November 2024 Updates

The past month has seen significant developments for both the website and ongoing research. Here’s a summary of the latest updates and improvements:

Website Design Overhaul

A lot of work has gone into refining some elements of the design and functionality of the website. Key changes include:

Last Match Display:
The most recent match is now prominently displayed in the site header. Whilst this was previously always available in the footer it is now much more prominent.

Tabbed Interface for Match Details:
This is the most significant and obvious change. Match detail pages have been transformed with a new tabbed interface. You can now effortlessly switch between:

Line-ups: View the players who featured in the game.

Match Reports: Read detailed accounts of the action.

Media Files: Access related images or other media associated with the match.

Improved Navigation Between Matches:
A streamlined interface allows you to jump back to the season’s results or flick forward and backward between individual games, making it easier than ever to explore past fixtures.

Enhanced Goalscorer Displays:
Goalscorer information at the top of each match details page now includes the timing of goals (where available).

New Content Additions

Substantial new material has been uploaded to the website, including:

Match Reports:
Close to 200 additional match reports have been added, significantly enriching the historical archive.

Player Profiles:
A large number of player bios and photographs have been added, shedding more light on the individuals who shaped Southport’s sporting heritage.


Book Updates

The second edition of The Town’s Game is now available for sale in the gift shop at the The Atkinson Museum and Galleries on Lord Street, and it is also available in the Southport FC Club Shop on Haig Avenue.

It also remains available on Amazon in both hardback and Kindle formats.

In addition, local historian David Walshe has released a second edition of his book, Sandy Tracks. This book is also available for purchase at The Atkinson and from David directly.

Future Projects

Preliminary work has begun on my next book, which will continue to explore Southport’s sporting heritage. However, this is still in the early stages, and it will likely be a long time before the project is ready for release. Updates will be shared as the work progresses.

Contribute to the Website

If you’re passionate about the history of cricket, rugby, or association football in Southport and have an idea for an article, your contributions are most welcome! Please get in touch and help expand the breadth of stories shared on the site.

DJH