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Sandy
the Lion
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| Southport
FC mascot, Sandy the Lion, gives the site his views on the club and
the game. Regular updates throughout the season.
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| 21
April
2001 |
Sad
day for the conference |
Today (Saturday)
was a sad day for the Conference. Despite a Southport victory, I could not
leave Haig Avenue a happy Lion. Why? Mainly because the friendliest team
the Conference has seen for a long while has officially left us.
Hednesford Town had to win today in order to have a chance of staying up,
though even if the three points were theirs, Forest Green Rovers would
have had to lose. However, Hednesford lost to Southport 2-0, and Forest
Green Rovers beat our Lancashire neighbours Morecambe 2-0.
The Cannock side, despite a poor performance on the pitch, were fantastic
off the pitch. With only eight minutes gone, a foolish mistake by the
Pitmen left top 'Port striker Ian Arnold with an easy chance to give his
side the lead. At 1-0, the Hednesford supporters came up with chants such
as:
"We only sing when we're losing" And… "We are bottom of
the league…"
Chants like the above deserve acknowledgment from any fan, purely for the
humour of it all, and in true Conference fashion, the chants got exactly
that from the sporting Southport fans.
Other than the game today proving how fantastic Hednesford's support is in
terms of friendliness and humour, it also proved how loud a 'Game boy' can
be when standing in silence. If anybody else heard the computer noises, I
believe they came from the opposite side of the ground in the Blowick End
- which is one hell of a distance for such a quiet noise. This shows how
much obedience the Conference fans have for one-minute silences and other
marks of respect.
However, is the Conference spirit still alive or has it followed
Hednesford Town by leaving us? The opportunities for a friendly chat with
opposition supporters are now limited. Places such as Chester, Morecambe,
Doncaster and Southport ourselves have (in some cases) unnecessary
segregation. I can understand clubs like Scarborough and Doncaster having
segregation as I myself never felt safe at these clubs inside the ground,
even when they were segregated. I would hate to play Doncaster Rovers
without fan
segregation…after all who on earth would want to mingle with that lot?
But of course, Doncaster Rovers are an ex-football league side, and from
my experience they bring nothing but trouble that dampens the true
Conference spirit.
Today, Hednesford received their first abusive song from the Southport
fans: "Going down, going down, going down…" And responded with
a loud cheer and them joining in! Now lets take that exact scenario and
put it in place at the Belle Vue - home of the ever-sporting, happy,
friendly club Doncaster Rovers. Rather than abuse being thrown, it would
be bricks. Rather than Donny fans joining in the singing, it would be new
chants of:
"You're gonna get your ******* head kicked in!" Those chants of
which coming from the small group of "fans" that haven't already
left to brick your home-bound transport. <Sigh> Those cheerful
Doncaster folk are a friendly lot.
Other trouble-free clubs include Northwich Victoria, Kingstonian, Nuneaton
Borough and Forest Green Rovers. However, all of these clubs have
something in common. Each and every one are part-time teams, but that's
not what I am after…they have all been fighting relegation this season.
But why is that? Why on earth do most friendly clubs have a problem
performing in the league?
If you ask me, it's all down to sods-law. If supporters were asked to vote
teams to go down, I am sure the teams with the most violent and thuggish
support would all be down there. Perhaps I am being too harsh pinpointing
Doncaster here, but I am certain they would finish bottom of the list. How
on earth they are in the bottom third of the Disciplinary charts I don't
know! (Dirtiest at the top - happens to be us!). I would not be at all
surprised if every team going down in this voted-league system were full
time, ex-football leaguers.
Makes you wonder how wonderful the world would be if it wasn't for the
thing we call "sods-law".
You may now wake-up.
Thanks for reading.
One final say, good luck to Hednesford Town next season, and I hope you
come straight back up to visit us at Haig Avenue again. I'll miss the
lovely trips to Cannock. Good luck from all (well, most) at Southport.
 |
| 17
April
2001 |
Uncertainty? |
| It is said all
across the nation that manager Mark Wright is one of the brightest
prospects in football management, but how does this effect Southport
Football Club? Mark Wright has been linked with several clubs in his short
spell on the northwest coast as he guided Southport from 21st place in
December last year to 9th, and put pressure on top teams Yeovil and
Rushden for the majority of this season. It is also clear that while
Wright's future is unknown, the Sandgrounders' form has dipped
dramatically. But where does Wright's future lie?
Mark Wright has always been clever with his
words. He has not once denied moving, or staying at Haig Avenue, recently
stating: "I am at Southport until I am gone" How many of us knew
that? Thank you for the guarantee Mark. As fans (and some of us
volunteers) I think we deserve to know what is going on. Mid-season this
year chairman Charlie Clapham refused Second Division Oxford United
permission to talk to Wright, and Oxford are not the only one's studying
the ex-England defender.
So where is Wright going? Lets have a look
at which clubs look likely to sign him up. The least likely of the
lot, is Southport. Wright has ambition, and these goals of his have
reportedly been on the opposite wavelength as the clubs.
So what exactly happened with Clapham
and Wright? And is that why Wright is not signing a new contract? As we
all know, information like that never leaks from the club, so who knows?
However it is fact that Clapham blocked several bids by Mark Wright on
transfer deadline day. This has caused some unrest amongst fans, but I
believe Clapham has done the right thing here. Why should Charlie let
Wright spend some of his money on players that will almost certainly be
playing under a new manager next season? This is Clapham's money remember,
he earns it so he therefore can do whatever he wants with it. Wright is
not going to sign a new contract - he is off this summer. I believe that
Charlie is saving that money for the new manager, coming this pre-season,
and rightly so.
The Southampton job is the one I would
prefer Wright to get out the lot of them. After ex-national coach Glenn
Hoddle left and joined his old club Spurs, only two names were mentioned
as candidates. Another ex-national coach Kevin Keegan as manager and
Wrighty as assistant. Where would that leave us? With Ted McMinn, our
current assistant manager. That man I believe has the magic touch. With
Wright, we drew game after game, but once McMinn partnered Wright at the
helm, the draws turned to wins and we looked unbeatable.
Derby County is another possible job for
Mark Wright. The Rams are currently fighting a relegation battle in the
Premiership with manager Jim Smith still at the helm. Smith isn't getting
any younger, and soon it is time to move on, and who better than ex-Ram
partners Wright and McMinn to take over. Well, I can name a few, but it's
those two men that Derby seem to be after.
Mark Wright, based in Wirral is also a
target of local teams Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers. The owner of JJB
Sports and Wigan Athletic has recently terminated Bruce Rioch's contract,
and that man is not easily pleased. Rioch's team were in the play-off
places with a good chance of promotion when he was sacked, will this put
off Wright and McMinn or is Wright up for a challenge?
Birkenhead side Tranmere Rovers (although I
don't like to say it) look doomed. After John Aldridge's resignation,
Rovers have relegation staring them in the face. Is it Wright's next
mission to get Rovers back to where they belong? It is rumoured that
Wright has already attended an interview for the vacant job. One thing is
certain, only time will tell. Some fans will be happy to see him go,
others disappointed, and others won't really care, but let me draw this to
your attention. Will we have a team anywhere near as strong next year?
Crowd favourite Ian Arnold, defenders Scott Guyett & Phil Bolland, and
apparently Andy Gouck are all out of contract this year. Who will offer
them new contracts? They don't offer themselves contracts!
So, Southport next year may well be without
a manager, assistant manager, our top striker, our first choice centre
backs and our captain. Doesn't look good. I think if we don't sort
something out soon, we will be in for a relegation battle, just like the
F*tcher years. Now we all want that don't we?
Thanks for reading!
All feedback is much appreciated.
|
| 10
April
2001 |
Part
time v. Full time - An Alternative Look |
Southport Football
Club has set an aim to attract young fans into Haig Avenue, but it is
common knowledge that so many fans just sit at home to support their
team. It is a dead cert that more fans watch one particular score line on
Ceefax than watch that same game at the stadium, but why? "I can't
get tickets" is the usual, lame excuse. "I cannot afford
it" is another one used by many "fans". Are they really
fans? If they have a love for the sport, and a passion for the game, then
why don't they attend matches? With friends, I often watch Premiership
games down at the local bar and try to spot the everyday fan from the part
timer. You would not believe how easy it is to tell them apart. With a
true fan, emotion pours from every nook and cranny of his or her heavily
kitted body. Quite simply, they do not care how much of a prat they look
when the ball hits the net, simply because they have scored. I remember
many a time making a fool of myself, and almost hugging a complete
stranger just because we took a one-goal lead.
So what is the part timers approach? The motions are split into several
parts, all just half a second (if that) long. First their team scores, the
crowd start to roar. Next, the part time fan looks around thinking
"Oh no! How do I celebrate?" They then pick out a sensible
looking gentlemen and follows his movements. Realistically speaking, you
should not need to think. A goal is a spare-of-the-moment thing from which
you should let all your emotion out, and if that means kissing the fan
next to you - so be it! (Take note, the finger may not be pointed towards
me if any complaints of sexual harassment are lodged against you.)
Anyroad, your neighbour should feel the same passion for the club as you
do.
The title "Part Time v. Full Time" links very strongly with this
article. This is because, in my opinion the clubs fan base should turn
full time before the club itself. How many hardcore fans fill Haig Avenue?
As records show every year in the Conference, our attendances will never
drop below the 700 mark. Through the tough times under Futcher we could
rely on those 800, but now we have a more successful team we need to
change our 1400 average to a 1400 hardcore, but how can this be done?
Derek Hitchcock, the clubs Commercial Manager (or Sales and Marketing
Manager to give him his official title) has for the last five games of the
season ran a "Kids go Free" scheme, to attract local youths into
the premises. It has proved a success so far, with over 500 school
children attending the first of the five free games at home to Hereford
United. They certainly kept the Lion busy for a large percentage of the
game, so can anybody tell me what the Hereford game was like? I didn't see
it. I was busy enjoying my job!
However, many good things in life have a bad side to them. Just like the
opposite sex for example. Now that I have proved myself to be a sexist pig
(or Lion?) I shall continue with my point. The scheme may have caused
major interest with it being aimed at all school children (ages 4 to 16) a
small amount of hooliganism has occurred over the past couple of games.
Southport has a fantastic reputation amongst many teams. The reason for
there being no segregation in our recent FA Trophy clash was: "No
need to, we all know you Southport lot. A really friendly and noisy bunch,
you wouldn't start any trouble" I think, like many others, the above
is a reputation we want to keep. However, within the Hereford group, that
reputation has been severely damaged. A group of yobbish youths were seen
throwing a bottle at the Hereford Supporters Coach window. What exactly is
the point? I am sure we will never see these thugs again at Haig Avenue
(other than to beat up the Lion) when the free games are no longer on
offer. As for away games…well then you can judge our true fan spirit.
Southport is a part time team, with a small fan base compared to the
Conference big shots. Simply, if fans want Southport to go full time, the
fans have to too. Our full time fan base has to at least double to cope
with the rise in wage demands, which could fly into seven figures. We have
a reputation we want to keep when it comes to fans, but as the Hereford
game has proved…more fans = more chance of ruining our reputation. Would
you prefer better fans or better attendances?
With better fans, we stay how we are. We have 800 hardcore fans and
arguably the best away support in the Conference. By keeping our part time
status and healthy league position, we can keep it this way. Do you want
to keep that?
With better attendances, we have the hardcore 800, while running the
chance of teen yobs attending, looking for nothing but trouble (and a Lion
to hit!). Promotion to the Football League could well be the cause of
this. So I ask you now, do you really want promotion to the Football
League?
If you disagree with my points, take note of this. In the Conference, we
have little trouble with opposing fans. Many grounds (excluding us) let
the two sets of fans mingle with no problems, this is the beauty of
non-league. However, how many teams, recently relegated from the Football
League, let supporters mingle? Another question, how many of them do you
want to mingle with? Chester are more scouse than we are! We were greeted
at Scarborough this year by fans sticking two fingers up at us and
Doncaster Rovers are renowned for being a bunch of hooligans. (I was sworn
at by a 70 year old lady before a ball was kicked!). So do we really want
to be in the Third Division, full of thugs and hooligans? A location where
we battle through a money minefield, running the risk of bankruptcy as
wages demands rise, and fans stay away. Is promotion really as great as we
think?
I will let your own mind take over from here, as I think I have spelt out
to you exactly what I am trying to say. Think about it.Thanks for reading!
|
| 18th
March 2001 |
Clapham
Out? |
Recent rumours have
suggested that manager Mark Wright, in a fall out with chairman Charlie
Clapham, has resigned as manager of Southport. After a disappointing
performance against Kettering Town on Saturday, the 'Port have still not
won at home in the Conference since November. The team were booed and
jeered off the pitch by the few remaining fans left inside the ground
which felt more like a prison that a football ground at times. The game
left many fans wondering if they could pay to get out before the gates
opened with ten minutes to go. Mark Wright summed up the game with his
actions afterwards. "No comment" The referee was abysmal, but
that is no excuse for such a poor performance. However, the referee was to
decide the score line in the end, and that should never happen. With a
different referee, the score could have easily been reversed.
The rumour, spread on 'Port chat' message board, and was supposedly heard
during the game on Saturday has caused several fans to call for the
chairman's head. However, this weeks Sandy's Corner investigates if this
is really a good idea.
Some fans believe that Clapham should leave, as he has little ambition and
is not willing to spend the necessary cash. Clapham continually mentions
his aims to win back promotion to the Football League, but never seems to
be happy to part with the cash.
However, I believe that Charlie should stay. As some may argue that he has
little ambition, I believe he does. Clapham wants to see Southport in the
future, while if some fans got what they wanted, the club could well
over-spend and miss out, just like Rushden have in the past two seasons.
Clapham is not made of money, and unlike Max Griggs' club, it could cause
serious financial difficulties within the club. Now I ask you all a
question, do you want what Clapham wants (the top part time team in the
whole of England and financially secure) or what some fans want? (An
unstable full time Football League team) I want to see Southport as a club
in the future, and if we burn a whole in our pockets, we may not be one.
As for the "He never gets out his cheque-book" comments, do you
realise how much Teale and Marsh are being paid? Do you ever wonder how
much we must be paying Wright? All these players are very high profile,
and I would have thought would be the most well paid members of our club.
Mike Marsh is rated the best player in the Conference and came to
Southport after turning down offers from other top conference teams. He
wouldn't have signed if we paid him in meatballs would he? We may not be
spending ridiculous amounts of cash for players like many other teams
which could turn out to be total flops. (Carl Alford is a perfect
example).
A recent report in the Non League Paper states that most Conference clubs
are losing a rough £2000 a week. Are Southport "most Conference
clubs"? We don't know, as we are not told much as fans but if we
aren't one of these clubs, we certainly have a very good chairman. Off the
pitch, we have one paid member of the club. That is Derek Hitchcock, the
commercial manager. Clapham has as little employees as possible, so he can
keep the club running smoothly. Many clubs have gone wrong here. Some
clubs pay too higher wages, some contract too many players, others pay
more attention to giving board members rewards rather than keeping the
clubs future secure. We should count ourselves lucky that we are not one
of these clubs.
After reviewing all this, do some of you still want Clapham out? I am sure
that even if the few did protest about the chairman, they would not
receive much backing from other fans. I am certain that many opposition
fans would mention the "Same old Southport, always whinging"
comments. There is always somebody worse off than you. That is true
(however, not in the case of the Land Rover driver that accidentally
caused the Selby rail disaster!) and we should not forget that. Some clubs
and their fans would love to have a chairman that is as careful, and
sensible as our chairman, Charlie Clapham. We should be grateful that we
have a secure club with a future, instead of an insecure club, with an
uncertain future.
Thanks for reading!
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