Yellows reveal big plans for future
SOUTHPORT FC has given fans a first view of ambitious and exciting plans to renovate the Merseyrail Community Stadium and overhaul the club’s future.
The stadium, on Haig Avenue, is to undergo millions of pound worth of investment which will see the main stand radically modernised and the opposite Popular side rebuilt.
Plans to dramtically renovate the stadium were first revealed by the Visiter in October, and the club showcased its vision for the future at a public event on Tuesday night.
Hundreds attended the club’s presentation at Southort Theatre and Convention Centre and were given a first view of the stadium plans. Key figures from the club were there to meet fans on the night, including CEO Natalie Atkinson, directors Phil Hodgkinson, Ian Kyle and James Treadwell, and first team manager Kevin Davies.
The refurbishment work will see the Main Stand transformed with a complete internal and external refurbishment; all stands being covered for the first time since the a fire devastated the stadium in 1966; and the Popular Side rebuilt to include offices and purpose-built function areas. The new seats in the Main Stand will be in the club’s traditional old gold and black colours, rather than the existing red and blue.
The launch night also gave the club the chance to showcase its other developments, with displays and features presented on a range of initiatives.
These included the club’s college academy plans; youth development; community programme with charitable status; and the matchday experience as a whole.
Plans were also unveiled on the club’s corporate packages and how it will maximise relationships with its commercial partners, as well as information on what the Yellows can offer to volunteers who give their time for the club.
Season ticket prices for 2018/19 were revealed, with junior tickets costing £40 and adults priced at £145 for standing or £160 for seating.
Speaking on the night, Ms Atkinson said: “The history books speak for themselves but today we start a new chapter at Haig Avenue, as we launched the vision for the coming years – and I for one am delighted to be part of this exciting journey that we are on.
“The overall and long term vision of Southport Football Club is to continue building a local football club that is both successful and sustainable on and off the football pitch.
“We are aspiring to be back in the Football League and achieve the status of being the focal football club of the town.
“From the achievement of this vision, we also aspire to build state-ofthe-art facilities whereby our teams, fans, supporters and community have an unforgettable experience and continue to support the football club.
“With this success we aim to attract more fans from the communities of Southport which will in turn boost the investment into the sustainability of the club.”