Everyone at Edgeley Park were saddened to hear of the death of our former player Frank Worthington who passed away on Monday 22nd March, at the age of 72.
As flamboyant off the field as he was on the pitch, Worthington was an entertainer and the words maverick and charismatic are often used to describe a wonderfully gifted footballer. Part of a special group of 1970’s flair players that included talents such as Alan Hudson, Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles and Duncan McKenzie, he was only to receive 8 England caps.
He was never forgiven by Sir Alf Ramsay for arriving at an under 23 game wearing a pair of cowboy boots and he failed to find favour with his permanent successor Don Revie. In between, caretaker England manager Joe Mercer, a man more appreciative of Worthington’s personality and style of play, was to give him six caps from his seven games in charge.
He played with a smile on his face and he was adored by supporters of all of the clubs he played for. He was the kind of player that both sets of fans wanted to watch – likely to score a fantastic goal or show a piece of audacious skill. He loved to play football and this is reflected in the fact that he continued to play professionally until he was nearly 40 years of age. When he retired from the Football League in 1988, he has scored in all of the previous 21 seasons.
When he came to Edgeley Park, Stockport County was the last of his eleven Football League clubs. Signed by Asa Hartford in November 1987, he said shortly after “coming to Stockport was just what I needed. It gave me a new challenge, and the chance to play alongside some really good honest lads who try to play attractive football”.
Under a new chairman Dave Hunt, player-manager Hartford was reshaping the team and at the time he signed Worthington, he also bought in fellow striker Bob Colville for a bargain £5,000, who was to go on to be leading scorer with 18 goals in all competitions. He and Worthington made a strong partnership of youth and experience.
County fans will remember the season for the FA Cup run that resulted in the first 3rd Round tie at Edgeley Park since 1965. A home draw to fellow 4th Division side Leyton Orient was to bring heartache as Colville’s goal was followed by two defensive mistakes gifting the game to the O’s.
Those County fans lucky enough to watch Worthington were privileged to be able to observe one of the finest footballers ever to play at Edgeley Park. Worthington’s close control, mastery of the ball and ability to find time to make a pinpoint pass, were a joy to watch.
It was written in the County match programme at the time, that “his skills were apparent the moment he made his debut against Colchester at Edgeley Park. Frank didn’t waste a ball and there was soon a murmur of approval around appreciative terraces”. Watching a football great at close quarters, was something that many County fans have never forgotten to this day. With time to spare in everything he did on a football field, watching Worthington play was a real pleasure.
He finished the season having made 21 appearances and scored 6 goals for The Hatters. He left County at the end of the season and continued to play non-League football for another four years, before he brought his career to end. In total he had played over 800 games scoring more than 250 goals.
In 1997 he returned to Stockport as the after dinner speaker and special guest at the 1966-67 championship reunion dinner. He spoke to a packed event with great humour about his time at County and regaled the audience with great stories of the players and his memories of Edgeley Park.
Worthington wrote in 1978, “if I should drop down dead this minute no one could say I haven’t squeezed the maximum from my life. I’ve got no regrets about anything. After all, we’re only on this earth for a while.”
We remember his time at Edgeley Park with great affection and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Carol and all of his friends and family at this difficult time.
