Micky Taylor stayed for one more season — 1988-89 — which saw Southport
again finish 14th in what, with new sponsors taking over the N.P.L. partway through,
had become the unattractively titled H.F.S. Loans League. The season fell into
three distinct phases; a dismal opening two months, a dramatic improve¬ment
with a burst of national media attention and a return to mediocrity.
In an attempt to rectify the early scoring problems — at one stage 292 minutes
passed without Southport registering a goal — the club managed to acquire
the services of the burly but skilful target man Bobby Thomson from Middlesbrough
who, at 33, brought a wealth of experience. Yet the player who made the real difference
arrived unheralded on October 19th from Prescot Cables. Clint Ney¬smith, a
coloured youngster from Liverpool, scored twice on his debut and by Boxing Day
had netted 11 in 8 games; but it all ended just as suddenly when he broke his
leg at Goole on February 18th and subsequently disappeared back into obscurity.
His final tally was 16 goals in 19 League and Cup games.
Neysmith was unfortunately 'cup-tied' when he arrived and so missed out on the
season's main story. Home victories over Penrith, Harworth Colliery Institute,
Bangor City and Tow Law Town brought Southport to their second appearance in three
seasons in the first round proper of the F.A. Cup. The added bonus this time was
their immediate selection for the B.B.C. Match of the Day programme, just 20 years
on from the Swindon Town game.
It was unfortunate that the visitors should be Port Vale of Division III, always
a bogey team at Haig Avenue. Optimism abounded, however, and on the day The Times
ran a full page feature on the Sandgrounders. The Potteries side prevailed 2-0,
but Southport enjoyed their moment of glory and commentator Barry Davies delighted
in identifying midfield man Graham Rowlands as being the grandson of 1930s cup-fighter
Jack Little, who had died just months earlier. The attendance, which looked well
in excess of the official 3,434, provided a more tangible return.
Hard on the heels of this fixture came the sudden unexpected departure of club
Secretary Peter Williams in circumstances which raised more than a few eyebrows;
the press release discreetly announced his 'retirement' after more than five years
in the post. He was succeeded by Roy Morris, a Southport fireman, who was to surpass
this period in office by some margin.
The closing weeks saw another goalless sequence — this one lasting 399 minutes
— and when the season ended Mick Taylor abruptly left to take over at Fleetwood
Town.
Sources: The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9