Barry Lloyd was appointed manager in 1981 and the Division 2 title was won in 1981-82, with prolific goal-scorer Micky Edmonds scoring 53 goals. In 1982-83 we won the Division 1 title and reached the 2nd Round of the FA Cup, losing 4-0 at Oxford United. The next 2 seasons saw Worthing finish as runners-up in the Premier Division to Harrow Borough and Sutton United, respectively.

At the end of 1984-85 the Club’s main stand burnt down. In 1985-86 we reached the last 16 of the FA Trophy; then Barry Lloyd left to join Brighton & Hove Albion and the following year Worthing were relegated from the Premier Division. Four years later we had a disastrous season, finishing bottom of Division 1 with only 10 points and having conceded 157 goals.

Former Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong was appointed manager in 1991-92 and the following season Worthing became the first club to win Division 2 for a second time.

Armstrong left in the summer of 1994 to be replaced by his coach John Robson. Premier Division status was regained as runners-up to Boreham Wood in his first season and the FA Cup 1st Round reached again (losing 3-1 at AFC Bournemouth after taking the lead).

Worthing finished bottom in their first season back in the Premier and Robson was replaced as manager. Others followed before Brian Donnelly became manager at Christmas 1996. Under Donnelly’s leadership, Worthing staged a remarkable late season recovery, winning their last 5 games to escape relegation on the last day. “Sammy” was to remain manager until November 2001 when Barry Lloyd returned for his second spell in charge.

In 1998-99 we were finalists in the Isthmian League Full Members’ Cup and won the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 21 years. 1999-00 saw us reach the FA Cup 1st Round for a 4th time, losing at Rotherham United.