Southport v Darlington
Saturday 2nd December 2023, 3pm
Vanarama National League North
Southport FC Merseyrail Community Stadium, Haig Avenue, Southport, Lancashire, PR8 6JZ Tel: 01704 533422 Click for Streetmap History:
Founded in 1881 and were founder members of the Third Division North in
1921, and enjoyed a Football League history until they were demoted in
1978. Their high points had come a little earlier, with their only promotions
out of the old Division Four under Billy Bingham and Jimmy Meadows. They
had some wilderness years before careful rebuilding under long-serving
chairman Charlie Clapham, leading to promotion from the Northern Premier
in 1993 to the Conference. They stayed for 10 years before a period of
relegation and promotion saw the Port earn return to the Conference again
after winning the Conference North title in May 2011. Darlo played them last during our Conference season in 2012 but a few seasons of struggle - 11 managers in four years - ended in relegation in 2017 and the three seasons back in Conference North have been consolidation.
Away fans may be given an uncovered terrace in the Blowich end behind the goal. Admission prices for 2023/2024 To be confirmed. Last season: Adults £13.50 (terracing), concessions/ over 65, £10; ages 12-17, £5 and under 12s are free with a paying adult. The main stand is £15 adults, £11 concession and £5 junior (12 to 17). It's a cashless turnstile so you will need to buy a ticket online before to scan from your phone or print off - or buy on day from the ticket office. |
From
the North (123 miles from Darlington): A1 and A66/A685 across to
join the M6 motorway. Exit the M6 at junction 28, sign-posted Chorley. Then
take the B5248, which runs onto the A59/A565. On reaching Southport, take
the second turning off the roundabout on to Preston New Road (Plough Hotel
on left) Follow this road until you reach a set of traffic lights. Go straight
across onto Cambridge Road. Continue down Lord Street into Southport town
centre turning left into Eastbank Street and continue until you reach a
roundabout. Go straight on into Scarisbrick New Road. Turn left into Haig
Avenue at second set of traffic lights.
Parking: There is no parking for fans at the ground, so you rely on
street parking. This isn't usually a problem but look out for restrictions
in some streets
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club
Taxis:
Southport Taxis 01704 884455
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Meols Cop (on the Manchester to Southport
line) is a 10 minute walk up Norwood Road (just under a mile).
Southport station is in the town centre and is a 20-25 minute walk from
the ground (1.5 miles). From the station entrance in Chapel Street, turn
left into Tulketh Street and a right into Wesley Street. At the junction
with the A570 Eastbank Street, following the main road left and it becomes
Scarisbrick New Road. Past the Infirmary, you take a second left into
Haig Avenue and find the ground along the road on the right after 200m.
Buses: The 300 bus (Liverpool) goes from near the railway station
in Hoghton Street and stops near the junction with Haig Avenue. The 44
(Woodvale) runs from near the station (Hoghton St/Eastbank St, hourly
on a bank holiday) and runs down Haig Avenue itself, close to the ground,
as does the 42 (Walnut St). The 375/385 runs down the A570 past the Infirmary.
Train times
For more options, go
to National Rail Planner
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Baron's Bar, Scarisbrick Hotel, 239 Lord Street, on A565 The Beer Inn, 657 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0AW Sir Henry Seagrave, 93-97 Lord Street (on A565), PR8 1RH Lakeside Inn, Marine Lake, The Promenade, PR9 0EA Near the ground:
The Thatch and Thistle, 147 Norwood Road Southport PR8 6EF The Richmond, 234 Scarisbrick New Road, PR8 5HL |
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Burgers, pies and hot dogs in the ground. |
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There's the very good Official
website, while Port
Online offers a history of the club, with regularly updated nostalgia
- a nice touch. Trust In Yellow
is the supporters' trust site.
© Photos: Ted Blair
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Things to Do:
Being a traditional and quite classy
seaside town, there's plenty to do at the seafront and prom, and a good
choice of restaurants and good shops around Lord Street. It's also something of a golfing haven, which explains the number of ex-footballers who live here, with Royal Birkdale the most famous course. There is also the British
Lawnmower Museum but you might be cutting it fine to make the match.
Southport Tourist Information, 112 Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1NY
Tel: 01704 533333
Visit Southport has accommodation, but book early as it's Easter weekend. See also Visit
Lancashire
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