The Sandgrounders played on a sports ground in Sussex Road until 1884 and then played at two different grounds in Scarisbrick New Road before moving to Ash Lane in 1905 to a ground that was renamed Haig Avenue in 1921. Southport are still at Haig Avenue today and such was the club’s consistency for so many years that they were members of Division Three North throughout it’s existence from 1921 to 1958 before spending 16 of the next 20 seasons in Division Four before losing their place in the Football League to Wigan Athletic in 1978, who were, ironically promoted to Division One, as they were relegated last season. The contrast in fortune of two different clubs!

In 1998 Southport experienced their first ever trip to Wembley where a whole hearted display saw the Yellows go down by a single, late goal to Cheltenham Town in the F.A. Umbro Trophy Final, but Paul Futcher’s team subsequently struggled in the Vauxhall Conference and when ex - England captain Mark Wright took over halfway through the 1999-2000 season, they were second to bottom. The recovery under Wright was spectacular. Finishing in a safe seventh position, Southport then spent most of 2000-1 in the top three, challenging Rushden and Yeovil for long spells. Though the 'Port ended in fourth spot, they had a considerable say in the promotion stakes, having been the only team to achieve the ‘double’ over Yeovil. Southport were the first team to win at Huish Part that campaign thanks to a Chris Lane strike. But at the end of the season, Wright’s departure for his first League post at Oxford United left Southport with the need to rebuild.

For many, the arrival of Wright brought memories of the ‘Golden Age’ of Southport FC which began with a similar appointment of a high profile yet untried manager in Billy Bingham back in 1965. He got the club to the Fifth Round of the F.A. Cup and a tie with Hull City in 1966 having beaten Ipswich Town at Portman Road on a replay and then secured promotion to Football League Division Three in 1966-67. Though relegation followed in 1970, it was only temporary and under manager Jimmy Meadows, whose own league career had begun at Southport in 1949, the Sandgrounders won the 1972-73 Fourth Division Championship with 62 points. Heavy stuff indeed for a small Fourth Division outfit unused to such success.

The 1966 Hull tie was not the pinnacle of the club’s achievements in the F.A. Cup, their great tradition peaked in 1931 when Southport became the first side from Division Three to reach Round Six of the competition, before losing at neighbors Everton. The following season Newcastle United drew 20,010 to Haig Avenue - a figure which remains a ground record in Round Four and only after two replays with the ‘Port did, the Geordies go on to win the Cup at Wembley. Yet times were not always that exiting. For much of their Football League career from 1921 to 1978, Southport labored in the nether regions of Division Three North or Division Four. Hampered by the proximity of several big clubs, the ‘Port always suffered from poor attendances. Election to be demoted from the League came in 1978.

After Wright's departure, chairman, Charlie Clapham began a re-building programme, as the usually financially sound club found themselves in the red after the era of the former Liverpool defender,. Clapham insisted he would be no longer spending money the club could not afford, instead putting the emphasis on youth and young talent. This ambition was underline with the introduction of the PASE academy which is a two year course for teenagers from 16 to 18 who have had been on the books of football league clubs or represented their counties.

In the same summer of 2001, Southport appointed the vastly experienced non-league manager Phil Wilson with a real ambition to reach the Football League. Wilson had won 2 UniBond League titles with Stalybridge Celtic and one with Leek Town. However, no body at Haig Avenue was to predict the outcome of the 2002/2003 season. With the introduction of the new play-off system and 2nd promotion place between the Conference and Football League, optimism was high within Haig Avenue. The squad Wilson had assembled, although part-time looked like it could hold it's own against the professional sides in the league.

The season started in superb style, with the 'Port going 7 games unbeaten - the third longest in the league, however a FA Cup 1st Round victory over Second Division Notts County in front of the BBC Cameras was the start of a run which led to 17 league games without a victory. Wilson departed in late January and former Republic of Ireland and Everton defender Mike Walsh could not arrest the poor form as he managed only 2 league victories and had to contend with a horrific injury crisis, resulting in last day relegation at Stevenage Borough.