Southport FC are under new ownership after the sale by the majority shareholder, Ian Kyle, to the Big Help Group Limit earlier this week.

The change comes after the club’s underwhelming start to the season that sees them 19th in the Vanarama National League North. This has prompted new investment and refurbishment to help improve the quality of the team and experience for the fans.

Chief executive officer, Peter Mitchell, told MerseySportLive: “We want to become more accessible and approachable, making attending football matches more achievable for the supporters on our doorstep.”

The main change to the game day experience will be the reintroduction of cash only turnstiles allowing local, casual supporters to have a more relaxed experience. This is all in line with Southport’s new “football the way it used to be” philosophy.

The choice to go with the Big Help Group was a well thought out decision that came after a 12-month search for new investment. Despite a lot of interest from multiple parties, Kyle decided the company was the best suited for the role.

In his statement for Southport FC, Kyle said: “Peter has conducted negotiations genuinely and honestly and shown a real desire to take the club on and he clearly has great ambition to take Southport as far as possible.”

The former owner has put his loyalties above his own beliefs to ensure the club takes a step in the right direction.

Mitchell acknowledged: “Ian only ever wants the best for Southport FC and, since becoming strategic partners with the club earlier this year, our relationship has gone from strength to strength.”

Following the deal, the Merseyside based group have ensured there will be a level of investment to improve the facilities and the community atmosphere around the town. This has begun with the refurbishment of the training ground and academy environment.

Mitchell said: “With our current financial and structural support and investment, we’ve made steps forward with plans to create a joint training/academy venue and community facility in conjunction with local stakeholders.”

The Big Help Group’s aims for its facilities to, “create an invaluable community venue that would allow us to base the first team and academy teams at one home, whilst generating a real community hub that would allow Southport people to enjoy a vibrant and state-of-the-art facility that will aid their health, wellbeing, fitness and lifestyle.”

The new owners are hoping alongside the structural improvements, manager Jim Bentley can drive the team up the table with the new investments to be injected in the club.

They are still waiting on the approval of the deal from the national league with hope it will go through ahead of their next fixture at home to Banbury United on Saturday (Oct 28).

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR