age of 72 after a long illness. His family said he died peacefully in hospital in Huddersfield on Monday.
Worthington featured for no less than 20 clubs
Worthington played for more than twenty clubs in a long career that stretched from 1966 to 1991. The Halifax born striker began his career at Huddersfield Town where he made 171 appearances in six seasons scoring 41 goals.
After a fine spell at Huddersfield, he moved to Leicester City where he made an impressive 210 appearances whilst scoring 72 goals in five seasons.
Short spells at Bolton Wanderers 84 appearances with 35 goals, Birmingham 75 appearances with 29 goals followed.
In 1982 Worthington went back to Yorkshire to play for Leeds for a season before spells at Sunderland, Brighton and Tranmere.
Spells at Preston, Stockport, Chorley and Weymouth
Worthington also featured for Preston, Stockport and also played a few games for non-league sides Chorley and Weymouth. His total playing career consisted of 882 appearances and scoring 266 goals.
His spell at Tranmere for two seasons between 1985 and 87 involved a player manager role.
Worthington was once described by Bolton manager Ian Greaves as “the working man’s George Best”. Not a bad accolade for somebody who never wore shin guards, with his socks often falling down to his ankles.
Golden Boot winner Worthington
In 1978-79 season he won the highly coveted Golden Boot award ahead of Kenny Daglish and Frank Stapleton. During this season he scored one of the finest goals of his long career. Against Ipswich at Burnden Park he juggled the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area. Before turning, he knocked the ball over a defender and volleyed low into the corner.
Worthington only featured for England eight times, scoring in friendlies against Bulgaria and Argentina.
After retiring from the wonderful game, Worthington gained a wonderful reputation as an after-dinner speaker.
In 2016 his daughter revealed that Worthington has had Alzheimer’s disease for several years. A claim that he denied shortly afterwards.