Southport Central Reserves stole the honours in 1900 by winning the Preston and District league The cup and flag was brought back to Scarisbrick New Road by Mr. Shipley.The reserves then defeated “The Rest” 6-1 in a challenge match. The centre-forward and captain, Roly Gibson, was an army international, a stalwart of the now defunct Hesketh Park Club and later became a Director of Southport Football Club. He received the trophy from the Mayor, Alderman T.P.Griffiths. Thus a Southport team had won a trophy for the first time since Southport Wanderers Reserves lifted the Liverpool Junior Cup thirteen years before.

Crowd disturbances

Like today referees at the turn of the century had to contend with crowd disturbances.

In a game against Earlstown a visiting spectator believing the referee was favoring Central called out “when tha comes to Earlstown tha may come for tay to ahr ayse” To the amusement of the spectators the referee stopped the game and ordered the offender off the field! Against Chorley a corner was awarded to the visitors which was taken by Ashton. Some nearby youngsters gave cheek so Ashton threw the ball at them. At that point a “pugilistic” spectator intervened and he had his coat off on the boys behalf. The expected fight was only just avoided by the timely arrival of the referee.