Harty on Kevin Pietersen and Worthing Rugby Club

Clearly, that wouldn’t happen on the BBC now but our national cricket team still seems to be blighted by a trouble-maker from the African continent.

To be frank, I’m not a fan of Kevin Pietersen. For me, it stems from the first England game at the new Wembley, when an excited 12-year-old Harty junior spotted him making his way down to his seat at Club Wembley.

We were close enough for the obligatory autograph and perhaps even photo. Sadly, I had to steer Sam away because, as KP approached, it was clear even though it was 6.30pm, he was obviously “tired and emotional”.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone likes a drink, but as Inspector Clouseau once said to Kato “there is a time and a place”. At a huge sporting event, one of the top cricketers in the country and a hero to thousands of youngsters should have behaved better.

Now, it appears his texting and general behaviour has all but destroyed one of the most successful dressing rooms English cricket has had in years – now replaced at the top of both the Test and one-day rankings by South Africa.

I wonder if KP has already received the text from Johannesburg “Congratulations, Agent Pietersen, mission accomplished, return to base.”

l Club members have been invited to Worthing Rugby Club on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of the club relocating from Roundstone Lane to a new state-of-the-art facility.

Not exactly earth-shattering news because speculation has been rife for months.

I’ve never made any secret of the fact that I’ve been a huge admirer over the years of the way the club is run, and have stated on numerous occasions that perhaps some of our local football clubs should look at their template on the commercial and social side.

The big question is, can Worthing RFC make the next step?

For me, it’s a resounding yes. This is not the likes of Greg Stanley and Bill Archer selling a ground for mere financial gain.

When, or even if, Roundstone Lane is sold, it will be with a clear vision for the club and its future.

But where will they re-locate to?

Again, rumours abound, with talk of this “site” and that “site”.

One in particular is head and shoulders above the rest in both size and location. Needless to say, if it’s right for the club, both present and future, it will happen. If not, Worthing still have a facility the envy of a large number of rugby clubs up and down the country.