1954/55 Season Summary

Although Southport, who switched to an old gold and black rayon strip, had the best defensive record in the tour divisions of the Football League, goals were in such short supply that, in fact, only three league clubs scored fewer. Southport recorded six goalless draws in their league programme, including three in consecutive games in April; inevitably the season was financially disastrous — almost £5,000 was lost — as support slumped to its lowest level since 1935-36. Attendance averaged 3,554 and the gate for the Chester match in March was a meagre 1,317 – one of the lowest then recorded.

The very settled defence, which regularly comprised Minshull, Taylor_ Reilly, Hunter, Barratt and Charlton, gave nothing away. The only newcomer included was the stylish Wilf Chariton a 20-year-old acquisition from Huddersfield Town.

Although six new forwards were signed during the close season only two made any impression —Bill Holmes, a former English amateur international, who arrived as part of an exchange deal that took Kevin Walsh to Bradford City, and Bill Beadnell, a burly inside forward from .Middlesborough.

One of the season’s few bright spots was the hat-trick Bill Holmes scored in a 4-1 win against Carlisle United on his wedding day I Jimmy Prescott, a product of .Lowton St. Mary’s, impressed with his fast raiding; he achieved a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over :Halifax Town, which completed the ‘Port’s second double. Previously they had recorded their first ever double over Bradford City. Prescott, along with the immaculate Ray Minshull, was chosen to represent Division ,111 (North) against their Southern counterparts in the match at Reading; but, with Southport desperately short of cash. he was transferred to York City in May for £2,000_ which at least helped to pay the summer wages.

The early cup dismissal at Bradford Park Avenue did little to help the financial situation and in order to reduce the wage bill the club also parted company with Ray ‘Taylor, a left winger from Huddersfield Town, who signed for ‘Chesterfield in March.

Amongst those not retained was hard-tackling dull-back Terry Reilly; this news came as a major shock particularly as he had just been granted a benefit match on the completion of his five years’ service which included 191 league appearances. The veteran Jack Billingham was ‘also released and retired from football, having fulfilled his ambition of playing until he reached forty. Four close season signings, all forwards, were freed. Verdi Godwin (Brentford) went to ‘Barrow. Tom Richardson (Middlesborough) to Aldershot, whilst wingers Jim Drury and Chris Anderson, ex-Carlisle United and Stockport County respectively, retired from league football.

Early in 1955 several old stalwarts passed on. In March Jimmy Commins, who had signed’ ten players without cost and created the famous cup-fighting squad of the early ‘thirties, died aged 76. After assembling the side he left to manage Barrow and later Shelbourne and Cork United before returning for a second spell at Haig Avenue. Subsequent), he spent much time scouting for his old :friend Major Buckley at Wolves.

In the same month Charlie Sinclair, one of the five Sinclair brothers, passed away and in May the death of Fred W. Hyde of Everard Road_ an original director of the club, was recorded.

During the course of the season an Extraordinary General Meeting was called to increase the share capital from £8,000 to £15,000 and Bob Howard, a prominent local builder was co-opted to the board to become the tenth director to guarantee an ever increasing bank overdraft.

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 (DIVISION 1) '54-'55
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 1. Accrington Stanley II      42-68 (110-46)  29 10  3  Champions    
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 2. Rossendale United          42-54 (123-84)  24  6 12          
 3. Wigan Athletic             42-52  (93-56)  21 10 11          
 4. Burscough                  42-52  (75-49)  22  8 12          
 5. Oldham Athletic II         42-52  (98-74)  21 10 11  left  
 6. Blackpool 'B'              42-49 (101-59)  22  5 15  left  
 7. Fleetwood                  42-49  (73-69)  19 11 12          
 8. Horwich RMI                42-48  (81-62)  20  8 14          
 9. Morecambe                  42-44  (68-65)  18  8 16          
10. Marine Crosby              42-43  (91-84)  19  5 18          
11. Netherfield                42-43  (92-94)  20  3 19          
12. Darwen                     42-43  (64-79)  15 13 14          
13. Chorley                    42-41  (78-91)  17  7 18          
14. Lancaster City             42-41  (68-84)  16  9 17          
15. Barrow II                  42-37  (87-90)  14  9 19  left  
16. Nelson                     42-36  (82-84)  14  8 20          
17. Ashton United              42-35  (75-107) 13  9 20          
18. Southport II               42-33  (74-79)  12  9 21          
19. Bolton Wanderers 'B'       42-32  (62-68)  12  8 22  left  
20. South Liverpool            42-32  (67-105) 12  8 22          
21. Rochdale II                42-25  (58-92)   8  9 25  left  
22. New Brighton               42-15  (48-147)  6  3 33          

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