Capacity Upgrade Works Planned For Worthing FC

The pitch and stand at Worthing Football Club As a condition of their promotion last season, Worthing Football Club have to ensure they meet the minimum ground grading criteria for a Step 2 club in the National League (South). As a promoted club, they have been given until March 31st of their first season to complete any necessary works.

Following an extensive period of consultation with the National League, the most significant work identified is to increase the ground capacity to a minimum of 3,000 people.

A detailed plan has been prepared by the Club in consultation with the National League and its advisors. The works have now started so The Rebels are explaining these plans to ensure their supporters understand what is happening and why. There are 2 main parts to this capacity upgrade.

Firstly, the old west end stepped terracing is not considered fit for purpose and does not contribute towards any capacity in the ground. To qualify they need to remove the narrow terraced slabs, which will be broken up and carted away and replaced with a levelled tar-macadam floor, across the whole width of the west terrace.

Secondly, the installation of a number of crush barriers along the covered and uncovered East Terrace. This will provide greater crowd safety measures, providing an automatic improvement to ground capacity.

The Club have chosen these specific works as they provide the most cost effective impact on capacity. The total project amounts to £56,000 and will be funded from club operating proceeds, a donation from the WFCSA and a large grant from the Premier League Stadium Fund.

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Chairman Barry Hunter commented: “Firstly I would like to thank WFCSA for their continued support to the club, it’s really appreciated. Secondly to the Football Foundation and Premier League for their necessary grant funding. Following the works, the new ground capacity is estimated to be 3,250, which will be suitably above the required minimum for Step 2”.

The club will keep disruption down to a minimum but the plan will mean that the West end terracing will not accessible from any part of the ground on the following scheduled home games: Sunday 19th February (Women v Fulham), Tuesday 21st February (Men v Dulwich Hamlet), Saturday 25th February (Men v Hungerford Town).

In preparation for the west terrace works, the old covered west stand has been dismantled and will be moved off site.

The club have a number of development priorities around the stadium and need to make sure that their investments are prioritised. This means for now, they will only complete the absolute minimum necessary to fulfil their capacity obligations.

Unfortunately, for this reason, at least for the time being, they are unlikely to replace the west end covered stand as this is not a ground grading requirement at Step 2. The Club will however review all its ground development options and priorities over the coming months.

The Club recognises that this will reduce their already limited covered terracing and it is not ideal at all. But they must navigate through these ground upgrades within their spending boundaries. This is going to take patience and the Club want to thank everyone who will be affected by this disruption for their understanding.

The Club have advised that if you are visiting please be vigilant around the ground during this work period but be reassured that all other areas and facilities will be in full operation as usual.

Image credit: Worthing Football Club.