This was classic Worthington, the mavericks maverick who has died at the age of 72 following a long illness. A beautiful footballer, maverick and wonderful character who was so kind to this young apprentice. Gary Lineker, What a character, and one of the most talented footballers I played with. Ally McCoist, What a character & what a player! He wants everyone to love him. 'We have to recognise this and we cannot keep talking about it. He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC. Frank Worthington was a former English footballer and striker. Around that time he declared bankruptcy because he couldnt pay off tax bills of 36,000. The only silverware he picked up during that long career was the old Division Two title with Huddersfield Town. Around 1978 the marriage broke down, giving Frank the freedom to play the field even more. He really was that good. Even the referee clapped. Bolton Wanderers 1977-78 Second Division Champions", "Frank Worthington dies aged 72: Tributes paid to former Huddersfield, Leicester and England striker", Frank Worthington management career statistics, Frank Worthington Bob's 7071 Footballers, 198586 Football League Fourth Division PFA Team of the Year, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Worthington&oldid=1138220748, England under-23 international footballers, North American Soccer League (19681984) players, English Football League representative players, First Division/Premier League top scorers, English expatriate sportspeople in Sweden, English expatriate sportspeople in the United States, Expatriate soccer players in the United States, Expatriate soccer players in South Africa, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, This page was last edited on 8 February 2023, at 16:23. 'As I turned to acknowledge the fans I felt sorry for Butcher, but still I couldn't resist saying something. When he got on the training pitch though you just knew. For more adventurous managers, though, the creativity in his silky left foot outweighed any perceived lack of discipline. Contrary to popular belief (perhaps nourished by the fact that his films often deal with . Frank Worthington has died following a long illness, aged 72, his family have announced. Tributes have poured in for footballing icon Frank Worthington, who has died aged 72 after a long battle with dementia. When he signed for Southampton in 1983, Lawrie McMenemy told him I dont care how you train, just so long as you perform for me on a Saturday.. The organisation leading the fight to understand a link between football and brain disease revealed in November that they know of at least 500 former players who have been affected. Worthingtons Football League career lasted from 1966 to 1987, featuring 266 goals from his 882 appearances. He was a scorer of great goals. But with all the evidence we have you can look on the balance of probability and say heading's the problem.'. Worthington won eight England caps and represented over 20 clubs in a long playing career that began with Huddersfield in 1966. 10:12 EST 23 Mar 2021. After the money stopped coming in I was made bankrupt as well. Living close to the edge was what Frank was used to. With Liverpool out of the picture, Frank signed for Leicester City instead, scoring 72 goals in 210 games for the Midlands side. Today his wife Carol paid tribute to the much-loved football showman, saying he 'brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life'. View Lori Dwyer results in Chandler, AZ including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. 'I had quite a lot of hair and was a lot younger then. 3,131 following. He was flamboyant, a cavalier and he played up to the playboy image. With Liverpool out of the picture, Frank signed for Leicester City instead, scoring 72 goals in 210 games for the Midlands side. In 1973 Frank married his first wife Birgitta, who had already given birth to his son Frank Junior. I remember I was with him in one get together Revie organised. Because I tell you what, there werent many who, when they had a ball at their feet, could lift the soul like Frank Worthington. He wrote: 'Profoundly saddened to hear that Frank Worthington has died. When we walked back the next day, there was the car balancing on the edge of a big drop.. 'This meeting should have happened 20 years ago,' said Sutton. And he continued to turn out for their reserves even after that. 2 comments. Around 1978 the marriage broke down, giving Frank the freedom to play the field even more. Carl Theodor Dreyer. RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAILexclusive@the-sun.co.uk, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He was still in good spirits, but mentally he was disappearing before your eyes. I'd followed Frank, especially after his move from Huddersfield to Liverpool fell through in 1972, and I'd seen him play with such style and flair for Leicester. He was always treated with such suspicion by England management. Alf Ramsey and then Don Revie as England managers had a right distrust of those who thought outside their strict guidelines. Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with the disease last year while former Leeds United defender Gordon McQueen announced he had it last week. In 14 of those campaigns he played in the top division, notching 150 goals in 466 matches and claiming the Golden Boot award at the end of the 1978-79 campaign. 04:52 EST 23 Mar 2021 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. And when he was asked to name his previous clubs he answered: "The Playboy, Tramps and Sandpiper.". That first touch killed the ball stone dead. Discussing potential ways of limiting the impact of heading the ball, Lineker added: 'Do you want to take heading out of the game? The odds suggest that it probably will. Author of feel-good comedies and crime fiction including #1 bestseller An Eye For An Eye Rep'd Jane Rotrosen Agency NY https://amzn.to/2LjRb1r. I loved football and the ladies and I was not prepared to give up either. Jemma Carr The Frank Worthington Story - Ian Worthington with Steve Wells and Nick Cooper (ACL & Polar Publishing, 21 November 1994) Contains a flicker-vision card box. In February it emerged that the FA and PFA are to commission new studies into what causes the increased risk of dementia among footballers. Frank thought it was because his unconventional approach upset the national sides bosses. He also upset Englands caretaker manager Joe Mercer by sneaking a girl up to his hotel room after a game. And we do not even know what has happened in the amateur game.'. Shortly after leaving the club in 1972 he boasted: I was pulling girls every night. 1,504 posts. A statement from Worthington's family read: 'It is with great sadness that the death is announced of football legend Frank Worthington who passed away last night. A naturally gifted attacker, Frank was born to play the beautiful game. The time between the heading to outcome is often decades. Home; Carpet Cleaning; Upholstery Cleaning; Former England striker Frank Worthington has died aged 72 following a long illness. He was trying to create a good impression. When Ian Greaves, my manager at Bolton, told me he was going to sign for us I was like a little kid. Carol Dwyer. [6], Worthington began his career as a forward for Huddersfield Town in 1966[7] before playing for Leicester City,[8] Bolton Wanderers,[9] Birmingham City, Leeds United, Sunderland, Southampton,[10] Brighton and Hove Albion,[11] Tranmere Rovers, Preston North End, Stockport County and Galway United. Elvis fan Frank said: I dont see any harm in trying things out, but drug taking is certainly not something I would recommend to anyone.. Ex-England forward Jeff Astle died in January 2002 aged 59 and an inquest found his death was from repeatedly heading balls. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Meanwhile, Gary Lineker lead the tributes the footballing great online, taking to Twitter to dubWorthington his 'boyhood hero'. Sometimes Id wonder if they were with me because I was Frank Worthington, the footballer, or if they genuinely fancied me as a bloke. His life is one to be celebrated and one that would be all the more fitting if it helps raise greater awareness for the fight many footballers face against dementia. In one way Frank was lucky that he was born at a time when he could have fun, enjoy himself, relax away from the game. In the Seventies, football became part of the pop industry, Worthington once said. Log In. By It was so sad to see. 'I pointed to the Main Stand and said: 'You could have got a better view of that from over there.' 'She spotted me in the players' lounge and came over. LEGENDS of the game, footie experts and celebrity fans paid tribute to Frank on social media. Newcastle United striker Malcolm Macdonald ended up losing 1,200 to Frank. When Frank, Willie Morgan, Mike Walsh and I went to an Elvis convention in Blackpool, Frank was even more popular than the Elvis impersonator on stage, jumping up to sing Suspicious Minds. LEGENDS of the game, footie experts and celebrity fans paid tribute to Frank on social media. The flamboyant striker, who represented more than 20 clubs and scored more than 260 goals during his lengthy playing career, including for the national side, died last month at the age of 72 following a long illness. [14], Worthington's spell at Tranmere Rovers was as player-manager and although he had some success he did not return to management. Juggling the ball, practising tricks and free-kicks. , updated Many England fans wondered why Frank, whose majestic skills were compared to Best, didnt play more for his country. '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,' the Foxes tweeted. Worthington played into his 40s making 757 English League appearances and scoring 234 goals. He quickly made a big impression at his first club Huddersfield Town, scoring 41 goals in 171 appearances. Resides in El Cajon, CA. For other inquiries Contact Us. Frank, who played for 24 clubs including Leicester City and Leeds United, also confessed to taking cocaine and nearly drove a car off a cliff in Spain. carol dwyer frank worthington Call us today! [22], Late in 1988, Worthington had a brief spell with Chorley in the Football Conference, making his debut in a 00 draw with Weymouth at Victory Park on 5 November 1988. Facebook gives people the. In his autobiography One Hump or Two?, which certainly wasnt a reference to camels, he wrote extensively about his sexual exploits. But he was always up for a chat about football. This article is about the England international footballer. Six of the 11 players who won the title for Burnley in 1959-60 have died with dementia while a seventh, Jimmy Robson, is also now struggling with the illness. carol dwyer frank worthington shjon podein childrens foundation. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time,' Birmingham posted on twitter. And when he was asked to name his previous clubs he answered: "The Playboy, Tramps and Sandpiper.". We all shared a common perspective: football was there to be enjoyed, both for the player and the fan. 'Now I am facing my team's goal with the opponents' goal behind me. 'He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him so much.'. Frank's wife says 'he brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life', Ally McCoist pays tribute Leicester legend Frank Worthington who has died at 72, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). His best chances came in 1974, when Joe Mercer spent a month as caretaker manager in the wake of Ramseys departure. [32], He died on 22 March 2021 following a lengthy illness at the age of 72 in Huddersfield.[33][34]. It comes after several former footballers died of dementia, including England's 1966 World Cup heroes Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson. Having put pen to paper, Frank failed two medicals. He spent his early years in various foster homes before being adopted by the Dreyers at the age of two. Due to coronavirus restrictions, a limit on the number of attendees will be enforced but Taylor and Huddersfield Town commercial manager John Williams will join 26 family members and close friends at a crematorium in Halifax. He also upset Englands caretaker manager Joe Mercer by sneaking a girl up to his hotel room after a game. Carol married #FrankWorthington." The former Blackburn Rovers, Celtic and Norwich City striker pulled no punches when he met politicians, who are gathering evidence on the links between sport and brain injury. Frank also won the Golden Boot title in 1979 for the 24 goals he scored for Bolton Wanderers in the top division. Worthington's wife Carol paid tribute to the much-loved football showman, who died in hospital in Huddersfield. Our thoughts are with Frank's loved ones,' the club tweeted. I did all right for myself, thanks very much.. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race. One of the great entertainers, scorer of one of the greatest ever goals.'. But he will also be remembered as a dedicated playboy who loved to impersonate Elvis the explanation for his flamboyant sideburns and who took pride in his extensive list of conquests. Eight: it is an absolute insult. In his autobiography One Hump or Two?, which certainly wasnt a reference to camels, he wrote extensively about his sexual exploits. This relationship endured, as will Worthingtons memory as one of the most gifted and charismatic players of his day. He scored two goals, against Argentina and Bulgaria in friendlies. You could talk to him about the game for hours. He opened a clothes boutique in Bolton called 'Dalglish' and even got Kenny to come over and open it. It was, he admitted, a mistake. That wild behaviour went too far when Frank was playing for Birmingham City between 1979 and 1982. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Thanks to his family, I managed to get over to Yorkshire to see Frank for a last glass of wine and I'm glad he still recognised me so we could share a few more laughs. So far everything is OK. Worthingtonwore Birmingham's colours from 1979 to 1982. We played against each other in the 1984 FA Cup semi-final at Highbury when I was at Everton and he was at Southampton. [24], While a Leicester City player, Worthington won eight caps for England in 1974. But Frank denied suffering from the brain disease. He said: This is where I differ from George Best. Lives in Eugene, Oregon. There was Stan Bowles, Charlie George, Alan Hudson, Tony Currie, Frank, me and at the centre of it, George Best. 'Hundreds of players have died. 'I have regular health checks, including the brain. Tough guy boss Revie wasnt so forgiving when Frank ignored his clear instructions not to go out. Gambling was a major part of football back in those days and one marathon card game in 1974 went on until 9am in the morning after England beat Bulgaria. He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC. The Super League fixture had been a doubt due to safety concerns relating to the pitch. In another,he recalls joining theMile High Club with a French woman he had known for 20 minutes on a flight to Los Angeles while playing forLeicester City. The last time I saw him was about three years ago when I did an event with him and Gary Lineker. Her gloves are new. He did his best to hide it, but you could see there was a confusion in his eyes, the effect of dementia. Unashamedly anti-establishment, Worthington hit the headlines as much for his off-field exploits as his rarefied talents on it. Our main priority when we went out on the pitch was to entertain, to have fun. However, his loved ones described how the disease took over his life - leaving him a shell of the charismatic great he once was. Displaying some eye-raising parental priorities he said he wanted to teach Frank Junior all the tricks so he could be the greatest Casanova of all time. , updated Describing meeting a Belgian brunette in Magaluf, he wrote: It was appropriate that she came from Knokke, because you should have seen her Knokke-ers when I got them out back at my villa.. Worthington's wife, Carol, paid tribute to one of the game's great entertainers. Describing meeting a Belgian brunette in Magaluf, he wrote: It was appropriate that she came from Knokke, because you should have seen her Knokke-ers when I got them out back at my villa.. Sir Alf Ramsey swore when he turned up to fly with the England team wearing cowboy boots, a velvet jacket and silk shirt. Join Facebook to connect with Carol Dwyer and others you may know. Why should I? During a lengthy playing career, the striker represented more than 20 clubs but the latter years of his life saw wife Carol became his full-time carer with benefits their only source of income. He was a beloved player, flamboyant both on and off the pitch and left an indelible mark on those who witnessed his attacking talent. A JustGiving page has been set up in memory of Worthington to raise money for both his wife of 35 years and dementia charities, with 90 per cent of the final total set to go to a charity. His first wife, Brigitta, was a former Miss Sweden who came over after to Britain after she became pregnant during what he called a holiday romance. or. A record breaking deal to sign for Liverpool in 1972 fell through because two weeks of sex and partying left him with high blood pressure. By the time he returned to Liverpool for a retest, his blood pressure was even higher. His longest-lasting association was with Leicester City, whom he represented more than 200 times, while he also appeared for Birmingham City, Leeds United, Southampton and Sunderland. to Carol Dwyer [registered in Halifax, December 1986]. They gave the time his flight was due in and encouraged all the fans to go and greet him. He spoke about the goal in his last ever interview in 2016. Author. Gary Lineker hailed the ex-England striker his 'boyhood hero' and described him as 'a beautiful footballer, a maverick and a wonderful character.'. Everyone recognizes Carol as the wife of Frank Worthington, which is pretty obvious to happen when you're married to someone very popular. Best wants everyone to love him. Joe picked entertaining players, said Keegan at the time. Frank also had a daughter, Kim-Malou, with Birgitta but parenthood did not slow him down.