Southport F.C.
Southport had another good FA Cup run in 1965–66 when they reached the fifth round (last sixteen) and were beaten 2–0 by Hull City at Boothferry Park.This game was watched by 300 spectators including many women supporters and resulted in a 1–1 draw, Ambler scoring for Southport following a neat pass from Arthur Dalby.Mr James of Hoghton Street was appointed Honorary Treasurer, Edwin Ramsbottom Secretary and an executive committee was formed.B. Watson explaining the objects of the club said it was likely to place Southport in the front rank of football with the certain result of bringing increased crowds of visitors to the town and it was confirmed that “Foreign talent” would be introduced by paying players.There was a record gate of 3,500 and North End won 4-2 even though Central were re-inforced for the occasion by Forbes, Townley and Southworth of Blackburn Rovers.The club's first promotion came at the end of the 1966–67 season, when they finished as runners-up in the Fourth Division behind Stockport County under the guidance of Billy Bingham, who later went on to manage the Northern Irish national team.Kettle had a difficult task from the off, his first season in charge saw him start with only three players Andy Johnston, Stuart Bimson and club captain Rob Sturgeon.[2] After a poor start to the season which saw the club in the relegation places until mid-October after bringing in several new players such as Ossie Smith, Bob Howard, Steve Whitehall, Steve Holden, Peter Wright, Alan McDonald, the returning Ian Baines and for the third time Tony Quinn they finished the season in a very respectable seventh place in the Northern Premier League, albeit 38 points off the champions Colne Dynamoes who were not accepted for promotion and ultimately folded.In the 2005–06 season, Southport spent much of their time at the bottom of the table, but managed to secure survival with a five-game unbeaten run culminating in a 1–1 away draw with third-placed Grays Athletic on 25 April.In 2006 the club changed to full-time, with Liam Watson moving to Burscough at the end of the season a new manager in Paul Cook was appointed.The only other match which saw the Maamria-Whitehall manager team was a 2–1 defeat in the FA Trophy at the hands of Salisbury before Peter Davenport, who had previously had an unbeaten spell as caretaker-manager of the club in 2001, was named as Cook's successor two weeks later.Peter Davenport also brought in goalkeeper Richard Whiteside, midfielder Dave Prout and right back Chris Lever after trials from Oldham.The biggest news in the transfer period for Southport fans however, was the departure of star right winger Carl Baker to Morecambe, for a fee believed to be £50,000.[6] On 30 June 2008 the club's official website confirmed that Liam Watson had rejoined Southport as first team manager following his resignation from Burscough.[7] This change saw the arrival of numerous part-time players, following Watson from Burscough including Conference North top scorer Ciaran Kilheeney, Watson's co-Players of the Year – Adam Flynn and Anthony McMillan, as well former Southport players, Matty McGinn, Earl Davis, Robbie Booth and Steve Daly.During that season Tony Gray and John Doolan departed the club, as well as Craig Noone, who moved to Championship side Plymouth Argyle.However the good form didn't last long, a run of 8 straight defeats away from home saw Wright's side drop to the lower half of the table.[13] His replacement was named just a day later on Saturday 8 December 2013, as John Coleman, former Accrington Stanley manager, who had previously played for Southport over 25 years earlier.[16] Despite a run in the FA Cup culminating in a spirited third round defeat to Championship side Derby County, Brabin's spell was short lived, accepting an academy role with Everton.Carden's team started the 2015–16 season in poor form, leading to his departure from the club in November 2015, Dino Maamria became Southport's seventh manager since April 2013 shortly after.[18] Andy Preece was appointed Manager on 8 February, their eleventh since April 2013[19] but another poor run of form saw them slip to the foot of the table in March.[20] Following confirmation of relegation, long term chairman Charlie Clapham announced he would be stepping from the board of directors on 21 April 2017, along with vice-chairman Sam Shrouder.[21] On 15 May 2017 it was announced that local accountant and supporter James Treadwell would become the club's new chairman, his first appointment was to welcome back former manager Mark Wright as Head of Development.[27] It was confirmed during the summer of 2019 that Phil Hodgkinson would step down as Southport's owner and director so that he could replace Dean Hoyle as majority shareholder and chairman of Championship club Huddersfield Town.[28] On his departure from Southport, Hodgkinson sold his shares to Ian Kyle, Steve Porter and manager, Liam Watson, to create a new-look boardroom.[29] Long serving manager Liam Watson stepped back from this role after a poor start to the 2023/34 season, to focus on his position as Club Director.On 27 October 2023, it was announced that Big Help Group had acquired Southport FC and become the majority shareholder following the purchase of Ian Kyle's shares."[30] He added that he intends to submit planning permissions with Sefton Council for this project, in a bid to get the "off the field facilities right", so they have better chances of being accepted into the Football League.
Southport Rugby Football ClubSouthport Australian Football ClubHaig AvenueJim BentleyNational League North2023–24Home coloursAway coloursassociation footballSouthportMerseysideEnglish football league systemLancashire LeagueLancashire CombinationThe Central LeagueFootball League Third Division NorthThe Football LeagueFootball League Fourth DivisionNorthern Premier LeagueFootball Conferencetier 5 National LeaguerelegatedFA Cup1930–31 tournamentEvertonGoodison ParkFA Cup run in 1965–66Hull CityBoothferry ParkFootball League CupFA Trophy1997–98Wembley StadiumCheltenham TownList of Southport F.C. seasonsWelsh internationalThomas Blundell BurnettEnglish Football AssociationsLiverpool RamblersPreston North EndBlackburn RoversCentral LeagueVulcan Motor CompanyThird Division NorthNewcastle UnitedFourth DivisionThird Division SouthStockport CountyBilly BinghamNorthern Irishvoted outWigan Athletic.Rochdale1986–87Brian KettleSteve WhitehallTony QuinnColne DynamoesWembleyKidderminster HarriersConference NorthConference NationalGrays AthleticYork CityExeter CityClayton DonaldsonCarl BakerMorecambeGary BrabinStalybridge CelticCambridge UnitedLiam WatsonJohn DoolanCraig NoonePlymouth ArgyleEastwood TownFleetwood TownLancashire FA Challenge TrophyClitheroeReebok Stadium2010–11Rushden & DiamondsAlan WrightJohn HillsJohn ColemanAccrington StanleyMartin FoyleChampionshipDerby CountyPaul CardenAlex Russellclub legend of the same nameDino MaamriaAndy BishopAndy PreeceDover AthleticMark WrightKevin DaviesBrackley TownscoutingScunthorpe UnitedDean HoyleHuddersfield TownAndy BurgessSefton CouncilNPL Premier DivisionNeil RobinsonPromotedCiaran KilheeneyShaun WhalleyRichard BrodieNational LeagueLouis AlmondJamie AllenJason GilchristJack SampsonSeason SuspendedDavid MorganJordan ArcherMarcus CarverSport EnglandMatthew ThomsonJack DoyleJosh WilliamsTranmere RoversNathaniel Knight-Percival