Worthing Football Club awarded Freedom of the Borough
Released: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Worthing Football Club has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the community and the town.
Councillors agreed to bestow the borough's highest civic honour on the club at a special meeting of Worthing Borough Council on Wednesday evening, 30th September 2026.
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour we can bestow on an individual or organisation and has only been awarded to a select number of recipients.
The club was nominated for the honour this summer by Councillor Caroline Baxter, the leader of the council, following the Rebels' promotion to the National League - the first time its men's team has reached this level.
However, the nomination recognised that Worthing Football Club's contribution to the town extends far beyond its achievements on the pitch. For generations, the club has been at the heart of Worthing's community, bringing people together, creating shared experiences and giving the town so much to celebrate and be proud of.
The nomination was supported by Worthing's MPs, local councillors, businesses and community organisations and discussed by the Joint Audit and Governance Committee in July, before being considered by councillors at Wednesday's special meeting.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of awarding Freedom of the Borough. Following the vote, the Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Lysanne Skinner, presented a framed, signed scroll to George Dowell, owner of Worthing Football Club, and Barry Hunter, the club's chairman.
Cllr Baxter said:
“Worthing Football Club is so much more than a football club. It's an important part of the fabric of our town, bringing generations of people together and creating a real sense of community and belonging.
“The club's promotion to the National League is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for everyone connected with Worthing, but this honour is about recognising the contribution the club has made to our community over many decades.
“It's a privilege to nominate Worthing FC for the Freedom of the Borough, and I am delighted that councillors have recognised the important place the club holds in the life of our town. This is a special moment for the club, its supporters and the wider Worthing community.”
Mr Hunter said:
“We're incredibly honoured to receive the award. It's not lost on the football club at all just how rare this civic award is, and we take a huge amount of pride in the fact that we've been granted the freedom of the borough.
“There are so many people involved with the football club, past and present, who have earned this, so it's really great that this is something that's been awarded to the club rather than anyone individually. It's absolutely a team effort, and I'm so pleased.”
Dozens of representatives from Worthing Football Club attended the special meeting at Worthing Town Hall, which was also open to members of the public.
We would like to thank the club for its enduring contribution to the town, and wish the men's and women's teams the very best for the rest of the season.
Photo: (L-R) Ralph Gilbert, Worthing Football Club board member, Councillor Caroline Baxter, leader of WBC, George Dowell, owner of Worthing Football Club, and Barry Hunter, the club's chairman
Photo: Mayor of Worthing, Councillor Lysanne Skinner, with George Dowell, owner of Worthing Football Club, and Barry Hunter, the club's chairman
Photo: Councillor Caroline Baxter, leader of Worthing Borough Council, speaking at the special council meeting
Photo: Barry Hunter, chairman of Worthing Football Club, speaking at the special council meeting
Photo: the Freedom of the Borough certificate (click for a larger zoomable image)
(PR26-088)
Page last updated: 01 October 2026