Football as it used to be? Part 5 – Footballers as Athletes

In Southport’s rich football history, the lives of players have often extended well beyond the pitch, reflecting a connection between players and community that transcends today’s professional standards. Decades ago, Southport’s players were not only athletes but also local workers, teachers, and business owners, deeply integrated into the fabric of local life. This dual role gave players a unique connection to the community, with their physical fitness, daily routines, and dedication to the sport shaped by more than training regimens or league requirements. Through examples like Hall of Famer’s Alan Spence, Jimmy Fay, and Eric Redrobe, Southport’s history reveals a time when athletes weren’t just players on match day but local figures throughout the week, blending their athletic duties with other commitments.

In the 1960s, Alan Spence was recognised as much for his dedication on the pitch as for his commitment to his teaching career at Meols Cop Secondary School. Despite the demands of football, Spence famously refused to give up his teaching role, remaining a part time professional throughout his whole playing career, embodying a balance between his passion for the sport and his dedication to his students. Spence’s decision to maintain his career as a teacher not only demonstrated his work ethic but also fostered a deeper connection between the club and the local community. Many of his students would have recognised their teacher as the same player they watched from the stands at Haig Avenue, creating a sense of pride and inspiration for young fans. This balance between professional commitment and local life exemplified a time when players were accessible and relatable, bridging the worlds of education and sport in a way that enriched both.

Southport’s Jimmy Fay played another important role off the pitch. A local boy he spent ten years playing in the football league before returning to his hometown club to captain then upon entry into the football league themselves in 1921.

After his retirement, he opened a sports outfitters in town, giving him a base to manage both his business and his duties as secretary of the Players Union, now known as the Professional Footballers’ Association. Fay’s dual role illustrated a different side of the athlete’s life in that era, blending football with entrepreneurship and player advocacy. His involvement with the Players Union highlighted his commitment to improving the welfare of footballers across the country. He was a pioneer, setting a standard that combined athletic prowess with leadership in the football community. Fay’s shop became a hub for local sports enthusiasts and a testament to his multifaceted contributions to football. His efforts to balance a business and advocacy, and his commitment to the town by becoming a Southport Borough magistrate in 1942, reflected an era when athletes were deeply embedded in the towns they represented.

In the early 1970s, cult hero Eric Redrobe would travel from his home in Wigan to Southport by train on a match day. Redrobe’s choice to arrive by train meant that he would be walking alongside fans from nearby Meols Cop Station to the stadium which brought a unique intimacy to his role as a player. Redrobe’s walks to Haig Avenue were a reminder of football’s community roots. Fans would see their favorite player not as an untouchable celebrity but as someone who shared in the rituals of match day, from arriving at the stadium to the anticipation of kick-off. His presence among the fans created a bond that enhanced the match-day experience, showing that even the star players were an integral part of the community.

Today, Southport’s players, like those in clubs across the country, follow structured fitness programs, often guided by sports science and individualised training plans. The focus on fitness, health, and athletic performance has grown immensely, with players expected to maintain peak physical condition year-round. Modern players’ lives, even those of the part-time professionals, are governed by dietary guidelines, strength training, and conditioning, with physical fitness a cornerstone of professional and semi-professional football.

The increased focus on fitness has raised the level of the game but has also redefined the relationship between players and fans. Where Alan Spence balanced training with teaching or Jimmy Fay managed both business and football duties, today’s players typically dedicate themselves entirely to their athletic careers. This single-minded focus enhances performance but also changes the nature of player-fan relationships. Instead of seeing players as community figures throughout the week, fans may now view them primarily through the lens of match day.

The shift toward professionalism and specialised fitness in modern football has been necessary in order for Southport FC to still compete at a reasonable level as the game has advance. Players have never been more physically prepared, and the quality of play has risen. However, there is a nostalgic charm in the days when players were woven into the town’s fabric, balancing their athletic careers with teaching, entrepreneurship, and community life.

As this series continues to explore whether watching Southport today resembles “football as it used to be,” the role of the athlete stands out as one area where times have changed. History reminds us of a time when players shared everyday experiences with the fans they represented. They were people you’d see on the train, in the classroom, or in a local shop—visible symbols of the community’s pride and ambition. In the stories of Spence, Fay, and Redrobe, we see athletes who were more than players.