Martin Worthington

Martin Paul Worthington (born 25 January 1981) is an English rugby union footballer and former professional Association footballer. He currently plays in France for Rugby Pro D2 side Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby.

This article is about the rugby player. For Akkadian scholar, see Martin Worthington (academic).

Martin Worthington
Personal information
Full name Martin Paul Worthington
Date of birth (1981-01-25) 25 January 1981
Place of birth Torquay, Devon, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1997–1999 Torquay United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2000 Torquay United 1 (0)
Rugby union career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001 Coventry RFC ()
2002 Manchester RFC ()
2003-2004 Penzance & Newlyn ()
2005 UA Gaillac ()
2008 Tarbes ()
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Worthington was born in Torquay to Scottish parents[1] and played junior rugby for Paignton Rugby Football Club while attending Paignton Community College. He is eligible to play rugby for Scotland due to his parentage[2]

Professional football career

On leaving school he began a traineeship with Torquay United Football Club, although continued to play rugby for Paignton.[1] A midfielder, he made his Torquay debut whilst still a trainee, coming on as a late substitute for Kevin Hill in a 4–0 win at home against Halifax Town on 6 March 1999.

He turned professional in July 1999, but made just one further appearance, as a substitute for Chris Brandon in a 3–0 win away to Gillingham in the Football League Trophy on 7 December 1999, before being released by Torquay manager Wes Saunders the following February. Later that month he signed for non-league Bideford, managed by former Torquay United player Sean William Joyce.

Professional rugby career

Soon after his release by Torquay, Worthington began playing rugby again and in June 2000 signed a contract to play, at scrum-half, for French side Macon.[1] On returning to the United Kingdom he joined Coventry R.F.C. and played for the Scottish Exiles representative side.[3] He subsequently played for Manchester R.F.C.[4] and New Zealand side Star,[1] before joining Cornish side Penzance & Newlyn. He was released, as part of a mass clearout, by the Pirates at the end of the 2003–04 season, shortly before playing in the victorious Devon side which won the 2004 County Cup Final, Worthington scoring a late try[5] and despite being named as the club's 'Sportsman of the Year'.[6]

Worthington joined Mounts Bay R.F.C in 2004[7] before joining French side Montlucon in the 2004 close season.[1] In July 2005 he moved to UA Gaillac and helped the side to promotion to Pro D2 for the first time in their history.[1] Gaillac were demoted from Pro D to Federale 3 for financial irregularities at the end of the 2006–07 season and Worthington left to join Blagnac in June 2007, Blagnac having just been promoted to Pro D2.[1] Blagnac, captained by Worthington,[8] were relegated at the end of the season (and then demoted a further level for financial irregularities).[1]

In May 2008 Worthington joined another Pro D2 side, Tarbes.[9]

His younger brother David was also a trainee footballer with Torquay United, but was released at the end of his traineeship at the end of the 2000–01 season. He subsequently played for a number of non-league sides in Devon.

References
  1. Barry Mutuel. "Worthington's best". Le Rugby. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  2. "Caerphilly's revival prompts Rankin to issue stark warning". The Scotsman. 29 December 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  3. "Rugby: I dream my rugby move will win me a Scots cap". Daily Record. 29 December 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  4. "Rugby round-up". Coventry Telegraph. 20 September 2002. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  5. Bech, Daniel (30 May 2004). "Garvey to seize chance". London: The Observer. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  6. "Players Honours". Penzance & Newlyn RFC. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  7. "National One – Ins 'n' Outs". Rugby Football Union. Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  8. "Worthington au repos" (in French). Eurosport. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  9. "Worthington et Herbin rejoignent Tarbes" (in French). Sport.fr. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
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