The Southport Athletic Society: A trailblazing force for British Athletics

The Southport Athletic Society was a trailblazing force in the development of athletics in Britain, hosting landmark events and influencing the national governance of the sport. From its first festival in 1870 at the Palace Hotel grounds in Birkdale to the construction of purpose-built sports facilities, the Society played a significant role in the formation of the Amateur Athletics Association (AAA) and hosted the British Championships in 1885.

The First Festival: A Grand Beginning in 1870

In the mid-19th century, athletics was predominantly a professional sport, with races run for prize money and accompanied by significant on-course betting. However, the 1860s and 1870s saw the emergence of amateur athletics clubs, including the Southport Athletic Society.

The Society held its first athletic festival on 6 August 1870 at the Palace Hotel grounds in Weld Road, Birkdale. The Southport Independent and Ormskirk Chronicle reported on 10 August 1870, in language typical of the era:

“The first annual festival of this society was held on Saturday afternoon last, on the Palace Hotel grounds in Weld Road, Birkdale, and the inaugural gathering has fully justified the expectations of those who predicted success to the society. Considering that muscular development has for many years formed part of the school training of all youth, and that athletic sports have now become a popular national institution, it is rather surprising that Southport should have remained so long in the background in this respect.”

The report goes on to describe a crowd of approximately 4,000 spectators, the success of the event, and its vibrant atmosphere:

“The day being remarkably fine, a large number of persons assembled to witness the sports, and the grandstand, which extended along one side of the ground, was filled with spectators; the fair sex, whose presence on such occasions never fails to stimulate competitors to do their utmost to win their smiles, and throws a peculiar charm over these sports, being unusually well represented. There was also a large crowd round the course, and great interest appeared to be manifested in the various contests.”

The festival marked a turning point for organised athletics in Southport. Events ranged from competitive athletic challenges to novelty races, appealing to a wide audience.

Competitions included:

• 220 Yards Flat Race (Handicap)
• Running Broad Jump
• Two-Mile Bicycle Race (Handicap)
• Throwing the Hammer
• 120 Yards Three-Legged Race for Youths
• One-Mile Steeplechase (Handicap)
• 410 Yards Flat Race for Lancashire Volunteers (in uniform, with bayonets)

The Palace Hotel grounds, spanning 20 scenic acres, provided a perfect setting for the event, which quickly became a fixture in Southport’s sporting and social calendar.

Relocation to Manchester Road

As Southport expanded, the Society moved its festival to the Manchester Road grounds home to Southport Cricket Club and adjacent to the Alexandra Cricket Club, which hosted the original Southport Football Club. The new venue offered greater accessibility and a central location.

Formation of the Amateur Athletics Association

The Southport Athletic Society played a crucial role in the creation of the AAA, the governing body for athletics in England. Dissatisfaction with the dominance of university athletes—particularly those from Oxford and Cambridge—prompted a push for a more inclusive framework.

On 15 June 1879, following that year’s successful festival, the Society convened a meeting at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Spearheaded by figures like George Duxfield and Thomas Fairbrother, this meeting led to the formation of the Northern Counties Athletic Association, which would later become the North of England Amateur Athletic Association—one of the oldest of its kind in the world.

In August 1879, 13 Northern athletic clubs formalised their membership, and the Society became a founding member. This initiative not only provided a voice for regional athletes but also influenced the AAA’s later adoption of a rotational system for hosting championships. The Southport Athletic Society’s George Duxfield subsequently served as President of the Northern Counties and Vice President of the AAA of England.

The Construction of the Sussex Road Sports Ground

By 1874, Southport’s rapid urban growth led to the loss of the Manchester Road grounds, forcing the Society to seek a new home. After a short tenure at the recreation ground off Cemetery Road, the Society acquired eight acres of land at Sussex Road from the Scarisbrick Trustees.

The development of the Sussex Road grounds reflected the Society’s ambitions:

• A quarter-mile cinder running track, suitable for high-level competition.
• A 95-yard-long grandstand, seating 2,000 spectators, built at a cost of over £500 (equivalent to £65,000 today).
• Dedicated areas for field events such as jumping and throwing.

The grounds officially opened on 10 June 1882 for the 13th Annual Athletic Festival and quickly became a centre for athletics in the North West, attracting top athletes and significant crowds.

The 1885 AAA Championships

On 27 June 1885, the Sussex Road grounds hosted the AAA Championships, marking the first time the event was held in the North of England. The championships drew elite athletes from across the world and a crowd of 5,000 spectators, with gate receipts amounting to £215. The event demonstrated the Society’s ability to stage large-scale, professionally organised competitions.

Prizes were presented by Mr. G. A. Pilkington, the Mayor of Southport, further emphasising the town’s pride in hosting such a prestigious event.

The Sussex Road grounds were not just limited to athletics. They hosted cricket and football matches, including exhibition games featuring teams like Blackburn Rovers. These events provided financial stability for the Society, allowing further investment in athletics.

Challenges and Legacy

Despite its success, the Sussex Road grounds faced logistical issues, particularly due to the lack of nearby tramlines or railway stops. By the late 1880s, Southport Central, the town’s newly formed professional football club, vacated the grounds after just one season, as the landowner prepared to sell the site for housing development.

In March 1895, the Society surrendered its lease, and the site was eventually redeveloped. However, the Society’s efforts left an enduring legacy, democratising athletics and promoting regional representation in sport.

From its inaugural festival in Birkdale to hosting the AAA Championships, the Southport Athletic Society played a transformative role in British athletics.

(Featured image for illustrative purposes only)