The first game of the season, a 6-1 defeat at Stockport County, set the pattern and, for the first time since joining the League, the 'Port had to apply for re-election.
Times were hard at Haig Avenue; the team were without a win until their eigth outing in the League and consequently the attendance level dropped alarmingly. The early departure from the Cup - beaten by New Brighton after a second replay at Goodison Park - did little to help. At one stage the club even touched the foot of the table for the first time, but finally overhauled Carlisle United and finished 21st with 32 points.
The directors were continually under fire, but were really placed in an intolerable position. Lowest ever gates meant that it became a financial necessity to sell their best players, which only lowered the morale and performance of the side. The "Southport Journak" newspaper expressed their views so forthrightly that their Press privileges were withdrawn, and for a time they published no reports of matches.
Of the enforced departures, Jack Diamonds, a powerful centre-forward, went to Barnsley, fellow Irishman Bob Griffith departed to Walsall, and Wolves snapped up promision defenders Chris Greene and Matt O'Mahoney. the latter went on to win a full Irish Cap in October, 1938, while playing for Bristol Rovers. these transfers brought in much-needed cash, but still £470 was lost on the year, despite further reductions in salaries, wages and bonuses. (An average wage at this time was around £3-10-0 per week - £1 during the summer - pplus ten shillings for each first team appearance.)
Without Diamond, only Ray worswick - a strongly built centre-forward - displayed much striking potential. He actually scored eight times in his first eight games but, after Christmas, goals just would not come and in the three months January to March only two were scored at home.
The financial crisis was so acute that often four or five amateurs were utlised to keep down the wage bill. Never at any stage of the season did Southport keep the same side for more than two successive games although, towards the end of the season, only minor changes took place from the following line-up: Cant; Walker, Grainger; Proudfoot, O'Mahoney, Seagrave; Carter, Read, Worswick, Boland and Appleby.
In all, 33 players - a club record - appeared in the first team. The second team was almost entirely composed of amateurs. One amateur whom Southport allowed to slip through their finfers was Stan Hanson, who had made several appearances in the second team. Hanson, a Bootle youngster, later joined Bolton Wanderers, for whom we played some 450 first team games.
Ray Hall, a director for many years, passed away in August, 1935, aged 48; his death was indeed a grievous blow to the club, and the old boardroom was built as a memorial to him. After rendering several valuable years service, J.H. Alexander retired from the board. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, he had piloted the club through some troubled times.
Season Summary reproduced with Permission from: The Sandgrounder (Southport FC Matchday Programme) Article Series. Southport through the seasons. The League History of Southport FC, Compiled by Michael p. Braham and Geoffrey S. Wilde If you can provide any further information please contact me