Gary Worthington, son and nephew of well-known footballers, had a season with Exeter City at the end of a professional career that had started with Manchester United. He also played for Darlington, Wrexham and Wigan and remained in football most notably working in player recruitment for Manchester City. 

Gary, son of Dave Worthington (best known for this time at Grimsby) and nephew of Bob Worthington (who appeared many times for Notts County) and Frank Worthington (chiefly remembered as a Bolton, Leicester, Huddersfield and England player), was born in Cleethorpes when his father was playing for Grimsby. An apprentice with Manchester United, Gary signed a full contract in November 1984 and, although he represented England at youth level, failed to make the first-team before joining Huddersfield Town in July 1986. Again not breaking into the senior squad, Gary moved on to Darlington in July 1987 where he scored 15 goals in 40 league appearances. 

Gary then played for Wrexham (18 goals in 72 league matches) and Wigan Athletic (63 league appearances, 20 goals) before agreeing terms with Exeter City in July 1993. Making his Grecians debut at Brentford on 14 August 1993, Gary scored his only goal for City against Hartlepool in early September before fading from first-team contention. He finished the season on loan with Doncaster Rovers ahead of being released and joining non-league Halifax Town.

Gary later worked as an academy coach with Leeds United and Chelsea prior to moving into player recruitment with Manchester City where he remained in post in 2022.