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and reproduced by kind permission |
The feature of a largely undistinguished season was a small but welcome profit of £97, despite reductions in league takings of £2,241 (average attendance 5,924) and cup-tie receipts of £2,109. The profit chiefly emanated from transfer fees; whilst £5,250 was expended, no less than £8,675 was received.
Jimmy Wyllie, signed on a free transfer from Kilmarnock during the close season, was transferred to Wrexham for a four-figure fee. In February, Chelsea paid £2,000 for reserve centre-half Harry Hughes who later represented both Bournemouth and Gillingham. In March, winger Jimmy Meadows - an outstanding prospect - was transferred to Manchester City for a then record £5,000 fee. City converted him to full-back where he subsequently won an England cap; his playing career was tragically cut short by injury but he adapted himself successfully to management and returned to Haig Avenue some twenty years later.
Meadows played a vital part in the F.A. Cup 1st Round replay against Lincoln City,
scoring a hotly disputed equaliser; the "Imps" were so incensed that
they allowed Jimmy Nuttall to snatch the winner in a storming finish. Cup success
was short-lived, however, as Southport gave a disappointing display against Carlisle
United.
.Southport's most successful spell started with a 2-0 Lancashire Senior Cup victory
at Chester -the first time the lucky old gold second strip was used. In successive
matches they then won 2-1 at Lincoln, beat Darlington 1-0 and repeated the Chester
victory in the league, Shrewsbury Town - newly-elected to the league with Scunthorpe
United after the Third Divisions were increased to 24 clubs - broke the spell
and the subsequent five games yielded only one point.
In the return fixture at Shrewsbury in March, Southport obtained ample revenge by winning 5-1, the old gold shirts again proving lucky. The result was an ideal wedding present for Trevor Hitchen, married the same morning, Jack Billingham and Jack Lfndsay, just signed from Carlisle United for £1,200, both scored on their Southport debuts and outside-left! Ralph Graham netted the other three.
Of the other new signings, Peter Desmond from Middlesborough an Eire International who helped defeat England at Goodison Park in 1".5l9 was a disappointment; 'terry Reilly, a cultured young Scottish full-back secured from Chesterfiield, showed great promise, but it was Jimmy Nuttall, a 21-year-old free-scoring centre-forward trcm Skelmersdale, who attracted most attention. He registered twelve goals in eight consecutive league games and became the most recent player to equal the club record of scoring in six successive matches.
At the end of the season Harry Harrison retired after twelve years with the club, although he remained second team trainer on match days. Meanwhile, Lem Newcomb was back as coach to the "A" team. Full-back Alec White, signed from Swindon Town as player-coach, was not retained.
On a sad note, Reuben Hilton died at .Haig Avenue on July 6th, 1951. Aged 66,
he had been associated with the club since before 1921, helping out quietly and
efficiently behind the scenes besides working for fifty years on the railways.
Throughout he never accepted any payment for his services as assistant trainer.
Southport, in the danger zone for most of the season, finished 21st but New Brighton,
regular visitors to Haig Avenue since 1923, failed to gain re-election and were
replaced by ,Workington. New Brighton had begun the season by winning their first
four matches - including the "double" over the 'Port.
At the A.G.M. probably the most contentious ever a motion of no confidence in the directors received strong vocal support but was, rejected by 2,851 votes to 1,273. The shareholders and supporters generally were frustrated with the team s lack of success but they had another twelve months to wait before the club's fortunes improved.
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