Southport in the nationals

[Southport - TOWNER]

Full article taken from the Telegraph.

 

Dependable Southport start making waves

By Ricky George

(Filed: 22/03/2005)

 

While consistency may not be a byword for success, it can be a route to survival. Combine that with some good old-fashioned common sense and, as far as football is concerned, sooner or later things will begin to happen.

 

Next season, Southport could be celebrating 100 years at Haig Avenue with a return to the Conference.

 

As founder members of the Football League Division Three North in 1921, the 'Sandgrounders' remained at that level until 1958 when the regional format was replaced by a fourth division. For 16 of the next 20 seasons, Southport played in the lower division before losing Football League status to neighbours Wigan in 1978. After 14 seasons in the Northern Premier came 10 in the Conference, before relegation on the last day of the 2002-03 season meant that Southport became founder members of the Conference North, which they presently lead by three points from Nuneaton Borough.

 

Formed in 1881 as the second-oldest club on Merseyside (Everton began life as St Domingo's FC in 1878), Southport's close proximity to major clubs in the area has had a detrimental affect on attendances.

 

But there have been some memorable times, notably promotions to the old Third Division, first under former Everton winger Billy Bingham in 1966-67 and then in 1972-73 as champions when managed by Jimmy Meadows. Southport's greatest day was a trip to Wembley in 1998, when more than 20,000 people saw them go down 1-0 to Cheltenham Town in the FA Trophy final.

 

When chairman Charles Clapham took over in 1984, the club were at their lowest ebb. He needed to apply all the business acumen he had employed to build Palace Chemicals, the company he co-founded in 1978, to ensure Southport's survival.

 

Today, the Sandgrounders are in good shape. "We stand on our own two feet," Clapham said, "and if we get promotion, we're ready for it. The decision as to whether or not we go full-time will be taken as and when. This is still a Football League set-up and obviously that will be the aim, but I have great admiration for non-League football. Playing in the Conference again will be exciting. We need to get the attendance back up to that magic 2,000 mark and travelling support will be a major factor."

 

A scheme allowing children in free has resulted in more than 1,300 attending the last two home games which, to Southport's frustration, have both ended 0-0.

 

After finishing sixth in the Conference North last season, Southport are poised for success with a young squad and a young manager in Liam Watson, who was appointed in 2003.

 

"It's a pleasure to work with Liam," Clapham said. "He has brought some tremendous characters into the club; players and backroom staff."

 

One player in particular, striker Terry Fearns, who joined from Vauxhall Motors last year, has scored 30 goals this season. He will be hoping to get back on the score sheet when Harrogate Town visit Haig Avenue tonight.

 

The stadium is named after Field Marshal Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British forces at the Somme in 1916. But Southport's most famous former resident is the triple Grand National winner Red Rum, who was paraded around the pitch after his first success in 1973.

 

Clapham likes to attend the race and with Aintree just down the road, he's hoping that come National day on April 9 when Southport play at Redditch, the boys will have done enough to give him the luxury of choice.

 

.......................................................................................................

[Chopper]

And !

[Johnny the Horse]

Glory Hunter!!

[Arkwright]

Quote:

Southport - TOWNER said:
Full article taken from the Telegraph.

Dependable Southport start making waves
By Ricky George
(Filed: 22/03/2005)

While consistency may not be a byword for success, it can be a route to survival. Combine that with some good old-fashioned common sense and, as far as football is concerned, sooner or later things will begin to happen.

Next season, Southport could be celebrating 100 years at Haig Avenue with a return to the Conference.

As founder members of the Football League Division Three North in 1921, the 'Sandgrounders' remained at that level until 1958 when the regional format was replaced by a fourth division. For 16 of the next 20 seasons, Southport played in the lower division before losing Football League status to neighbours Wigan in 1978. After 14 seasons in the Northern Premier came 10 in the Conference, before relegation on the last day of the 2002-03 season meant that Southport became founder members of the Conference North, which they presently lead by three points from Nuneaton Borough.

Formed in 1881 as the second-oldest club on Merseyside (Everton began life as St Domingo's FC in 1878), Southport's close proximity to major clubs in the area has had a detrimental affect on attendances.

But there have been some memorable times, notably promotions to the old Third Division, first under former Everton winger Billy Bingham in 1966-67 and then in 1972-73 as champions when managed by Jimmy Meadows. Southport's greatest day was a trip to Wembley in 1998, when more than 20,000 people saw them go down 1-0 to Cheltenham Town in the FA Trophy final.

When chairman Charles Clapham took over in 1984, the club were at their lowest ebb. He needed to apply all the business acumen he had employed to build Palace Chemicals, the company he co-founded in 1978, to ensure Southport's survival.

Today, the Sandgrounders are in good shape. "We stand on our own two feet," Clapham said, "and if we get promotion, we're ready for it. The decision as to whether or not we go full-time will be taken as and when. This is still a Football League set-up and obviously that will be the aim, but I have great admiration for non-League football. Playing in the Conference again will be exciting. We need to get the attendance back up to that magic 2,000 mark and travelling support will be a major factor."

A scheme allowing children in free has resulted in more than 1,300 attending the last two home games which, to Southport's frustration, have both ended 0-0.

After finishing sixth in the Conference North last season, Southport are poised for success with a young squad and a young manager in Liam Watson, who was appointed in 2003.

"It's a pleasure to work with Liam," Clapham said. "He has brought some tremendous characters into the club; players and backroom staff."

One player in particular, striker Terry Fearns, who joined from Vauxhall Motors last year, has scored 30 goals this season. He will be hoping to get back on the score sheet when Harrogate Town visit Haig Avenue tonight.

The stadium is named after Field Marshal Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British forces at the Somme in 1916. But Southport's most famous former resident is the triple Grand National winner Red Rum, who was paraded around the pitch after his first success in 1973.

Clapham likes to attend the race and with Aintree just down the road, he's hoping that come National day on April 9 when Southport play at Redditch, the boys will have done enough to give him the luxury of choice.

.......................................................................................................

Poor Man's Runcorn

[Hawkeye Pierce]

He's just excited about going to the match last night. Aw bless what was the score then Southport?

[Southport - TOWNER]

they were bl**dy useless

 

Harrogate were all over them like a rash

 

lost 2-3

 

but collected loads of shirts, shorts and boots for the orphanages in Poland.

 

anyway still sitting here in my mighty Southport shirt!