Such a skilful player, a maverick, entertainer and playboy. He wasn't alone - Best, Marsh, Bowles, Hudson, Currie (and I'm sure there were others) - maybe I'm romanticising but I view football back then as far less professional and much better than it is today.
I went to his testimonial at Leeds Road if memory serves me correctly. Graeme Souness played too (he got some light hearted booing as the hard man of football then drew applause for his passing ability). Old Frank was a big character - flamboyant in a period when football was poor, full of journeymen who had native ability drilled out of them. He was in a small gang of guys who were prepared to do something different, along with Currie, Hudson, Bowles and a bit later Hoddle.
Had a wry smile watching the tribute on Calendar , besides his ‘classic’ goal, the last one was on a pitch that looked too muddy and soaked for mud wrestling with the crowds heads at pitch level,
Just read a United page and did not realise that I had actually watched Frank play live. It was in 1972 at Tannadice in a Texaco Cup game v Leicester. I do remember Peter Shelton playing in goal but Frank had escaped my memory. I was only 16 at the time.
That's right. I played in the Wombwell SOY under 18 team of 1970/71 with them. If I can upload the team photo, I will.
Wombwell SOY 1971. Back row l to r: Storey, Pettinger, Goldsby-West, Hatfield, King (Jesse), Colbourn, unknown. Front Row: Myers, Crossland (Stan), King (John - mascot), Harding, Crossland (Alan), Ormrod. Photo taken on Shipcroft United Ground with Park Street School and P J Burke site in the back ground.