And so to The Pure Stadium, previously the Big Help Stadium, on Haig Avenue in Southport for an FA Trophy Third Round tie between Southport and Leek Town 🙄
The present Southport FC, The Port, was founded in 1888 as Southport Central AFC, playing in the Lancashire League, Lancashire Combination and the Central League. The previous club folded in 1886 and, as Southport Wanderers, set up in 1884 to become Southport Central AFC four years later.
In 1918 the team renamed to Southport Vulcan, having been bought by the Vulcan Motor Company - the first club ever to take a sponsor's name. However by 1921 the club had become Southport FC and joined the Football League in the Third Division North.
The Sandgrounders were promoted in 1967 from the now Fourth Division as runners up on goal average to Stockport County. But the Port was relegated in 1970 before moving back up to the Third Division in 1973; that lasted a single season and Southport FC was voted out of the Football League in 1978, replaced by Wigan Athletic. The club was the last side ever to leave the Football League through the re-election process; automatic relegation commenced in 1987.
The Port reverted to the Northern Premier League and were crowned as champions in 1993, as South achieved promotion to the Conference. But relegation in 2003, into the new Conference North, followed later; The Sandgrounders came up as champions again in 2004/05, but were relegated from the Premier in 2007.
The yo-yo existence continued; champions in 2010 and relegated during 2016/17. Subsequently Southport have consistently finished just above the drop zone in the National League North, the division where they remain - currently 19th just a point outside the relegation zone - but unbeaten in eight 🙄
The club was acquired by the Big Help Group in 2023, but ownership was transferred to David Cunningham and Kieran Malone in June this year - and the ground naming rights changed...
Football was played in Leek from 1876, with Leek FC competing in The Combination in the 1890s. The current Leek Town FC traces its lineage to Leek Lowe Hamil FC, formed in 1946.
The Blues, from Harrison Park, played in a variety of leagues - Birmingham & District, Staffordshire, Manchester, Mid Cheshire and Cheshire County Leagues, where they were champions in 1974/75. Town was a founder member of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 and joined the Northern Premier League for the 1987/88 campaign.
Leek were promoted as champions to the Conference in 1997 and spent two seasons in the top tier before relegation. The Blues saw a further demotion in 2001.
However Town was uplifted in 2004 after a league restructure. Relegated again in 2008, the club was promoted, finally, as champions in 2023/24 to the Northern Premier League Premier Division after 5 failed play off attempts. 15th last time, they currently lie 14th.
Numberplates today are PO51BLY, 12 MP and V33VAS. I join the West Lancashire Line at Manchester Oxford Road, in sunshine, after a particularly unpleasant Metrolink experience - but it's even worse on the way back 😳
There's Brabbin & Rudd at Bolton, and Uncle Joe's Mint Balls at Wigan. Then through Gathurst and Appley Bridge to Parbold Cabin East.
Past Harrock Hall Windmill, straight through Hoscar and I come to Burscough Bridge - Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Then Meols Cop and to Southport - and MiseryRail.
Southport is home of the former Beales department store which closed last year, The Atkinson, Victoria Park and its summer Flower Show and the British Lawnmower Museum. I also take in the fabulous War Memorial, Esplanade, Promenade, Viking Village and Valhalla.
The Wetherspoons offering is the Sir Henry Segrave. Segrave was an early British pioneer, setting three world land speed records, the first at Ainsdale, Southport. He also set a new world water speed record on Friday 13 June 1930, shortly after being knighted - but his third run resulted in a capsizing and death at the age of 33....
It's £11 today at Haig Avenue (it's normally £16.50 to sit). To my left there is the Blowick End away uncovered terracing featuring The Volare Restaurant Terrace.
I'm in the Grandstand and to my right is the Jack Carr Stand. Opposite is the Popular Side, featuring Renacres Paddock and MTC Truck & Van Rental Stand.
The Sandgrounders are in yellow and black, Leek in blue. Today's crowd is 950.
Southport start the stronger - Malakai McKenzie has a fierce effort and Luke Tabone a bullet header, both just wide. Then on the quarter hour Momodou Touray strikes the Leek post.
But the Blues have the best chance of the half on 28, a one on one that sees Lateef Babatunde Olowabi denied by Chris Renshaw. Luke Griffiths hits the Leek bar five minutes before the break, but it remains scoreless.
The Sandgrounders eventually break the deadlock on 61 minutes. There's a foul in the build up but the referee plays a good advantage and it ends with Chris Sze rifling into the roof of the net.
Ten minutes later he is tripped in the box. He takes the penalty himself, and scores with a Panenka chip to make it 2-0.
Southport hit the woodwork for a third time but then things get interesting. On 89 minutes Liam Edwards powers in a header for Leek to halve the deficit.
The gaggle of Blues fans celebrate wildly but less than a minute later it's all over. A marvellous through ball plays sub Arthur Gnahoua in and he finishes imperiously past Noah Cooper for the final result of 3-1.
