1 - 1 v Nelson (H) 19/11/2024 
We are saddened to learn of the sudden death of Ian Cockbain, aged 64 years, on Friday morning.
As a footballer he made a number of appearances for South Liverpool and Caernarfon Town, from whom he later signed for the Sandgrounders, making his debut in the 1-1 President’s Cup first round game on 7th November 1987. Brought in by caretaker manager Paul Lodge who had taken the reigns following Bryan Griffiths’ shock resignation, he was brought in to try and help a side who had slipped from 8 points clear at the top of the table, to 4 points behind their rivals after an alarming slump in form. Lodge’s caretakership however was very short and after Micky Taylor was appointed on 17th November Ian made only one further appearance for the club, in a 2-0 FA Trophy defeat to Gateshead. In all he made just 4 appearances, including 2 as a substitute.
Ian is much more famous however for his exploits in an entirely different sport and upon his signing for the club joined a select band of Southport Players, including Frank Sugg, Lol Cook, James Meunier, Horace Wass, Joe Johnson, Ted Blagg and Jim Cumbes, to have also played first class cricket. Ian represented Lancashire County Cricket Club between 1979 and 1983 playing 46 first-class and 28 one-day games. A right-handed batsman who bowled slow left arm orthodox, he made his highest score of 98 in the game at Southport against Warwickshire in 1982 where Lancashire famously overturned a huge score by the visitors to win by ten wickets.
A legend of the Liverpool Competition, where he played for thirty years, principally at home-town Bootle Cricket Club, with whom he captained the team to great success before retiring in 2008 at the age of 50.
Six years later, after moving to Formbt he was persuaded by a friend near to his home to come out of retirement and help to revive the fortunes of Formby Cricket Club. He skippered the side to the Division One championship and promotion in 2014.
Between 1985 and 2001 he also played 193 games for Cheshire in Minor Counties cricket, captaining the side from 1991 to 2001, and 14 times for the Minor Counties representative team in one-day competitions.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ian’s family and friends.
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Very sorry to hear that Ian passed away 2 years ago. He was my boss back in the late 1980s when we worked at Henvale, He was a very respectful human being, and I held him in high regard. My sincere condolences to his family.