Dowell quizzed on Worthing’s future

Members of the public put questions forward to the board and Dowell, who came in to help the club last month after reading about the club’s plight at the end of last year.

It was revealed during the meeting that the club’s debt has been wiped out by Dowell and Rebels head of finance John Whyte said: “We can confirm that George has come in and wiped all the debt at the club.

“The only thing that remains here now is that the VAT is still outstanding. We are in the process of sorting that out, with a good deal with HMRC.

“It’s fair to say, without George, it would have been difficult to continue, so thanks to him for coming here.”

Questions were also asked about future improvements to Woodside Road and if the club will have a playing budget next season.

With work on the 3G surface at Woodside Road well underway, Dowell is also looking at further improvements and said: “We are hoping to refurbish the terrace bar and make it into a bar/cafe.

“Sky Sports will also be available and we are looking at having it open all the time.

“It will allow people to come into the ground and watch matches on TV and bring interest into the club, not just on a matchday.

“The hope is this will be a real hub of football in Worthing.

“Obviously, we have got the new 3G pitch going in and that should be completed in July.

“We are also looking at having a reception area put in, so a face will be at the club and anyone who has any questions will be able to get them answered.

“The aim for us here now is to make this a real hub for football and have people coming here, not just on matchdays.”

Dowell launched a crowdfunder campaign last week as he looks to make improvements to the main stand. The aim is to raise £15,000, so the stand can be returned to its former glory.

Dowell said: “The aim of the project is to try to raise the money and get that stand back to its former glory.”

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“I’m hopeful that, with the people around this club and in Worthing, we should be able to raise that figure.

“We’re on target at this early stage and, hopefully, it will remain that way.

““The reason we are aiming for that amount is because that is the cost and we did not want to be asking for more from anyone else, so that’s why we aimed for that figure.”