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Articles about the privileged few who get to pull on the jersey and represent the Sandgrounders on the field of play.

RIP Dennis Walmsley (1935-2020)

by Michael Braham -

We are sorry to learn of the death of Dennis Walmsley who died on 2nd September aged 85 . He was one of the few local players in the post war period  to represent Southport Football Club’s League team.  Dennis initially played in the “A” team under coach Lem Newcomb

Laurie Calloway Career Profile

by Daniel Hayes -

The following article is reproduced in full from wolvesheroes.com A Laurie Load Of Posts! Long-running Career Of Black Country Lad California-based Charlie Bamforth used his recent conversation with Jimmy Melia to ask the whereabouts of a former Molineux reserve who is also resident in the United States. Here is his follow-up story. Laurie Calloway. “I

Frank King: The brilliant boy keeper

by Daniel Hayes -

This article has been reproduced with permission from the excellent Blyth Spirit blog at https://blythspirit.wordpress.com/ Francis Oliver King was born on 13th April 1917 in Radcliffe, Northumberland. The eldest of three brothers, George & Ray, his father was a miner at Radcliffe colliery. Aged only nine they were evicted from their colliery house

“More Like A Fighter Than A Footballer”: The Powerhouse English Forward Who Took Serie B By Storm

by Daniel Hayes -

The following article is reproduced with permission from calcioengland.com. It concerns one of Southport's many war-time Guests, Frank Rawcliffe. Frank Rawcliffe was that rare breed of an Englishman who flourished in Italy. Plucked from the lower reaches of the Football League, his fearsome centre-forward play and predatory instincts in front of goal

Player Search

by Rob Urwin -

I have had a fair bit of time on my hands during lockdown and made some progress in my quest to get the date and place of birth for every player to have played NL football for the club as well as, when possible, trying to obtain a photo of

Ralph Wright (1947-2020)

by Daniel Hayes -

We are saddened to learn today of the passing of FPA member Ralph Wright aged 72.Ralph spent a period on loan with Southport Football Club during the Fourth Division Championship season of 1972/73 and returned for the following season making over 45 appearances and scoring 3 goals.After leaving Southport became

The Rimmers

by Michael Braham -

The following article was published in the match day programme during the 1986/87 season. It was written by Michael Braham.  "The name Rimmer is synonymous with Southport yet it is almost thirty years since Southport Football Club last had a player of that name appearing in their first team. Gary Rimmer

Dave Lyon (1948-2019)

by Daniel Hayes -

We have learned this evening of the passing of former Sandgrounder Dave Lyon, aged 71. Dave made his Football League debut for the Sandgrounders in 1976, playing 14 games, scoring 1 goal. Dave's name is written in the history books as the goalscorer of the first FA Trophy final goal scored at

RIP Denis Miles

by Daniel Hayes -

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Former Players Association member Denis Miles on Sunday 8th December. As an outside right Denis played 51 times for Southport between 1955 and 1957, scoring 12 goals. Denis' funeral will be held on Christmas Eve at 11am at Pontefract Crematorium, near his hometown

Cyril Robinson (1929-2019)

by Daniel Hayes -

We are saddened to learn of the death of former Sandgrounder Cyril Robinson, who passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 90. Cyril Robinson was born in Nottingham on 4th March, 1929. He joined Mansfield Town in 1947 and spent four years at the Stags before being picked up by Joe Smith, the

Remembering the Fallen Sandgrounders

by Daniel Hayes -

World War 1 Benjamin Rickerby Rank, Service No, Regiment: Rifleman,25/1111, 3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade Last Known Address: Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand Died: 15/09/1916 Burial Place: Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Somme, France Biography: Benjamin is one of 1,200 officers and men of the New Zealand Division

England Legacy Numbers

by Daniel Hayes -

The legacy of the Three Lions will be celebrated as the FA prepare to mark England men’s 1000th international game against Montenegro on 14th November. The current squad will take to the pitch wearing individual "legacy numbers" on their shirts and from Robert Barker, England’s goalkeeper in football’s first international match

2019 Inductee: Eric Redrobe

by Daniel Hayes -

"Big Red" was a cult figure at Haig Avenue. He was a giant of a man who, after appearing for Lancashire Schoolboys at Rugby League, turned down the opportunity of signing for St Helens and Wigan Rugby League teams to join Bolton Wanderers. After gaining two Youth International caps he

2019 Inductee: Earl Davis

by Daniel Hayes -

"Big Earl" became a firm favourite with the Southport crowd over 3 spells at the club. Having briefly played for the club whilst on loan from Burnley as a teenager, the tough defender joined the Sandgrounders on a permanent basis in February 2004. He lifted the first of his two

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