Southport Visiter - Siddle's Sandgrounders

Southport FC shirt revealed

2010-07-30T13:11:34Z

Siddle's Sandgrounders is back - with exclusive images of Southport FC's new home and away jerseys.

]]> SOUTHPORT FC have unveiled their new kit and sponsor ahead of their return to non-league's top flight.

Award-winning local claims management company Plantec Holdings yesterday signed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal as the club prepares for the Blue Square Premier.

The Bispham Road business, which employs 120 staff, is the UK's leading motorcycle insurance firm.

Managing director Lee Evans last night expressed his delight at the deal, which was secured by Plantec's marketing team Barry Potter and Keeley Smith.

Mr Evans said: "Plantec Holdings is a successful home-grown company that is going from strength-to-strength.

"It made complete sense to sponsor Southport - a community club that's currently riding the crest of a wave.

"I am very excited about this deal - and there are 100 people in this office who are just as excited as I am."

Southport FC chairman Charlie Clapham said he was "thrilled" to find another Southport-based sponsor, following the successful four-year tenure of Paymentshield.

Speaking from Spain, he told the Visiter: "We are obviously delighted that Plantec have taken the decision to become our new shirt sponsors for a two year period, with options to extend.

"It is fantastic for the club and I'm sure it will be fantastic for Plantec, who are a hugely successful local company.

"Hopefully, we can carry their name forward to success over the next couple of years."

The Nike-manufactured replica shirts, available in child and adult sizes, are currently being ordered by the club, with fans able to register interest at tomorrow's home friendly against Bury.

Club commercial manager Russ Broadbent said: "The shirts looks fabulous with Plantec's name on and we're very proud to have them as our main sponsor.

"It's fantastic to strike a deal with a local company who share the same community spirit as Southport FC.

"I'm sure it will prove to be a very prosperous partnership."

Fleetwood Town appeal rejected by FA

2010-04-23T15:27:51Z

Fleetwood Town's points appeal has been dismissed by the Football Association this afternoon handing Southport the title initiative, the Southport Visiter reports.

The Sandgrounders now maintain their one point lead at the top of the Blue Square North table as the race for the title goes into the final weekend of the season.

After a three hour hearing at FA headquarters on Wednesday the Appeal Board were unable to reach a decision, reportedly inundated with the level of 'evidence' the Fishermen's legal team brought.

However Fleetwood were dealt a blow from Wembley this afternoon when the FA ruled in favour of the Football Conference's decision to expunge the playing record of disbanded club Farsley Celtic.

A FA spokesman said: "An FA Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Fleetwood Town FC against a decision of the Football Conference Limited to expunge the full playing record of Farsley Celtic FC in Conference Division North for the current 2009-10 season.

Fleetwood needed to demonstrate that the Conference came to a decision to which no reasonable body could have come to but the Appeal Board rejected the grounds of appeal after a three hour hearing."

Today's ruling now means Port only have to match Fleetwood's result tomorrow afternoon when the league leaders go to Eastwood Town.

Fleetwood host Stalybridge Celtic.

From the archives: Wembley 1998 - part 5

2010-03-05T11:05:47Z

This time last year Kevin Formby was hurtling towards footballing oblivion after being released by Third Division Rochdale.

Twelve months on, and the former marine soldier's fortunes have now come full circle as he prepares for the biggest game of his career.

]]> And while tomorrow's FA Trophy final will hopefully provide a silver lining to his first season with Southport, Formby already has the next goal well and truly mapped out for his team-mates.

He believes a Wembley triumph should provide the platform for the push to return to League football after a gap of 20 years. "I think we can win on Sunday," said the Ormskirk-born left-sided utility player.

"And then the aim has to be getting into the Third Division. Having come from there I don't think there is too much of a difference between that and the Vauxhall Conference. Macclesfield have shown that.

"I think we would have to buy one or two more players and go full-time, but Southport could survive. That has got to be the aim for next season - hopefully after a win on Sunday."

Kevin Formby

Formby, whose semi-final goal sealed Southport's first-ever trip to the Twin Towers, joined Rochdale after being spotted playing for Burscough in the North West Counties League. But after 67 appearances, including an FA Cup third round tie at Anfield which Rochdale lost 7-0, Formby's contract wasn't renewed.

"I was gutted at the time," he admitted. "It is a bit demoralising because you wonder who is going to come in for you. "I wanted to stay in League football if I could, but after a month Southport showed interest and it has worked out for the best.

"I have got a job outside football and I never thought I would be playing at Wembley this time last year. I played against Liverpool when Ian Rush got the FA Cup goals record and although there may have been more in the crowd that day than there will be on Sunday, this will be the biggest game I am likely to play in.

"I think when we beat Altrincham to get to the quarter-final we thought we had a good chance of going all the way. "Even then, to actually get there is something else."

David Thompson and John Bagnall

Billy Stewart has experienced the thrill of playing in a winning side at Wembley.

Southport keeper Stewart, who will be in the Sandgrounders' line-up for Sunday's historic FA Trophy clash with Cheltenham Town under the Twin Towers, remembers with pride victory in a play-off final with Chesterfield in 1995.

But the 33-year-old veteran of more than 300 Football League appearances for Chester insists that Wembley this time round will be more important to him.

"I was only on loan with Chesterfield from Northampton for three games, and ended up playing at Wembley," said Liverpool-born Stewart.

"But this time with Southport I have been involved in nearly every game for two years with the club, and these are my team-mates. It really is special."

Stewart's Wembley chance with Chesterfield came when their regular keeper broke a cheekbone in the dying minutes of the play-off semi-final.

Stewart replaced him and then played in the final, with Chesterfield beating Bury 2-0 to clinch promotion. The following season, however, Stewart was back with Chester, playing a further 45 games before moving to Southport two years ago.

He has missed only a handful of games since joining the Sandgrounders, and only lost his 100 per cent record this season when he played for the England semi-professional side against Holland in March - he and Southport team-mate Tim Ryan will receive their caps before Sunday's game.

And Stewart has also missed out on a trip to the Far East with the touring Middlesex Wanderers, who invited him to join them.

"The trouble was that the party fly out on the day of the Trophy Final on Sunday, and even though it would have been a great trip, I would much rather be going to Wembley with Southport."

Sandgrounders skipper Brian Butler is another Haig Avenue player to have played at Wembley, having been in the Northwich Victoria side beaten by Macclesfield Town two years ago.

Southport player-boss Paul Futcher, who will be making his first Wembley appearance at the age of 41, has an injury-free squad from which to select as he prepares his side for the club's biggest day in their 117-year history.

Defender Tim Ryan has recovered from a toe infection which ruled him out of last week's Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool, although he did not take part in Wednesday's last Haig Avenue training session as a precaution.

Striker Justin O'Reilly is ruled out of the Wembley showdown. The 24-year-old Derby-based player scored six goals in 12 appearances after his transfer day deadline signing from Port Vale at the end of March, but is ineligible.

As Southport travelled south this morning, Futcher said: "The lads are in good spirits and everyone is relaxed.

"We will have a few days together away from all the hype and just have a couple of light training sessions."

And he admitted tomorrow's FA Cup final between Newcastle and Arsenal will hit home the Wembley message for his players.

"We will watch the game on TV at the hotel, and obviously it will strike the lads that they will be playing there the following day. That will be motivation in itself, but I am sure there will still be some butterflies."

From the archives: Wembley 1998 - part 4

2010-03-04T11:03:06Z

A LETTER written by Ged Kielty 12 months ago proved to be the first step by the Southport midfielder on the Wembley trail.

Kielty, who will be in the Sandgrounders' line-up under the Twin Towers on Sunday, had just returned from Ireland after playing for a season with Cobh Ramblers.

]]> And the one-time Manchester City apprentice explained: "I wrote letters to all the Conference clubs, including Southport, and Paul Futcher got in contact with me and eventually signed me.

"It was a shot in the dark by me in the first place, so I owe a lot to Paul Futcher for phoning me. I have really enjoyed my first season at Southport and I certainly have no regrets about coming here."

Manchester-based Kielty, 21, joined City's School of Excellence as a 10-year-old and spent nine years with the Maine Road club. He played one full season in their Pontin's League side, but never actually made the first team.

Asked if he saw the move into the Conference, following his return from Ireland, as a downward step, he quipped: "City are only two leagues away from us now and they are getting nearer all the time!"

Kielty, who has played in most of Southport's games this season, believes the Sandgrounders have every chance of beating favourites Cheltenham Town to lift the FA Trophy.

Cheltenham claimed a Conference double over Southport in the final three weeks of the season on their way to finishing runners-up. But Kielty insisted: "Anything can happen at Wembley. It's a big day and everyone will be up for it, and we will have good support behind us."

Kielty's only previous visits to Wembley have been as a Manchester United fan, despite his previous links with City. "I am really excited at the thought of playing there. I suppose I am never likely to play there again, so I'm going to enjoy the occasion."

From the archives: Wembley 1998 - part 3

2010-03-03T10:49:49Z

In a corner shop beneath the Mecca bingo hall last night, young women of the utmost refinement were trying on pork-pie hats striped in gold and black.

Stranger still, reports from normally reliable sources suggest that they have been discreetly enquiring about the possibility of buying knickers to match.

Such lapses in taste would blush cheeks in the brassiest town, but in Southport ... "surely not, my dear".

That was until the local football team secured a place in Sunday's FA Umbro Trophy Final at Wembley.

]]> Now a new mood is sweeping the resort's illustrious Lord Street; right down to that seasonal ice cream kiosk under the bingo hall, which has been transformed into the Southport FC Official Merchandise Shop for the duration of the present madness.

However, this unexpected football fever, ruffling the blue rinses in Southport's genteel cafes, is mild compared to the outbreak which has gripped their opponents in Cheltenham, 180 or so miles away.

Their team - known in those part as the Robins - has been serenaded to a series of remarkable victories by the Tractor Song. It rises from bucolic throats in times of high emotion. "We cannot read, we cannot write, but that doesn't really matter, we all come from Cheltenhamshire and we can drive a tractor."

Imagine for a moment that you are speaking in an "ooh-ah" accent while whittling a stick, and you will understand the depth of feeling that went into the lyric. BUT Southport is not daunted by the battle hymn of the hay-seeds.

They have joined with the Houghton Weavers folk group to record an adapted version of the Wild Rover which has the chorus: "Come on you yellows, we are at Wemberlee, yes we are the Sandgrounders from Southport FCeee."

One of the "Sandgrounders", who took part in the recording at a studio in Warrington, is club chairman Charlie Clapham. For him the trip to Wembley is vindication the faith demonstrated by so many people in the club where cracked crockery has been more familiar than silverware during its 117-year history.

In 1978, Southport sank into the Northern Premier League after being voted out of the old Fourth Division. Three years later, against a background of dwindling attendances and mounting bills, the club had to be rescued from liquidation.

That signalled the arrival of Mr Clapham as commercial director. By 1984 he was chairman. "The club then was in very, very serious danger of closing," he said.

The stadium in Haig Avenue was so dilapidated that in 1989, the council ordered the demolition of the "Popular" terrace, which ran down one side of the pitch, and the terracing behind one of the goals, which was crumbling beneath a corrugated iron roof.

That began a £300,000 improvement programme which made the ground, with its 2,000-seat "Grandstand" and three areas of modern terracing, one of the finest in the Vauxhall Conference.

Now it can accommodate 6,000 people and has been passed as Grade A by the Football League. Accrington-born Mr Clapham spent his formative years in Coventry. In 1978 he came to Merseyside and began Palace Chemicals, which today employs 100 people on the Speke Hall Industrial Estate.

By 1993, as Mr Clapham's business was growing, Southport had joined the Vauxhall Conference and begun a sensibly managed revival easing the way to this Sunday's final. It is by far the most glamorous event in the club's long history. So far 7,500 tickets, at £13 and £8, have been sold to 'Sandgrounders', but Mr Clapham believes that could reach 10,000 by the weekend.

Tickets are on sale in the temporary souvenir shop and at the Southport Theatre box office. The club is laying on at least 40 coaches for the fans this weekend at £17.50 per ticket. "It is wonderful, wonderful, to be going to Wembley" said Mr Clapham. "The club has never been there before. This is history. The first time is always special. You could go ten times after that and it would never be the same again."

But, aside from the thrill of Wembley, Mr Clapham is properly proud of the financial stability of the club which employs 21 part-time professionals and manager Paul Futcher.

Club President Jack Carr was once a professional footballer, playing right-half for Stoke City reserves.

In 1972, he came to Haig Avenue to watch his club play Southport in the League Cup. He liked the town and and shortly after that became a vice-president at Haig Avenue. Ten years later he was president. A civic reception has been arranged for players and officials at the Floral Pavilion on Monday evening, win or lose.

But if the match is drawn, there will be a replay at Stoke with the civic reception on Wednesday.

Apart from the £2.50 CD of the song, the pork pie hats and gold and black striped knickers; the Southport FC shop offers, wigs, baseball caps, scarves, replica shirts, polo-neck shirts, t-shirts and rosettes.

It has been leased from Mecca "for almost nothing", and is being run by Southport's programme editor and lifelong fan, Derek Hitchcock. He has been a fan since 1962 when he was a four and remembers the team winning promotion in 1967 to the old Third Division under manager Billy Bingham.

Sadly, it was a brief tenure. But in 1973 manager Jimmy Meadows guided Southport to the Division Three championship, the club's only major trophy.

Spurred by the proud memory of those days, Mr Hitchcock has taken a holiday from his job as a Ministry of Agriculture animal officer to help the club through these momentous days.

From the archives: Wembley 1998 - part 2

2010-03-02T10:45:21Z

From the Liverpool Echo, May 14, 1998

Sylvie Hall's reputation is on the line. More than 30,000 people are likely to be inspecting her washing when Southport FC appear at Wembley on Sunday.

It is unlikely the kit managers for FA Cup Finalists Arsenal or Newcastle United will be hanging their shirts on their backyard washing line.

]]> But that does not mean Sylvie and her kitman husband Wes are any less passionate about getting to the twin towers of Wembley.

In fact, everyone is behind the Sandgrounders for what will be the biggest game in their history. The Vauxhall Conference side, formed in 1881, face Cheltenham Town in the FA Trophy Final.

Up to 20,000 Southport fans are expected to travel down on Sunday for the match which will be broadcast live on Sky TV.

Club chairman Charlie Clapham said: "This really is the biggest day in our history.

"Everything is in place, from the kits to team plan. It has been hectic because this kind of thing is almost impossible to organise for a club that is not full time.

"But this is tremendous, something we have never seen before.

"We were full of emotion when we qualified. And this is just the start because our next aim is to get promotion into Division Three."

From the archives: Wembley 1998 - part 1

2010-03-01T10:34:01Z

Found a stash of articles written in the build up to the FA Trophy Final that I thought I'd share with you this week. I'll put a new one on each day.

From the Liverpool Echo, May 5, 1998:

Southport FC's Wembley heroes are hoping to shoot up the pop charts.

The Vauxhall Conference side have recorded a version of the Irish ballad Wild Rover to mark their appearance in this weekend's FA Trophy final.

]]> The Sandgrounders - formed in 1881 - will be making their debut beneath the famous twin towers when they line up against Cheltenham Town on Sunday.

Houghton Weavers' singer Norman Prince has penned the words and performed the music to Come On You Yellows.

Up to 20,000 travelling fans will team up for a rendition during the match, which is being broadcast live on Sky TV.

Club chairman Charlie Clapham said: "I don't think Boyzone or the Spice Girls have got much to worry about.

"The song is a bit of fun. After all, it seems compulsory nowadays for teams heading for Wembley to do a song.

"Norman is a Southport fan when he's not supporting Bolton Wanderers. I think since Everton helped Bolton get relegated at the weekend he's more than happy to be associated with ourselves - at least we've got a chance of winning a trophy."

Around 500 copies of the tape - which also includes a karaoke instrumental version - have so far been sold.

Among the players featured in the song is striker Brian Ross, who scored in every round up to the semi-final stage, and Andy Whittaker, who netted four against Yeading.

Brian Butler inconsolable on the Hallowed Turf

Happy anniversary, Liam! Port boss reaches 250 matches in charge

2010-02-26T10:20:18Z

Brilliant article in today's Visiter by Phil Kirkbride ahead of Liam Watson's 250th game. Congrats to Liam on reaching the landmark - and here's to another 250! Leave your comments below - what are your abiding memories of the Liam Watson reign?

His appointment was somewhat of a culture shock but on the eve of his 250th game in charge, Liam Watson continues to offer Southport hope for a brighter future.

A trip to Rockingham Triangle on Saturday, the home of Corby Town, in the Blue Square North will be the venue for the manager's landmark game.

]]> For a club still harbouring ambitions of a return to the Football League, the choice to select an "unknown" former Runcorn boss in October 2003 raised a few eyebrows.

Start to life at Haig Avenue was rather conspicuous, following two consecutive wins Watson oversaw eight back-to-back defeats, a run of form which would get him the sack at many clubs.

But Watson secured Port's place in the inaugural Nationwide Conference North for the following season and guided them to the title and back into non-league's top tier.

The drama of the championship win on the final day at Harrogate Town in April 2005 was mirrored in the 2005/06 campaign when against the odds, Port survived with a point on the penultimate fixture of a trying term.

"There was a lot of negativity surrounding my appointment," Watson reflects.

"Southport fans had been used to big names; Ronnie Moore and Mark Wright had been there before me but all of a sudden they were presented with someone who, really speaking, had only been a non-league player.

"The supporters were expecting another known name but thankfully the chairman went with me but I'm sure it was a shock for many of them that he had brought me virtually out of nowhere.

"Sam Shrouder and Charlie Clapham went on record saying it was the best interview they had ever had. I just went in and told them I knew the level, knew what I was talking about and knew which players they needed to make them better.

"I was just refreshingly honest with them and perhaps they had not had that before and they probably needed that younger and fresher approach.

"My first game was a 2-1 win at home to Radcliffe Borough when PeterThompson got both goals and Jody Banim scored a worldie for them. I wasn't nervous before the game, I was well aware how important this game was but I was confident because I had Neil Whalley as my assistant and it was great to have him with me.

"To be fair, the team we inherited was probably the worst in the club's history. That is not a slur on Mike Walsh necessarily but I think he was pointed in the wrong direction when it came to picking players.

"We finished in the top five that season and there were a couple of really good victories in there; a 5-0 win at Whitby and a 4-0 at Blyth stand out. But after winning my first couple of games, we lost eight on the spin but I was given the time you would not get these days.

"The season we won the league there were some particular wins which stood out; the 1-0 win at Nuneaton Borough, a 3-1 win at Droylsden when we were 1-0 down with 20 minutes to go and of course the 5-0 win at Kettering in January. They were top of the league but we were on top from first minute to last.

"It may sound big headed, but we were by far the best side in the league and although we had a lot of unknown names. I knew the level and what we had was good enough. That season we had goals all over the place; Terry Fearns, Carl Baker, Neil Robinson, Kevin Leadbetter and Steve Daly are all players capable of winning games.

"We had a 10 minute spell at Harrogate Town on the final day of the season which was simply breathtaking. Daly scored a brilliant header, Fearns scored one when he looked a million miles offside and Sam McNutt, a very much untried player, scored one of the best goals I have ever seen.

"As we walked off at half-time 3-0 up, the ground was full of yellow and black and the lads couldn't believe how many supporters we had brought."

But as much as Watson revels in their title winning season, the achievement which he ranks the highest is survival the following year.

"Surviving in the Conference National the following year was like a Rocky film," he recalls.

"We had been pummelled for 14 rounds, punched in the face consistently with our hands tied behind our backs but we got some vital wins. Like against Accrington, who scored in every single game apart from our 2-0 win against them in March, when Dales got two.

"Also a 1-1 draw at Hereford near the end of the season sticks in the memory, mainly for the fans who were brilliant throughout, even when we went 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go before Liam Blakeman scored a great goal.

"We saw the real hardcore fans at Grays on the penultimate match of the season and it was a night which demonstrated the close relationship the players had with them. I was suffering with glandular fever that night and the chairman told me not to travel, but there was no way that was going to happen.

"I just never thought the day I walked onto the pitch before the Aldershot game would be my final game at the club before I left."

"We had a conversation the previous week about going full-time but I didn't for one minute think it was going to work. I wanted to remain friends with the chairman, the man who had given me my chance, so we parted with our relationship intact.

"When I rejoined in 2008, I was immediately presented with having to deal with players moving from full-time football to part-time and taking a pay cut. There were certain issues at the club which needed to be nipped in the bud straight away.

"Telling people like Steve Drench they would be transfer listed was not an enjoyable task - in many ways it was not an easy time. But you always inherited one or two really good players; Mark Duffy, Kev Lee and Chris Lever for example.

In June, 2008 Watson made an unexpected return to the club after a successful spell with Burscough.

Suffering play-off heartache last season, this time Port are well placed to secure automatic promotion.

"The hope of course is that the best games are still to come," added Watson. "We have had some good performances so far this season. People look at the Boxing Day win over Fleetwood, but that was cancelled out with what happened on New Year's Day.

"But we have put in some good home performances but the stand-out display of the season so far was the win at Telford, where we were outstanding.

"We won the league in 2005 with 84 points, that will not be enough this season but if we get 30 points from our last 14 matches then we will not be far off.

"Next season is probably when this current squad will start to hit their peak form as a lot of the players are coming to the right age. Next season will be the pinnacle where they could establish themselves at Conference National level. The lads play in the right way now, a number of them were playing this 'tippy-tappy' stuff which is not my cup of tea."

Former Port star Baker earns 'Paulo Wanchope' nickname

2010-02-26T10:15:42Z

From the Coventry Telegraph

NICKNAMED Paulo Wanchope by his team-mates, Carl Baker is fast becoming a fans' favourite for his exciting runs with the ball seemingly Velcroed to his feet.

But there is a lot more to this particular breath of fresh air than his silky skills, not least his humble attitude to his current opportunity at Coventry City and determination to make the most of his big chance to shine.

"He's got a lovely appetite for football," said manager Chris Coleman.

]]> "He's playing very well and he'll get better. He's a great signing for us."

Baker admits he's still a bit in awe of just how far he has come since working his way through the lower leagues with the likes of Southport, Morecambe and Stockport, saying: "I absolute love playing at the Ricoh Arena.

"It is great just driving to it and looking up at it. It still hasn't sunk in to be honest and running out for the game is brilliant. It gives me such a buzz to do well.

"I was probably a little bit nervous in the first couple of weeks but now I am starting to relax more and the lads are getting to know me and I am going into games more confident."

Blackburn Rovers are leading the chase to sign Southport FC star Zac Aley

2010-02-04T21:11:54Z

Blackburn Rovers are leading the chase to snap up Southport star Zac Aley, the Southport Visiter has revealed.

The Premier League side took 18-year-old Aley on a two day trial earlier this week and were said to have been impressed with the Fazakerley born player.

Talks between the Sandgrounders and the Ewood Park outfit are believed to be in motion but Yellows' boss Liam Watson was keen to stress no deal had been finalised and Rovers were not the only interested party.

Zac Aley

If Aley does complete his move to Sam Allardyce's side it will cap a stunning rise from youth player at Haig Avenue to professional player in seven months.

Watson said: "Blackburn are just one of a number of clubs who are interested in him. They took him for a couple of days to have a closer look and were impressed. Blackburn liked what they have seen but no deal has been finalised."

To read more, visit www.southportvisiter.co.uk

Stafford Rangers 1 - 2 Southport

2010-01-30T20:48:04Z

A LAST gasp goal from Steve Daly saw Southport steal an unlikely three points to maintain their championship challenge.

Striker Daly bundled in the winner 20 seconds past the alloted three minutes of added time to prompt wild celebrations among players and travelling Sandgrounders alike.

A resilient Stafford side - buoyed by three consecutive wins - had looked to have secured a deserved point after dominating the bulk of play.

A second-half penalty, converted by Daly, cancelled out Nick Wellecombe's header shortly before the interval.

And in a game where clear chances were at a premium, Port's superior fitness paid dividends - leaving them hot on the heels of freespending Blue Square North Fleetwood Town.

]]> Port boss Liam Watson commended his players' perseverance to push right until the final whistle.

He said: "We forced the game and in the end we forced the result.

"I remember a few years ago, when we won the league, Dom Morley scoring in the 96th minute against Gainsborough Trinity at home.

"When you win the league by a couple of points, every goal is important but it is those last-second ones that you look back on."

Watson added: "There are 17 games left and if we take two points from each I''m not bothered what Fleetwood do.

"If we take 34 points, I think we will be there."

Southport arrived at the Marston Stadium with preparations hampered when Chris Lever had to pull out with a hamstring strain.

That saw Bradley Barnes handed a rare start in midfield, with Kevin Lee moved to right back.

But the Sandgrounders stuttered in the first half as the in-form hosts battled away, with Adam Flynn twice throwing himself at Stafford shots inside the opening ten minutes.

Rangers captain McAughtrie then cut inside the box before driving a low shot wide, with Wellecombe proving a handful for Earl Davis.

Besides an early goal chalked off for offside, Port's first opportunity fell on the half-hour mark, with Stafford stopper Evans pulling off a terrific point-blank save to keep out Daly's powerful header.

Port keeper McMillan then had to be at his best to pull off a sprawling save at the feet of Wellecombe, but the striker opened the scoring shortly after.

Levi Reid skinned Shaun Gray on the right before delivering an inch-perfect cross that Wellecombe converted with his head after dicing in between both Port centre halves.

A half-time rollocking from Watson and assistant Chris Price resulted in a much improved second half performance, with the Yellows level after just four minutes of play restarting.

McAughtrie handled the ball on the ground, with Daly stepping up to the plate to drive his penalty straight down the centre of the goal.

The equaliser spurred the Sandgrounders on, with Winn's spectacular volleyed shot from range matched by a spendid save from Evans.

Powell then rippled the side netting with an acute drive before Daly poked substitute Chris Simm's pass wide of the post.

The game looked destined to finish level, though, until a long throw from McGinn found its way to Powell, with the midfielder showing great control to fire a half-volley off the post, with Daly on hand to poke home.

Marine manager hires priest to 'banish' demons from ground - next stop Anfield

2010-01-28T11:17:32Z

This is one of my favourite stories I've written - from today's Crosby Herald.

UNLUCKY Marine FC have taken extreme steps in their quest for a change in fortunes - by asking a priest to banish demons from the team's stadium.

The non-league outfit have lost their last five games and been knocked out of two cup competitions since a would-be victory against Whitby was scrubbed out due to a freak floodlight failure.

Coupled with an horrific injury list that has seen THREE players sidelined with broken legs - one of whom faces the agony of his leg being re-broken by doctors - Marine manager Lynch is convinced all is not right at the Arriva.

A parishioner at St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Roby, the Mariners boss, 34, this week asked his priest to bless the pitch in a bid to drive off evil.

]]> Lynch, in his first full season in charge of Marine, said: "I just feel that since I have been here we have not been getting the rub of the green, whether that means the ball has taken a bobble or we've been on the end of a bad refereeing decision.

"Our form has not been great at home and we have had an horrendous injury list - I just feel that there are a couple of demons out there that we need to get rid of.

"I have known Father Ealey a long time, and for me personally, I will feel better that the pitch has had the blessing of God. It makes me feel a lot better in terms of my own faith."

Despite a poor run of form, Marine still retain hopes of clinching a UniBond Premier League play-off place despite currently languishing in 12th place.

The College Road side, whose ground was built on what was formerly farmland, have lost nine times at home this season in all competitions.

However, just one goal in the last five games has left Lynch bemoaning his side's luck, with the former Southport FC player seeing shots rebound off post and bar.

Marine chairman Paul Leary said: "We have had a bad run of luck and maybe Father can help us turn our fortunes around.

"We have had no joy in the FA Cup or the FA Trophy for sometime but now I can see the Wembley Arch on the horizon!"

He added: "Everyone at the club wants Kevin to do well and if this makes him feel better and will help him in his aims for a change in luck, then we will support whatever he wants to do."

Fr Ealey blessed the pitch by conducting a short prayer before sprinkling holy water in the goalmouths and across the playing surface.

He explained: "I have blessed the pitch calling on God to make it a place where people can come and relax and enjoy themselves."

The blessing comes at a much-needed time for Marine, who face a tough trip to promotion candidates Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

The Mariners next home game is against Kendal Town on Saturday, February 2. Kick off 3pm.

Comment:

Marine boss Kevin Lynch's decision to have the Arriva Stadium blessed is certainly not without some basis.

The Mariner's current run of form has seen them win only 2 games since the beginning of November, with a prospective victory against Whitby Town chalked off due to the floodlights failing.

Add to that a terrible run of injuries and suspensions and the fact that Marine were dumped out of the FA Trophy by Kings Lynn, a club who sadly do not even exist anymore, then you could forgive the unlucky Lynch for feeling evil forces were at work.

However, Kevin is not alone in turning to a higher power, with English football full of stories of superstition.

The most famously hexed team was Derby County, who ascribed their failure to win trophies to the fact they had expelled some Romany folk from the land where they built their old stadium, the Baseball Ground. After paying off some of the gypsies' descendants in 1946, the Rams duly won the FA Cup for the first time.

Meanwhile, renowned spoon bender Uri Geller has used his magic powers on a number of English clubs, most famously Exeter City, where he became joint chairman in 2002 - a year before they dropped out of the Football League.

Geller, a friend of the late Michael Jackson (not the current Marine FC skipper), placed magic crystals behind one of Exeter's goals before a crucial play-off game in 1997 - which they lost 5-1.

Live updates - Southport v Barrow

2010-01-26T18:41:38Z

CLICKETY CLICK

Southport 3 - 0 AFC Telford

2010-01-23T18:32:17Z

Two goals from Matty McGinn and a late header from Chris Simm ensured Southport overcame Telford to keep pace with the leaders in the Blue Square North.

Twenty-six-year-old McGinn's seventh and eighth goals of the season in the second half at Haig Avenue this afternoon set Port on course to maintain the three point gap between themselves and Fleetwood Town at the division's summit - Simm's injury-time header added a gloss to the win.

Click here for a full report

Thought Southport were off the pace big time in the first half, perhaps a given considering the lack of action in recent weeks, Macca's penalty save was crucial but in the second half we dominated.

Telford are woeful at the moment and its incredible to think that Rob Smith is still in a job. Blakeman was anonymous and he's put on a fair bit of weight too.

A 'job done' performance - nothing to salivate over but a return to winning ways nonetheless.

Coventry star Baker: Thank you Southport

2010-01-14T23:25:10Z

Southport star Carl Baker spoke to the Visiter today on his move to Championship side Coventry City and his thanks to Liam Watson, Southport FC and its fans for making him the player he is.

]]> Baker told the VIsiter this week: "If it wasn't for Liam and Southport taking a chance on me and giving me that experience against physical opponents, I wouldn't be where I am now.

"I definitely keep track of how Southport are doing and when we don't have a game I make the effort to go along to their games. I was at the game with Northwich Vics and when they beat Corby Town 4-0 at home this season - they played brilliantly that day.

"I still have some good mates at the club and am really close to Liam. Liam knows our chairman Ray Ranson really well and I think he put in a few good words for me.

"I speak to Liam just about every other day and there is always banter flying about between us - he likes giving me stick but I give as good as I get. Liam is like a father figure to me because he has done so much for me outside the game as well."

Bakes also revealed that he is set to stay in Prescot and split his time in Coventry.

He said: "Obviously I have got a six-year-old lad who is in school in Prescot so I don't want to move him.

"I will keep my house in Prescot and just buy a little apartment down here in Lemington so will spend a few days down here and a few days back home - just mixing it up."