Key appointment made, but uncertainty remains

In an unexpected move given the ongoing uncertainty, Southport FC have announced the appointment of Neil Danns as first-team manager, with former Southport player Mark Duffy named as his assistant.

Despite this, Southport FC remains in a state of limbo, with no official confirmation of a completed transfer of majority shareholding. As outlined in our previous article, “Potential Storm Brewing Over Southport FC Ownership Transfer”, Companies House records recently confirmed a change of directors. However, the National League and FA have yet to formally approve any change of control.

The appointment of Danns adds further intrigue to an already complex picture. Danns referred to “an exciting project for the owners” during his first interview, strongly suggesting that the new majority shareholders are actively involved. Yet they have not been officially introduced to supporters, because under League rules the club cannot formally announce or recognise any change until the takeover has been approved. This leaves supporters trying to reconcile a public managerial appointment referencing new owners, with the reality that the transfer has not been confirmed.

Legally, as company directors, the new board members have authority under company law to manage day-to-day operations. However, under National League regulations, any change of control must be approved by both The FA and the League board before full ownership rights can be exercised. The League defines “control” broadly as the power to exercise direct or indirect influence over the policies, affairs and/or management of the Club, whether by voting power, shareholding, contract, or otherwise.

By appointing a manager and assistant before formal approval has been announced, Southport have taken what many observers would consider a bold and unusual step. In similar cases, clubs have typically delayed key football and commercial decisions to avoid any risk of breaching competition rules. Whether this reflects confidence that final approval is imminent, or simply a calculated risk to avoid further delay in pre-season preparations, remains to be seen. It is understandable, but brave.

The appointment of a management team has provided some indication of progress, but many key areas remain unresolved as rival clubs move ahead with preparations for the 2025–26 season. Supporters are still waiting for:

• Retained list – No announcement has yet been made confirming which players will stay or depart. Given contracts for some players will shortly expire, at least some of this information may follow shortly
• Kit updates – Despite a previously announced deal with Macron, no kit launch has taken place.
• Season ticket information – Pricing and sales information has not been published, while many clubs have already begun selling.
• Pre-season fixtures – No friendlies have been announced, with July rapidly approaching.

The result is an unusual and confusing situation where decisions are being taken in some areas, while silence continues in others. For the prospective new majority shareholders, it must also be an extremely frustrating position—ready to move the club forward, yet unable to fully proceed until formal approval is confirmed. This will not have been the start that the new board had hoped for. The decision to appoint a new manager and assistant at this stage appears to have been a calculated risk, reflecting their desire not to lose valuable time as pre-season preparations approach, even though the change of control has not yet been officially green lit by the League.

For now, Southport FC remains caught in an awkward half-way house: progressing in some respects, yet still officially awaiting the final regulatory confirmation of its ownership status.

Editors Note: This article has been produced for informational and discussion purposes only and is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, Southport Football Club, The National League, The FA, or any other parties referenced. It reflects the views of the author based on publicly available information and fair comment at the time of writing. No statements are intended to imply wrongdoing by any party. If any material is found to be factually inaccurate, we welcome and will consider corrections.