Southport Football Club wishes to make the following statement regarding the scheduled Liverpool County FA Senior Cup tie against City of Liverpool FC.

Between November 2024 and February 2025, Southport FC entered into a series of loan agreements with City of Liverpool FC involving players Finlay Heath and Renato De Oliveira Gomes. The first loan for Heath ran from 11 November to 9 December 2024. A second loan period followed from 10 December 2024 to 7 January 2025, alongside a separate loan for Gomes from 12 December 2024 to 9 January 2025. A third and final loan for Heath took place between 8 January and 5 February 2025.

Formal invoices were issued for each of these loan periods in accordance with the agreed terms between the clubs. Despite repeated reminders and opportunities to settle these debts, City of Liverpool FC has failed to make any payment for the players’ services.

Southport FC has exercised patience and professionalism at every stage. However, this continued failure to honour contractual obligations represents a complete breakdown in good faith and shows a serious lack of respect for both our club and the wider football community.

As a result, Southport FC will not host or participate in the forthcoming Liverpool County FA Senior Cup fixture against City of Liverpool FC. It is entirely unacceptable to incur further costs or extend hospitality to a club that has repeatedly disregarded its financial and professional responsibilities.

We have formally notified the Liverpool County FA of our position and expect the matter to be dealt with appropriately. Furthermore, we urge the County FA to review City of Liverpool FC’s conduct and consider disciplinary action to protect the integrity of the competition and the standards expected within the game.

Southport Football Club will always uphold the principles of integrity, accountability, and respect and we expect all member clubs to do the same.