Film focus on 'sleeping giant' saved by chairman

"You don't need to be a football fan to watch," says Worthing FC chairman

A new documentary which tells the story of how a former football player took over his club after a life-changing car crash is being screened for the first time on Tuesday.

George Dowell, who was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash when he was 17-years-old, bought his beloved Worthing FC, the club he played for as a teen.

Since the takeover, which he funded with his compensation money, the club has been promoted twice and now plays in National League South - which is the highest level in the club's history.

He said: "I'm apprehensive (about the film) but the producers have done a good job with it. You don't need an understanding of the club to watch the documentary."

Mr Dowell joined Worthing FC in 2008 as a 16-year-old player in the youth team before earning a couple of appearances on the bench before his accident in April 2010.

By 2014, the club had debts of almost £200,000, but the following year, aged 22, Mr Dowell came to its rescue and became one of the youngest football club owners in the country.

The club installed a new 3G pitch after Mr Dowell took over

He told BBC South East: "I think (the documentary) portrays what football ownership is like and last season was a good one to film - both on the pitch as we did well and also off the pitch as my daughter was born."

"I didn't think it would happen after the first phone call but the cameras came down and the contracts were signed quickly after that.

"You don't need to be a football fan to watch - I hope this can inspire and encourage people."

George Dowell was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash when he was 17

Worthing FC - nicknamed the Rebels - were struggling to attract crowds of 200 when Mr Dowell took charge.

In November 2023, the average gate at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium was about 1,500.

He said: "My proudest moment is that the club is now running self-sustainably. We aren't just pouring money in. We have been like this for seven years now and only spend what we generate.

"Hopefully the documentary can give the club another platform.

"It is a sleeping giant and it is a real shame it has never been in the English Football League."

The Club that George Built is premiering on TNT Sport and Discovery+ on Tuesday night.