2023-24 Player Details

May 26, 2023

Unfortunately it didn’t take long this season for the official team photo to become out of date so it is only left here for info!

Squad List

No	Player
1	Chris Renshaw
2	Matt Thomson
3	Jack Doyle
4	Harry Flowers
5	Adam Anson
6	Declan Evans
7	Danny Lloyd
8	David Morgan
9	Jordan Archer
10	Marcus Carver	Loan From Scunthorpe Season Long
11	Tyler Walton
12	Connor Heath	Loan Out Stafford-Season End
13	Tony McMillan
14	Keenan Quansah
15	Josh Hmami
16	Festus Arthur	Loan From FC Halifax Season End
17
18
19	Sam Billington
20	Luke Burgess
21
22
23	Finlay Lockett	Loan From Bolton Season End
24	Will Russ
25	Danny Philliskirk	Loan To Season End From AFC Fylde
26	Richie Bennett	Loan From Scunthorpe to Season End
Manager	Jim Bentley
Assistant Manager	Andy Burgess

The number in brackets after the player’s name is their player number for the club.

Appearances & Scorers here

Manager-Jim Bentley

Jim was appointed on August 29th 2023. Brings a vast amount of managerial experience with him having had spells in charge at Morecambe, AFC Fylde and Rochdale. Jim is a larger than life character with a big personailty and is relishing the task of steering Southport out of the perilous position he inherited with the club stranded at the bottom with just one point from the first six games.

At one point whilst at Morecambe Jim was the longest serving manager in the EFL.

Assistant Manager-Andy Burgess

Taken over from Terry McPhillips. Andy brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience with him. Proudly tells us that he scored twice for Rushden & Diamonds against Southport in the 2000-01 season but we don’t hold that against him!

Andy. who is also a member of The Big Help Project Team also has managerial experience at AFC Rushden & Diamonds where as a player for the now defunct Rushden and Diamonds he made over 250 appearances and is an R&D “Legend”

He previously managed Barnton and prior to that he was heavily involved in Women’s Football, managing Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and the Leeds United Women’s Teams.

Following the move of Liam Watson into a full time Director role Andy took on a Caretaker Manager role in partnership with David Morgan and reverted back to Assistant Manager when Jim Bentley was appointed.

Player Coach 8. David Morgan (795)

David returns to the club after being released by Accrington Stanley at the end of the 2022-23 season.  His time at Accrington was interrupted by injury but “Morgs” is fit and desperate to get back playing football. He will be taking on a player coach role that will also involve working alongside the existing Academy coaches. It’s great news for Southport, a real fans favourite, lots of experience a player who never gives less than 100%. Morgs originally signed in SAeptember 2017, left the club for Accrington after making 105 league starts scoring 19 goals he also made 23 starts in the cups and added a further 3 goals to his tally. Following the move of Liam Watson into a full time Director role Morgs took on a joint caretaker manager role with Andy Burgess and then reverted back to player coach upon the appointment of Jim Bentley

1. Chris Renshaw (860)

Chris made the move from Curzon Ashton in the summer. He picked up the Players’ Player Of The Year and Supporters’ Player Of The Year for the 2022-23 season.

Chris signed for Curzon at the start of the 21/22 season and kept 13 clean sheets before bettering that last season with 15.

Previously he signed for Everton on a three year deal in June 2016, joining the youth development ranks and was at Oldham Athletic prior to that.

 

2. Matt Thomson (861)

Matt was the first signing of the close season. Matt is a defender who joins the club from Bamber Bridge.

Matt initially joined Bamber Bridge on a loan basis from Chester in 2019 and signed for them permanently in the summer of 2020.

 

 

3. Jack Doyle (825) 

Signed from Blackburn Rovers just ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Jack made his debut for Rovers in 2017-18 before joining Maidstone United on loan but unfortunately his loan spell was cut short by injury.

At the start of the 2023-24 season Jack had made 117 starts in all competitions and has been a model of consistency in defence.

A player who is regarded very highly by everyone at the club.

4. Harry Flowers (862)

Manager Liam Watson made Harry a key summer signing target and got his man in the middle of June. A tall central defender signed from AFC Telford United and lots of experience at this level having previously been at Curzon Ashton and Brackley Town. Great pedigree with his grandfather being the late Ron Flowers who played over 700 games for Wolves and 49 times for England.

 

 

5. Adam Anson (834) 

Adam signed for Southport from Witton Albion.

A tall central defender who joined Witton in August 2019 from Chorley where he had previously spent two seasons. He made 27 starts for the Magpies helping them to promotion from the Vanarama National League North in 2018/19.

Having started his senior football career with Wigan Athletic, Adam has also spent some time on loan at Lancaster City. He was also on the books of both Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool as a youngster. Adam has now had 117 starts for the club as at the start of the 2023-24 season. He started in 47 games in 2022-23 Adam is the team captain, a role he relishes and looks forward to continuing in 2023-24. Supporters Player Of The Year in 2022-23.

6. Declan Evans (849) 

A product of the youth academy at Rochdale, Declan joined Mossley from Chorley in 2017 and was a regular at Mossley making over 100 appearances. In the 21-22 season he also scored ten times and has attracted the attention of several clubs and manager Liam Watson was pleased to get Declan signed up in 21-22 but by allowing him to go back to Mossley he was guaranteed game time given the outstanding form of the Southport backline that season. Made 27 starts in 2022-23 in a season blighted by injury and we are all looking forward to having a fully fit Dec on board this season.

 

 

7. Danny Lloyd (605)

Danny Lloyd rejoined the club after an absence of 12 years.

Danny, a forward was involved in our PASE set up back in 2008 and made 1 sub league appearance in the 2009-10 season as well as having 2 cup starts and he also had 4 sub starts in 2010-11.

Danny went on to play for Colwyn Bay, Lincoln City, Tamworth, AFC Fylde, Stockport, Peterborough United. Salford City, Tranmere, Gillingham, Rochdale and Livingston.

8. David Morgan (795)

David returns to the club after being released by Accrington Stanley at the end of the 2022-23 season.  His time at Accrington was interrupted by injury but “Morgs” is fit and desperate to get back playing football. He will be taking on a player coach role that will also involve working alongside the existing Academy coaches. It’s great news for Southport, a real fans favourite, lots of experience a player who never gives less than 100%. Morgs originally signed in SAeptember 2017, left the club for Accrington after making 105 league starts scoring 19 goals he also made 23 starts in the cups and added a further 3 goals to his tally.

 

 

9. Jordan Archer (819) 

Jordan, who was previously on loan at the club in 2019 re-joined on a deal originally until May 2022 but extended until May 2024.

During his first stint at Southport, Jordan scored on his debut and has since gone on to be the latest member of the Southport Football Club 20 goal club with a total of 47 goals in all competitions, 34 in the league as at the end of the 2022-23 season

A strong striker with an eye for goal, he joined Southport from Boston United having made the switch to join the Pilgrims in the summer.

Starting his career with Chasetown, Jordan progressed up the football pyramid to play in the EFL for Bury and Port Vale. He has also spent time with Maidenhead United, Chester and Stockport County. Leading league scorer in 2021-22 with 22 goals in all competitions and last season he headed the leading league scorer charts again with 10. Another player hit by injury but a vital leader of the forward line.

Returned from injury in February 24 and notched his 35th league goal for the club and sits in 10th place in the club’s all time Non League scorers chart.

10. Marcus Carver (835)

The Prodigal Son returns on a season long loan from Scunthorpe. A firm fans favourite, Marcus had made 43 starts for the club in all competitions and had 18 league and 7 cup goals to his credit. Having enjoyed a superb spell with The Sandgrounders he was attracting the attention of a number of clubs higher up the pyramid and made the move to Hartlepool and then on to Scunthorpe. With playing options looking limited at Glanford Park Marcus was made available for transfer and manager, Liam Watson moved in quickly to snap him up and bring him “home”

Cemented his place in the SFC 20 Goal Club this season.

 

11. Tyler Walton (847)   

Joined mid January 2022 initially on loan from Farsley Celtic but such was his impressive form the loan was quickly made into a permanent move.

Tyler joined Farsley in a switch from Frickley Athletic in summer 2019. His former clubs include Leeds United and Manchester City at youth level and York City for whom he debuted at 17 years of age. he scored on his full Farsley debut on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.

The roaming midfielder was a solid member of the Farsley squad and continued that role with The Sandgrounders making 46 starts in all competitions and contributed 9 goals. Was the Media Player Of The Season which is awarded to the player who picks up the most Media Man Of The Match awards in all competitions during the season.

12. Connor Heath (855) Loan Out To Stafford Until Season End

Connor is a big powerful forward who had been with Nantwich since the summer of 2020 after being released from Crewe Alexandra, where he impressed during his 2-year scholarship period with a number of goals; he signed a professional contract in the summer of 2019.

Connor impressed at Nantwich during the 2020 pre-season period with a few goals and has kicked on ever since, becoming a regular goalscorer for the Dabbers and terrorising defences with his physicality and power. Joined Southport October 2022 and scored 6 times in the season. Currently on loan Stafford Rangers until season end.

 

13. Tony McMillan (582) 

A former youth and reserve team player at Preston North End, he joined the Linnets from Lancaster City in June 2006 after becoming a familiar name in the Conference North. Having moved from Preston to Wigan Athletic, he played under Liam Watson at Runcorn FC Halton, where he kept goal in over 200 matches after joining in 2001. Upon signing for the Sandgrounders he was handed the gloves ahead of Steven Drench and went on to play 240 games over a 5 year spell which included lifting the Conference North title.

Since leaving Haig Avenue in 2013 he had a short spell with Altrincham before joining Barrow with whom he spent a further 3.5 years.

You can never keep a good ‘keeper down. Tony returned to Haig Avenue at the start of the 2019-20 season after leaving in 2013 with 205 league appearances under his belt for The Sandgrounders. A stellar career and at 41 can still be relied upon when called into the team as he was regularly in 2022-23 when he ended up adding another 38 starts to his tally which at the end of 2022-23 stood at an impressive total of 292.

14. Keenan Quansah (853) 

Keenan signed for Southport at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Keenan joined from Stalybridge Celtic and can play as a centre-back, right-back or central midfielder, he came through Accrington Stanley’s youth academy and has had spells at Glossop North End, Burscough, Warrington, Mossley, Hyde and Widnes.

Keenan was the Stalybridge Celtic fans player for the season for 2021-22 where he had a full season making 48 appearances and scoring twice.

The 22-23 season saw Keenan effortlessly make the step up and 45 appearances which were cut short at the tail end of the season by injury.

15. Josh Hmami (844) 

Josh was with Marine in the 2020-21 season and made a great impression in their historic FA Cup run which culminated in a home tie with Tottenham Hotspur and was the target of a number of club’s before Liam moved in to secure his signature.

An attacking midfielder born in Oldham.

His youth career was spent at Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Accrington were he made one senior appearance.

Josh has also had time at The New Saints, a loan spell at FC United of Manchester and Ramsbottom United where he scored 11 times in 25 starts.

In the shortened 2020-21 season he made 20 appearances for Marine finding the back of the net 8 times.

An exciting prospect and one our supporters enjoy watching, he likes to get the ball forward and adds another creative spark to our midfield. Another player troubled by injury in 2022-23 but still managed 35 starts and 3 goals. Josh is a player we all think will make the move up the pyramid sooner rather than later.

16. Festus Arthur (873) Joined 15 January on a one month loan now Season End from FC Halifax Town

Born in Hamburg, Festus is 22 (23 in February) the centre back was in the Oldham Athletic Academy before joining Stockport County in 2019. Festus made 35 appearances for the Hatters during the 2019/20 season, scoring two goals, one of which came against the Shaymen. As a result of his good performances for Stockport, Arthur was named as the Grahame White Young Player of the Year and George Haigh Young Player of the Year.

Festus then made the move to Hull, signing a three year deal. The defender made two appearances in his first season with the club, both coming in the EFL Trophy. Festus then spent the first half of last season out on loan with Barrow in League Two making 15 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, before being recalled in January.

 

17. Fin Heath(859) 

Fin has joined the club permanently for 2023-24 after a couple of apperances last season on loan from AFC Liverpool. Full of potential and a player rated very highly by manager Liam Watson. Can play in defence or midfield and has operated successfully in both roles in a series of impressive pre-season showings,

 

 

 

19. Sam Billington (864)

Sam joins the club from Witton Albion. He came recommended at the start of the pre-season schedule and his all action style and ability to beat his man caught the eye and he was rewarded with a contract for the 2023-24 season. A player that will excite our supporters and one we look forward to seeing develop at the club.

 

 

 

20. Luke Burgess (869)

Luke became manager Jim Bentley’s first permanent signing in mid October. The midfielder who has previous experience with Wigan and Salford spent the 2022-23 season at Oldham before a loan spell at Altrincham and more recently he has been with Ashton United. Likes to get amongst the goals and is a player who will excite the Southport fans.

 

 

23. Finlay Lockett(

Finlay joined the club on loan on deadline day from Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.

Finlay is an attacker who can play wide or through the middle. He started out as a youth player with Burnley before making the move to Bolton in 2019 where he became the second youngest ever player to play for the club at the age of 16.

A prolific scorer in the Bolton Under 18’s during the 2020-21 season but injured his ACL at the end of that season and missed most of the 21-22 season before signing a professional contract with Wanderers for 22-23 which was further extended for the 23-24 season.

Finlay has also had a spell on loan at Atherton Collieries.

24. Will Russ(874)

Will, who is 6 feet 2 signed a two and a half year deal at the club in January 2024 from Fleetwood Town and is a very exciting player and a player we are all looking forward to seeing in the Southport shirt.

Will is a big strong powerful centre forward who started out in The Academy at Leicester City before joining Fleetwood at the age of 19. Whilst at Fleetwood he has had loan spells at FC United, South Shields, Marine and more recently with Hyde.

 25. Danny Philliskirk (872) Loan From AFC Fylde until the season end.

Danny  joined initially on loan for two months from AFC Fylde but this was extended until the sesaon end.

The experienced midfielder joined AFC Fylde in the Summer of 2018 after two seasons at neighbours Blackpool.

Philliskirk started his career at his hometown club Oldham Athletic before signing a four-year contract with Chelsea in 2007.

During this time, he spent time out on loan at Oxford United and Sheffield United before signing for the Blades in 2011.

He has since gone on to become one of Fylde’s most consistent performers, with his box-to-box dynamic style.

 

26.Richie Bennett (870) Loan from Scunthorpe until season end.

Richie, 32, born in Oldham, brings a vast amount of experience to the squad having spent time amongst others at Carlisle, Barrow, Stockport, Morecambe and more recently at Scunthorpe.

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