New manager Chris Agutter heads into his first season in charge at the club, hoping to continue the improvement of 4th and 3rd place finishes in the last two seasons.
He’s already set about reshaping the squad with the early arrivals of Chris Haigh, Sam Beard, Ollie Black, Tyrese Owen and Tommy Willard and supporters will get their first look of the new signings on Saturday 13th July.
The construction of the brand new North Stand at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium over the summer means no friendlies will take place on home soil.
The first trip of pre-season is a short one west up the A27 to face Chichester City, who will be preparing for their first ever season at step 3 following promotion from Isthmian League South East Division via the play-offs.
Chi have been regular pre-season opponents in the past but the two sides haven’t met since 2020 when they played out three non-competitive fixtures around Covid-curtailed league campaigns.
Next up, it’s a trip east this time to face old rivals Lewes at the Dripping Pan on Saturday 20th July.
A memorable strike by Jesse Starkey secured the three points the last time the Reds travelled to Lewes in March 2022, on the way to winning the Isthmian League Premier Division title.
A meeting with old friends Whitehawk at the Enclosed Ground follows on Saturday 27th July, a ground Rebels fans haven’t visited since 2019.
Poole Town of the Southern League Premier Division South are the only non-Sussex opponents. The Rebels travel to Dorset on Tuesday 30th July.
Pre-season comes to a close on Sunday 4th August at the home of historical rivals Bognor Regis Town.
The list of pre-season fixtures in full:
13 July — vs Chichester City (a), 3pm
20 July — vs Lewes (a), 3pm
27 July — vs Whitehawk (a), 3pm
30 July — vs Poole Town (a), 7.45pm
4 August — vs Bognor Regis Town (a), 2pm
There will also be a handful of other opportunities to see a Worthing XI in action at Lancing on Tuesday 16th July and Littlehampton Town on Friday 26th July.
The Vanarama National League South season gets underway on Saturday 10th August with fixtures expected to be released in early July.
