Industry Innovation and Infrastructure

In these times of financial challenge, the ability to innovate can open up options to enable us to adapt, survive and thrive. It’s been said that being creative is a mindset that can be developed with practice and is helped by being curious, trying new and different things, as well as keeping an open mind: just because things are done a certain way, doesn’t mean they always have been, or always will be�

Looking back over Worthing Football Club’s history, where we have been at Woodside Road for over 100 years, there has clearly been more going on than ‘just’ football!

These photos were kindly shared by a friend who attended the Sandhurst School’s sports day at Woodside in around 1963 – so even 60 years ago WFC was supporting the local Community! As you can see, in those days, at the Club it was “anything goes” on the pitch� Track and field events were taking place, although we’re guessing the javelin event would have been too dangerous, bearing in mind the spectators were sitting on chairs on the pitch enjoying a cup of tea� Who knows what dents the shot-put could have made in the ground�

However, there were also traditional sports day activities at the competition: Our friend came third in the egg and spoon race, an event that she still reflects on with some pride� We wonder how many of the people there would have guessed that 60 years on we would have a 3G pitch�

This new, artificial pitch was a particular innovation introduced when George bought the Club� Taking up the grass pitch was a significant change for the Club and the Community� Unlike a grass

Worthing Football Club pitch, which can become waterlogged and unusable, it can be used every day�

This opened the door to all of the Community activities that we are now able to support� In addition our Women’s, Men’s, Senior and Youth teams playing in their traditional leagues, we have a range of different uses too, such as our recreational walking footballers, inclusive team and drop-in development centre for children� We have also had some new types of events, not only Charity Matches (such as the Manchester United Legends v Worthing Legends to fundraise for Deafkidz United) but ‘non-football’ events, such as Turning Tides Big Sleep Out last June�

It’s not just on the pitch that new approaches are being developed� We are working with our neighbours at the Pavilion Bowls to promote both of our Clubs� Our bar has always been available for hire for parties and celebrations, and now we also have “Yoga with Bev” every Friday morning; Sporting Memories with Dementia Friendly Worthing meeting on Thursday mornings� Our separate Board Room is also available for hire, with some subsidised rates for local charities and businesses�