Newsprint became scarce and after 1939-40 programmes were reduced to a single sheet. Despite the escalation of the war the local pressmen — and in particular Len Peet ("The Scout' of the Southport Journal) — published a constant stream of football news which was eagerly lapped up by the increasing

Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 August 1939 Life in the summer of 1939 continued largely as normal. The club installed Billy Semple as head trainer in place of Jimmy Seddon while Bob Jones returned as his assistant. Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 24 July 1939 At the Football League's Annual General Meeting

The improvement of the previous season was maintained. Although finishing in 16th position - two places below that achieved in 1936-37-Southport actually obtained 38 points, one more than twelve months earlier, despite managing only one victory by the end of September. Dave Hill, a dominating centre-half, was signed from Plymouth. He

The season of 1936-37 can, in retrospect, be identified as the one in which Southport turned the corner. Gordon Hunt made a positive start as Secretary and by the April had been promoted to Secretary-Manager, the position vacated by Jimmy Commins. His early signings reflected, not untypically, his leaning towards

The fact that Southport completed this season at all was an achievement, as support dwindled to its lowest ever level. Once again the 'Port had to go cap-in-hand to the Football League, but they were re-elected easily enough, receiving 47 votes to New Brighton's 38, with unsuccessful applicants Shrewsbury Town

The first game of the season, a 6-1 defeat at Stockport County, set the pattern and, for the first time since joining the League, the 'Port had to apply for re-election. Times were hard at Haig Avenue; the team were without a win until their eigth outing in the League and

Southport's decline continued, at least from a playing point of view. The club fell to eighteenth position and the chief reason was their inability to win at Haig Avenue; in all 17 games were drawn. 11 of them at home, and both these totals still constitute club records. They had

The season began with promotion prospects looking bright after two record-breaking years: a series of eight away defeats starting in October dimmed the prospects somewhat and they finally faded altogether when points were dropped at home. Southport's endeavour to reach a higher sphere proved to be too ambitious. Twenty-six professionals were

After winning their first five games, the 'Port finished a respectable seventh in the table; they suffered only one home defeat in the entire season, Hartlepools prevailing 2-1 in the penultimate match at Haig Avenue. The successful side of the previous year was largely retained, although, around Christmas, Tommy Bell from