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and reproduced by kind permission |
Despite the lack of a successful Cup run-Southport lost after replays to a highly competent Chesterfield in the F.A. Cup and Manchester City in the Lancashire Senior Cup—the club still managed to make a small profit, thanks to the inevitable transfers and a policy of strict economy with a reduced wage bill.
In the League the 'Port finished ninth with 43 points—their fourth highest total since joining. The figure would have been higher had not 15 points been dropped at home, although 16 were collected from away games.
Meanwhile, Manager Jimmy Cummins was building the team which was to do so well in the following two seasons. Jimmy Cowen was signed from Northampton Town and bagged 24 goals. Tommy Holmes challenged "Topping" Sinclair for the left-half position, eventually taking over when the latter was injured at Wigan on Boxing Day, while Billy Baker vied with the other veteran "Salty" Halsall for the goalkeeper's jersey. Ralph Hills, signed from Huddersfield Town, appeared regularly on the right wing, and Jack tittle, acquired the previous season from Newcastle United, forced his way into the team and was ever-present at right-back.
Little's partner at full-back was Harry Lowe, whose clean and calculating play had made him a great favourite with the crowd. Lowea cousin of "lodger" Tootle-had originally joined the club from Skelmersdale in 1926 as an amateur; in June, 1930, he was transferred to Everton for a substantial sum and later found fame at Preston North End.
There was also Bobby Jones, who was transferred to Bolton Wanderers for a four-figure ,tee. A splendid 'keeper whose opportunities were restricted by Halsall's continued brilliance, Jones was particularly noted for his clean handling and powerful kicking; he became a regular at Bolton and later ,Cardiff City before returning to Haig Avenue as assistant trainer in 1939. Bolton also snapped up amateur international outside-left Jack Rimmer, who subsequently turned professional there. Rimmer had originally assisted Birkdale South End.
The majority of the goals were shared between Jimmy Cowen and diminutive centre-forward Ben Twell. who was signed from Grimsby Town. Twell's scoring exploits included all five goals against Wrexham on Good Friday, as well as three goals in a match or three other occasions. His meteoric rise to fame was halted by the arrival of Waterston in 1930-31, and he was eventually transferred to New Brighton.
At the end of the season, Halsall and Sinclair were awarded a second benefit Match in which a Southport "Present- XI prevailed 8-5 against a "Past" XI comprising: Jones (Bolton); Tootle (Chester), W. Little (Skelmersdale); Dickie (Wrexham), T. Sinclair (Southport), Bimson (Ashton Nat.); Hamilton, Parsons (Accrington S.), Roberts, Ball (Manchester U.) and Laws (Macclesfield). "Topping" was at last released by Southport—later to join Nelson. A half-back of outstanding constructive ability, he appeared in no less than 410 first team games.
In September, 1929, business pressure brought about the resignations of Mr. Torn
Bolton, who was succeeded as Vice-Chairman by Mr. J. H. Alexander, and Mr. Pariser,
only recently appointed to the board. The same month, Fred Spink, full-back and
captain of the club when they were Southport Central, passed away. A cool player,
very reliable in his kicking, Spink refused many offers to leave "Central" and was a real stalwart of the pre-League days.