Liam Watson named his all time Southport starting eleven as he managed his 500th game in charge of the Sandgrounders.
Goalkeeper
Tony McMillian
Tony McMillian played for Southport from 2008-2012. He made 126 appearances for the club. He won the Conference North in 2009/10 and won the Liverpool Seniors Cup in 2010/11 when Southport beat Everton 2-0.
He currently plays for Warrington FC in the seventh tier.
Defence
Kevin Lee
The first man in his defence is Kevin Lee. He played for the club from 2006-2012. He made 83 appearances scoring eight goals. During his time at Southport, he won the Conference North and Liverpool Seniors Cup. Watson called him one of his: “all-time favourite players.”
After joining the club from Blackpool Lee went on to retire at Southport.
Chris Lever
The next member of the defence is Chris Lever he played for the club from 2009-2013 making 79 appearances scoring ten goals. He won the Conference North in his first season at the club and won the Liverpool Seniors Cup.
He currently plays for Bradford PA who play in the National League North, the same division as Southport.
Earl Davis
Earl Davis is the next man of Watsons defence he joined Southport from Burnley in 2003 he left Southport in 2006 to have a spell at Hyde before re-joining Southport from Burscough in 2008 he went on to retire in 2012 due to an Achilles injury. He made 95 appearances and scored three goals for the club.
He was a part of both Conference North winning squads winning it in 2004/05 and in 2009/10. He won the Liverpool seniors cup in 2010/11.
One of Southport’s most loved players Watson said he was a shoe in to be in his all-time eleven.
Neil Fitzhenry
The final member of the defence is Neil Fitzhenry. He joined the club in 2005 joining what Watson called “one of the worst teams I have ever seen in my life.” He played a huge role in getting Southport promoted back to the Conference North. He was plagued with injuries during his time at Southport and he retired from football in 2011.
He went on to become a physio and worked as a first team physio for Huddersfield, Blackburn and Cardiff.
Midfield
Carl Baker
The first man of the midfield is Carl Baker. He played for the club from 2003-2007 and started his career at Southport making 131 appearances for the club and scoring 31 goals. He played a big role in the 2004/05 league win.
He stayed part time during his time at Southport and despite being relegated with Southport in 2006/07, he won the league’s player of the year. “There has never been someone as gifted as Carl to play for Southport.” Said Watson.
He left Southport in 2007 to join Football League side Morecambe. Where he went on to have a career that saw him play for the likes of Coventry, MK Dons and Portsmouth. He made two appearances for England C during his time at Southport. He currently plays for Brackley Town in the National League North.
Michael Powell
A man who became one of Watson’s most important players, Michael Powell played for Southport from 2004-2011. Southport born Powell came through the ranks at Southport making his debut in 2004. Making 87 appearances, he played role in both title winning side and was named the vice-captain in 2010-11 before he departed the following summer.
He joined Chester FC in 2011 and currently plays for Witton Albion in the Non-League Premier Division.
Chris Price
Liam Watson’s first signing at Southport he left the club after they won the league in 2004 to Stalybridge Celtic, he left the club because he did not think he was good enough to play as many games as he wanted. He came back to Southport in 2006 when the club was struggling. He got released by Southport and joined Burscough where he retired.
He became Southport assistant manager in 2009-10.
Shaun Whalley
Shaun Whalley’s first stint at Southport came in February 2009 when Wrexham loaned him to the club. He made 14 appearances whilst on loan, helping the club to the playoffs. He was released by Wrexham when his loan expired and he joined Hyde United, he was released by Hyde the following summer and he started his second stint at Southport when they picked him up.
He scored twice on his debut in a 4-0 victory over York City. He played 101 games in his second period at the club scoring 27 goals. He was named the clubs player of the year in his final season of 2012-13.
Luton Town signed Whalley from Southport and after he left Luton, he found himself at Shrewsbury where he is still playing and recently signed a contract extension in April 2019.
Forwards
Ciaran Kilheeney
The Manchester City youth player had played for six clubs before finding his way to Southport in 2008. He may have only spent two years at the club from 2008-2010 but he did enough in that time to find himself in Watsons all time eleven.
In his 60 appearances for the club, he won the golden boot in the Conference North in all the seasons he played at Southport. “He was the best striker in the league.” Said Watson.
Kilheeney currently plays for Droylsden FC his fourth spell at the club.
Neil Robinson
The final man of Liam Watsons all time eleven is a man he described as: “a person you would never ever, ever want to mark.
“Neil Robinson was the most complete forward.”
He came to Southport in 2004 and won the league in his debut season at the club. He spent two years at the club before leaving in 2006. He came to Southport as an out and out goal scorer but adapted his game to accommodate his team. His strike partner scored 30+ goals in a season and he scored only ten. He was described as “the ultimate team player.”
He left Southport to join Burscough FC before re-joining the Sandgrounders in 2007/08 where he stayed until 2009 where he was released from the club and joined Skelmersdale United where he plays now.
To hear more about Liam Watsons time as Southport manager and some players who came close to making the team. You can find the video here:
(Image credit: Julia Urwin under Creative Commons Licence)
