Takeover Progress, But No Clear Resolution Yet

An update regarding the situation at Southport FC has now been published, but it does not provide the closure that many supporters had been hoping for.

The statement, attributed to David Cunningham, confirmed that he and Kieran Malone have taken control of the majority shareholding in the club.

It however stated that the formal completion of the takeover had been delayed due to an ongoing investigation by the Charity Commission into The Big Help Group’s activities. We must be clear that this remains the club’s interpretation of events, as no formal statement to that effect has been issued by either the Charity Commission or the National League.

Cunningham further explained: “It is crucial that The Charities Commission understands and is content that this takeover represents a fresh start for Southport Football Club, allowing us to rebuild with a clean slate.”

The statement was posted on the club’s official website at around 9am Wednesday morning, with an amended version quietly replacing the original approximately an hour later. The original version had also claimed that “the National League are satisfied that we have adhered to all necessary procedures.” The revised wording now reads that they are “working towards fulfilling all the necessary procedures for us to be formally recognised as the new owners.”

This is a subtle but significant change and demonstrates that the situation remains fluid. As has been the case throughout this process, neither the National League nor the Charity Commission have made any public statement confirming the current position, however the swift revision implies at least one of those parties perhaps objected to the original wording of the statement.

For supporters, it is at least positive that the club has finally spoken publicly. The past few weeks have been difficult, with uncertainty and speculation filling the gap left by official silence. That absence led to conclusions and assumptions filling the vacuum, and like others, I had attempted to lay out the facts as best as they were known at the time. It is encouraging that the club has chosen to provide its own update, but the lack of clear resolution remains troubling.

There is still much to acknowledge positively and the tone of realism and humility around the scale of the challenge is welcome.

As has always been understood, it is only The Big Help Group’s shareholding, representing just over three-quarters of the club’s issued shares, that has transferred to Cunningham and Malone. They are, therefore, prospective majority shareholders. I, and many others, have often casually used the word “owners” when “majority shareholders” would be the more accurate legal term. It would be helpful if this distinction were fully acknowledged going forward.

There is also the question of Mike Black’s role. Prior to the proposed takeover, Black served alongside Liam Watson and Steven Porter as part of the club’s board. While Watson and Porter are both explicitly confirmed in the statement as continuing as directors, Black is not mentioned at all. However, he remains listed as a director of Southport Football Club at Companies House. Whether this signals a silent departure, a temporary situation, or simply an oversight remains unclear, and supporters may reasonably seek clarification.

We fully understand and respect that full details cannot be given by the majority shareholders whilst they remain in this holding position. However, the amended wording of the statement has added confusion at a time when supporters had hoped for greater clarity. The club’s silence prior to this update had been understandable, but now that communication has been opened, the tone and language must be carefully considered if it is to build trust and confidence going forward.

Once full legal confirmation is secured, supporters will rightly expect reassurance that any outstanding debts have either been cleared or that a clear plan exists to manage them responsibly. In particular, the matter of the current outstanding County Court Judgment (CCJ) against the club will be of concern to many and should be addressed as part of that process of transparency.

There is still an opportunity for a fresh start. The majority shareholders have expressed a willingness to meet with fans and discuss their plans, stating: “We understand that owning a football club is not an easy task, and we know we will need the full support of everyone involved with the club and the wider community of Southport.”

It is also welcome that they have acknowledged the existence of articles circulating around the takeover. That shows an awareness of supporter concerns and a willingness to engage with the wider conversation. However, any engagement must be accompanied by absolute clarity to avoid further confusion and speculation.

This statement is a first step. But Southport FC’s future must be built on clear communication, transparency, and trust. We hope this will be the start of that journey, and that future statements will provide the unambiguous certainty that supporters crave.