Blue plaque honour for former England striker

A blue plaque commemorating former England striker Frank Worthington is set to be erected in Halifax, the city where he was born in 1948. Worthington, who earned eight caps for the national team and scored twice, had an illustrious career spanning 25 years during which he played for 20 different clubs, including Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Bolton, Birmingham City, Southampton, and Leeds United.

The Halifax Civic Trust initiated the fundraising campaign for the plaque, which was swiftly surpassed by a generous outpouring of support. John Peters, a volunteer and committee member of the trust, explained that the recognition of Worthington aims to include individuals beyond the typical industrialists and politicians, making the nominees more relatable and appealing.

Worthington's flamboyant playing style, showmanship, and charisma made him a beloved figure among fans, regardless of the club he represented. Worthington, who battled dementia for several years before his passing in March 2021 at the age of 72, was the only ever capped England player from Halifax. The plaque will be unveiled on the family home in the village of Shelf, where Worthington was born.

The trust hopes to unveil the plaque later this year, providing the community with a way to remember and celebrate the memory of this larger-than-life personality, as well as offering support to current and former players, staff, and fans affected by dementia through the Alzheimer's Society's Sport United Against Dementia fund.