Independent, Regulated, Accountable: Southport Central joins IMPRESS

Over the past few months, this site has reported on some of the most difficult chapters in Southport Football Club’s history – ownership failures, regulatory intervention, financial mismanagement, and a supporter base left searching for answers.

When you’re asking serious questions of others, you have to be willing to hold yourself to a similar standard. Where there is significant scrutiny, it’s important that it is properly controlled, responsible, and that there is accountability – not driven by personal reaction, but by a commitment to fairness and transparency.

That’s why this site is now regulated by IMPRESS, the UK’s independent press regulator.

It’s a step I chose to take because I believe that, just as we expect club owners to be open to scrutiny, subject to rules, and accountable for their actions, independent reporting should be no different. And just as we expect transparency from them, it’s only right to offer it in return.

It also matters for one other reason: trust. If readers and contributors are being asked to trust what’s written here, then there should be a framework behind that trust – and a way to challenge it if it’s broken.

What Is IMPRESS?

IMPRESS is a UK press regulator formally recognised under Royal Charter. It exists to support ethical journalism, protect the public, and provide independent oversight for publishers of all sizes – not just national newspapers.

By being a regulated member of IMPRESS, this site now operates under a binding code of conduct, follows a clear complaints process, and is externally accountable for the way it handles accuracy, privacy, fairness and transparency.

This isn’t a badge or a boast. It’s a line in the sand between journalism and repetition. There are already plenty of outlets that will republish whatever the club puts out – that’s not the job we’re here to do.

What It Means for This Site

✅ What’s now in place:

A published, independently regulated Complaints Policy
A commitment to the IMPRESS Standards Code, covering everything from fact-checking to fairness
An external mechanism to resolve any concerns that arise, separate from the publisher

❌ What hasn’t changed:

This remains an independent platform, with no ties to Southport FC, Southport Rugby club or any external body
We’ll continue to report without fear or favour
We’ll ask difficult questions when necessary — but we’ll do so responsibly

This site will not trade in rumour or personal attacks. It will continue to report fairly, transparently and with the seriousness that supporters deserve.

Why It Matters

Supporters are right to expect high standards – not just from those running the club, but from those writing about it. If we want better governance, clearer communication and more accountability at football clubs, then we should lead by example.

There are other independent local journalists who cover Southport FC, and their work matters. But there’s a reason why, when serious stories break, they often reach out to Southport Central – for context, detail, and background. That’s the role this site plays:  offering depth, accountability, and properly researched reporting. We’re part of the wider conversation, but not here to echo it.

That’s what this is about. Not self-importance – but standards. And the understanding that if trust is to mean anything, there must also be a way to test it.

Alongside IMPRESS regulation, Southport Central is also proud to be an affiliate member of the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) — a national body advocating for fan rights, accountability, and better governance throughout the game. It means this site is part of something bigger: a growing movement of supporter-led voices who believe football deserves better.

This isn’t about being oppositional. It’s about being independent. We’re not here to play cheerleader or to echo official lines uncritically. I believe supporters deserve more than that – especially when the stakes are this high.

Where to Find More

• About Southport Central
• Complaints Procedure
• IMPRESS Official Site
• Football Supporters Association