The 1947/48 season was one of mixed fortunes, the eventual 15th placed finish disappointing in the context of a side that went unbeaten from the end of January to the middle of April, a run of 13 games, then a league record for the club. In January Southport had looked certainties for a place in the re-election zone; then, along with the returning Alan Ball, Arthur Turner was signed from Birmingham City. He was immediately appointed captain and inspired the side by words and example to such effect that the remaining 17 games produced 21 points and they finished well clear of danger in 15th place.
The season was to be the last in which Southport would don the Green and White hoops until 2017. It was as an away strip that the colours had first been purchased at the start of the war back in 1939 and it was as an away strip again that it was reintroduced all those years later, albeit with Green rather than White shorts. It wasn’t long after its original purchase in 1939 before it became the regular jersey and had remained that way throughout the war. The subsequent return to black and white stripes brought no change in fortune.
The game that took place on this day in 1948 saw Oldham Athletic visit Haig Avenue.
SOUTHPORT 4 – 0 OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Stadium: Haig Avenue
Competition: League
Date: 06/03/1948
Attendance: 8037
Southport Line-Up: Wilf Birkett, Harry Boyle, Arthur Turner, Bob Batey, Alan Ball, Cec Wyles, Harold Iddon, Les Owens, Ken Powell, Harry Harrison, Bob Hodgkiss
Goals: Cec Wyles, Cec Wyles, Cec Wyles, Alan Ball
Match Details
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