SOUTHPORT FC PEN PICS 2015/16
(last update 1 January 2016)
(compiled by Jonathan O’Byrne and Rob Urwin)
1 Andy Coughlin
The 6"4 Bootle born stopper began his career at Tranmere Rovers. Progressing
through the youth ranks he signed a professional deal with Rovers but was later
released. Joining Wrexham initially as an understudy he went on to amass 60
Conference appearances for the Reds. With Gary Mills overhauling the Wrexham
squad Coughlin turned down a new contract to join Southport as number one in June
2015 and with it the opportunity to play more regularly a key factor for Coughlin at
the age of 23. Andy played at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final last season and is the
current England C ‘keeper.
2 Matty Challoner
The 22 year old full back signed for Southport in 2013 upon release from Blackpool
FC. Tough for his size Matty is also proficient in ju jitzu. The young defender has
shown strong potential during his time with Southport. Now in his third season, the
full back from Blackburn is widely expected to command the right back position as
he continues to develop.
3 Will Beesley
21 year old Will started his career in the Blackburn Rovers academy where Paul
Carden coached prior to joining Southport. Upon release from Blackburn the left
back trialled with MK Dons, joining Southport in February 2015. Prominently a left
back but occasionally a left winger the young defender re-signed in July 2015 after
ever improving performances in the 2014/15 season.
4 Liam Nolan
21 year old Liam Nolan signed for Southport in August 2015. Paul Carden move to
bring in the the Liverpool born midfielder after he ended an extensive trial at
Blackburn Rovers. Nolan,spent time as a junior at Everton before joining Crewe
Alexandra as a trainee where he progressed to the first team, making 19 league
appearances which were unfortunately restricted by injuries. Liam has also featured
for Northern Ireland's under 21 side.
5 Josh Thompson
Bolton born Josh is well travelled for 24. After a terrific start to his career at
Stockport County, The big centre half completed a transfer to Celtic for £250,000.
After 3 years and several appearances for the Scottish Premier League Champions
Thompson moved south of the border playing most notably for Portsmouth and
latterly Tranmere Rovers. Josh signed for Southport in July 2015 after a successful
trial.
6 Luke Foster
The club captain joined the club in the summer of 2014. The well travelled,
experienced centre half was voted player of the season for his immense influence in
Southport survival exploits last season. A seasoned campaigner Foster boasts
Preston North End, Oxford United and Lincoln City amongst some of the clubs he has
served.
7 Jamie Allen
Preston based Jamie started his career at Fleetwood Town. The diminutive striker
quickly accelerated through the youth and reserve teams but with opportunities
limited due to Fleetwood's meteoric rise up the pyramid only managed a handful of
appearances, before being released in the summer of 2015. Paul Carden moved
swiftly to sign up the 20 year old striker hoping to unlock some of that potential for
the benefit of the Sandgrounders.
8 Andy Wright
Southport born and Formby based Andy learned his trade on the other side of the
Atlantic having been awarded a scholarship. Upon return from his scholarship he
racked up considerable experience with Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town. At
30, the athletic midfielder joined Southport in June 2015 from Morecambe where he
featured regularly.
10 Andy Bishop
33 year old Andy Bishop is a seasoned forward, who started his career at Walsall and
enjoyed loan spells with Kidserminster Harriers before joining then Conference outfit York
City. Impressive performances for the Minstermen earned Bishop a move to Bury where he
scored 70 goals in a seven year spell. Two seasons at Wrexham. After starting the campaign
at Halifax, the Cannock based hitman moved to the Sandgrounders in August 2015.
11 Gary Jones
The veteran of the squad at 38, Gary signed for Southport following his release from
Notts County in August 2015. Jones enjoyed a stellar football league career, most
notably as Rochdale's most capped player over two spells, sandwiched with a spell at
Barnsley. Jones transferred from Rochdale to Bradford City and this led to him being
a prominent member of their side which extraordinarily reached the Capital Cup
Final in 2013.
12 Adam Blakeman
Adam becomes the third Blakeman sibling to join Southport. The 23 year old follows
older brothers Chris and Liam. Blakeman whom hails from Ormskirk started his
career at Bolton Wanderers where he was award successive professional contracts.
Upon leaving Bolton he joined Hyde United. A short spell at Ayr United followed
before Paul Carden moved quickly in the summer of 2015 to link up with the left
sided full back-cum-midfielder who he was aware of from his time scouting for
Bolton Wanderers.
14 Charlie Joyce
Despite being just 22, Charlie is the longest serving Southport player. Signed in the
summer of 2012 following his release from Morecambe. After loan spells at
Skelmersdale United and Colwyn Bay, the ultra-fit, committed midfielder slowly
forged his way into the managers thinking in 2014/15.
Charlie had been used mainly as a squad player during his early days at Southport
but last season saw him make the breakthrough to become a regular starter.
15 Connor McCarthy
Connor started his career at Evo-Stik league Prescot Cables. After impressively
managing the rigour of the senior game at a young age the forward caught the eye of
Skelmersdale United's Tommy Lawson, whom has a renowned record for developing
raw talent. In two seasons at Skelmersdale the youngster gained promotion and
became an established member of the squad. Connor made the step up to the
National League with his move to Southport in January 2015 and will be looking to
feature more regularly for Southport in the coming season.
16 Paul Rutherford
28 year old Paul Rutherford is now in his third season with Southport and boasts
considerable experience at National League level. Prior to signing for Southport, The
right winger spent a number of seasons at Barrow. Born on the Wirral, Rutherford
began his career at Chester City where he made 38 starts. Paul came through the
Youth ranks at Liverpool . After not scoring for a long time “Ruthers” found the back
of the net on three occasions last season to the delight of all Southport fans!
17 Louis Almond
23 year old Louis Almond was no stranger to Southport supporters when he arrived
at the club at the end of January 2015. Blackburn born Almond had previously
troubled Southport during loan spells with Barrow, Lincoln City and Hyde United
whom he joined permanently in the summer of 2014 having ended a long
association with Blackpool FC.
18 Andrai Jones
23 year old Andrai began his career as a youth at Everton and then Bury. Impressive
displays for Bury reserves earned the Liverpudlian a move to then championship
Barnsley. Loan spells at Tranmere and Alfreton followed before a permanent transfer
to Gateshead. Released in the summer of 2015, the talented and versatile
defender/midfielder penned a two year contract with the Sandgrounders.
19 Jonathan Viscosi
The Canadian goalkeeper joined Southport in July 2015 upon completion of a
successful trial. Prior to signing for Southport the young goalkeeper served as back
up at Conference rivals Chester FC.
20 Jonny Giles-on loan from Oxford United
22 Mike Phenix
Mancunian Mike Phenix is a 6'2 powerfully built winger who is equally comfortable
playing at centre forward. A youth career at Bolton Wanderers was followed by a
spell in the amateur game with Hindsford, spells at Droylsden and unsuccessful trial
at Notts County preceded a fruitful spell at Skelmersdale United, where Phenix was a
vital part of their Evostik North winning title squad this earned him a move to
Telford, where again he won the Conference North in his debut season. A promising
start in a struggling Telford side saw Barnsley invest £25,000 in the players’ services.
Phenix joined Southport on a four month loan in August 2015.
24 Jack Ryan
25 Max Crocombe
Goalkeeper on loan from Oxford United Max was born in Auckland, New Zealand,
before moving to England at the age of four and signed for Buckingham Town, who play in
the 10th-tier United Counties Division One, at the age of 16 before signing as a youth
player for Oxford United making his Oxford United debut at the age of 19. Played in two of
New Zealand's three group games (against Uzbekistan and Croatia) at the 2013 Fifa
Under-20 World Cup. Also had a spell on loan at Nuneaton and Barnet.
26 Sam Grimshaw
Sam became new manager Dino Maamria’s first signing.
It has been reported in several national newspapers that the 22-year-old can run the
100m in under 11 seconds!
Sam Spent nine years at Manchester City playing up to youth team level before leaving.
He was offered a trial by Manchester United towards the end of the 2014/15 season after
helping Glossop North End reach the FA Vase final.
Sam can play at left-back, left-sided winger or even central defence.
He joined Northern Premier League Premier Division Ramsbottom United in September and
scored two goals on his debut. Last played for them on 5 December.
Manager: Dino Maamria44 year old Dino Maamria is now in his fourth spell with the club having been
appointed manager in November 2015.
Maamria had three spells with Southport as a player between 2000 and 2007, the
established Tunisian Conference forward also had spells with fellow Conference
clubs Rushden & Diamonds, Doncaster Rovers, Leigh RMI and Stevenage Borough. A
nomadic career saw Maamria play on three continents for 10 different clubs.
After leaving Southport Dino eventually progressed into management with
Northwich Victoria. In 2008 he was named Conference manager of the season having
achieved an escape from relegation against the odds but was sacked less than six
months later.
Maamria hooked up with former contemporary Graham Westley and enjoyed great
success as assistant manager at Stevenage gaining two promotions and winning the
FA Trophy in the most successful period in Stevenage's history. Maamria followed
Westley to Preston North End and back to Stevenage where the duo failed to
replicate the same level of success.
Assistant Manager Gary Finley
Appointed assistant manager to Paul Carden in the summer of 2015, Paul linked up
with Finley again after the pair had worked together at Blackburn Rovers. An
experienced manager and coach, Finley knows Southport well having acted as Paul
Cook's assistant in 2006. An enthusiastic coach, Finley was a well travelled and
uncompromising centre half on the north west non-league scene.