STANDING ORDER FOR GOALDEN LOTTERY
Julia Urwin FAN PROFILE
FIRST HOME GAME EVER SEEN-Friday night match v Barrow 10
October 1966 and we won 4-1. My dad took me and we stood in front of the old
wooden stand to watch the match. The stand of course burnt down later that year
and I remember being really upset by it - at the age of 11 Southport FC was in
my blood!
FIRST AWAY GAME EVER SEEN-Didn’t have the opportunity to
go to any away matches when I was younger. I do remember going to a friendly at
Burscough in the late 70’s and I wore Cliff Woof’s shirt which had been
given to me by Charlie Powell because it had got torn during a match. I
carefully embroidered a stag (the symbol of the makers) over the tear and
probably wore the first ever Southport replica shirt!
BEST GAME EVER SEEN-The mixed emotions of the 2nd
leg of the FA Trophy semi-final against Slough must come out on top. The
excitement of the match, the sheer elation of going to Wembley as a result and
the fear of having to drive to London (Rob not driving meant it was up to me!)
WORST GAME EVER SEEN-Northwich away last season. The lack
of passion, effort and commitment was evident from kick off and coming away from
the game I just knew we would be relegated come the end of the season.
BEST OCCASION(S)-Has to be Sunday 18th May 1998!
Wembley! Like “hubby” I never ever thought I would see a Southport team walk
onto that hallowed turf. Arriving at 9.55am, Rob having his photo taken holding
a Southport flag by our dressing room door, waving every Southport supporters
coach into the car park, only the result went the wrong way but what a great
day!
WORST OCCASION(S)-Nothing can compare with going out of the
League on 2nd June 1978. I remember waiting at home for the phone
call from Rob and Richard (Griffiths) who had gone down to London for the
meeting.
FAVOURITE EVER PLAYER-Bob Sibbald. A player who as it says
in “The Book” never gave less than 100%. Not much more I can say, only that
I am probably a little biased as I used to baby-sit for his children and became
a family friend.
FUNNIEST MOMENT WATCHING SFC- Bobby Noble managing to snap
his “love beads” in the penalty area at the Blowick end during a match.
BEST GOAL SEEN SCORED BY SOUTHPORT PLAYER-Football wise it
probably isn’t the best but for any fan of the time Alex Russell’s free kick
to clinch the 4th Division title must be one of the greatest.
BEST GROUND VISITED WATCHING SFC- Wembley for the sheer
“magic” of the place. I am going to cheat a bit here-the best ground visited
to watch a SFC player play must be the Coliseum in Los Angeles where Bob Sibbald
played for the Los Angeles Aztecs alongside the great George Best.
ANY ANECDOTES-Whilst in LA staying with the Sibbald family, I was lucky enough to watch the last ever game that Pele played on the West Coast of America. He played for New York Cosmos (versus the Aztecs) alongside Franz Beckenbauer and ex SFC player, Tony Field. Certainly a game to remember and all thanks to supporting Southport FC!!