Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt has paid tribute to Frank Worthington who he has described as a 'true maverick' and a football legend who has been taken 'far too soon'.
The former England forward passed away at the age of 72 earlier this week following a long illness.
Worthington won eight England caps and represented more than 20 clubs in a long playing career that began with Huddersfield Town in 1966.
He moved to Wanderers in 1977 from Leicester City and scored 35 goals in two years at Burnden Park, including a memorable strike against Ipswich Town in 1979.
He died peacefully in hospital on Monday evening following a long illness, his family announced.
And ahead of this weekend's game against Forest Green Rovers, Evatt has reflected on the forward's life and his abilities on the pitch, describing Worthington as a 'true maverick'.
He believes he was a player who could do things on a football field that no-one else could and that his character off of it is something that is not on show much in the modern game.
He said: “From a personal point of view, as a football fan, we’re losing far too many legends too soon at the moment. It seems like every week we’re losing a wonderful name in the game and it is incredibly sad.
“Frank was a maverick – and I have used that word to describe another player this season – but he was a true maverick.
“His ability on the football pitch was excellent and he could do things on the pitch that nobody else could.
“Also, his character off the pitch was something that you don’t really see nowadays. He was a wonderful footballer and he will be very sadly missed.
“He was a real technician who could score goals, see a pass, do things that other men couldn’t in that era and time. It’s another legend of the game that has been taken far too soon."
