Football Season Guide

Southport have been perennial strugglers at the bottom end of the Conference Premier in recent seasons and there is little to suggest that they will be anything more than that in the coming campaign too. Despite looking like certain relegation fodder every year, the Port have always found enough in the locker to beat the drop and that was the case again at the end of last season. Paul Carden was thrown into the deep end in his first managerial job, taking over from Gary Brabin at the end of January after being his assistant before. Carden struggled initially but inspired the team to an excellent run of form in March and that proved vital in the final reckoning as Port finished just above the bottom four. The Merseyside club do not have the financial muscle and clout to significantly improve what was a rather poor squad last season and the manager will have to work on a tight budget in the coming season. Andy Wright, a flexible and reliable midfielder who can also operate in defence, looks like his best capture but there is little else to excite the fans. Andy Coughlin is also a good keeper on his day but the issues of consistency have dogged him in recent seasons. Josh Thompson arrived from Tranmere to bolster the defensive options but the former Celtic man’s career has declined badly in recent years. The other signings are mostly unproven players who will be given a chance to shine over the course of the season. Luke George is a big loss as the skipper chose the offer of Chester and will not be part of the team any more. He has lead by example on the pitch and will leave a gap that is only exasbarted by the departure of Scott Kay and the serious injury of Paul Smith. Up front, Richard Brodie will have to deliver both in goals and hold-upplay and it will be a hard task for him to replicate the form of last season. He has little support cast on the wings and that is the main area that needs strengthening prior to the season. Overall, Southport look set for another season of struggle and will need to work very hard to beat the drop.