Promotion Final Offers Southport Chance to Back Women’s Team on and off the Pitch

Southport FC Women will round off their season on Wednesday 28 May with a promotion playoff final against Rainford Ladies Athletic at Haig Avenue. Kick-off is at 7pm, with entry just £2 (under-12s must be accompanied by an adult).

The match comes after a solid campaign in the Liverpool Women’s & Youth League Division One, where Southport finished third with five wins from ten games. Rainford ended the season one place behind, and the sides go into the final having each recorded a 2–0 win against the other.

Assistant manager and player Emma Bonner says the squad are ready for the challenge:

“I’m looking forward to the play-off on Wednesday. Despite us finishing third and above the other teams in the play-offs, we have one final battle on our hands against Rainford and to play on our home turf at Haig Avenue is the icing on the cake.
There was a real buzz in the changing room when we played there for our semi-final play-off last week. The women really felt embedded within the Southport FC family and had an extra boost from the attending crowd — so to do it all again on Wednesday is special. Let’s hope we can all celebrate together.”

The club is also beginning to connect its age-group and senior teams. The Southport FC U13 Girls will walk out as mascots on Wednesday night — part of a growing link between the women’s side and the club’s junior setup. The results across the board this season reflect that momentum: the U11s secured a league and cup double, while the U12s and U13s both finished runners-up in their divisions. A new U10s team will launch next season, and the club is also exploring interest in starting sides at U7, U8 and U9 level.

To support this growth, Southport are actively looking for new coaches to join the setup across the junior girls’ teams. Full guidance and access to the required FA qualifications will be provided, making it an ideal way to get involved — whether you’re new to coaching or returning to it. It’s an ideal route into coaching for anyone wanting to help develop the next generation of girls in the game. Much of the club’s progress this season, from the first team down, has been driven by dedicated volunteers. Anyone stepping forward now won’t be starting from scratch — they’ll be joining a well-supported structure that’s growing and already making a real difference.

For younger girls who are curious but not quite ready to join a team, the club runs Wildcats sessions every Saturday morning, 10:30–11:30 at Larkfield Primary School. These fun, friendly sessions are designed for girls aged 5–11 and are a perfect introduction to football in a relaxed setting. It’s just £3 per session and open to all abilities. You can book directly using this link or for more information Call Mark Kavanagh on 07850411901:

Book your wild cats session today.

Wildcats is part of the FA’s national programme to get more girls enjoying the game, and the progress of Southport FC Women provides an obvious source of inspiration. Seeing a senior women’s team competing on the same pitch as the men sends a clear message: there’s a pathway here — and it’s open.

With decisions soon to be made about how Haig Avenue is used next season, Wednesday’s final is a timely opportunity for the club to demonstrate that the women’s team belongs at the heart of Southport FC’s future.

It’s the last game of the season at Haig Avenue — and the only one with promotion on the line.