Eric Worthington
Encyclopedia
Eric Senior Worthington was an English
academic, professional footballer and football coach.
after joining in August 1949. He combined his duties as a schoolmaster and professional footballer, making 30 appearances for the Hornets over two seasons before dropping into non–league with Dover
. A prolific spell with Dover saw a brief return to the league ranks with Bradford City
in September 1953, before, weeks later, he was back in Kent with Margate
while doing a teacher training course.
Worthington remained with Margate eight years, overcoming injuries to make 243 appearances in both attack and midfield, scoring 36 goals and captaining the team on occasion. He retired in 1961 to take up a position at Loughborough College
.
, taking charge for their first official match against Scotland
in 1972. The following year he was appointed director of coaching by Soccer Australia
and was tasked with overhauling the entire structure of football coaching in Australia. Worthington was later hailed as an "outstanding servant" and "pioneer," though his administration's apparent preference for British coaches led to allegations of "jobs for the boys" and a "pommie mafia". In 1975 Worthington took charge of the Australia national soccer team for four friendlies at B level.
He retired as director of coaching in 1989 and his last official role was taking an Australian student select team to his home city of Sheffield
for the 1991 Summer Universiade
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
academic, professional footballer and football coach.
Playing career
After two years at Queen's Park Rangers without appearing in the first team, Worthington made his Football League debut with WatfordWatford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
after joining in August 1949. He combined his duties as a schoolmaster and professional footballer, making 30 appearances for the Hornets over two seasons before dropping into non–league with Dover
Dover F.C.
Dover F.C. was a football club based in Dover, Kent, England. The club joined the Kent League in 1894, but folded in 1901. Dover F.C. was revived a year later, this time as a purely amateur club, and rejoined the Kent League, but folded again in 1909...
. A prolific spell with Dover saw a brief return to the league ranks with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in September 1953, before, weeks later, he was back in Kent with Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
while doing a teacher training course.
Worthington remained with Margate eight years, overcoming injuries to make 243 appearances in both attack and midfield, scoring 36 goals and captaining the team on occasion. He retired in 1961 to take up a position at Loughborough College
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
.
Coaching career
Worthington was the original manager of the England women's national football teamEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
, taking charge for their first official match against Scotland
Scotland women's national football team
The Scotland women's national football team represents Scotland in international women's football. They have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships and are currently ranked 23rd in the world and 14th in Europe....
in 1972. The following year he was appointed director of coaching by Soccer Australia
Football Federation Australia
Football Federation Australia is the governing body for the sport of football in Australia. Before 1 January 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association , which succeeded Soccer Australia in this role in 2003...
and was tasked with overhauling the entire structure of football coaching in Australia. Worthington was later hailed as an "outstanding servant" and "pioneer," though his administration's apparent preference for British coaches led to allegations of "jobs for the boys" and a "pommie mafia". In 1975 Worthington took charge of the Australia national soccer team for four friendlies at B level.
He retired as director of coaching in 1989 and his last official role was taking an Australian student select team to his home city of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
for the 1991 Summer Universiade
1991 Summer Universiade
The 1991 Summer Universiade, also known as the XVI Summer Universiade, took place in Sheffield, England. In the host country it was generally referred to as the World Student Games....
.