1 - 1 v Chorley (H) 21/10/2025 
Southport Central is an independent online publication dedicated to covering Southport Football Club, Southport Rugby Club, and the wider local sporting and community scene. Our mission is to provide fair, factual, and thoughtful reporting, offering a platform for news, historical analysis, commentary, and fan engagement.
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 regulated by IMPRESS, the UK’s independent press regulator.
The site is created and maintained by Daniel Hayes, author of The Town’s Game: The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport (1872–1889) and contributor to The Complete Non-League History of Southport FC 1978–2008.
As well as reporting on current developments and issues across Southport’s sporting landscape, the site also serves as a central archive – bringing together decades of research into the town’s sporting history, particularly in cricket, rugby, and football.
For Southport FC in particular, this is the most complete record available: every match played, every player who has ever represented the club, and a detailed, evolving history.
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. We welcome contributions, corrections, and insights from anyone with a passion for Southport sport. If you spot anything that may be inaccurate, or have something to share, please do get in touch.
Special thanks go to local historian Michael Braham, without whom so much of Southport’s sporting heritage would remain undocumented.
This site is also dedicated to the memories of the late Southport Football club statistician Geoff Wilde, the late Southport Rugby Football Club historian Graham Ellis and the late Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club historian Ken Porter.
Thanks for visiting
Daniel J. Hayes – Author of “The Town’s Game: The Origins of Rugby and Association Football in Southport (1872-1889)”
Regular Contributors:
Michael P. Braham – Historian. Author of “The Sandgrounders – The Complete League History of Southport F.C.” Editor of “Fifteen Decades of Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club 1859 – 2009”
Mark Iddon – Historian and Author of “Southport Football Club 1905/06” and war time expert
David J. Walshe – Local Historian focusing on the history of the town and its people. Author of “Ecclesfield, Southport’s Forgotten Suburb”
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.
Where to Find More
