Yet Another Ownership Change on the horizon at Southport FC

It is understood that Southport Football Club are expected to once again be under new ownership in the coming days, subject to approval by the National League. News of an impending takeover has become an open secret among supporters recently and in a move that’s fast becoming routine at Haig Avenue, Southport FC will see yet another change at the top this summer, with the Big Help Group understood to be handing over its majority shareholding to property developers and businessmen David Cunningham and Kieran Malone.

Rumours have been swirling across fans’ forums and social media for days, even making their way into post-match interviews. During BBC Radio Merseyside’s coverage of the final game against Kidderminster Harriers, Phil Kinsella even posed questions to caretaker manager David Morgan about the club’s future – underlining how widespread and accepted the speculation has become.

This latest development would mark a swift exit for the Big Help Group, who only took over the club in October 2023 when they purchased the majority shareholding from former chairman Ian Kyle. However, less than two years later, and dogged by well-documented problems in their primary businesses and associated charity, the group looks set to relinquish their control.

Whilst Cunningham and Malone would bring fresh faces to the ownership group, not everything is expected to be new at Haig Avenue however. Directors Liam Watson and Steve Porter are both expected to remain, with Porter rumoured to be considering the role of board chairman. Given the well-documented challenges the club has faced off the field since the departure of long-standing chairman Charlie Clapham, it would be reasonable for supporters to question how much influence those directors who were present throughout actually had. If they were sidelined or unable to act effectively, this latest change would offer an opportunity for them to prove that they can be more impactful in the future. The role of chairman would certainly imply that this is the intention.

Steve Porter’s continued involvement would  bring, if nothing else, continuity and a deep-rooted connection to Southport’s history. The Porter family’s association with the club stretches back nearly a century: Steve’s father, Joe Porter, a High Park lad, played for Southport “A” and the Reserve side in the 1950s before National Service intervened. Joe’s father, Steve’s Grandfather, also had a spell with the club in 1928–29, and Steve’s son, Dean, carried the tradition forward by briefly appearing for Southport in the Football Conference era.

Liam Watson’s expected role on any new board is less clear. The prospective new owners may determine that a title of Sporting Director or Director Of Football would be more befitting for a man who, despite a less successful recent managerial spell, did deliver two league titles to the club in years gone by, the first of which was clinched 20 years ago today.

But Southport’s problems run deeper than ownership alone. The club hasn’t finished in the top ten of any division it has competed in for over a decade. Over the past three years, Southport has recorded the lowest league finishes in its entire history – slipping to unprecedented depths in the football pyramid. As highlighted in a previous article, the 2024–25 campaign was poised to be the worst of all, until caretaker manager David Morgan and his players produced a dramatic final-day win over Kidderminster Harriers. That result ensured Southport matched, rather than broke, their previous historic low of 18th place. Nevertheless, the decline is undeniable – and the need for serious, sustainable improvement remains urgent.

Realistically, had it not been for a National League North division this year that has been significantly weaker than in years gone by, the club would almost certainly be facing Northern Premier League football next year. A simple change of ownership isn’t enough; Southport FC needs fresh ideas, renewed ambition, and a clear change of direction if it is to avoid further decline.

Supporters have seen too many false dawns to simply greet another change of ownership with blind optimism. The presence of some familiar faces on the board would naturally draw a mix of optimism and caution. However, more than that, it would also offer a chance for redemption. Porter and fellow director Watson would have the opportunity to demonstrate that their experience can become a positive force – that their involvement can finally help drive meaningful progress, rather than simply maintaining a connection to the club’s past.

While Cunningham remains a relatively low-profile figure, Malone presents a clearer public image. He describes himself as a self-employed property developer with a multi-million-pound portfolio, based in the North West. His experience – showcased in media appearances such as Homes Under the Hammer and various property development discussions – paints the picture of a practical businessman who has built success through patience, careful risk management, and steady, manageable growth. Malone’s approach has favoured projects he could personally oversee, prioritising budgeting, team management, and resilience over any pursuit of glamour or quick wins. However, football is not property development. In this industry, the old adage holds true: if you want to make a small fortune out of football, you need to start with a big one. The challenge for any new owners will be in recognising that running a football club demands far more than sound financial management – it requires emotional investment, community leadership, and a willingness to commit to ventures that may not always deliver immediate or obvious returns. How well Malone and Cunningham might adapt to the unpredictable, emotionally-driven world of football ownership remains to be seen.

The weeks and months ahead will be crucial in shaping whether this would truly mark the start of a new chapter at Haig Avenue – one where hard lessons are learned, ambitions are matched by actions, and Southport FC can finally move towards a more stable and successful future.

With pre-season planning around the corner, supporters will now be watching closely to see if/when any proposed changes to the club’s structure might be confirmed. Chief among those will be the appointment of a new manager, a decision that will likely set the tone for what lies ahead at Haig Avenue.