It is arguable that more happened off the field in the close season of 1977 than had happened on it in the preceding nine months. Amongst the welter of announcements, appeals and meetings both public and private it is difficult to distinguish truth from rumour; but the crisis which threatened

Allan Brown was succeeded as manager by Ray Henderson, who, some ten years earlier, had given an outstanding performance at outside-right for Hull City in Southport's fifth round RA. Cup tie. Once re-election was assured he appointed a former Hartlepool manager, Angus McLean, as coach and signed two players he

It is difficult to conceive that the club could suffer three such dire seasons as those on which it was about to embark. There was no lack of continuity on the playing front, though it was late September before leading scorer Paul Taylor was re-signed. The squad had been strengthened

On July 15th the remaining directors John Church and Gerry Troy were joined by the self-styled Leigh 'millionaire' Tom Robinson who, six months later, took over the chairmanship on Church's resignation. Robinson had ambitious plans for the club, but not the wherewithal to back up his promises. Indeed it is

Copyright Historical Football Kits and reproduced by kind permission In a season which promised much but ended in disappointment, Southport finished in seventh place with 50 points. Again November was the turning-point; topping the table at the start, 'Southport took only one point from three league matches and suffered an F.A.

With no new players signed to beat the March 16th transfer deadline, many supporters felt that Southp ort, despite having one of the best home records in the country would have an uphill struggle to avoid relegation — particularly as the professional staff numbered only fourteen, including two goalkeepers; but, starting