1938/39 Season Summary

Back row: Mr T Naylor (Director), Rutherford, Dawson, Scott (A.), Smith, Newcomb, Hawkins, MR E.C. O’Mahoney and MR A. Lofthouse (Directors).
Second Row: Mr G C Hunt (Secretary-Manager), Semple (Assistant Trainer), Royston, Booth, Rose, G. Shaw, Davies, Corbett, Hill, Seddon (Trainer) and Mr F. Thewlis (Office Staff).
Third row: Councillor H.S.Banner (Director), Howshall, Miller, Mr W.H. Stephenson, J.P (President of the club), Mr E. Raynor (Chairman of Directors(, Patrick, Grainger and Mr J Green (director).
Front row: J.G.W Graham, Stapleton, Ash, Scott (R.H), Colquhon and Mckay.[/caption]

Joe Patrick once again scored his “20 goals-in fact 27 in the League—making a total of 76 goals in 118 consecutive League appearances. He was ably supported by new signing Harry Hawkins from Watford. who registered 13 goals. Other newcomers to make their mark were the left-wing pair of Alex Scott and Duncan Colquhoun; expensive signing Jack Ash was unable to command a regular pace in the side and was ultimately transferred back to Accrington Stanley.
Over the period October 8th to December 27th a club record was established as the side went unchanged through twelve League games-15 games if the three Cup-ties are included. The run lasted until influenza struck Lem Newcomb and Colquhoun simultaneously. The players involved were Rutherford. Royston, Grainger, Newcomb. Hill, Reuben Scott, Stapleton, Hawkins, Patrick. Alex Scott and Colquhoun.

Youth too was given its chance. Denis Grainger, brother of Jack starred on the wing in the Reserves and appeared briefly in the ill-fated 1939-40 season, whilst Jack Rothwell, Reserve inside-forward, looked to be destined for great things. Stylish wing-half Reuben Scott would undoubtedly have been a hit but for a war-time accident in Malta, when he lost his right eye.

In the F.A. Cup, after accounting for Scarborough and Swindon Town, only a rare slip by that accomplished goalkeeper Joe Rutherford prevented Southport making further progress at the expense or Doncaster Rovers. In the event. Rovers drew 1-1 at Haig Avenue and prevailed by the odd goal in three in the replay.
During a season when Southport made a profit of £2.716, the club heel, as usual. to rely on transfers. Departures included Joe Rutherford to Aston Villa for £1,500, full-back Roy Royston to Plymouth Argyle for £1,300 and young reserve goalkeeper Harry Smith to Middlesbrough for £450. Naturally there was a fair amount of criticism with the ‘Port running so strongly for promotion. In addition, trainer Jimmy Seddon, who moulded the team together, moved on to Liverpool as trainer of the ‘A’ team.

At the end of the season loyal servant Jack Grainger was awarded a well-earned and unique benefit. the League game against Doncaster Rovers being allocated; although Rovers won 4-0, Grainger netted £242.

On a sad note, Edwin, Clayton, Honorary Life Member, former Secretary and Director, and a pillar of the club since the old Lancashire Combination days, died aged seventy. Vice-Chairman Alf Wilson also passed away and was succeeded in that capacity by Sam Banner.

In the summer of 1939 the club’s stock was higher than for several years. It is probable that but for the outbreak of war they would have made a determined challenge for the Second Division but, in the end, they had to wait seven years for the resumption of League football, and by then the situation had changed completely.

Season Summary reproduced with Permission from:The Sandgrounder (Southport FC Matchday Programme) Article Series. Southport through the seasons. The League History of Southport FC, Compiled by Michael p. Braham and Geoffrey S. Wilde

Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia and reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

FINAL TABLE LANCASHIRE COMBINATION '38-'39
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 1. South Liverpool            42-62 (137-61)  29  4  9  Champions    
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 2. Bangor City                42-61 (126-75)  27  7  8          
 3. Clitheroe                  42-57 (121-74)  25  7 10          
 4. Accrington Stanley II      42-54 (109-64)  23  8 11          
 5. Chorley                    42-53 (118-62)  23  7 12          
 6. Rossendale United          42-50 (110-95)  19 12 11          
 7. New Brighton II            42-47 (107-83)  20  7 15          
 8. Marine Crosby              42-47 (107-92)  22  3 17          
 9. Oldham Athletic II         42-46 (108-94)  18 10 14          
10. Fleetwood                  42-44  (85-92)  18  8 16          
11. Lancaster City             42-44  (95-103) 19  6 17          
12. Rochdale II                42-43  (91-90)  17  9 16          
13. Darwen                     42-42 (116-87)  18  6 18          
14. Leyland Motors             42-39  (94-101) 16  7 19          
15. Morecambe                  42-38  (67-76)  14 10 18          
16. Barrow II                  42-37  (87-116) 16  5 21          
17. Southport II               42-36  (81-99)  14  8 20          
18. Bacup Borough              42-32  (81-99)  13  6 23          
19. Prescot Cables             42-31  (79-131) 12  7 23          
20. Great Harwood              42-22  (72-156)  7  8 27          
21. Horwich RMI                42-21  (80-143)  7  7 28          
22. Droylsden                  42-18  (79-157)  7  4 31          

Source: The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.Author Dinant Abbink