Football icon kissed ‘sexiest lady alive’ Raquel Welch and scored objective so good ref clapped

He might have scored one of the most memorable goals in English football history, but Frank Worthington proved he had plenty of talent off the pitch as well.

Former England international Worthington, who starred for Huddersfield Town, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers, was in his pomp back in the 1970s and was one of the first, genuine football playboys. He famously missed out on a transfer to Liverpool after failing a medical thanks to a wild week partying with various stunners in Majorca.

And his high-profile love life quickly saw him become a fan favourite, while also landing him dates with a Miss Great Britain, and time with American movie actress and ‘sexiest woman alive’ Raquel Welch at the height of the renowned beauty’s popularity.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola explains odd facial cuts, scratches and blood after Man City collapse

READ MORE: David Coote’s first statement on FA betting probe after Klopp rant and ‘white powder’ vids

Welch, the star of ‘One Million Years B.C.’, became famous for her stunning fur hide bikini in the classic Hollywood movie. And the pair spent an evening together on the dance floor after another stunning Worthington goal, with the pair sharing a kiss.

Worthington, who would have turned 76 earlier this month, passed away at the age of 72 in 2021 after a long illness and is perhaps best remembered in terms of his footballing prowess for his time at Bolton and a fixture against Ipswich in 1979.

The scores were level as Worthington controlled the ball while heading away from goal in the opposition penalty area. Having been followed out of the box by three defenders, he touched the ball three times before flicking it over his own head to bamboozle his rivals.

Not missing the chance to score an iconic goal, the forward volleyed home on his favoured left foot, to send the crowd into raptures.

TV cameras then captured his celebrations as his team-mates and fans tried to process what they had seen – and the ref was just as amazed. He was spotted clapping his hands as he jogged back to the centre ahead of the restart in a memorable moment fitting for the scorer.

Off the pitch, of course, Worthington’s life was just as exciting, with romantic partners and dalliances with beautiful women including Welch, who had become an international sex symbol thanks to bestselling posters of her One Million Years B.C. bikini.

The maverick forward once said: “I scored a nice one at Chelsea once in a game we lost, but that’s not what I remember from that day. After the game, guess who I got a strong connection with? Raquel Welch!

“She spotted me in the players’ lounge and came over. I took her out later to a nightclub. She had a blue tight-fitting leather suit on.

“I had quite a lot of hair and was a lot younger then. I was wearing some wild clothes and she tried to kiss me on the dance floor. Happily, I didn’t have my moustache at the time.”

Worthington spent time playing in Wales before retiring in 1992 after a brief spell as Tranmere Rovers boss. He passed away in 2021 after battling dementia and prostate cancer.

He did settle down twice in marriages to Brigitta K. Egermalm and Carol Dwyer and was survived by children Frank Jr and Kim-Malou from his first marriage.

Worthington joked in a 2003 documentary: “I had a marvellous time in football, played against many great players and lived life to the full.

“People say I’ve squandered fortunes, booze, gambling and women. Well, as my old mate Stan Bowles said, it’s a lot better than wasting it.

“The seventies were absolutely the best time for any football player, not just for football, but for the life and for the music industry, the things that were going on around us. They were absolutely fantastic.”