Worthing, who play Gateshead next, have been given the Freedom of the Borough by their local authority. This civic award acknowledges the team's promotion to the National League, where they currently occupy eighth place before their upcoming match.
The local council voted unanimously to present this honour to the football club. It celebrates the team reaching the highest level of non-league football over a century after it was formed.
Club owner George Dowell MBE, a former youth player who purchased the team following a life-changing accident, stated the recognition was for all associated with Worthing. He called it "an immense honour for everyone connected with Worthing Football Club."
Council leader Caroline Baxter, who put the club forward for the award, highlighted its broader role. She described it as "so much more than a football club," adding it was "the highest civic award that can be given, and the club deserves it for its contribution to the community."
Baxter also mentioned the club's positive league standing and suggested the achievement benefits the wider area. This presents a significant challenge for Gateshead, who are aiming to stop a run of defeats.
Gateshead are near the foot of the National League table with a low points total from their matches. Their recent performances include several losses in a row, with a narrow home defeat in their last outing. They host Worthing needing a positive outcome to move up from their low position.
