I’m confident we can make big changes says Wright

SOUTHPORT FC can now focus on re-building for a return to the good times, according to new head of development Mark Wright.

Wright, who managed the club in 2000-01, says it is time to be positive after a difficult few seasons for the club.

The former Liverpool and England defender is part of the new managerment team alongside manager Alan Lewer and will also oversee the commercial side of the club.

After suffering relegation in a season which saw the club use three managers and more than 50 players, Wright (pictured) says Southport will have a much more competitive squad next season.

He said: “The reality is that Southport had a great time and we produced a great team here years ago.

“I came to the last game of the season (against Lincoln City), saw it, looked at the side and thought, ‘well things have changed’.

“Was it the right playing staff for a club like this? I thought no.

“That may sound harsh to some people but you have to have people here who want to succeed and want to win and you have to have people not just looking to get out there and get through it and pick up some wages.

“You’ve got to have people who want to win things, want to drive forward, don’t surrender when there’s a battle on the cards and unfortunately I didn’t see a lot of that last season.”

Mark’s last managerial job was in 2012 but has nothing but confidence that he, Alan and assistant manager John Durnin will achieve success.

Following the resignation of Charlie Clapham towards the end of last season, the entire board also eventually left the club.

After so much change, he insists a fresh start can be a big opportunity for the club. He said: “It’s a shame because Charlie did great for the club for 30 years. It was his heart and soul and I really feel for him.

“I’m delighted everytime I see him and we catch up, but things need to move on, things need to change. So I’m here to help with the business, to help with the off the field stuff as well, to bring in more money so the club and the playing staff can move forward and actually compete.

“I’ve only met James (Treadwell) for the last two or three weeks but we get on really well, he’s really thorough in what he does and we’re trying to make sure the budget is right and everything behind the scenes is right.

“Together, we’re working fantastically well.

“The management team is a situation James and I have put together. If there’s anyone who knows more about this level, the level above and about non-league than Alan Lewer, then I’ll be absolutely gobsmacked.

“He is an encyclopaedia of everything.

“John Durnin is a A-licensed coach who is very enthusiastic and wants to do everything”.