Frank Upton (1934-2011) R.I.P.

Though not an Association member we are sorry to hear that a former Assistant Manager of the Sky Blues  Frank Upton passed away last Monday at his Findern home aged 76.

Frank was born in Atherstone and in his playing days won a reputation as an uncompromising defender (‘Frank the Tank’ ). He had spells successively with Nuneaton Borough, Northampton Town (1953), Derby County twice (1954 & 1965) , Chelsea (1961), Notts County (1966), Worcester City (1967) and Workington (player-manager 1968) making 384 League appearances (24 goals) between 1953-68. He won Division 3 honours in 1956-57 during his first spell at the Baseball Ground under the tutelege of former City Manager Harry Storer.

Frank built up extensive coaching experience with Aston Villa, Chelsea, Wolves and Dundee as well as spells in Denmark and Kuwait before moving as coach to Bedworth United in 1984.

He then came to Coventry City in December 1984 when Don Mackay took over from Bobby Gould as Manager but left in April 1986 soon after the Curtis-Sillett partnership blossomed. Further coaching experience in the UK  (Aston Villa, Derby, Leicester, Burton Albion, Noerthwich Victoria and Cheltenham)  followed as well as as further afield in Iceland, Borneo and Malaysia. In 1991 he opened a sports injury clinic in Derby (whilst continuing with his coaching) and became involved with our sister Former Players Association at the Rams where he served on the committee.

He died in his sleep at his Derbyshire home following a short illness and we extend our sympathies to family, colleagues and friends as well as the Derby County Former Players Association.