Southport Start Laying Foundations for 2025/26

They say a week is a long time in football; for Southport, the past fortnight has felt like a lifetime. On 1 May, the club confirmed that discussions over a change of majority shareholding were ongoing. While those conversations continue in the background, the footballing focus has firmly moved to preparations for the new campaign.

The club acted quickly to appoint Neil Danns as first team manager. Whether as a sign of confidence or simply as a proactive step to ensure stability, Danns now plans to lead Southport into the 2025/26 National League North season.

Danns, and his assistant manager Mark Duffy, have wasted no time in starting the squad rebuild. Seven players remain under contract: Jack Doyle, Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick, Jordan Keane, Luke Carroll-Burgess, Will Russ, Danny Philliskirk, and Sam Minihan. Contract extensions have also been exercised for Tom Moore and Sonny Hilton.

Talks are ongoing with Chris Renshaw, Keenan Quansah and Daniel Pike over potential returns, while David Morgan is in discussions to step up from Academy Manager to a player-coach role. Defender Harry Flowers, recovering from an Achilles injury, has been invited to continue his rehabilitation with the squad.

Goalkeeper coach Tony McMillan will continue in his role under the new management.

Departures include Matthew Thomson, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Jamie Proctor, Marcus Carver, Dior Angus, Finlay Heath, Jack Stafford and Jack Bentley, with loanees Aaron Pickles and Jai Curran-Nicholls returning to their parent clubs.

With the squad beginning to take shape, attention turns to the season ahead. The FA has confirmed the full 24-club National League North line-up, subject to appeals and ratification at the National League AGM in June. Southport will be joined by AFC Fylde, relegated from the National League, and five newly promoted sides: AFC Telford United, Bedford Town, Macclesfield FC, Merthyr Town, and Worksop Town.

Notably, Southport have never previously faced Bedford Town, nor the phoenix clubs Macclesfield FC (formed following the demise of Macclesfield Town who were once regular opponents) and Merthyr Town (successor club to Merthyr Tydfil, also former foes).

The division presents a demanding mix of familiar and new opposition. Distances range from just 11 miles to Marine, to around 194 miles for the long trip to King’s Lynn Town.

While the FA has confirmed the club allocations for 2025/26, fixture release dates and the official season start date remain to be announced. Traditionally, fixtures are released in early July with the season beginning in August.

The announcement on 8th May that Everton U21s will no longer play home matches at Haig Avenue brings a potential new opportunity. Everton’s partnership had been positive and well-regarded, and whilst the loss of valuable income is obviously disappointing, their departure frees up the main ground for alternative use.

Last season, Southport’s Women’s team played at JMO Sports Park while Everton occupied Haig Avenue. With the stadium now available, there is the possibility for the Women’s team to return and use Haig Avenue as their home venue.

Former director Tammy Burgess, herself a former player for Everton Women, was instrumental in supporting the Women’s team, including helping to remove traditional “subs” fees. With her departure and new leadership incoming, any decision has yet to be confirmed, but bringing both senior teams under one roof would present a valuable step toward further unifying the club and strengthening its ties with the wider community.

Supporters can get behind the Women’s team and get a taste for that this weekend as they return to Haig Avenue to face Liverpool Feds on Sunday, 18 May at 1pm. The game is free entry for all spectators (under 12s must be accompanied by an adult).