HARTY: On Worthing FC, Falmer and darts

The usual mud-slinging has started in certain quarters on the internet, although I would ask any of these faceless critics, would there now be a Worthing FC without Morty Hollis?

But, while he has saved the club on numerous occasions in the past, is this one fight too many for the Rebels warhorse?

I hope not because, whatever transpires at the club, I would hope Morty is involved in some capacity until he chooses not to.

Is what is happening at Woodside mirrored right around the football pyramid?

For example, some fans may not realise that a change in local government rate relief means the club now have to find 1,000 rates each month that they didn't this time last year.

In paying players, Worthing, as they do everything by the book, have to incur tax and NI contributions. And, while I understand fans' frustrations and their calculations regarding income against attendances, if only it were that easy.

I've been asked on a number of occasions, by people both formerly inside and outside the club, would I, with other local businessmen, get involved at Worthing and, to be honest, it's a difficult one.

Part of me, and others, wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. But, then again, this is Worthing, our town, and a football club that is potentially, aside from the Albion, one of the biggest clubs in the county, yet has underachieved on a grand scale down the years.

From an outsider looking in, the real stumbling block is not the current financial situation, that I believe with careful but realistic budgeting can be overcome. It's the fact that no one coming in with any business acumen is going to want to inherit a near six-figure debt incurred by the previous regime.

If the people that got the Rebels into that trouble, and we go back a number of years with some familiar names, are prepared to take some of the responsibility for a large part of those debts, then I think there could be a way forward. Otherwise, I really am fearful for the club's future.

Monday night's sparse attendance at Colchester is a clear message about the dangers of live football on the TV and the fact that, in any new ground after the honeymoon period, the attendances are not a reflection of the ticket prices, but ultimately what is being served up on the pitch.

The facilities at Falmer are superb and will come at an acceptable price for all budgets, providing the club, after the impressive investment, finally, off the field, then turn their attentions to giving Gus Poyet the funds to produce a team worthy of playing on it.

Top-class darts returns to Sussex next Thursday (March 18), at the Coco Lounge, Littlehampton. A four-man competition takes place between former BDO World Champions Jelle Klaasen and Mark Webster, former World Matchplay champion Robert Thornton and one of the current hottest properties on the darts scene, Paul Nicholson, recent conqueror of Phil Taylor on ITV in the Players Championship.

For a night of this darting magnitude, tickets are a very reasonable 15 and can be purchased by ringing James Stephenson on 07870 880637.

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