Worthing

The club initially played home matches in People’s Park, moving to Beach House Park in 1889. The club’s early years involved friendly matches and participation in the Sussex Senior Cup, winning their first tie in 1886 against Brighton Hornets. They won their first Senior Cup in 1893, a feat they would repeat 21 times, the latest in 1999. Worthing was a founding member of the West Sussex Senior League in 1896 and won their first championship in the 1898-99 season. The club dropped the name “Association” in 1899, entered the FA Cup and FA Amateur Cup, and merged with Worthing Athletic in 1900, moving to its current home, Woodside Road, in 1901.

In 1977, Worthing joined the Isthmian League Division 2, marking a period of success under manager Barry Lloyd, including winning the Division 2 title in 1981-82 and the Division 1 title in 1982-83. The club faced challenges in the mid-1980s, including relegation and a disastrous season in 1989-90. However, they saw resurgence in the early 1990s, with former Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong leading them to win Division 2 in 1992-93. Under various managers, including a return of Barry Lloyd, the club continued to compete in cups, winning the Sussex Senior Cup in 1999 and celebrating 100 years at Woodside Road in 2001.

The 21st century brought mixed fortunes for Worthing FC. The club experienced relegation and managerial changes, yet achieved moments of success, such as promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division and strong cup performances. The George Dowell era, beginning in 2015, saw significant investment in the club’s facilities and a return to the top flight of the Ryman League. Despite challenges like COVID-19, the club continued to develop, with youth teams excelling and the women’s team achieving notable successes. The club navigated through the pandemic’s impact on football, with various teams topping their divisions and the first team maintaining competitive performances.