All's not well at the Albion

The relegation rule of thumb usually says that 50 points is enough to avoid the drop, but then again even stats like that are prone to a blip. Years ago, Liverpool fans crowed that they never lost when Ian Rush scored, but then one day it happened. And by the same token, someone could be relegated from League One with more than a half-century of points. It's a mild understatement when I write that, hopefully, it's not the Albion. But I fear that it could go right to the wire and end up with the Albion travelling to Cheltenham Town for the last game of the season needing a point to guarantee survival. Then again, the ever unpredictable Albion could confound us all and get a win at Swansea this Saturday, and give us two games of the chairman's longed-for anonymity. And don't forget, you can win an Albion legends DVD board game worth more than 35 by ringing the phone-in and making your nomination of your all-time Albion favourite into "Harty's Hall of Fame". Such Seagull luminaries as Peter Ward, Johnny McNicholl, Brian Horton, Norman Gall and Bobby Zamora have already made it in '” but has your all-time Albion favourite made it in yet? Get dialling at 5pm this Saturday. To my mind one of the saddest aspects of Worthing FC's relegation from the Ryman Premier last Saturday were the reports of Morty Hollis breaking down in tears while talking to the long-suffering Rebels supporters. Love or loathe him, although I've never actually met anyone who has said a bad word against him, Morty is Worthing Football Club. His tears are not of the crocodile nature. It's because he cares and what he has seen happen to the club over the last few months hurts him. I've no doubt Worthing will bounce back under the stewardship of Alan Pook with Danny Bloor assisting '” and that's said without wishing to offend Bloor, who I have known for many years. Although, given some of the abuse that he has had to endure this season from certain quarters, he might even decide that it's time to walk away and concentrate on his very successful business interests. Whatever happens, without wishing to sound like Derek Trotter, I will wager now that this time next year Worthing will be celebrating a return to the Premier. Perhaps the powers that be at the borough council might consider giving Penguin Hockey Club some kind of award for what they do for the town at this time of year? The club's annual festival is just over a fortnight away and, yet again, a large number of mixed hockey teams will converge on Worthing for the bank holiday weekend. There is no doubt that the event gives the local economy a most welcome shot in the arm. The teams pack out our local hotels, guest houses, pubs and restaurants. As an outsider looking in, I'd suggest that perhaps, rather than an award or framed certificate, next year the Council could let the club put the whole event on at one venue, Hill Barn and Rotary, which to my mind would make it even better than it is now, which is saying something. Finally, good luck to all of our local runners taking part in Sunday's London Marathon. Hopefully, everyone will record their targeted times and all the worthy causes will benefit with much-needed funds.