Unfortunately it didn’t take long this season for the official team photo to become out of date!
Squad List
| No | Player | |
| 1 | Chris Renshaw | |
| 2 | Matt Thomson | |
| 3 | Jack Doyle | |
| 4 | Harry Flowers | |
| 5 | Adam Anson | |
| 6 | Declan Evans | |
| 7 | Niall Watson | |
| 8 | David Morgan | |
| 9 | Jordan Archer | |
| 10 | Marcus Carver | |
| 11 | Tyler Walton | |
| 12 | Connor Heath | Loan Out Nantwich 8 Sept 2 Months |
| 13 | Tony McMillan | |
| 14 | Keenan Quansah | |
| 15 | Josh Hmami | |
| 16 | Freddie Sass | |
| 17 | Fin Heath | |
| 18 | Jack Bainbridge | |
| 19 | Sam Billington | Loan Out Bamber Bridge 1 month 16 September |
| 20 | Tom Costello | |
| 21 | Mikey O’Neill | Loan In PNE 5 Sept 3 Months |
| 22 | Brad Holmes | Loan In Blackpool 8 Sept 3 Months |
| 23 | Luke Mariette | Loan In Blackpool 8 Sept 1 Month |
| Manager | Jim Bentley | |
| Assistant Manager | Andy Burgess |
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
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
Matt was the first signing of the close season. Matt is a defender who joins the club and joins us 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
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. Niall Watson (838)
Probably the worst kept Southport FC secret ever as “Trialist 1” kept on banging in the goals during the 20-21 pre-season build up before being announced as Niall Watson who formally put pen to paper at the start of the 20-21 season. Niall is no stranger to Southport Football having been coming to the ground as a 4 year old as a Southport supporter following his Dad’s team. Watching him playing on the pitch as a young boy you could always tell he was going to be a footballer. Niall showed great promise during the truncated 20-21 season and pushed on in 21-22 with his great pace which he used to great effect and helped him contribute 7 assists in the season.
He finished the 22-23 as leading scorer in all competitions with 17 goals including 5 in one County Cup game, the first time any of our Non League Players have achieved that feat. 33 starts in all competitions.
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.
10. Marcus Carver
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”
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)
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
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. Freddie Sass
Freddie joins the club from Mossley following in the footsteps of Declan Evans. A strong powerful defender. Freddie is predominantly a left back who has played at Tadcaster Albion, Stalybridge Celtic and latterly at Mossley.
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,
18. Jack Bainbridge (837)
Jack is a Southport lad and spent his early years at the Everton Academy before playing a season at Swansea.
He then had two campaigns in the Sunderland Under 23 set-up making his first team debut against Morecambe in the EFL Trophy.
Jack is a box to box midfielder and made the most league starts missing just one game in 2022-23 and was the Managers Player Of The Year.
Jack also coaches our Academy Team.
19. Sam Billington
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.
Loan Out 16 September
20.Tom Costello
Tom joined the club (24 August) on a three month loan from Coventry City. Tom joined Wigan aged 15 from Tranmere Rovers and was prolific for the Latics’ Under 18s and Under 23s sides. He made his professional debut for Wigan in their 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the Papa John’s Trophy group stage in November 2021. A hard-working and robust centre forward with a great attitude and work rate who enjoys scoring goals, Tom joined Coventry in July 2022 and linked up with the Under 23 squad to continue his development.
21. Mikey O’Neill 3 month youth loan from Preston North End
Mikey O’Neill joined the club on a Youth Loan from 5th September to 6th January. Having joined Preston North End at an early age, Mikey’s dream came true when he made his debut for the club on in May 2022.
Mikey who is a creative player who can operate as a striker or just in behind, came on as a 90th-minute substitute for Preston against Queens Park Rangers for his first taste of senior football.
He played two more times before the end of the 2021/22 season and was named Scholar of the Year following the final game.
The teenager had impressed manager Ryan Lowe with his performances in the Central League fixtures and also with the youth team, as the Liverpool-born forward played a huge part in the U19s’ 2021/22 title victory.
After making five appearances in the first half of the 2022/23 season – one of which was his his first professional start, in the Emirates FA Cup third round victory over Huddersfield Town – Mikey joined Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the season.
22. Bradley Holmes 3 month loan from Blackpool
Brad signed a professional contract with Blackpool in the summer of 2021 and is a striker with big potential.
Good at beating the offside trap and creating chances for himself to go on and score, Holmes made his first league start for Blackpool in May 2021 in a victory over Bristol Rovers.
He spent the first part of the 2021/22 season on loan at Northern Premier League side FC United of Manchester, where he impressed, before signing a further loan at National League North side Chorley in December 2021. He then joined AFC Fylde on loan at the start of the 2022/23 season.
23. Luke Mariette 1 month loan from Blackpool
Luke signed a professional contract at Blackpool in the summer of 2021, after impressing in the youth team.
The central midfielder has been included in several first-team matchday squads and has also represented Wales at youth-team level.
He spent the second half of the 2021/22 season out on loan at National League North side Curzon Ashton, prior to being recalled in order to make his first-team debut against Peterborough United on the final day of the season.
Also had a loan spell with Bamber Bridge last season.