 |
| Copyright Historical Football Kits and reproduced by kind permission |
The most successful season experienced by the club since gaining entry to the Third Division saw Southport finish in fourth position with 51 points and make their first sustained challenge for Second Division football.
The strength of the team lay in its half-back line of Sinclair, Little and Bimson and in fact only champions Darlington conceded fewer goals. The total of 37 against is Southport's lowest ever and the seven goals conceded in the 21 home games is unlikely to be bettered.
The attack was more effective than before with new signings Sambrook from Stockport County and Barber from Manchester United adding much-needed scoring power and accounting for 32 out of the side's 50 League goals.
Southport were never lower than fourth in the League table throughout the season, and for the greater part of the time they were in second place. The two Aitkens—or more correctly Fergie Aitkin and Jack Aitken—both ever-present, were lively raiders on the flanks, with Jefferis once again the mentor of the attack. The regular League team was: Halsall; Allen. Mulligan; Sinclair, Little, W. Bimson; Aitkin, Jefferis, Sambrook, Barber, Aitken.
A notable victory was chalked up on January 3rd when Barrow were defeated 5-0, all the goals coming in the first half. Barber hit a hat-trick before Sambrook added the other two.
The only black spot of the season was the level of support which was no better than in 1923-24. A loss of £424 3s. 11d. was reported at the Annual General Meeting, which was not, however, as bad as the previous season's Ioss of £974 7s. 4d. The deficit would have been higher but for the transfers of "Todger" Tootle to Derby County and James Forbes to Bolton Wanderers. Moreover, a three-day bazaar at the Cambridge Hall raised £1,188 and this enabled the club to reduce their overdraft. Billy Merson. the famous entertainer, was the opener on the third day.
On April 29th three local-born players—Billy Halsall, Billy Little and Tom Sinclair-were granted a benefit match against Manchester City, who were defeated 2-1. Halsall, incidentally. missed three mid-season games owing to a back injury and influenza and thereby ended a run of 103 consecutive League appearances.
At the end of the season the Directors of the club, which had previously been run by honorary workers, appointed Tom E. Maley as team manager. Maley. an experienced campaigner, had previously managed Bradford P.A. for eleven years. At boardroom level, Mr. F. W. Hyde. after four years' service, tendered his resignation, and Mr. J. H. Alexander was co-opted in his place.
During the close season the paddock in front of the stand was terraced and the. drainage defect in the pitch was remedied. In addition the top of the Haig Avenue stand was re-roofed with galvanised steel.
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