Sammy Donnelly admits he has never seen anything like it in 25 years of football management.
The Worthing boss this week recalled vastly experienced defender Damian Webber and revealed: "He has offered to play for us for nothing.
"I have never seen a former professional do anything like that before and I take my hat off to him. People knock the ex-pros but here is one who is putting something back into the game at our level.
"It's just as well he said he would play because I lost Stuart Tuck with flu."
Webber was released by Worthing just over a week ago as the club looked to rebuild for next season.
Financial concerns have rarely been far from the surface at Woodside this season and the board met on Monday to review the club's situation.
Webber's availability immediately alerted County League big guns Wick and Burgess Hill, as well as his former manager John Maggs at Horsham. But Webber was keen to stay at Woodside and lined up alongside new signing Geoff Ward as Rebels ended their long winless run by beating hosts Aylesbury 2-1.
Donnelly added: "We needed that. We have been playing well for half a game at a time but not maintaining it over the full 90 minutes."
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