South Liverpool F.C.

South Liverpool F.C. are a football club from Liverpool, England. They are currently in the Liverpool County Premier League and play their home matches at Jericho Lane. The club's colours are white shirts, black shorts and red socks.

History

First incarnation

A South Liverpool F.C. team played in The Combination and the Lancashire League before joining the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination in 1911. The club were promoted to the First Division in 1913, but the competition was suspended during the First World War. After the war, the club played for two more seasons before folding and being reborn as New Brighton

W.J. Sawyer was a founder member of South Liverpool FC and become their Secretary and Managing Director. By 1914 they were playing at Dingle Park in the Lancashire Combination Division 1 with the likes of Chester City, Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley. He was persuaded to become Hon. Secretary of Everton FC in 1918 and remained on the Toffees' board for a decade. Latterly he was Secretary-Manager of New Brighton FC in the 1930s.

econd incarnation

South Liverpool F.C. reappeared in 1935, playing at Holly Park, Garston. They rejoined the Lancashire Combination with immediate impact, winning it three years running in 1937, 1938 and 1939. After World War II started, the club joined the Western Section of the Cheshire County League and one season was played before war stopped the game. After the war, the club remained in the Cheshire County League until 1951, when they rejoined the Lancashire Combination, going into the Second Division. In September 1949, Holly Park hosted the first match in the world to be played under "permanent" floodlights. This was a friendly against a Nigerian XI (the first Nigerian side to tour the UK): the final score was 2-2. The club were promoted to the First Division in their first season, but were relegated in 1960 after finishing bottom. Promotion was achieved again in 1962, and in 1966 the club were Champions.

As one of the more successful non-League clubs in northern England, they were invited to join the newly formed Northern Premier League in 1968. Notable players at this time include Jimmy Case and John Aldridge, who both went on to achieve fame with Liverpool F.C. The club remained in the league until financial problems forced the limited company that ran the club to fold after the 1990/1 season, leaving a new committee to carry on the name.

During this period, the club applied (unsuccessfully) on 10 occasions for election to the Football League. The idea was to have another high quality team in the Liverpool area. Many local residents and future stars cut their teeth at South Liverpool. Next to Aldridge and Case, Phil Fitzpatrick showed much promise, but took to a career in teaching. The club had also been relatively successful in the FA Cup, reaching the first round eight times and the second round twice, though the only time they achieved a "giant-killing" feat was when they beat Halifax Town in 1964. The club was more successful in the Welsh Cup, and despite only entering twice, they won it in 1939, beating Cardiff City in the final.

Before the 1987/88 season South Liverpool became the first non-league team to offer a Youth Training Scheme to players. Only professional clubs did this at that time. There were approximately 8 players who were involved with this.

At the end of the 1987/88 season the Reserve team and Youth team were scrapped due to financial reasons.The profitable club house was also burnt down and funds were very tight.

A history of the club, "Holly Park - The Lost Years", was written by Hyder Jawad in 1991 and is now out of print.

econd incarnation (continued)

The club committee carried on the club from the defunct Limited Company in 1991/92 with only a junior team operating in the West Derby Junior league. For 1992/93 the senior side merged with local side Cheshire Lines whilst the Junior Team carried on under the clubs own name. The new team, Cheshire Lines South Liverpool, played in the Second Division of the Liverpool County Combination, gaining promotion in their first season. After a successful first season in the First Division, the clubs took the decision to split.

Back under its own sole name South Liverpool although having been the football club had to join the Second Division of the Liverpool County Combination in 1995 and gained promotion at the first attempt. Until the end of the 2005/6 season, the club remained in the County Combination. Winning the Liverpool Junior Cup in 1997 and the George Mahon league Cup in 2002. Their highest league placing being 4th in 2005. In the summer of 2006, the County Combination merged with the I Zingari League to create the Liverpool County Premier League due to their low finish in 2005/6 (11th out of 15), the club was placed in Division One.

In 2006, the site of Holly Park had been redeveloped and was opened as Liverpool South Parkway rail station.

The club play their home matches at the North Field, Jericho Lane, Otterspool, Liverpool L17 5AR. The club colours remain the traditional White Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks.

During their time in amateur football the goalscoring record of Jack Roscoe (1935-39) was beaten by Keith Jones scoring 236 goals (1992 - 2006) and keeper Stephen Ward currently has 102 clean sheets beating the South legend Peter Eales 74 (1966 - 1989).

South also have a reserve team in the I Zingari Combination having won the third division in 2005 and the second division title in 2006. They produce programmes for all first, reserve and youth home games

As of 2007/08 South have a youth team also which are under 18-s who play in the West Cheshire League, finishing second in their first season. They play their home games on the Halewood Sports Centre.

Honours

* Welsh Cup Winners: 1939
* Lancashire Combination Champions: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1966
* Lancashire Combination Division 2 Champions: 1913
* Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy Winners: 1937, 1938, 1939, 1984

References

* [http://www.southliverpoolfc.com/ Official site]
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