One win in eight does for Bishop
IT was another disappointing week for Southport fans as they watched their team suffer another defeat which brought about the instant departure of manager Andy Bishop.
It’s the club’s eighth managerial departure since April 2013 and after the 1-0 home defeat to Dover on Saturday the club announced the departure on their website and on Twitter saying: “It is with regret Southport Football Club have parted company with manager Andy Bishop.
“The club are actively seeking applications for the post. We would like to thank Andy for his hard work and dedication during his time as manager.”
Bishop was unable to comment as he stated ‘there were still things I have to sort out with the club’.
Having taken the hotseat in March, initially on an interim basis, Bishop was handed the role in a full-time capacity at the end of last season after guiding the Sandgrounders to safety.
But with just one win from their opening eight Vanarama National League games and a number of heavy defeats, Bishop leaves his post less than a month into the campaign.
Bishop had a lengthy conversation with chairman Charlie Clapham on the pitch after full-time last weekend.
Fans will be hoping the next manager can make big improvements in order to keep Southport in the National League. Former Chester boss Steve Burr has been strongly linked with the post.
Bishop, who played in the defeat to Dover, was initially positive following the game, saying: “We dominated the second half and they weren’t really causing us many problems. If we carry on playing like that goals will come.
“We’ll win more than we lose if those performances continue. The positives were we on top for the second half, we created chances and we passed the ball well.
“We just need that ruthlessness and if we’d won the last few games, we’d probably have won that one. People were a little tentative and a bit scared. If we score more goals we’ll gain confidence.”
Unfortunately for him, he won’t get the chance to find out if he was right.