‘Gate have been relegated to the Southern Conference after the club's members opted for a return to Hartsdown Park that would result in demotion.

The club had been denied an extension to their ground sharing arrangement with Dover Athletic and have opted not to appeal against that decision and instead return to their own ground and drop down a division.

The move means Leigh RMI, who finished second bottom last term will become the second team which finished in the Conference relegation zone to avoid the drop. Farnborough were also granted a reprieve after no team was promoted from the old Northern Premier.

Kettering Town, the furthermost North team in the proposed Southern Conference will now be transferred to the Northern section. The Poppies finished 9th in the Ryman Premier last term and means that along with Nuneaton, all 3 sides relegated from the Conference 2 seasons ago will compete in the new league.

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The list includes a number of tough tests featuring big name visits to Haig Avenue along with challenging trips to 3 clubs in the UniBond Premier.

Everton begin the schedule with a trip to Haig Avenue on Saturday 17th July and a strong side may be brought considering the fixture is early in pre-season.

First Division Wigan will visit for the second successive year on Tuesday 20th July. Last season, Paul Jewell fielded a full-strength Latics side which caught the eye of the nation by narrowly missing out on the play-offs in their first season in Division One.

The Sandgrounders will then face 3 equally challenging tests away at local UniBond clubs. They will travel to Burscough’s Victoria Park on Saturday 24th July to face the Linnets who agonisingly missed out on promotion to Conference North by 2 extra-time goals in the play-off final against Bradford Park Avenue.

Prescot Cables await on Saturday 31st July at Hope Street. Cables forced Southport to a penalty shoot-out in the Liverpool Senior Cup last season and they will be eager to prove their worth after promotion to the new-look UniBond Premier.

On Tuesday 3rd August, the ‘Port will make another short trip to Marine who, like Burscough were unlucky to miss out on promotion to the Northern Conference. It may be the last time Marine manager Roly Howard has the chance to pit his wits against rivals Southport as he looks to retirement at the end of his 32nd season at the Rosset Park helm.

The preparations conclude a week before the competitive season starts with a home fixture against Conference full-timers Accrington Stanley on Saturday 7th August. Accy finished 10th in their first season after promotion from the UniBond as well as making national headlines with a FA Cup run which included the Football League scalps of Huddersfield and Bournemouth.

Fixtures on Tuesday 27th July and Thursday 5th August are yet to be concluded.

The Conference North season will kick-off on Saturday 14th August 2004, the same weekend as the Premiership. UniBond and other step 3 fixtures will commence the following Saturday, 21st August.

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Fitzgerald, 25, has signed from Conference outfit Accrington Stanley after failing to agree full-time terms. The pacey left sided player started out with Morecambe’s Youth team before a move to Darwen. In 1998, a move to Rossendale United beckoned and a switch to UniBond Premier side Stalybridge in the summer of 2002 where he was a regular. He was selected for the British Universities squad at the start of the 2003/2004 campaign, playing in South Korea before moving to Stanley in March 2004.

Manager, Liam Watson told Saturday’s Football Echo: ‘Jerome was released by Accrington because he wasn’t going full-time with them.’ Earlier in the week, Watson said ‘He is a left-back / left-wing back. He’s a good, experienced, strong, steady player who is coming from a Conference club.’

The ‘Port boss also expressed his delight at his 5 summer captures in the early parts of the close-season. ‘I have done what I want,’ he said. ‘We set out a list of players that we wanted, and you never dream that you are going to get all of them. But fortunately we have.’ All that remains now is cover for goalkeeper Steve Dickinson and Watson is planning no further acquisitions.

Asked if all of his squad can be kept happy with regards to team selections, Watson replied: ‘People stay happy if you are winning.’

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28 year old Lynch joins former Rivacre Park team-mate Terry Fearns at Haig Avenue after 4 season at Vauxhall Motors. The versatile Liverpool born player can work effectively at right back, centre back or in midfield and is expected to push hard for a first team place after regular starts for the Motormen last season.

Manager, Liam Watson told the Southport Visiter that Lynch is ‘a player who can contribute over the season in a variety of positions. Kevin can play at right back, centre back and in central midfield. He is a player with an eye for goal and is powerful in the air. He is a great worker and competitor and is very hungry to achieve."

Lynch joined Vauxhall in 2000 following a stint at Prescot Cables and Waterloo Dock in the Liverpool County Combination before being named Motor’s captain last summer following the departure of Phil Brazier to Northwich Victoria.

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LIAM Watson's Port player revolution continued this week with the news that versatile Kevin Lynch has opted to join the Haig Avenue influx, writes Haydn Preece.

Lynch, 27, has signed from Vauxhall Motors, joining Terry Fearns. Lynch is a nuts and bolts squad member who adds experience and strength to a squad which promises plenty of flair.

Watson described his latest acquisition as "a player who can contribute over the season in a variety of positions. Kevin can play at right back, centre back and in central midfield.

"He is a player with an eye for goal and is powerful in the air. He is a great worker and competitor and is very hungry to achieve."

Liverpool born Lynch has been at Vaux-hall since May 2000 before that having started his career at Prescot Cables.

Lynch is Watson's fourth summer signing after Fearns, Dominic Morley and Farrell Kilbane last week.

Ironically, Lynch was involved in the incident at Haig Avenue last season when Terry Fearns was adjudged by the referee's assistant to have felled Alex Mortimer.

In fact Lynch was later identified as the culprit with Fearns' red card rescinded, so the first pre-season training session should be an interesting occasion with all three now on the same side.

This story has been reproduced from the day's media

The Southport manager has been busy during the initial weeks of the summer break after the addition of Farrell Kilbane, Dominic Morley and Terry Fearns. However, the ‘Port boss’ work will not stop there and he told southportfc.net that he is looking for at least 3 more additions in order to compete in the Northern Conference next term.

He said ‘another player has actually agreed to come. He is a left-back / left-wing back. He’s a good, experienced, strong, steady player who is coming from a Conference club. That will be released next week when the financial terms are sorted out. He’s spoken to other clubs and wants to come to Southport.’

Watson also said he is looking for competition on the other side of defence as well as between the sticks. ‘It just leaves me looking for cover in the right-back area, competition for Jimmy Williams and with it being the Northern Conferencewe need to make sure we have another keeper on the bench. We can’t afford to carry 2 number ones, but we certainly need someone who can come in and do a job and make Dicko fight a little bit.'

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The early acquisition of experienced players has ignited excitement among the town's supporters and the arrival of proven marksman Terry Fearns on a three-year contract to partner Neil Robinson indicates the Port harbour real promotion ambitions when they kick off in the new Nationwide Conference North.

The goal-getting manager revealed to the Visiter he has at least three more players on his wanted list:

"It has been a hectic week. All three new signings are equally important to the balance of the squad.

"We worked hard to firstly identify the players we needed and then sold the club to them, they are the main three summer signings. Terry's 110 goals in three seasons speaks for itself, I hope he can go on to reach further goal- scoring heights at Haig Avenue.

"Terry's signing is a reward to our regular loyal supporters, they have got a top player for the league we are playing in.

"We are looking and have targeted a left-sided defender and are currently doing the same on the right.

"While Steve Dickinson needs competition in the goalkeeping stakes, we cannot afford another number one but we need a young hungry keeper who can come in and do a trusted job at any time during the season. "Those three areas will be addressed in the next few weeks."

The composition of the new Nationwide Conference North is becoming clearer but there are still some combinations that may come about.

At this stage Southport will play Leigh, Northwich, Altrincham, Droylsden, Stalybridge, Hucknall, Barrow, Alfreton, Harrogate, Worksop, Lancaster, Vauxhall Motors, Gainsborough Trinity, Runcorn, Bradford Park Avenue, Stafford Rangers, Worcester City, Nuneaton Borough, Hinckley, Moor Green and Kettering Town.

The doubts are the future of two Conference clubs, homeless Margate and debt-ridden Telford. They have until May 31to guarantee their futures, Leigh and Northwich could yet get a last-gasp reprieve and stay in the Conference.

Southport's Football in the Community scheme last Sunday saw Redgate win a highly successful under-9s competition, sponsored by Rewardaward, at Haig Avenue organised by UEFA 'A' coach Bret Harris.

Thirteen teams took part with Fleetwood Hesketh the runners-up.

This story has been reproduced from the day's media

The Northern section of Non-League second teir will be as follows:

Alfreton Town
Altrincham
Barrow
Bradford Park Avenue
Droylsden
Gainsborough Trinity
Harrogate Town
Hinckley United
Hucknall Town
Lancaster City
Leigh RMI *
Moor Green
Northwich Victoria
Nuneaton Borough
Redditch United
Runcorn FC Halton
Southport
Stafford Rangers
Stalybridge Celtic
Vauxhall Motors
Worcester City
Worksop Town .

The 2 second tier leagues will contain 22 sides with one automatic promotion place each to the Conference National while a play-off between sides from either league will decide the third team to go up.

*Margate have until the end of May to convince the FA of their re-development plans. If they fail, they will be relegated to Conference South and replaced by Leigh RMI, meaning Kettering will be switched to the Northern section.

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For 20-year old, Southport born Brookfield, the ‘Player of the Season’ award caps an impressive season in which he featured prominently for the ‘Port second-string. A series of goalscoring performances saw the winger/striker make 2 substitute appearances for the first team.

With 16 goals this term, PASE graduate Adam Roscoe picked up the leading goalscorer award in a season in which he has also been capped at first-team level. Along side Daryl Allen, striker Roscoe’s was the first time 2 PASE graduates have been on the field at the same time.

In his programme notes prior to the Marine derby in April, first team manager Liam Watson said: ‘The progress of these youngsters shows that we are willing to watch and take notice of the youngsters throughout the club’s different playing levels. Young Darren Brookfield has had two short run outs since his promotion from the reserves. Adam Roscoe … has come through our PASE set-up and has been scoring regularly.’

The progression of both players has largely been down to reserve manager Tony Rodwell who took over in mid season, following the departure of Paul Moore. He has blooded a range of promising talent from the club’s PASE scheme and has guided them to a respectable position, while also reaching the semi-final of the cup.

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The striker, whose contract at Vauxhall Motors has expired, netted 37 goals in the UniBond Premier last season, becoming the leading scorer. The signing also represents a massive coup for ‘Port manager Liam Watson who now has the makings of a deadly strike force.

Fearns had been strongly linked with a move to Division Three promotion contenders Hull City after a trial in early 2004 while York City were also said to be keen on a move for the striker.

With Fearns added to attackers Neil Robinson, Steve Daly, Lee Mulvaney and Kevin Leadbetter, manager Watson is quickly developing a squad with mouth-watering prospects of a Northern Conference title assault. With other signings earlier in the week, Watson is rapidly building on the achievements last season and looking to expand his squad with quality additions.

The 26 year old striker joined Vauxhall Motors in 2001 following 2 years at Wigan and a 40 goal, one season stint at St Helens Town in the North West Counties League.

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And the Visiter have backed Watson's judgement by sponsoring the new Sandgrounders strike partnership of Fearns and Neil Robinson. Both will start next season with boots sponsored by the Southport Visiter, aiming to fire the Sandgrounders into the Nationwide Conference.

Fearns was on Watson's wish list and the acquisition of the UniBond free-scorer has given Southport an early summer boost.

Workaholic Watson has now completed a hat-trick of signings in the first week since the season finished and Fearns' arrival will send shockwaves around the new Conference North and indicates the clubs determination to regain Nationwide Conference status next May.

Midfielder Dominic Morley and Farrell Kilbane both committed themselves earlier this week. Ex-Liverpool reserve Morley begins his second spell at Haig Avenue having been a regular under Paul Futcher and Mark Wright in the 1999-2000 season. Rugged centre back Kilbane will add strength across the back after agreeing to sign from previous club Lancaster City having had spells at Preston and Cambridge.

Fearns, Vauxhall Motors' top scorer for the past three seasons having scored moire than 100 goals for Vauxhall, agreed to join the Port's promotion push after lengthy negotiations with Watson.

A delighted Watson told the Visiter: "My aim is to score goals next season, our target is between 85-100, that should keep us right up at the top end of the Northern Conference.

"In Terry Fearns and Neil Robinson I believe we have the best two strikers in the division, that will make us very competitive in the Conference North. I've targeted Terry for some time but he has been hot property, in both non-league and after attracting the interest of Hull City towards the end of the season.

"I said I was determined to bring in proven strikers and in Terry we could not have got anyone better for next season. We've just got to see Terry and Neil Robinson hit it off now, they should be the most feared partnership in Conference North.

"All three signings in my view are equally important and though I know Terry Fearns will attract the attention, Dominic and Farrell will add considerably to the quality in the squad. I'm now on the look out for a goalkeeper to compete with Steve Dickinson, and cover for both full-backs."

Fearns, too was buoyant about signing for the Port.

He said: "I can't wait to get started at Southport. The club have an ambition to get back in the Nationwide conference and I want to get there as well.

"I've turned down a lot of clubs to join Southport because Liam Watson has sold me on the ambitions of Southport FC."

This story has been reproduced from the day's media

27-year old Morley was the player of the year at Runcorn FC Halton in 2003, where he was club captain under manager Liam Watson. Morley, of course has already had a stint at Haig Avenue after making 43 appearances in the 1999-2000 season for the Sandgrounders.

Morley started his career at his home town club Liverpool as a youngster and originally joined the ‘Port from Droylsden, before returning to the Butchers’ Arms after a season with Southport. Morley has only recently recovered a serious injury obtained in September at work.

Manager, Liam Watson told the Southport Visiter, Dominic is ‘an experienced player who can take responsibility. Dominic's presence will enable both Chris Price and Steve Pickford to get further forward. Both will benefit from Dominic adopting a holding role. I am very pleased that Dominic jumped at the chance both to rejoin Southport and myself as manager.’

Centre-half Farrell Kilbane has also agreed terms after his contract at Lancaster City expired. Kilbane was at the heart of the Blues rear-guard which had the third best defensive record in the UniBond last season. The 29-year old won the Supporter’s and Director’s Player of the Year for last season but was forced into a move because of work commitments.

Kilbane started his career with Cambridge United before moving onto Preston North End, Barrow and Stafford Rangers, from where City signed him in the summer of 1999.

‘Port boss Watson spoke to the Visiter of his delight. ‘Farrell knows our ambitions for next season and wants to be part of them. I've known Farrell since our Preston days, he will add competition at the back, he is strong in the air and has the ability to score from set pieces.’

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Both have been on Watson's wish list for some time and both players agreed to sign this week as their contacts expired at Lancaster and Runcorn respectively.

Farrell Kilbane, elder brother of Irish international Kevin, is a no nonsense centre-back with plenty of UniBond experience - an excellent requisite for the tough Conference North in which the Sandgrounders kick off next August.

On his new defender Watson said: "I've known Farrell since our Preston days, he will add competition at the back, he is strong in the air and has the ability to score from set pieces.

"Farrell knows our ambitions for next season and wants to be part of them."

Dominic Morley will commence his second spell at Haig Avenue, having served under Paul Futcher and Mark Wright making 32 Conference appearances plus two subs outings and 11 cup appearances in the 1999-2000 season.

Morley was a highly-rated teenager at Anfield, becoming a regular reserve before serving at Southport, Droylsden and, most recently, Runcorn.

He had thought his season was over last autumn when he was involved in a very nasty industrial accident but he surprised his specialists by making a rapid return to the Runcorn ranks.

A play-making central midfielder, good technically and with an eye for goal, Morley joins Steve Pickford and club captain Chris Price in the Port mid-field engine room.

Watson described his new playmaker as: "An experienced player who can take responsibility. Dominic's presence will enable both Chris Price and Steve Pick-ford to get further forward.

"Both will benefit from Dominic adopting a holding role. I am very pleased that Dominic jumped at the chance both to rejoin Southport and myself as manager. In Farrell and Dominic we have two experienced, quality players who will add to what we already have."

This story has been reproduced from the day's media