Worthing celebrates the community behind its football club

News Desk 2026-10-06 14:17 2 min read

Huddersfield Town football fans marching through the streets in the United Kingdom

By UW99 editorial team | Source published: 1 October 2026

Worthing Football Club has received the Freedom of the Borough, the town’s highest civic honour, following a unanimous vote by Worthing Borough Council on 30 September 2026.

The award recognises the club’s contribution to community life over generations. Its men’s team’s first promotion to the National League prompted the nomination, but councillors recognised a contribution extending beyond results on the pitch.

Worthing celebrates the community behind its football club

Unanimous award at Worthing Town Hall

Councillors approved the honour at a special meeting attended by dozens of club representatives and open to the public. The Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Lysanne Skinner, then presented a framed, signed scroll to club owner George Dowell and chairman Barry Hunter.

According to Adur and Worthing Councils News, the Freedom of the Borough has been awarded to only a select number of recipients. This award belongs to the football club as an organisation, recognising the collective contribution of people involved across its history.

Council leader Caroline Baxter nominated the club during the summer. Worthing’s MPs, local councillors, businesses and community organisations supported the nomination, which the Joint Audit and Governance Committee discussed in July before the September vote.

Recognition for generations of community involvement

Baxter said the club had brought generations together, creating shared experiences and a sense of belonging. She described promotion to the National League as a proud achievement, while stressing that the honour recognised decades of community contribution.

Hunter welcomed recognition for the club collectively, including people involved both past and present. He said: “It’s absolutely a team effort, and I’m so pleased.”

Source: Adur and Worthing Councils News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

The award, dates and community context were checked against the supplied council announcement.

Checks

The council report records a unanimous vote on 30 September 2026.
The source identifies the Freedom of the Borough as the borough's highest civic honour.
National League promotion is presented as nomination background, rather than a new sportin...
The report attributes the award to the club's contribution over generations.

Adur and Worthing Councils News Search for independent coverage