was followed two years later by a return to the Premier Division under John Robson, although Worthing finished bottom in their first season back in the Premier Division and were to remain in Division One until 2004 when the re-organisation of the English football league system saw them moved back to the Premier Division. They were relegated at the end of the 2006–07 season. The club then reached the play-offs under manager Alan Pook two seasons in a row, losing both matches without scoring a goal. Unknown young manager, Simon Colbran then took the helm and soon became a fans' favourite as the Rebels topped the league for much of Autumn and Winter. Despite several budget cuts, the Rebels finished third and narrowly missed out in the playoffs at home to Godalming. Former Brighton & Hove Albion player Adam Hinshelwood was appointed Worthing manager in December 2013 and lost his first game away at Burgess Hill 4–1. In January 2015 the playing budget at the club was completely cut and its debts revealed to be around £200,000. The future of the club looked in serious doubt until March 2015 when local football enthusiast, and former Worthing youth team player, George Dowell became the majority shareholder in the club, with plans to invest in its slow growth. On 10 June 2015, Hinshelwood resigned from the club to take up a full-time coaching post at Brighton & Hove Albion, and was replaced by assistant manager Jon Meeney and 29-year-old defender Gary Elphick. In 2016, Worthing were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division via the play-offs, having finished the 2015–16 season in third place in the southern division. In late 2017, Adam Hinshelwood returned to the club as first team manager. In the 2019–20 season, Worthing led the Premier Division and were favourites for promotion when the season was terminated early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2021–22 season, the club were more successful and promotion to the National League South was confirmed following a 2–0 victory over Bowers & Pitsea. They also reached the Sussex Senior Cup final but were defeated 4–2 by Brighton & Hove Albion at Falmer Stadium. League history notes: * Won promotion to Isthmian League Premier Division via play-offs (*) Includes 5 games played at Bognor, average at Woodside Road was 708 Ground A sports ground opened on the Woodside Road site as early as 1892