Award an 'immense honour' for football club

Worthing Football Club has been granted the Freedom of the Borough, the highest civic honour awarded by Worthing Borough Council.

Councillors unanimously agreed to bestow the title on the club in recognition of its achievements on and off the pitch, including promotion to the National League for the first time in its history.

The award comes after a remarkable period for the Rebels, who reached the top tier of non-league football more than 140 years after the club was founded and now compete among the country's leading semi-professional sides.

Owner George Dowell MBE said: "Receiving the Freedom of the Borough is an immense honour for everyone connected with Worthing Football Club."

Dowell said the honour belonged to all those who had helped the club "establish its special place" in the town.

A former Worthing youth player, he bought the club using compensation he received after being paralysed in a car crash and has overseen its rise through the football pyramid.

He also thanked council leader Caroline Baxter, who nominated the club for the award.

For Councillor Baxter, it was a no-brainer.

She said: "It is so much more than a football club. It is the highest civic award that can be given, and the club deserves it for its contribution to the community."

Reflecting on the club's historic promotion, the leader said it was a "really big achievement for the town".

She is hopeful there is more to come, given that the Rebels currently sit 8th in the National League table.

"Looking forward, this success is going to bring a lot more than football to the town," she added.

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