Southport FC club legend Eric Redrobe has passed away, aged 81.
Redrobe made his debut for the club against Port Vale in 1966, going on to make 192 appearances for the Sandgrounders, scoring 55 goals. He was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and had previously been voted as the club’s greatest ever player as part of centenary celebrations for the Professional Footballer’s Association in 2007.
Having earned a reputation rugged, efficient play, he remained incredibly popular at Haig Avenue even after departing the club, and was a regular attendee at Haig Avenue until the time of his death, having retired to the Wigan area.
He also played in the Football League for Hereford United and Bath City.
Announcing his death, Southport Football Club called him “one of most recognisable and much loved figures” in the club’s history.
“Our thoughts are with Eric’s family and friends at this sad time.” said Southport FC.
Hereford United said in a statement: “On behalf of everyone associated with Hereford FC, I would like to pass on our condolences to Eric’s family and friends – our thoughts remain with them all at this sad time.”
A packed Haig Avenue erupted this afternoon as Southport booked their place in the FA Trophy semi-finals – and moved to within 90 minutes of a Wembley final – after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Yeovil Town.
The Sandgrounders looked set for a frustrating exit until Teddy Lavelle produced a moment of brilliance in the 88th minute, drilling home a stunning equaliser to make it 1-1 and force the tie to spot-kicks. Southport then held their nerve from 12 yards, with Danny Lloyd firing in the decisive penalty to seal victory.
Yeovil had taken an early lead after a defensive mistake gifted James Daly an opening. The forward rounded Southport goalkeeper George Pickford and calmly rolled the ball into the net.
The quarter-final was often tense and cagey, with Yeovil looking to play a more technical game while Southport battled physically and asked questions down the flanks.
One major talking point came shortly after the break, with Southport’s selection dilemma in goal – Everton loanee Pickford or club stalwart Chris Renshaw – effectively settled in the 50th minute when Pickford was forced off injured. Renshaw stepped in and had little to do in open play, but was called upon in the shootout as the match headed for its finale.
It was Teddy Lavelle who sparked the celebrations, crashing home a thunderbolt in the 88th minute to cancel out Yeovil’s lead. The Sandgrounders might even have snatched it in normal time, only for a potential winner to be ruled out for handball shortly after.
Penalties were taken at the Brick End, in front of the Jack Carr Stand, where Yeovil faltered. Aaron Jarvis pulled his kick wide, while captain Jake Wannell sent his effort soaring high into the stand. Lloyd then stepped up to clinch it for Southport and spark more scenes of jubilation.
Southport will now go into Monday’s semi-final draw alongside Southend United, Wealdstone and local rivals Marine.
It is the club’s first appearance at this stage since 1998, when Southport beat Slough Town over two legs to reach Wembley – only to lose by a single goal to Cheltenham Town. This time, they are just one win away from returning to the national stadium.
Table-topping Southport RFC First XV will secure promotion with a win against Glossop at Waterloo Road on Saturday.
The hosts go into their final home game of the season sitting top of Counties 2 ADM Lancashire & Cheshire, a point clear of Bolton, with both the title race and the promotion place still to settle.
Southport remain undefeated all season at Waterloo Road.
The First XV could also secure the title on Saturday with victory over Glossop if Bolton lose to Heaton Moor.
Glossop’s 15-13 win at Hargate Hill Lane in February remains the last time Southport were beaten in the league, with the Derbyshire side now sitting seventh in the table.
Bolton inflicted Southport’s only other league defeat of the season in September and now sit one point back with two games left, level on wins and defeats.
Entry is free with the bar open at midday. Kick-off is 3pm.
Southport FC have been handed a trip to newly-promoted Hebburn Town to start their Enterprise National League North season.
Fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign were released at 11am this morning.
The Sandgrounders will also have a keen eye on their first competitive fixtures against rivals Morecambe for the first time in 20 years.
Morecambe will visit Haig Avenue early in the season, on Tuesday 8 September, with Southport heading to The Globe Arena in February.
Southport will play Marine away on Boxing Day, in a repeat of last year’s festive fixture.
Full list of Southport FC’s 2026/27 fixtures:
Sat – 8 Aug – 15:00 – Hebburn Town v Southport Sat – 15 Aug – 15:00 – Southport v Buxton Tue – 18 Aug – 19:45 – Hednesford Town v Southport Sat – 22 Aug – 15:00 – Southport v Bedford Town Sat – 29 Aug – 15:00 – Scarborough Athletic v Southport Mon – 31 Aug – 15:00 – Southport v Hereford
Sat – 5 Sep – 15:00 – Spalding United v Southport Tue – 8 Sep – 19:45 – Southport v Morecambe Sat – 12 Sep – 15:00 – Worksop Town v Southport Sat – 26 Sep – 15:00 – Southport v Spennymoor Town
Sat – 10 Oct – 15:00 – Harborough Town v Southport Sat – 17 Oct – 15:00 – Southport v Radcliffe Sat – 24 Oct – 15:00 – King’s Lynn Town v Southport Tue – 27 Oct – 19:45 – Southport v Macclesfield Sat – 31 Oct – 15:00 – Southport v AFC Telford United
Sat – 7 Nov – 15:00 – South Shields v Southport Sat – 21 Nov – 15:00 – Southport v Brackley Town Tue – 24 Nov – 19:45 – Darlington v Southport Sat – 28 Nov – 15:00 – Oxford City v Southport
Sat – 5 Dec – 15:00 – Southport v Merthyr Town Tue – 8 Dec – 19:45 – Southport v Hebburn Town Sat – 19 Dec – 15:00 – Buxton v Southport Sat – 26 Dec – 15:00 – Marine v Southport Mon – 28 Dec – 15:00 – Southport v Chester
Sat – 2 Jan – 15:00 – Southport v Chorley Sat – 9 Jan – 15:00 – Radcliffe v Southport Sat – 16 Jan – 15:00 – Southport v Worksop Town Sat – 23 Jan – 15:00 – Spennymoor Town v Southport Wed – 27 Jan – 19:45 – Southport v Darlington Sat – 30 Jan – 15:00 – Brackley Town v Southport
Sat – 6 Feb – 15:00 – Southport v South Shields Sat – 13 Feb – 15:00 – AFC Telford United v Southport Tue – 16 Feb – 19:45 – Macclesfield v Southport Sat – 20 Feb – 15:00 – Southport v King’s Lynn Town Tue – 23 Feb – 19:45 – Morecambe v Southport Sat – 27 Feb – 15:00 – Southport v Scarborough Athletic
Sat – 6 Mar – 15:00 – Bedford Town v Southport Tue – 9 Mar – 19:45 – Southport v Hednesford Town Sat – 13 Mar – 15:00 – Southport v Spalding United Sat – 20 Mar – 15:00 – Hereford v Southport Fri – 26 Mar – 15:00 – Chester v Southport Mon – 29 Mar – 15:00 – Southport v Marine
Sat – 3 Apr – 15:00 – Chorley v Southport Sat – 10 Apr – 15:00 – Southport v Harborough Town Sat – 17 Apr – 15:00 – Merthyr Town v Southport Sat – 24 Apr – 15:00 – Southport v Oxford City
Southport’s Tommy Fleetwood has teed off at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The The FedEx Cup holder hit a decent tee shot at the first, reaching the left of the fairway, to begin his first round of the world’s oldest golf tournament, eventually making par having exceeded the green on his secodn shot.
Fleetwood hit the rough on 2 and 3, but recovered well to make par on both.
Fleetwood plays in the 10:09 game with former-PGA Tour #1 Jordan Speith and Spain’s Jon Ram.
This is the 11th time Royal Birkdale has hosted The Open, with over 300,000 spectators expected.
Fleetwood is third favourite with Ladbrokes to secure the Championship, after Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
