davieG Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 Legends of Leicester City Football Club. Post your memories of the Legend here! Post your best moments relating to the Legend here! Post anything you want to say about the Legend here! Steve Walsh Muzzy Izzet Matt Elliott Ian Marshall Keith Weller Steve Claridge Gerry Taggart Frank Worthington
davieG Posted 3 December 2006 Author Posted 3 December 2006 Leicester City FC 1972-1977 POSITION Forward DATE OF BIRTH Tuesday, 23rd November 1948 PLACE OF BIRTH Halifax, Yorkshire, England LEAGUE DEBUT Wednesday, 23rd August 1972 scoring in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United (Aged: 23) CLUB CAREER 209 League apps (+1 as sub), 72 goals 1973-1974 Played 42 Scored 20 goals (Division 1) 1974-1975 Played 42 Scored 18 goals (Division 1) 1975-1976 Played 39 Scored 9 goals (Division 1) 1976-1977 Played 41 Scored 14 goals (Division 1) 1977-1978 Played 7 Scored 1 goal (Division 1)
davieG Posted 3 December 2006 Author Posted 3 December 2006 From the OS Frank Worthington At a time when the concepts of 'personality' and 'charisma' first underwent their continuing devaluation in the hands of a 'build 'em up; shoot 'em down' media, and when sports commentators in particular seemed desperate to assign 'character' status to random workhorses, Frank remained an original: mainly because his outsize image was always harnessed to an outsize talent. Off-field flamboyance ever had its footballing concomitant as Frank's consistent practice of the attacking arts graced the League sphere for over two decades, and one has to reach for a paradoxical construct to try to sum up his striker's impact for City and his numerous other clubs; something like 'casually lethal' might do the trick. The elegant thrust, alternately subtle and spectacular, was an integral part of his repertoire - along with the incisive flick, the arrogant ball control and the deceptively lazy stride - from the time he helped Huddersfield into the First Division in 1970, City made an early move for 'Wortho' as the Terriers began to slide, but an England Under-23 tour intervened, pushing up the likely fee and alerting Liverpool to Frank's quality. A failed medical test quashed Anfield interest, though, and Jimmy Bloomfield jumped at the second chance, watching with glee as his six-figure investment accrued compound interest over five seasons of entertaining 'total football' (or thereabouts) from City. Frank was a popular choice for the national side, winning eight England caps (2 goals) while remaining prolific with City, yet his best single season as a scorer came at Burnden, after Frank McLintock had allowed him to slip away, when he headed the 1979 First Division list with 24. His St. Andrews debut came against City, and then in the 80s Frank's wanderings began in earnest, with his disdain for the predictable spicing the rather bland tactical recipes of a host of aspiring clubs, and the personal 200-goal landmark being easily surpassed. The PFA backed his 1991/2 benefit season, which included games at St. Andrews, Leeds Road and Filbert Street; while the Elvis obsession has entered popular legend, and the contents of the idiosyncratic autobiography, 'One Hump or Two?' have further fed the folkloric memory.
davieG Posted 3 December 2006 Author Posted 3 December 2006 From The Fox Fanzine By Richard Stanley & Gary Silke (From The FOX - April 1990) A young Yorkshireman called Frank Worthington first came to my attention in the 1969-70 season when City were away at Huddersfield. I was listening to the radio and the commentator was in raptures about the home side's centre forward. In those days Huddersfield were quite a successful team and even enjoyed a spell in the First Division. However they were still obliged to sell a talent as big as Worthington and he came to Leicester in August 1972. He already had a reputation as something of a showman, turning up for an England under-23 tour in a sombrero, amazing the locals of some far off nation. So we at Filbert Street found that we had a great footballer and an entertainer as well. During the pre-match kick-in he would exhibit his excellent ball control by keeping the ball up for a minute or two with either foot, then he would flick it over his head, catch it on the back of his neck, hold it there for a moment, then gradually stand up straight, rolling the ball down his spine, backheeling it back over his head to continue with his feet. The kids on the wall at the front of the Kop would stand agog, and many an hour must have been spent in the backyards of Leicester trying, just once, to emulate this trick. Everything about the man was flash - even when the Kopites sang his name he responded with an enthusiastic double handwave and while waiting for corners he would often use the time to assemble his hair. A performance of Wortho's forever etched in my mind occurred in the winter of '72 when West Brom came down to Filbert Street. He scored a hat-trick and centre-backs John Wile and Ally Robertson were as good as any at that time. But Worthington was far too good for them and if he had been 'Big Daddy' he would have been banging their heads together. That was Worthington 'on his day' - The Best. Other times he could appear disinterested, but he was never less than entertaining. Frank soon played for England under the caretaker managership of Joe Mercer. He looked perfectly at home in the white shirt and scored against Argentina with an incredible bicycle kick, which Shoot! magazine felt compelled to break down into a series of four photos under the title 'Frank's Cowboy Kick'. Unfortunately, the Don Revie era was just about to happen and there would be no room for someone with as much Flair as Wortho. Workmanlike ethics and dossiers (and failure) became the mid-seventies way, and Wortho's intemational career was over before it had begun. Which was a shame for England as well as the man himself because with a little more experience and pace at top level we could have had something approaching another Johan Cryuff. His skill could be compared to anyone. Wortho's cavalier approach was not confined to the field, and rumours around Leicester were rife about his philanderings with other player's wives. Peter Shilton was to be haunted many years later, visiting with F****t, with a particularly unkind song about 'Franky' and his 'Missus'. A blond Swedish wife and an adoration of Elvis all added to the legend. In the disastrous season of 77-78 relegation was nothing compared to the departure of Wortho. He left a big gap at Filbert Street which has not been properly filled since. He went back up North to Bolton Wanderers and took to wearing a red headband to add a l ittle panache, as if it were needed. At Bolton he scored 'that goal' which will be shown on football programmes until the end of time. After that he took up a nomadic existence throughout the eighties popping up at a dozen, different clubs and Leicester fans, especially, would always like to know where he was, keeping tabs on him ready for the next time that someone would ask 'Where's Wortho these days?' Prior to joining City Frank was all set to sign for Bill Shankly at Liverpool but failed the medical. Fact, or fiction, has it that in the summer prior to this he had been on holiday (sorry, wild escapade!) with George Best. Hand on heart it has to be said that playing for Liverpool may have been his rightful stage. However, to his credit Wortho did not outwardly dwell on this point and I feel he enjoyed his time at Leicester. Frank, wherever you are, thanks for the glorious memories and wonderful entertainment.. ED: Worthington of the late eighties provided us with a couple more memories. Birch's Geriatric Megastars v British Shoe - and there was Worthington, hair thinning, and one run in each half, but the passes and shots were still there and still League standard. He stood head and shoulders above Emlyn Hughes, John Robertson and all the rest. And a group of blokes, taking advantage of the bar, holding each other up found it necessary to sing: "Franky Wortho, Ello, Ello." Throughout the game. Paying homage to the legend and the man, singing a song from another time. Frank just grinned at them, he could remember that time as well. And then Paul Ramsey's Testimonial gave Worthington the opportunity to grace Filbert Street once more. Tottenham Hotspur provided the opposition and there was a wonderful moment when Frank, making a run in midfield, was suddenly faced with Paul Gascoigne, his eighties counterpart. He looped the ball over the Geordies head and nipped round him continuing his run. Gazza obligingly fell on his backside. Everyone in the crowd that night must have had some memory of Frank, and those too young will have been fully informed with a mixture of fact and legend. He was Unforgettable!
davieG Posted 3 December 2006 Author Posted 3 December 2006 From The FA.com Age58 Bookings0 Date of BirthNovember 23, 1948 Dismissals0 Place of BirthHalifax First MatchNorthern Ireland, 15 May 1974 Caps8 Last MatchPortugal, 20 Nov 1974 Won3 Lost1 Draws4 Goals2
Bilko Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 I named my dog at the time Wortho Watching Frankie warm up was more entertaining that watching the current crop play an entire game, legend pure and simple...the most talented player ever to pull on the blue! Understand he's not been well lately, whatever we could with his like now!
filbertboy Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 Watching Frankie warm up was more entertaining that watching the current crop play an entire game, legend pure and simple...the most talented player ever to pull on the blue! Understand he's not been well lately, whatever we could with his like now! Yeah great to watch the guy play very skillful a real legend......if he has been ill latley anyone know whats up with him or is he better ?
Head Honcho Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 Watching Frankie warm up was more entertaining that watching the current crop play an entire game, legend pure and simple...the most talented player ever to pull on the blue! Understand he's not been well lately, whatever we could with his like now! He wasn't playing for us when he scored this but it's such a special goal it deserves a mention.
The People's Hero Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 That is a class goal. Absolutely amazing.
filbertboy Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 That is a class goal. Absolutely amazing. truly great goal !! watched it over and over again !!!
Nationwider Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 That's my favourite goal of all-time. He scored for City in a 1-0 win at Filbo the day after I was born. I usually wear my blue Frank t-shirt to most City games. I never saw him play, but he's my favourite ever City player. He just looked class.
Thracian Posted 3 December 2006 Posted 3 December 2006 He wasn't playing for us when he scored this but it's such a special goal it deserves a mention. My memory's fading now but I'm sure he scored a goal like that for us against Sunderland. George Hurley was marking him and he took a punt from the goalkeeper, flicked it over Hurley's head and whacked it into the net from 30-odd yards before it touched the ground. He was a footballing magician. The only City player I remember who could stand beside Davie Gibson for skill. He would have wept to see what passes for a striker at Leicester today. He was all elegance and imagination. And the sort of character who'd put thousands on any gate at his best. Wortho lamented the disappearance of characters from football. And I agree with him. It's time we got some back. Frank used to train at the night clubs as much as anywhere. Kelly would probably have been suspending him every other week if the recent tales from City have any truth to them. If only we could turn back time and have a young Wortho walk back through our players tunnel today. Or a Derek Dougan. People to put a smile back on everyone's faces. This forum would be a celebration instead of a coroner's inquest every week.
l444ry Posted 4 December 2006 Posted 4 December 2006 My memory's fading now but I'm sure he scored a goal like that for us against Sunderland. George Hurley was marking him and he took a punt from the goalkeeper, flicked it over Hurley's head and whacked it into the net from 30-odd yards before it touched the ground. He was a footballing magician. The only City player I remember who could stand beside Davie Gibson for skill. He would have wept to see what passes for a striker at Leicester today. He was all elegance and imagination. And the sort of character who'd put thousands on any gate at his best. Wortho lamented the disappearance of characters from football. And I agree with him. It's time we got some back. Frank used to train at the night clubs as much as anywhere. Kelly would probably have been suspending him every other week if the recent tales from City have any truth to them. If only we could turn back time and have a young Wortho walk back through our players tunnel today. Or a Derek Dougan. People to put a smile back on everyone's faces. This forum would be a celebration instead of a coroner's inquest every week. Not trying to score points Thracian but do you mean my old gaffer Charlie Hurley?
Ron Combo Posted 4 December 2006 Posted 4 December 2006 Even watching Frankie pull in Granny's was a pleasure. The totty didn't stand a chance. Good bloke. He joined City when I arrived at the Poly in 72; having been raised on Torquay United, to see Frankie warming up in front of The Kop and then playing like, well, no one else I had ever seen, was a real eye-opener. Those were the days. As blokes my age say.
Daggers Posted 4 December 2006 Posted 4 December 2006 I named my dog at the time Wortho Wasn't because it spent most of the week doing bitches in the street by any chance?
Webbo Posted 28 January 2007 Posted 28 January 2007 does anybody remember in the mid 70's itv had a sort of 'it's a knockout' type programme for all the midland football clubs, with games of skill for the players. wortho pissed it for leicester on his own. he was surounded by dolly birds as they presented him with the trophy. he didn't seem at all interested in the trophy just the women, typical wortho.
Thracian Posted 29 January 2007 Posted 29 January 2007 Not trying to score points Thracian but do you mean my old gaffer Charlie Hurley? Absolutely. International centre-back and his Christian name slips my mind. Senility setting in.
lildave3 Posted 17 May 2007 Posted 17 May 2007 I would have loved to have seen this guy play. From what I have heard about him he is exactly the player that I like
General Smuts Posted 20 July 2007 Posted 20 July 2007 I would have loved to have seen this guy play. From what I have heard about him he is exactly the player that I like I concur, every video i've watched of him play has brought a smile to my face the man was a legend and a stylish motherfungler to boot.
He's not bald Posted 26 July 2007 Posted 26 July 2007 I concur, every video i've watched of him play has brought a smile to my face the man was a legend and a stylish motherfungler to boot. did he though..actually do what he alledgedly supposed to have?
Kent Fox Posted 27 July 2007 Posted 27 July 2007 I remember being in the dressing room at Filbo during Alan Woolletts Testimonial and seeing Wortho's clothes hung up. Purple velvet jacket and winkle-picker boots, if memory serves me. (I wasn't that old then) I remember it as it stood out from everybody elses clothes and a load of us pointing that out and finding his flamboyance amusing. But it reflected his style on the pitch, he was just as flamboyant. I feel lucky to have seen him play. Frank Worthington was/is a total legend.
Ric Flair Posted 27 July 2007 Posted 27 July 2007 Too young to have seen Worthington at Leicester, but i've seen various video's of him and spoek to my dad at length about the chap over the years. But a moment will always stay with me for the rest of my life, the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up now when I think about it. Tottenham at home, last ever game at Filbert Street. I'm in the top tier of The Carling Stand. There are various ex City players dotted about in there. About 5 minutes before kick-off, a man and a glamourous looking woman come up and and as the chap walks up a few steps, the chants start. They get louder and louder until the whole of the top tier realise it's Worthington. 'Franky, Franky, Wortho'. I join in, must be the first time i've ever got to sing it properly with other fans. There's a spare 2 seats right next to me, as he get's closer to my aisle, I start thinking 'he's not gonna sit here is he?' Low and behold the legend comes and sit's right next to me and sitting with him for 90 minutes was an experience of a life time. I imagine his antics make Walsh seem like a wet behind the ears fifteen year old chuff nut.
mancunianfox Posted 27 July 2007 Posted 27 July 2007 Worthington is one of the players I would have loved to have seen play and with the way that footballers are now I can totally understand why men like Frank Worthington and Robin Friday are such cult heroes. My dad always goes on about Frank Worthington and how good he was. My mother is not as much of a fan of his though. She described him as having 'hands like an octopus'
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