Frank Worthington’s bit o’ 1970s fun at Bailey’s

[davieG]

The Elvis-loving England and Leicester City player glammed up for a pop performance in 1975

 

Readers may recall my recent double-page Saturday spread about Bailey’s nightclub’s compere, Paul Conquest, who revealed some of the big name stars of the 1970s who performed at the classic Leicester nitespot, including Tommy Cooper, Showaddywaddy, Neil Sedaka, Norman Wisdom, Charlie Williams and Bob Monkhouse.

Well, this month back in February 1975, one of the strangest pop combos ever occurred at the fondly-remembered city venue.

None other than England and Leicester City legendary striker Frank Worthington caused jaws to drop when he appeared on stage at the nightclub, overlooking Leicester Clock Tower.

Dressed in a wide-collared, sparkling, glam rock all-in-one body suit, unzipped to his midriff, exposing a man-jungle of chest hair and gold bath chain necklace, Frank sauntered and swayed before the assembled nightclubbers, strutting his stuff.

A big Elvis Presley fan, he was backed by Yorkshire comedy popsters, The Grumbleweeds, who were on a week-long stint at Bailey’s. Frank warbled his favourite tunes by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Quite why this unique musical ensemble occurred in the first place is not noted: perhaps there was no particular reason and it was all just “a bit o’ fun”.

Almost 30 years later, in the run-up to Valentine’s Day in 2003, the Mercury rang up Frank. He was still a big fan of Elvis, who he described as “the man for all occasions”.

“My personal favourite hit would have to be Aloha from Hawaii. That’s Elvis at his best.

“What’s the alternative? Today’s music is all rubbish. It doesn’t put you in the mood for anything.”

I’m sure many will agree with you, Frank.

 

 

[dynamark]

Nice one DG .I remember seeing the Grumbleweeds amongst many others but must have missed Frank.

I cannot imagine any player today doing anything remotely close to that- apart from you know who Frank was my favourite Leicester player.

Met him a few years back at a golf course in Cheshire and hes still got he look and beer in hand of course.

[Vacamion]

 

I totally believe it happened, but those photos look badly photoshopped...  

[boots60]

Brilliant!!

A Hero to all City fans in the 70s ( & Huddersfield, Bolton etc etc)

A man who lived life to the full and was loved by everyone & still is.

The most talented player to pull on a City shirt ever & not a hissy fit to his name.

[joachim1965]

12 minutes ago, boots60 said:

 

The most talented player to pull on a City shirt ever & not a hissy fit to his name.

Amen to that.

[st albans fox]

53 minutes ago, boots60 said:

Brilliant!!

A Hero to all City fans in the 70s ( & Huddersfield, Bolton etc etc)

A man who lived life to the full and was loved by everyone & still is.

The most talented player to pull on a City shirt ever & not a hissy fit to his name.

got to be close - Imagine how good he would have been if he had 'given a sh1t'

[weller54]

Mahrez not good enough to lace Worthy's boots! 

[Al-aLondon-Foxile]

I remember meeting him in a pub in Brighton in the summer of 1984. I was 16 and on my first lads holiday with some mates, youth hosteling. He signed a £1 note for me, and was really friendly. I wished i'd met him when i was a little older as i think i'd have bought him a pint and had a better chat as he was on his own.  

[l444ry]

57 years a City fan and nobody has come close to that fella for pure entertainment in my eyes.

[Bluetintedspecs]

Pure natural talent, boyhood hero along with Weller and Glover , a character and the majority of the stories were true as long as she was blonde! 

[wokinghamfox]

The famous 'W' .. Worthington, Weller, Whitworth, Woolett, Wallington of the mid 70's. It was pure flare football. 

[dynamark]

Don't often hear the words Woolett and flare/flair in the same sentence

[weller54]

11 hours ago, Bluetintedspecs said:

Pure natural talent, boyhood hero along with Weller and Glover , a character and the majority of the stories were true as long as she was blonde! 

 

[CyprusFox]

12 hours ago, Worthington said:

Him and 'Wells' were, IMHO, the best two players ever to don the blue shirt ...... The fact they were in the same team is ridiculous !!!!

Not forgetting Lenny Glover. Great characters and great days.

[RODNEY FERNIO]

Rose tinted specs lads.

Think Lenny went down for drug dealing and Graham Cross for theft.

Anyway don't think the current crop will have any money worries in later

life like the old boys did .. remember John Sammels becoming a driving instructor !!

[Buce]

16 minutes ago, RODNEY FERNIO said:

Rose tinted specs lads.

Think Lenny went down for drug dealing and Graham Cross for theft.

 

Bit pedantic, I know, but he was just a courier not a dealer (and it was weed, not smack or anything - hardly crime of the century).

 

 

Anyway, back on topic - I've said it before, but if Frankie had been born Italian he'd have had a hundred caps.

 

Any excuse to post this:

 

 

Edited 10 February 2018 by Buce

[willie-bell-in-rothley]

I remember being in Tiffanys in the mid 70s when Wortho and the birch got up on the very small stage next to the dj and sang Elvis songs , it was a great night from what i remember, a few years ago speaking to Birch at the woodies he clearly remembered this, also last season big Frank was outside the KP with his daughter, and in conversation with him i mentioned this peticular night, a big smile came onto his face he had remembered, although he has problems with memory he clearly remembered  '' ah birch , cant sing as well as me though can he , will he be here today, we shook hands and away he went posing for pictures with many of the fans, great night, great era, great man

[GloverFox]

.... just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up thinking about standing in the old spion kop end singing Franky, Franky, Franky, Franky Worthington ... Oh Franky, Franky .... and so on (God we were so original with our tribal chanting songs back then .... hahaha ... just loved it) 

[GloverFox]

22 hours ago, boots60 said:

Brilliant!!

A Hero to all City fans in the 70s ( & Huddersfield, Bolton etc etc)

A man who lived life to the full and was loved by everyone & still is.

The most talented player to pull on a City shirt ever & not a hissy fit to his name.

... and a new girl on his arm every week!

[Buce]

36 minutes ago, GloverFox said:

.... just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up thinking about standing in the old spion kop end singing Franky, Franky, Franky, Franky Worthington ... Oh Franky, Franky .... and so on (God we were so original with our tribal chanting songs back then .... hahaha ... just loved it) 

 

Or:

 

"Hello, hello, Frankie Wortho, Frankie Wortho..." (repeat ad infinitum)

[Lesterlad]

My faveourate all time leicester player. 

 

Could be lazy but who cared superb player. Riyad may be more skilful (debateable) I know who I would want in my team today. 

 

 

[boots60]

3 hours ago, GloverFox said:

.... just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up thinking about standing in the old spion kop end singing Franky, Franky, Franky, Franky Worthington ... Oh Franky, Franky .... and so on (God we were so original with our tribal chanting songs back then .... hahaha ... just loved it) 

 

2 hours ago, Buce said:

 

Or:

 

"Hello, hello, Frankie Wortho, Frankie Wortho..." (repeat ad infinitum)

Or

 

Six foot two

Dressed in blue

Frankie Wortho's after you

 

Or

 

Frankie fecked your missus

(to the bloke who left Leicester for a bigger club) Stoke.

 

[weller54]

6 hours ago, RODNEY FERNIO said:

Rose tinted specs lads.

Think Lenny went down for drug dealing and Graham Cross for theft.

Anyway don't think the current crop will have any money worries in later

life like the old boys did .. remember John Sammels becoming a driving instructor !!

Let's hope Andy King doesn't become a driving instructor when he retires..... 

The driver would never learn to use the forward gears! 

[GloverFox]

4 hours ago, Buce said:

 

Or:

 

"Hello, hello, Frankie Wortho, Frankie Wortho..." (repeat ad infinitum)

Oh, yes ... I’d forgotten that one .... brilliant memories, days of the big blow up balloon covering the pitch at this time of year at Filbert street