INSPIRATIONAL Worthing FC owner George Dowell is toasting the perfect start to 2024 after being made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
Wheelchair-bound Dowell, 31, was given the award for services to football and to disability awareness.
Dowell was left paralysed from the chest down after a horrific car accident at the age of 17.
A former player of the club, he used the compensation he received to take control of the Rebels and duly wiped out the club’s debts, while delivering vast improvements at Woodside Road, including the installation of a brand new 3G pitch.
Dowell, who has just become a father, said he was “blown away” by the honour.
“I thought it was a scam,” he told The Argus. “I was completely shocked by it, to be honest. I honestly don’t know how I got it. I did ask, ‘how did this come about?’. I guess someone has put my name forward.
“Although I never set out to buy the club to inspire people, we get messages from other people in my situation saying they see my story and it gives them hope. That is always nice to hear.
“I can’t quite believe I will have the letters MBE at the end of my name.”
