RECKLESS GUIDE TO SOUTHPORT

SOUTHPORT v BARNET

Vanarama Premier League 

Saturday 30th August 2014

Kick Off 3.00pm

Stadium: Merseyrail Community Stadium Haig Avenue Southport Merseyside PR8 6JZ

Telephone: 01704 533422

Club Colours: Yellow and Black

Nickname: The Sandgrounders

Official Website: www.southportfc.net

Key Personnel

Martin Foyle is currently at the helm at Haig Avenue having previously managed at Port Vale, Wrexham, York City, Northwich Victoria and latterly with Hereford United where he left after their winding up petition was issued in March 2014.

Martin Foyle

He returned to management and joined Southport in May 2014, following the departure of John Coleman. Striker Martin made over 650 career appearances between 1980-2000 for Port Vale, Aldershot and Oxford United among others, scoring over 200 goals.

Brief Directions by Road

M1 and onto the M6. Onwards and northwards leaving the M6 at junction 26 and joining the M58. Stay on the M58 until junction 3 and take the A570 signposted Skelmersdale and Southport. Onto and through the very pleasant town of Ormskirk remaining on the A570 (via 1 way system), then onto Southport. Follow the A570 Into Scarisbrick New Road and you will find Haig Avenue on the right, half a mile before the town centre. Please note that the ground is really well signposted from edge of town and the floodlights and main stand are visible from some distance away.

Haig Avenue

Car Parking

There is no car park at the ground and Haig Avenue is usually blocked off on matchdays. However there is ample street parking available close to the ground.

Directions by Train

London Euston is your starting point and a 4 hour journey awaits you with changes at Crewe and/or Wigan. Southport British Rail is a around a mile and a half from the ground. Turn left out of the station and into Chapel Street. Then take the 2nd left into Eastbank Street. At a roundabout turn into Scarisbrick Road (signposted A570 to Ormskirk) and you will see Haig Avenue on the left after a short walk. A taxi will cost you about £5.00, made for sharing. By Bus -the routes D and D1 run to Scarisbrick Road and directly to the ground from the station and town centre.

Eating and Drinking Locally

The club recommends The Thatch Pub & Grill on Norwood Road and The Richmond on Scarisbrick New Road. Both are within easy walking distance of the ground.

The town centre has numerous pubs and eateries as you can imagine but for a special treat I found the Office Bar at 9 Hoghton Street Southport PR9 0TE which is a Edwin Stein corner kick away from the Station. A very palatable two course Lunch will set you back £11.95 and the BBQ Pulled Pork, Creamed Potato and Crispy Crackling was.....wicked. The Hoghton Arms in London Street was also a lovely pub.

Hoghton Arms

Social Club

The Grandstand Bar is accessible and neighbourly and situated behind the main stand. Please note that the club bar closes 15 minutes before kick-off and until after the game.

Ground Description

The Merseyrail Community Stadium will more than cope with Conference Premier football with a main stand that holds 1,600. The Jack Carr home terrace is partially covered with the uncovered Popular Side also a home fan only area. The ‘away’ terrace is called the Blowick End which is uncovered and very ‘open’. Entry to this terrace is through turnstiles 3 and 4.The view from the main stand is excellent and an area there is allocated to away fans with entry via turnstiles 5 & 6. The current capacity at the stadium is 6,000.

Blowick Terrace

Admission Prices

Seating:Adults £15 Concessions £11 Under 19's £5

Terrace: Adults £13.50 Concessions £10 Under 19's £5

Under 11’s accompanied by an adult are admitted free.

Previous Meetings and Memories

Our last visit was as recently as April 2014 and a 1-1 draw thanks to Mark Byrne.

A nice day out was had in November 2011 when Clovis Kamdjo and Charlie Taylor goals secured a 2-1 FA Cup 1^st round win.

The Brave Doughnut Munchers at Southport 2002 (see below)

Michael Hanley "Mr Doughnut 2002"

2002 season saw the third win on the spin for the club at the time. The doughnut munching (in joke amongst a few of us travellers that afternoon) Bees fans in the 946 attendance saw Mark Gower miss from the penalty spot and a winning goal poached by Wayne Purser.

Mark Gower

Wayne Purser

Celebrity Watch

Actors galore soaked up the sun in Southport - The delightful actress Miranda Richardson was born here (she does not look 57) as was “Confessions of” actor Robin Askwith. Anthony Quayle he of Lawrence of Arabia and Guns of Naverone too! Jeff Searle lookalike Marc Almond busked on the pier as did Opportunity Knocks singer song writer Berni Flint

Berni Flint

Ex-footballers Kenny Dalglish, and Alan Hanson have homes here as does the long serving ex-Barnet crowd favourite Mark Lawrenson.

The long serving Mark Lawrenson who played in over 270 games sorry minutes for Barnet FC in the 1980's