WORTHING FC ARE ISTHMIAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Worthing fans celebrate promotion and the title / Picture: Worthing FC-Mike Gunn

It was clinched with a 2-0 win at Bowers courtesy of goals by Ollie Pearce and Jasper Pattenden in front of a large and ultimately jubilant following of Rebels fans.

Focus had to come before any celebrations for Worthing FC.

Worthing have been pressing for promotion from the Isthmian premier to the National South - step two of the non-league pyramid - for three long seasons.

They led the table with just ten games to go when the 2019-20 non-league season was declared null and void - to the despair of everyone at Woodside Road. Then they were top again when the 2020-21 season suffered an earlier curtailment, with more than half the games still to be played.

Picture special from Worthing's win over one of their biggest title rivals.

Adam Hinshelwood and his players have been relentless in their pursuit of the dream and have led the table again from very early in this campaign, despite one or two early setbacks.

Worthing and Hastings close in on their prizes.

Worthing players celebrate / Picture: Worthing FC-Mike Gunn

Now, at last, Worthing and their growing fan-base - they have regularly been pulling in more than 1,000 at home games - can look forward to playing at he highest level they have known.

There will be big celebrations to come, including at their final two home matches, which have made all-ticket because of anticipated demand.

Poignantly today's game came a day after Worthing FC and their fans said goodbye to loyal fan Kev Golds at his funeral.