Dear Rebels,
What a season. National League South Champions – a first in the 140 year history of our Football Club, and an achievement that belongs to every single person who played a part in getting us here. Supporters, staff, players, volunteers, past and present. Many congratulations, very well deserved and a heart felt thank you!
I can’t believe it’s more than 10 weeks since the season ended and whilst getting some well-earned rest, the management and staff at the club have been working full on. This is a genuinely exciting time for Worthing Football Club. I sense ambition and belief running throughout the club right now; on the pitch, on the terraces, and in the boardroom.
Stepping into the fifth tier of the English football pyramid for the first time in our history is a big moment – and we will go into it with our eyes wide open. This division is full of clubs with bigger crowds, bigger budgets, longer histories at this level, and grounds that have hosted EFL football in recent years. Nobody at Woodside Road is under any illusions about the size of the task.
But we have good reasons to be positive. The heart of a title-winning team. A manager with proven National League experience. A ground fit for purpose that has been transformed into a small stadium. A full-time player model that has now been fully embedded. Record season ticket sales backed by a large community that is getting right behind the Club. That is a strong platform and we will hit the ground running.
We will absolutely show a healthy respect for the challenge ahead, but we also go in with belief in our ability to meet it.
Record Season Ticket Sales
Early Bird Season Ticket sales were up a remarkable 50% on last year. Thank you to everyone who has already committed. We know it isn’t getting any cheaper, and your support means everything.
We hope to add further numbers in July before the season kicks off. This division will be loud and unforgiving, yet a brilliant adventure and we want Woodside Road packed to witness it.
On the back of strong club membership numbers in our first year, we are looking to grow again this season. Membership gives supporters earlier access to high-demand fixtures, local partner discounts, eligibility for club events and regular updates from us. If you can introduce a friend to the scheme then please do, it’s all about building blocks.
Men’s First-Team Squad Building
In Adam Hinshelwood, we have a manager who has navigated the National League from both ends of the table during his time at York City and that expertise is invaluable. Adam has importantly identified and secured the contracts of all the core players he wants from last season, and with first class support from Nathan and Shan, his new player recruitment process is well underway, with a clear focus on adding National League experience.
We have already welcomed Noor Husin, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Dom Hutchinson and Tyrique Clarke to the squad.
We have seen a lot of early activity from many clubs. Given the obvious constraints that comes with entering this league for the first time, we have had to be patient, deliberate and even more considered than usual. Patience over pace.
Chief Operating Officer & Venue Manager Appointments
Following an outstanding field of applicants, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Gorman as our new Chief Operating Officer. Joe takes responsibility for everything ‘off the pitch’, with a focus on revenue growth and overseeing operational delivery. He will also provide executive support to our Fan Advisory Board.
Joe brings invaluable experience from across the football pyramid, having most recently served as CEO of Hashtag United, a fast growing, digitally led Non-League club, following senior financial and commercial leadership roles at EFL side Exeter City. Joe begins his work at the Club on Monday 6th July.
This week, we also welcome Olivia De Rose, who will join Joe’s team as Venue and Marketing Manager. Olivia will take responsibility for all operational matters at the stadium and provide marketing support to help drive Commercial performance.
WFC Foundation
We’re proud to be launching the Worthing Football Club Foundation, our new charitable arm, with its own dedicated management structure and funding streams, so that our community ambitions get the focus and resource they genuinely deserve, separate from the demands of the elite Men’s, Women’s and senior Youth programmes.
As part of this launch, we’re delighted to welcome Chris Jones as our Football Development Manager, overseeing our Boys, Girls and wider community provision. Chris brings over 25 years of experience in professional football and education, including long-standing roles at Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea FC’s College Programme and The FA as a Coach Developer.
More detail on the Foundation’s plans will follow in the coming months. If you’d like to be involved – as a sponsor or volunteer – please visit the WFC Foundation page on our website, which will be up and running soon.
Freedom of the Borough
Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Cllr Caroline Baxter, has nominated Worthing Football Club for the highest honour the borough can bestow, Freedom of the Borough. This will be subject to Full Council sign off over the next couple of months. Caroline made particular reference to the contribution the Club has made in our community for generations, capped by this year’s history-making promotion. We are incredibly proud of this recognition and want to thank our local councillors and MPs for their unwavering support for the Club.
Stadium Development
You may already have heard that we have reached an agreement in principle with Worthing Pavilion Bowls Club to acquire a strategically important section of their land. Not the whole site; the Bowls Club will continue to prosper alongside us at Woodside Road.
This land unlocks three things we have needed for some time: greater capacity, more operating space and more access into and out of the ground.
Worthing is a big town with a big population, and I believe we have both the political and social support to keep progressing. This agreement is a significant step in making sure Woodside Road remains fit for purpose as we grow.
The deal is subject to contract and planning approval, so there’s nothing more to confirm on timing just yet. Whilst it’s not our natural style to amplify our project ambitions ahead of time, I expect this news to be public knowledge following a recent members meeting, so I wanted you to hear it directly from me, and to understand why it matters.
Independent Football Regulator
As a National League member, we now fall under the remit of the Independent Football Regulator – an initiative we genuinely welcome. Transparency, good governance and a more level playing field are values we already hold. We’ve met with our allocated supervisor and look forward to building a constructive and positive relationship.
Women and Girls
Competing in the London & South East Regional Women’s Division next season, after last year’s FA-enforced South-West placement, makes recruitment, retention, and logistics considerably more manageable for our Women’s team.
And it’s already showing: The Women’s team trials in June drew an excellent turnout and we have expanded our Girls pathway with new Under 14s and Under 18s teams, giving more local players the chance to play in a well-structured, supportive environment.
We are also delighted to welcome Ysobelle Thorpe as Head of Football Operations for the Women’s team, bringing real depth of knowledge in leadership and operations.
The future of Women’s football at this club is bright – and we are committed to building it sustainably from the ground up.
Boys & Youth
The continued growth of our Boys pathway is something we are extremely proud of. More than 400 players applied for our U14–U18 trials in May – an extraordinary figure that speaks to the reputation this Club is building in the community.
The quality, commitment and enthusiasm on show were a real credit to the young players involved and a reminder of what we are building here: not just a football club, but a genuine pathway for the best young talent in the area.
World Cup Event
We have had a fantastic response to our live England World Cup showings at the Club, in our 1886 lounge and FanZone. You have created a brilliant atmosphere and it’s the place to be this World Cup. If you want to join in, keep an eye on England fixtures and Club announcements.
That’s it for now.
I did say it’s been a busy few months!
Barry Hunter
Chairman, Worthing Football Club.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗