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28 July Friendly Home v Macclesfield 3pm. SOUTHPORT 2 MACCLESFIELD 0 Goals from Rodney Jack and Tony Gray in the first 12 minutes seal a comfortable victory for The Sandgrounders. Today's starting line up was Terry Smith, Jeff Forsyth, Sean Beeley, Michael Powell, Kevin Lee, Chris Holland, Francis Smith, Liam Blakeman, Tony Gray, Rodney Jack and Neil Prince. The used subs were Prout for Holland, Sean Wright for Jeff Forsyth, Mark Houghton for Jack, Tony Evans for Blakeman, Krystian Liptrot for Kevin Lee, Chris Lever for Michael Powell and Karl Noon for Tony Gray. Another useful workout with the starting X1 starting to take shape, just a left back needed now and we have a good X1. Based on what I have seen so far my starting team would be Rick Whiteside, Sean Beeley, AN OTHER, Matt Hocking, Kevin Lee, Mark Duffy, Chris Holland Liam Blakeman, Neil Prince, Tony Gray and Mark Houghton with Michael Powell, Tony Evans, Karl Noon, Dave Prout and Terry Smith as subs. If Rodney Jack does stay at the club then he would probably be preferred to Mark but I would like to see him given a chance at some point in the season. The left back could be filled by Michael Powell as a stop gap but I would prefer a left footed left back.

26 July I think we found the answer to our quest to find a club anthem at Fleetwood on Tuesday night. The theme to Captain Pugwash was played every time they scored and very effective it was too. Children and grown men alike were humming and jigging along and it certainly sticks in your head. Maybe that is the answer, a totally off the wall tune that is catchy appeals to the kids and gets on your foot tapping!!!

25 July Friendly Home v Tranmere 7.30pm. SOUTHPORT 1 TRANMERE 0. A goal by Tony Gray, his fourth in the pre-season games seals a well deserved victory against quite a physical Tranmere Rovers team particularly late in the game. Rodney Jack comes on as sub and creates the goal. Much more recognisable team tonight which is starting to take shape nicely. Still a few areas to sort but things are looking better all the time. What a super talent Mark Houghton promises to be, the lad has pace, control and can pass the ball. Needs strength building up a bit but that will come, destined for great things in the game and he is Southport born and has wanted to play for us for as long as he can remember. A star in the making I think! It's quite strange reading the comments on Port Chat, some from people who have not even been to the matches and some from people who are judging after seeing just one game. You wonder why players bother even coming to Southport sometimes. Having seen every pre-season friendly so far I am heartened by what I have seen, there's lots of work still to do and a couple of areas that particularly still need working on but it is falling in to place. Only two more friendlies to go and then it's the real thing.

24 July Friendly Away at Fleetwood 7.45pm Fleetwood 3 Southport 0. A team full of trialists, unknown players went down 3-0. There were some of the regulars on display as well but all in all a disjointed night which in all honesty was probably a useful exercise for the manager but nobody else. Better than a night in front of the TV though.

23 July Karl Noon, Richard Whiteside and David Prout all sign up. Having seen Prout and Whiteside in all their games so far I am more than happy about these signings. I know nothing about Karl Noon but my contact at Marine says he's a decent player.

21 July Friendly Home v Rochdale 3pm GAME ON as long as the water that is standing on the pitch can be forked away, this is July for goodness sake. I foresee a lot of postponements this coming season, our pitch is usually perfect so imagine what some of them are like by now.

SOUTHPORT 2 ROCHDALE 0 and a pretty impressive showing. Goals from Tony Gray on the stroke of half time and Tony Evans who had come on as sub gave us a well deserved victory in front of a gate of 806. Dave Prout was quieter than in the previous games but still looks a good prospect. A left back and an experienced no nonsense striker and we are there, nearly!!

Thanks to everyone who came in the shop to renew their TIY memberships and also to have a word about the programme, your best wishes were appreciated and keep the ideas coming, the first programme could be filled three times over with all the ideas and contributions I have had but every single one is valued, thank you.

20 July I hope the "two months of rain in one day" that is threatened for today stays away from Haig Ave so we can get a game on tomorrow. Lots of TIY memberships to renew!

19 July Friendly Away at Prescot Cables. PRESCOT CABLES 0 SOUTHPORT 2. Goals scored by Tony Gray after 54 mins and Neil Prince with virtually the last kick of the game. Team was Rick Whiteside, Michael Powell, Kevin Lee, Dave Ridler, Russ Hitchen, Chris Holland, Mark Baker, Tony Gray, Mark Duffy, Tony Evans and Neil Prince. The used subs were Liam Blakeman, Dave Prout, Matt Hocking, Mark Houghton and Sean Ferguson. Once again even though he only played a small part, Prout looks a good prospect and Tony Evans was again impressive. Pleasant night out.

18 July Stan James are offering 9/1 on us winning the league whilst most of the other bookies are around the 6/1 mark.

17 July Friendly Away at Chorley finishes 2-2. 2-0 up after 65 minutes, a series of substitutions disrupts the flow and Chorley fight back to earn a well deserved draw. The starting X1 was Terry Smith Russ? Hitchen, Graham Law, Dave Ridler, Matt Hocking, Liam Blakeman, Jon Dillon, Prout? Neil Prince, Tony Evans and Tony Gray. Subs included Mark Duffy, Sean Ferguson and "Joe from Jersey"  Apologies for the vagueness and uncertainty about soem of the names but it's getting better.  Both goals were scored by the impressive looking Tony Evans. The other stand out player to me was Prout but I can't be sure that is his real name or spelling!!

16 July THE SETANTA SHIELD DRAW 2007-2008

FIRST ROUND DRAW

1.AFC TELFORD UNITED v SOLIHULL MOORS
2.ALFRETON TOWN v HUCKNALL TOWN
3.BARROW v LEIGH RMI
4.BURSCOUGH v VAUXHALL MOTORS
5.GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY v BOSTON UNITED
6.STALYBRIDGE CELTIC v BLYTH SPARTANS
7.BASINGSTOKE TOWN v HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH
8.BATH CITY v WESTON-SUPER-MARE
9.BROMLEY v SUTTON UNITED
10.CAMBRIDGE CITY v THURROCK
11.DORCHESTER TOWN v EASTLEIGH
12.MAIDENHEAD UNITED v HAYES & YEADING UNITED

(Matches to be played week commencing 1 October 2007)

SECOND ROUND
A.AFC TELFORD UTD or SOLIHULL MOORS v REDDITCH UNITED
B.ALFRETON TOWN or HUCKNALL TOWN v HINCKLEY UNITED
C.HARROGATE TOWN v STALYBRIDGE CELTIC or BLYTH SPARTANS
D.KETTERING TOWN v GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY or BOSTON UNITED
E.SOUTHPORT v BURSCOUGH or VAUXHALL MOTORS
F.TAMWORTH v HYDE UNITED
G.WORKINGTON v BARROW or LEIGH RMI
H.WORCESTER CITY v NUNEATON BOROUGH
I.BASINGSTOKE TN or HAMPTON & RICH’D. v DORCHESTER TOWN or EASTLEIGH
J.BISHOPS STORTFORD v CAMBRIDGE CITY or THURROCK
K.EASTBOURNE BOROUGH v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
L.HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE v LEWES
M.MAIDENHEAD UTD or HAYES & YEADING v BROMLEY or SUTTON UNITED
N.NEWPORT COUNTY v BATH CITY or WESTON-SUPER-MARE
O.ST. ALBANS CITY v BRAINTEE TOWN
P.WELLING UNITED v FISHER ATHLETIC

(Matches to be played week commencing 12 November 2007)

THIRD ROUND
WINNER OF MATCH D v WINNER OF MATCH B
WINNER OF MATCH A v WINNER OF MATCH H
WINNER OF MATCH E v WINNER OF MATCH G
WINNER OF MATCH F v WINNER OF MATCH C
WINNER OF MATCH O v WINNER OF MATCH J
WINNER OF MATCH K v WINNER OF MATCH L
WINNER OF MATCH M v WINNER OF MATCH P
WINNER OF MATCH I v WINNER OF MATCH N

(Matches to be played week commencing 3 December 2007)

Premier Division clubs enter at Round 4, which is to be played on Saturday 22 December 2007.

15 July There is a great predictions competition at http://www.wessexfantasyfootball.co.uk/index.html For every entry, £2 goes to the team you support. If anyone has a go remember to put Southport as the team you support. It is £5 to enter. You can also run a mini league from it.

14 July Southport are playing the Raith game on Vauxhall Motors astroturf pitch kicking off at 11.45am.

Well, what a day. After thinking we would be washed out all weekend we end up playing two games. The morning game played on Vauxhall Motors superb astroturf surface saw us beat Raith 3-1 with Tony Gray, the promising looking Sean Ferguson and a player from Raith who played part of the game for Southport called Jamie McKie on the scoresheet. It proved a useful workout. The afternoon saw us play a hastily arranged friendly at Litherland Sports Park against Bootle and we emerged 3-0 victors with 2 goals for Joe somebody or another and one for Mark Houghton. Players to feature who were with us last season were, in the morning, Terry Smith, Chris Holland, Liam Blakeman, Kevin Lee, Tony Gray and Mark Houghton. The afternoon team saw Mark Houghton (again) Mike Powell, Mark Duffy and Emeni Agdenbero. The two games were put together so quickly it left us short of players as the lads had all expected to play last evening and some had made alternative arrangements for today that couldn't be changed. An enjoyable day all round with two games of football, six Southport goals and Steve Whitehall missing a penalty that flew miles over the bar. Some of the new faces looked promising but hard to judge on a first look.

Raith were especially grateful to the club for all the trouble that they went to to find a venue for the game and made a special presentation to Charlie Clapham as a gesture of thanks. The travelling Raith fans were also delighted to have seen some football having made the long journey south and a friendly bunch they were too particularly the ones in the kilts!

There was some talk today that the Bank Holiday game at Barrow could be switched to the Monday evening. That could tie in nicely with a trip to Cartmel Races in the afternoon. Having checked the Barrow website it does say the club are looking to possibly change because of the aforementioned Cartmel Races and also the BAE workers having to work.

13 July Friendly Home v Raith Rovers-MATCH OFF-Possibly being played tomorrow at Noon.

What a great start to the season that was. I was sat in the office in Liverpool today thoroughly depressed as usual looking out of the window (what else do Civil Servants do) watching the rain pelting down and thinking that the game could well be off. It was only when I got on the train and saw the state of the golf courses on the way home that I realised that it really could be off and off it was, what a day. Will this rain ever stop! As I look out the home window now at 8 o'clock it is battering down again. Poor old Raith, they come all this way and have both games called off as their match at Chester has also fallen foul of this monsoon. Hopefully it may clear up for tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath.

12 July Trust In Yellow Meeting 7.30 Grandstand Club.

11 July Carl finally signs for Morecambe for an undisclosed fee. I wish him well and thank him for all his great service to our club. I'm sorry to see him leave us but it was inevitable I'm afraid. Hopefully we will be playing them in the 2008/09 season! The club record transfer fee received is apparently broken. I never bother with transfer fee records and speculation as you never know the true figures. I just hope we did well out of the deal and appropriate sell on clauses are included.

From The Official Site: Subscriptions to our 2007/08 Matchday Programme are now being taken. The cost will be £67.20 which includes first class postage on the day of the game or in some cases the Friday before the game. This is for league games only. Individual matches can be ordered at £3.20 per programme including postage. Cheques made payable to Southport Football Club should be sent to Rob Urwin (Programme Subscriptions) Southport Football Club, Haig Avenue, Southport PR8 6JZ. To ensure you get the full set please have your orders in by 11 August. Anyone who wishes to subscribe without the postage costs to ensure they get every programme can do so for £52.50 and you can pick up your programme on a matchday from the Club Shop.

9 July A reminder to anyone who entered the PREDICTIONS LEAGUE when Altrincham were still shown. You can still change your entry to include Boston. If you don't the position you had Alty will be switched to Boston. Amendments to any entries can be made up until 3pm on 18 August.

8 July All TIY Members who have advised me of an e-mail address should have received their membership renewal notice. A large number of renewals will be hand delivered or handed out at the forthcoming friendlies. I will be in the Club Shop at all the friendlies, just call in and renew at any time.

My appointment as Programme Editor is announced on the Official Site. As always I will be happy to include any ideas people have for improving the programme. All articles will be greatly appreciated. I have already had some offers of help but the more people who contribute the better. Please contact me by e-mail at rob@southportfcstats.co.uk if you think you can help or give me a call on 077900-41514.

5 July Still struggling to find all the BS Conf North Club details such as prices etc. Some of the websites are dire and so out of date it's untrue.

3 July FIXTURES ARE HERE Very kind to us if you ask me. Only Workington and Harrogate away on a Tuesday night both in school holiday time as well! The visits to new grounds will be late with the fixtures at Solihull, Nuneaton and Hinckley all coming well into the season. Blue Square have wasted no time in getting the odds on line for the first round of matches, we are 4/7, the draw is 13/5 with a Gainsborough win being offered at 4/1.

1 July Congratulations to Steve and Alison Wignall who tied the knot yesterday. Steve has really got involved with helping Trust In Yellow and is also a regular matchball sponsor. Thanks to Steve for making the shoot out game and thank you for the wedding night invite, it was a lovely evening even if we were still drying out from our drenching in the afternoon!

Webmaster Rob Urwin Contact rob@southportfcstats.co.uk