'Huge degree of belief' Worthing FC chairman relishing Rebels' National League kick-off
On the eve of Worthing FC’s landmark first game in the National League, at Carlisle United this Saturday, Rebels chairman Barry Hunter, in an exclusive interview with the Herald’s Ian Hart, has given an update on what’s been happening at Woodside Road since the club clinched the National league South title in April.
“We knew ahead of joining the National League just how much bigger everything is: crowds, stadiums, costs, revenue, travel, jeopardy, reward. Everything is on a completely different scale and it’s our job to make sure everything about our operation, on and off the pitch, is fit for purpose,.” said Hunter
This summer has seen the departure of former operations manager Keith Mitchell.
“When we hired Keith, early in our National League South tenure, we had to strengthen operationally, especially on a matchday around crowd management, stadium safety, supporter experience, ground grading,” said Hunter.
"I knew Keith and knew he had the right skill-set and experience for that important job. But with him moving on, we have bottled all of that knowledge and expertise, introduced some new people into the management group who can oversee its delivery while adding some important commercial knowhow into this senior role.
"We are in a footballing world where revenue really counts. With IFR, our ability to spend is going to be a function of our ability to earn. It’s an important discipline which we have and want to embrace, so driving revenue is fundamental. Keith’s departure gave us the opportunity to re-focus the role and following an extensive search, in Joe Gorman, we have found that person.
“Joe is grounded in financial and commercial roles in both wider industry and the football sector. His time at Exeter City and especially Hashtag United, has also given him important experience in remote digitally based audiences that is becoming more and more of a feature of modern-day football.”
Player recruitment ahead of the new season is another key factor and Hunter was quick to praise manager Adam Hinshelwood and sporting director Nathan Bowen on that score.
“We started our squad building from the ground up, starting with the players that won the title last season. We managed to keep all the players Adam and Nathan had targeted, from which we have added six or seven players, with a focus on National League experience, blended with some young dynamic and ambitious talent on loan from league clubs.”
Hunter reiterated that Worthing won’t over-stretch themselves on the budgetary front.
“As I have said, everything in this league is bigger and more expensive, We have to recognise our place on the budget front, be wise, act smart, be patient and very disciplined. It’s a huge learning curve but I am confident in the team and the board is pleased with the work so far in building the squad.”
After their longest trip of the season to Carlisle this Saturday, the following Saturday the Rebels will entertain Forest Green Rovers in their opening home fixture, so what difference will the average Worthing fan encounter when they come through the turnstiles on August 15?
“I will answer that question in two parts,” said Hunter. “Firstly, some things won’t change at all. We take a lot of confidence in how we behave and who we are, our DNA on and off the pitch. Those characteristics are what have got us to this point and we believe will help us continue to prosper.
Where I do sense a step change is in the mood around the club, on and off the terraces. I sense a huge degree of belief, a recognition of what has been achieved and a sense of belonging. I really like that, it’s very positive around the club. We know the size of our borough and the opportunity that presents.
“However, I also sense that supporters recognise we are in a whole new world of challenge, that patience is going to be needed, that it’s an iterative process where we need to fine tune things as we go. In a world where many of our supporters have only known success, I sense that most do have a good grasp of reality and recognise that this is going to be a marathon and not a sprint.”
So it starts on Saturday at Carlisle, the longest journey of the season against many people’s favourites for the title, with the largest home crowd and one of the biggest stadiums in the league.
“It’s a great introduction to the league and with any Adam Hinshelwood squad, we will go to compete. I also want to acknowledge the supporters making the trip, it’s brilliant to see and we are really blessed to have such a great following, home and away,” Hunter added.
With a projected 200-plus fans travelling the near 750-mile round trip, it’s clear just how important this history making day is for the club.