THE WORKING MAN'S GEORGE BEST

Today, I am editing a past blog, using it as a base to remind you "followers" about one of the footballing "Mavericks", Frank Worthington, especially today, because he has passed away and gone to that great penalty area in the sky! Frank was a local lad (to West Yorkshire) and he was loved by those spectators who wanted to be entertained for their entrance fee. Frank wouldn't let them down.

In 1972 (on this day 16th Feb)) Frank was due to transfer from Huddersfield Town to Liverpool, a big move.

Signing for Liverpool, does Shankly look a little apprehensive? Frank graced a host of clubs throughout his career but even that path may have taken a different turn when he moved from Huddersfield Town to Liverpool for £150,000 in summer 1972. The traditional signing pictures were taken with Liverpool manager Bill Shankly and his then right-hand man Bob Paisley, only for Worthington to fail the medical on the grounds of "high blood pressure." See below.....
Frank failed the first Medical having shown symptoms of "high blood pressure"  apparently "due to excessive sexual activity" the report read! Bill Shankly reluctantly sent Frank away for a week to sort this out and the place of recuperation chosen by Bill was Majorca; not a good idea Shanks! When Frank returned he failed the test again and the move to Liverpool was called off, unsurprisingly!

Frank saved his reputation when he signed on for Leicester City (1972-75: 210/72) and his career took him to over 11 clubs and only 8 appearances for England. (Maverick!)

Here is a "Worthington" blog from the past! I had been to watch some junior football at SHELF FC which inspired me to include Frank!!
https://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com/2016/11/maverick-on-shelf_20.html

Frank at Huddersfield Town (1988-72)

    

The Play Boy at Leicester City  

Honestly-it's what the well dressed footballer was wearing. at the time. Frank was associated with a mixture of  25 clubs, with appearances totalling (828), scoring 260 goals. Between 1966-1992: at "one end" he was capped by England (8 times, scoring 2) and played mostly with Huddersfield (171 apps /41goals) and Leicester (210/72), then at the "other end" had fleeting appearances with clubs like  Galway Utd, Weymouth, Chorley and Cemaes Bay (1 app) in North Wales.