Former England forward Frank Worthington dies aged 72

Huddersfield Town, Leicester City and other clubs pay their tributes

Former Huddersfield, Leicester and Bolton striker Frank Worthington has died at the age of 72 following a long illness. PA

Frank Worthington, pictured in 2004, played for more than 20 clubs from 1966 to 1991. PA

Frank Worthington warming-up for Leicester City in 1974. Getty

Frank Worthington won eight caps for England, scoring two goals. Getty

Frank Worthington at Second Division Huddersfield Town in 1974. Getty

Leicester City's Frank Worthington sprints away from Liam Brady, left, and George Armstrong of Arsenal in a 1975 FA Cup fifth-round tie at Highbury. Getty

Frank Worthington in action for Leicester City in 1973. Getty

Frank Worthington at Leicester City in 1976. PA

Former Huddersfield, Leicester and Bolton striker Frank Worthington in 2017. PA

Former Bolton Wanderers player Frank Worthington at the memorial service for Nat Lofthouse in 2011. Reuters

Former England forward Frank Worthington has died aged 72 following a long illness, his family said on Tuesday.

Worthington played for more than 20 clubs from 1966 to 1991, including Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City.

Once described by former Huddersfield and Bolton manager Ian Greaves as "the working man's George Best", Worthington played in 22 consecutive Football League seasons, scoring 266 goals in 882 appearances in all competitions.

In 14 of those seasons he played in the top division, notching 150 goals in 466 matches, and won the Golden Boot award in 1978/79 as the leading scorer ahead of Kenny Dalglish and Frank Stapleton.

He scored twice in eight appearances for England in 1974.

Worthington's first club Huddersfield tweeted: "Everyone at #htafc is devastated to hear of the passing of Town legend Frank Worthington. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Former Leicester, Tottenham and England striker Gary Lineker also offered his condolences on Twitter.

"Profoundly saddened to hear that Frank Worthington has died. He was my boyhood hero when he was at @LCFC," Lineker posted on social media.

"A beautiful footballer, a maverick and a wonderful character who was so kind to this young apprentice when he joined the club. RIP Frank (Elvis)."

Worthington's former clubs Bolton and Birmingham added their tributes on social media.

"It is with great sadness that Bolton Wanderers has today learned of the passing of club legend Frank Worthington. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends," Bolton tweeted.

Worthington graced Birmingham's colours from 1979 to 1982, with the Blues quick to add their condolences.

"The club is saddened to learn of the passing of Frank Worthington aged 72. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time," Birmingham posted on twitter.

Leicester were another of Worthington's former clubs to issue a tribute.

"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.

Southampton hailed Worthington for the joy he took to the south coast in his one-year stint with the Saints.

"Saints FC is saddened by the passing of Frank Worthington, who lit up The Dell with his talents in 1983/84. Our thoughts are with Frank's loved ones," the club tweeted.