1980's cup success

SOUTH LIVERPOOL FC

Back Row (l-r)

Ged Farrell, Billy Roberts, Danny Atwere, Steph Hayes, Kevin O'Brien, John O'Brien, John Carroll, Laurence Iro, Phil McFerran, Dave Martindale, Lenny Hawksford (trainer).

Front Row (l-r)

Gary Anderson, John McInnes, Barry Williams, Brian Griffths (Manager), Jim Smith (chairman), Alvin McDonald, John Lawler, Keith Featherstone.

Cups (l-r)

Northern Premier League Cup, Liverpool Senior Cup, Lancashire Junior Cup.

South played 76 competitive games in the season - 42 league and 34 cup.

Eight players made 50 or more appearances.

Phil McFerran & Kevin O'Brien led the way with 71 appearances each - Kevin recorded 21 clean sheets. Then came Laurence Iro with 68, Gary Anderson & Barry Williams each on 67, John Carroll 66, John McInnes 63 and then leading scorer Danny Atwere on 50 recording 17 goals. 

Saturday 24th October 1985

South had beaten Boldmere St Micheals 5 - 0 (in a replay after 1 -1 away draw), Long Eaton United away 3 -2 and demolished Witton Albion 5-0. It was then to Bangor City, where a 1 -1 draw was secured via a Joe Rice goal and South won the replay 3 -2 (Barry Whitbread, Dave Higgins and Steve Joel) earning a first round proper place for the first time since 1972. Away at Whitby where we lost 1-0.

South Back Row (l-r) Kenny Meadows (Asst Manager), Dave Higgins, Barry Whitbread, Tony Dunn, Russ Hughes, John Carroll, Laurence Iro, Mike Thomas, Cliff Roberts (Manager) 

Front Row (l-r) Euan Simpson (physio), Joe Rice, Tim Rutter, Ronnie Kilshaw, Ian Baker, Steve Joel 

South pictured prior to an NPL home game sporting the sponsored home kit by Libertys, the then Chairman's, Jim Smith, City Centre nightclub on Seel Street

Back Row (l-r) Peter Withers, Brian Kettle, Stewart Parker, Colin Ridler, Steve Skeete, John Carroll. 

Front Row (l-r) Derek Brownbill, Dave Thompson, Jimmy Blackhurst, Kevin Harrison, John McInnes.

Behind the team can be seen parts of Holly Park including the old Supporters Hut and a smattering of fans.

We've tried to date the game this was prior to and "think" its Saturday 3rd May 1986. Our final home NPL league game of the season against Gainsborough Trinity which was a 1-1 draw Stuart Parker getting our goal. Stuart was a resident of Blackpool and travelled down to Holly Park for each game.

Colin Ridler our keeper travelled form Manchester for games.

Two days later on 5th May 1986 we hosted the Liverpool Senior Cup Final against Southport and won 2-1 Jimmy Blackhurst & Peter Withers (now resident in New Zealand) got our goals.

Team Back Row (l-r) Jimmy Bakstad (Res Team Manager), Stuart Parker, Laurence Iro, Ian Baker, Derek Brownbill, Kevin Harrison, John Carroll, Steve Skeete & daughter Chantelle, Colin Ridler, Stev Whittingham, Barry Whitbread, Brian Kettle      
Front Row (l-r) John McInnes, Jimmy Blackhurst, Cliff Roberts with Tony Draper, Peter Withers, Dave Thompson.                                                                 (pic Graham Ost)

South Liverpool FC

Back Row (l-r) Frank O'Brien (trainer) Peter Withers, Mick Kilduff, Joe Dunne, Derek Brownbill, Coli Ridler, Kevin Harrison, Dave Barnett, Dave Thompson, Stuart Parker.

Front Row (l-r) Tony Dunne, John McInnes, Barry Whitbread (coach), Cliff Roberts (manager) Jim Smith (chairman) Jimmy Blackhurst, Mike Scott,

Cup - Liverpool Senior Cup won 1985/86 

Here is the full team photo from 1986/87 

South Liverpool FC

Back Row (l-r) Frank O'Brien (trainer) Joe Dunn, Derek Brownbill, Mick Kilduff, Colin Ridler, Stuart Parker, Kevin Harrison, Brian Kettle.

Front Row (l-r) Dave thompson, Mike Scott, John McInnes, Barry Whitbread (assistant manager), Cliff Roberts (manager) Jim Smith (chairman), Dave Barnett, Tony Dunn, Jimmy Blackhurst.

Cup - Liverpool Senior Cup won 1985/86 

Note black socks were used this season rather than the traditional red.

The season's two cup highlights were the remarkable three games against Lincoln City in the FA Trophy before and after Christmas - South losing in the second replay at Sincil Bank. Then by seasons end we would go on to win the NPL Presidents Cup over two legs against Southport winning in an amazing finale at Haig Avenue having been down 3-0 at Holly Park at one point in the first leg.

Brian Kettle had taken over the reins as player manager with his assistant South and non league legendary keeper Peter Eales. Les Blasberry was trainer and son Paul was in goal.

South's team : 

Back Row (l-r) Paul Gibbins, Brian Kettle, Tony Dunn, Tommy Manning, Paul Blasberry, Colin Ridler, Bob Howard, Steve Jackson, Chris Camden & Les Blasberry (Trainer).    

Front Row (l-r) Peter Withers, Ian Baker, Ray Mawson, Peter Eales, John McInnes, Phil McFerran.

South were 3 -2 down after the home leg of the Presidents Cup and went to Haig Aveneue as underdogs to take the trophy but we stormed to a 3 -1 win on an unforgettable night.

A first half goal via a Chris Camden strike drew us level but the game was level by eth break. South now 4 -3 behind in the tie saw second half goals by Steve Jackson and Mark Brennan saw us home.

Amazingly Steve Jackson had been delayed getting the game but was named as sub and arrived just before half time and came on to score and help lay on Mark Brennans winner.

Back Row (l-r) Steve Joel, Steve Jackson, Mark Brennan, Alan Black, Bob Howard, Kevin Humphreys, Jimmy Blackhurst, Les Blasberry (trainer)

Front Row (l-r) Peter Eales (asst manager - partially in picture), Ian Baker, Chris Camden, John McInnes, Ray Mawson, Dave Mather, Peter Withers  

South line up with the Liverpool Senior Cup in the foreground and just visible top left is the the then new South social club.

Back Row (l-r) Les Blasberry (trainer), Jim Smith (chairman) Aidan Warder, Peter Withers, Graham Ost (secretary), Mark Brennan, Steve Jackson, Colin Darcy, Peter Daley, Bob Howard, John Edwards, Ian Baker (player & kit sponsor), Peter Eales (asst manager) and Brian Kettle (manager).  Front Row (l-r) Roy Mitchell, Tony Dunn, Dave Mather, John McInnes, Karl Thomas, Paul Mullen, Bobby Campbell.

Back Row (l-r): Brian Kettle (manager), Aidan Warder, Booby Campbell, Colin Darcy, John Edwards, Karl Thomas, Bobby Howard, Les Blasbery (coach), Peter Eales (asst manager), Steve Jackson (arm only).
Front (l-r): Mark Brennan, Tony Draper (his debut still 10 months away), Paul Mullen, John McInnes, Tony Dunn, Peter Daley, Dave Mather.