Worthing FC given rare prestigious award
The club has received "a Freedom of the Borough", which has only been given to ten others in the past century.
Worthing FC has received a rare, prestigious award celebrating it's contributions to the town.
The club has received "a Freedom of the Borough", which has only been given to ten others in the past century.
It follows a mammoth promotion into professional football for the team and further celebrates their work with young people, women and disabled people.
The accolade also recognises its foundation and investment in the Woodside Road home ground.
Worthing FC owner George Dowell said he'd been trying to re-engage the community when he bought the club".
"To be acknowledged in this way is very emotional really," he said.
"Hearing all the nice things that people were saying around the room, it makes you feel ‘okay, we’ve managed to achieve what we set out to’.
"And obviously, we still want to do more and there’s more to do, but up until this point we’ve done a good job and I think that’s reflected in what happened tonight.”
The club's promotion to the National League drew in a 4000 people crowd, with fans invading the pitch to celebrate their win.
Mr Dowell said the promotion had brought attention to the club, but he believed its success on the pitch reflected work happening behind the scenes.
He said: “Being promoted, obviously brings the headlines, but I feel like all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes is what makes that happen.
On the pitch is a reflection of what’s gone on behind the scenes."
He added: “As long as we keep trying to engage with the community, keep trying to do the right things off the pitch, then hopefully what’s on the pitch will take care of itself.
"And hopefully there’s more success to come.”