Ralph Graham

The youngest of six of a mining family who moved from Durham to Doncaster when the Durham pit closed, Graham was schooled in Dunforth but left at 14 to work down the pit for 2½ years. His early promise at Doncaster was disrupted by 2 years’ National Service in the RAF where his reputation attracted bigger clubs. Matt Busby tried to sign him, but unfortunately, he was committed to Doncaster Rovers.His 12 appearances with the Rovers in 1949–50 were insufficient to earn him a Third Division North Championship winner’s medal. He had a useful first season at Haig Avenue, displacing Kenny Powell, and netted three of Southport’s five goals at Shrewsbury in their then-record away win. He tore ligaments in the knee in the opening game of 1951–52, and it was the following March before he was sufficiently recovered to play in the reserves.He joined Midland League side Goole Town but by October 1952 was working for British Rail. He subsequently played in Canada, emigrating there in 1956 and playing on and off until 40 in his preferred position of wing-half. He worked for many years on the Vancouver waterfront and coached the St. Andrew’s team for 5 years.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9

Southport Playing Stats

First Team

	Heritage Qualifying				League Only				Cup Only				Other Only				All
Season
1950/1951	28	(0)	28	9	28	(0)	28	9	1	(0)	1	0	1	(0)	1	1	30	(0)	30	10
1951/1952	1	(0)	1	0	1	(0)	1	0	0	(0)	0	0	0	(0)	0	0	1	(0)	1	0
Total	29	(0)	29	9	29	(0)	29	9	1	(0)	1	0	1	(0)	1	1	31	(0)	31	10