The Appointment Of Alan Wright, and a trio of signings.

The Appointment...

I feel there were many highly rated names linked with the Southport FC manager job, such as Gary Brabin, Gary Lowe and John Coleman, so it came as a shock to see Alan Wright appointed. The attitude Alan has shown since joining is very positive and has proved his aim is high!

Alan has brought a close friend of his, John Hills, as his assistant manager, which I was very happy about. Between the pair, they have a lot of contacts from near enough every English Division, which is very promising! Alan has also brought a group of highly rated back room staff with him, with Brett Harris who is a physio standing out to me!

A Trio Of Signings...

So moving on, the signings! Amongst the fans, we don't know how much Alan has to spend, although he seems to be spending it wisely. Earlier on in the transfer window, Alan signed superb goalkeeper Danny Hurst from Barrow AFC, along with David Stevenson, who also is a goalkeeper!

In the last couple of days, Wright completed a trio of signings. First of all, Jamie Milligan. A very well known, experienced central midfielder. I feel this is a crucial signing, and I trust Jamie to do the job, despite being an ex Fleetwood player. 

The next player to come in, was Paul Rutherford also from Barrow AFC. Shaun Whalley, Southport FC player of the season obviously signed for Luton Town, so to see a winger sign for us for a relief! I have been told Paul is a top quality wide midfielder who is very dangerous, therefore I am very excited to see him in action.

Last, but certainly not least, is Danny Hattersley. Wright recently confirmed that Danny had joined Southport FC permanently, for a fee. In my opinion, Hattersley is definitely one of the best forwards in the Blue Square Bet Premier League, so to see him sign was great. After recently being on a loan spell with us, he created a brilliant impression on me, along with Cambridge United goalkeeper Johnny Hedge.

Please feel free to comment, letting me know your opinion on what I have said, and also who you would like your team to sign.

Stockport County 0-1 Southport FC, 26/11/11

Karl Ledsham scored to create a Southport FC club record, to win 8 away games in a row. 

AFC Telford United 0-1 Southport FC, 10/03/12

The scoreboard at the New Bucks Head which has the final score on.

Fleetwood Town 2-2 Southport FC, 26/12/12

The Parkside Stand inside The Highbury Stadium, which cost £4-5 million.

York City 1-2 Southport FC, 24/03/12

The Southport FC players congratulate the loyal fans who travelled up north.

York City's main stand.

The Popular Side inside York City's Bootham Cresent.
 

Forest Green Rovers 0-1 Southport FC, 13/04/13

Myself at the New Lawn.

The Western Thermal Main Stand, which was half empty during the game.

The Nympsfield Stand, which has now been changed to the terrace for visiting fans.

An open terrace at The New Lawn that was not used.

Grimsby Town 2-2 Southport, 06/04/13

Grimsby Town's Main Stand, which has the tunnel mid way.

Wherever he goes, he takes his banner.

We bumped into a group of very anxious Peterborough United fan's on their way to Huddersfield.

A very scouse Alan Scaisbrick.

Grimsby Town 0-1 Southport FC, 28/04/12

A fan's favourite goalkeeper Tony McMillan in front of The Pontoon Stand.  

A very impressive Findus Stand.

The Southport FC players of the 2011/2012 season congratulate the Southport FC fans after a very successful season, finishing in 7th place.

Here is my match ticket from the second time I visited Grimsby on 06/04/13, the score line was Grimsby Town 2-2 Southport.

Lincoln City 1-0 Southport FC, 09/03/13

As we arrived in Lincoln, we came across this outside the train station.

The Lincolnshire Echo Stand, which reminds me of York City's Main Stand.

A view of the Stacey West Stand taken from the COOP Community Stand which is a very impressive stand.

The Bridge McFarland stand.

Hereford United 2-2 Southport FC, 02/02/13

The Merton Meadow end, which seemed to be Hereford's singing end but to quite frank, it was like a library.

The Blackfriars End, which not surprisingly we weren't allocated.

The Merton Meadow Family Stand.

Kings Lynn Town 0-2 Southport FC (FA Trophy), 12/01/13

A stand that really impressed me, a lovely set up to sum up a friendly club.

An open terrace at The Walks Stadium.

Charlie Spencer Rimmer's ticket at Kings Lynn Town, spot the spelling mistake.



Again, another very typical non league stand.



 

Macclesfield Town 2-2 Southport FC, 01/01/13

The Macclesfield Audi Stand, which completely failed at trying to make Chris Lever miss his penalty.

The Silkmen Terrace, where you can see a 'Sandgrounders' flag.
 

Macclesfield's main stand.

Stockport County 1-1 Southport FC (FA Trophy), 15/01/12

The Southport FC players clap the fans after coming so close to winning.

A half empty Popular Side...

A fairly full Danny Bergara Stand.

Stockport County 3-4 Southport FC, 01/12/12

This was the score line, however Stockport managed to pull it back to 3-3, with current Southport FC player Danny Hattersley scoring.

The final score, buzzing.

Mansfield Town 1-0 Southport FC, 10/11/12

The Ian Greaves Stand, which has lost seats since the first time I went.

The Quarry Lane End, with the tunnel to the right.

'The twelve man'.

Wrexham AFC 2-0 Southport FC, 20/10/12

Me at Wrexham, for the second time.

The Mold Road Stand which is a very impressive stand.

The Glyndwr University Stand which in my opinion is a lovely stand behind the goal.

The Kop, a stand that is never used.
 

Luton Town 3-1 Southport FC, 29/09/12

The Executive Stand at Luton Town, which confuses a lot of people!

Luton Town's main stand.

The Kenilworth Road End, which is my opinion is a really impressive stand.
 

Hyde FC 0-2 Southport FC, 27/08/12

A view of Hyde FC's Ewen Fields in their first season in the Blue Square Bet Premier League.

Ewen Fields is also the home of Manchester City's Under 21 Development Squad. 

Alfreton Town 3-3 Southport FC, 14/08/12

Outside view of Alfreton Town's stadium, The Impact Arena.

The spelling mistake made by Alfreton Town.