On This Day: February 21st

The 1964/65 season saw Southport finish in 20th place, without a win in their last 17 league games. The cups however offered a respite and for the first time since 1947-48 Southport reached the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup. On this day in 1965 Southport progressed past Blackpool in the second round of the competition.

John Coates, a 19 year old part time professional was forced to deputise for regular goalkeeper Albert Harris who broke the big toe of his foot in an accident at his work in Liverpool earlier in the day. The injury was to keep Harris out of action until the end of March.

The focus of concern however wasn’t on Harris’ injury but on Colin Alty who limped off injured at the end of this game. A Sandgrounder himself, Colin Alty had been the pick of the new signings having been with player-manager Willie Cunningham at Preston. The injury would keep him out of the team for the rest of the season but later under Billy Bingham’s guidance he would develop into a most dependable and valued team-member. 

Harris who had been a dependable keeper for five seasons was part of the end of season clear-out that followed the sacking of Willie Cunningham.

SOUTHPORT 2 – 0 BLACKPOOL

Competition: Lancashire Senior Cup / 2
Date: 21/02/1965

Southport Line-Up: John Coates, Kevin Cairns, Tony Beanland, Roger Darvell, Arthur Peat, Alex Russell, Ron Cairns, Les Dagger, Colin Alty, Sammy Taylor, Alan Spence,   
Goals: Sammy Taylor, Alan Spence