Fred Worthington had made around 125 appearances for Bury and Leicester City when he had a season with Exeter City in the mid-1950s. After just sixteen games he moved on to Oldham Athletic. 

After playing for East Manchester side Bradford, Bury belatedly became Fred’s first professional club in July 1947. Featuring in 69 league games (14 goals) during his time at Gigg Lane, Fred was transferred to Leicester City in March 1951 where he scored 9 times in 55 league starts.

Spending four years at Filbert Street, and now aged thirty-one, Fred moved to Exeter City in July 1955 for a fee of £1,000. Making his debut for the Grecians in the opening fixture at Colchester United on 20 August 1955, he played in the first 16 matches of the season (scoring once against Leyton Orient) but then lost his place in the side and - not playing for the first-team again - moved to Oldham Athletic in August 1956.

After a season at Boundary Park Fred dropped into non-league football with Chorley. He died on 4 December 1975.