Worthing FC made history over the weekend as they secured promotion to the National League following a 2-0 win over Ebbsfleet United. The victory saw the Rebels secure the National League South title, meaning they will play fifth-tier football for the first time in the club’s history next season.
In an exclusive interview with Isabelle Martin, former captain Aarran Racine spoke about what Worthing should expect from the National League and the potential struggles they will face.
Racine has plenty of National League experience, having made 116 appearances for Forest Green Rovers and Torquay United, scoring eight goals and registering two assists.
Despite playing for Worthing 145 times since 2018, Racine insisted he couldn’t take “too much credit” for Worthing’s rise over the last few years.
He said: “I think getting into the league with the team we had and stabilising ourselves in the league above, I played a part. But I probably can’t take any credit for what’s going on now at the club because I made one appearance this year, and that game we drew, so I didn’t really do much.
“I’d like to think I played some part in terms of the foundations and what got us there, but that’s along with many other players that played that role as well.”
The leap from the National League South to the National League can be a tough one, but Racine believes Worthing will be able to cope.
The 34-year-old said: “From experience, it’s a big jump. But I think Worthing have got the framework and the infrastructure to cope. They have all the facilities they need to compete.
“One thing they’ll struggle with is the catchment area in terms of players because the league above will be a lot more physical, not just aggressive, but physically fitter, stronger. In Sussex, that’s not the criteria of a lot of players around here.
“I didn’t expect us to do so well in our first and second season in the league we’re in now. In the second season, we were competing at the top and got into the play-offs, so I think they’ll be fine. But it will be a bigger challenge than what they’ve experienced.”
For the current members of the squad, Racine provided some advice as they prepare for their toughest season yet in 2026/27.
He said: “I look back on what I didn’t do, which probably prevented me from going higher, and it’s just the willingness and desire to do things right off the pitch.
“I think I was all in at football when I was there, but off the pitch, I probably didn’t do enough of the right things to kick on and be one better.”
The central defender retired in November 2025 after suffering a significant injury earlier in the season.
During the full-time celebrations at Woodside Road over the weekend, Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood wore Racine’s shirt as a mark of respect for what he had done for the club.
Speaking to The Argus, Hinshelwood said: “Aarran went through a tough time [as interim boss]. I am still really good friends with him and I thought he did a phenomenal job.
“It was a bit of respect for him. I have got so much time for him. He was close to having this moment and enjoying this moment and it’s a bit of a shout to him.”
Written by Isabelle Martin
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