Former Sunderland players Gary Rowell and Nick Pickering have lead the tributes to former Black Cats striker Frank Worthington who died in hospital yesterday evening, aged 72.
The former Sunderland, Huddersfield, Leicester, Bolton and England striker died peacefully in hospital following a long term illness, his family announced in a statement to the PA news agency.
Worthington is considered one of English football's great mavericks, he would make 20 appearances on Wearside, scoring twice for the Black Cats.
Speaking to the club's official website, teammate Gary Rowell said: “We all loved him, Frank was one of the biggest names in the game.
"He always had a smile on his face and he loved his football and loved life.
"He was one of those guys you loved to be around because you knew you were going to have a good time. I’m shocked at the news and it’s very sad.”
Nick Pickering who also played with him at Sunderland said: “When Frank arrived the first thing he said to me was, ‘I’ve seen you play on the left wing.
"When you get the ball just play it in to my feet and get on your bike, I’ll find you and when I do just get your cross in.
“It’s really sad to hear about Frank. He was such a skilful player and a great lad who really loved his football.”
Worthington's daughter, Kim Malou, announced on Facebook in 2016 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, but he issued a statement the following day denying that he had the condition.
Unashamedly non-establishment, Worthington hit the headlines as much for his off-field exploits as his rarefied talents on it.
