Association Football Timeline

Prior to the current club’s formation in 1888, the town of Southport had a number of amateur clubs.

1881

Southport Football Club Restarts

A club is reformed, after a 1 year hiatus, called Southport Football Club, playing Rugby.

(Prior to this there had been other clubs playing Rugby under the same name since 1872).

New club switches to Association football after 3 games.
Plays at ground on Corner of Scarisbrick New Road and Ash Street. Club Colours, Red.

1884

Southport Wanderers association football club formed

Formed by members of the Southport Olympic Rugby Club.
Colours: Red and Black

1884

Merges with Athletic Society

Moves to Sports Ground on Sussex Road

1886

First association club disbands.

Shortly after winning the Southport Charity Cup for the second time the club disbands.
A number of players and supporters switch to Wanderers who then rename as Southport Football Club.
Colours: Red and White Stripes

1888

Southport Central Association Football Club Formed

The first Professional club formed in Southport, as Southport Central, playing at the Sports Ground on Sussex Road.
Southport Football Club Disbands.
Colours: White Jersey, Blue Shorts.

1889

Move to Scarisbrick New Road

Central leave the Sports Ground and move to Scarisbrick Road, the ground vacated by Southport Olympic Rugby Club.
Club Joins Lancashire League

1903

Central Win Lancashire League

Central win first League Title.
Shortly afterwards club switches to Lancashire Combination

1905

Central Move to Ash Lane

Later to be renamed Haig Avenue.

1911

Join Central League

1912

Central become Limited Liability Company

1918

Southport Central Association Football Club renamed Southport Vulcan

Taken over by the Vulcan Motor Company.

1919

Southport Vulcan renamed Southport Football Club

After Vulcan Motor Company withdraw their support, the club was reconstituted as Southport Football Club.

1921

Southport Football Club Successfully apply to join newly formed Third Division North

Members of the Football League between 1921 and 1978

1958

Joins Fourth Division after League Restructure

After regionalisation was introduced Southport were placed into Division Four based on their previous season’s league position.

1967

Promoted to Division Three

Club finishes as Runners Up in Division Four and is promoted to the Third Division

1973

Win Fourth Division Title

League champions and promotion back to Division Three

1974

Relegated back to Fourth Division

After only one season

1978

Southport Football Club lose Football League Status

unsuccessfully applied for re-election to the Football League.
Joins Northern Premier League.
(Non-League football since 1978)

1979

Opts not to join Football Alliance

Club effectively relegated when choosing not to join the new Football League and to remain in the Northern Premier League

1993

Northern Premier League Champions

Promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference

2003

Relegated to Northern Premier League

2004

Qualify for Conference North

2005

Conference North Champions

Promoted to Conference National

2007

Relegated from Conference National

2010

Conference North Winners

Promotion to Conference National

2017

Relegated from Conference National