Mick
Life President
Last time we entertained Southport in a Cup tie was just a week short of 99 years ago and we won 5-2. Somewhat more recently, in the 60s and 70s we played them 12 times resulting in 4 wins, 4 defeats and 4 draws. I recall being at our first ever match at Southport in May, 66/67. The main stand and offices had been completely destroyed by a fire over the Christmas period; the players changed in a nearby school and walked into the ground. They were second, we were fourth. A crowd of just under 9,000. We lost 1-0 and blew our promotion hopes with one game to go, at home to leaders, Stockport.
Referee in charge of Saturday's match is Steven Copeland from Wallasey, just across the mouth of the Mersey River from Bootle (it's very near New Brighton for those who remember our overnight stop between the Tranmere and Stockport games in 1967). He has worked in the Merseyside Police Force for the last 15 years and is now a Police Detective. It seems a long way to send a referee for a Trophy match.
This is his sixth season at this level and has refereed Southend twice before.
Most recently he took charge of the 2-0 defeat at Altrincham towards the end of 2022/23. Yellows for Ralph, Taylor and Miley and one of theirs.
His previous Southend match was the hefty home defeat by Notts County towards the end of 2021/22 season. They got all three goals and two of the three yellows with Demetriou picking up our one.
His 15 games this season have produced 63 yellow cards and 6 reds and he has recently been given a couple of League Two matches to referee.
Assisting him will be Richard Wharton from Hatfield, Herts and Ryan Whitaker from Bexleyheath. Nathan Oakes from Colchester will be standing by as Fourth Official.
Referee in charge of Saturday's match is Steven Copeland from Wallasey, just across the mouth of the Mersey River from Bootle (it's very near New Brighton for those who remember our overnight stop between the Tranmere and Stockport games in 1967). He has worked in the Merseyside Police Force for the last 15 years and is now a Police Detective. It seems a long way to send a referee for a Trophy match.
This is his sixth season at this level and has refereed Southend twice before.
Most recently he took charge of the 2-0 defeat at Altrincham towards the end of 2022/23. Yellows for Ralph, Taylor and Miley and one of theirs.
His previous Southend match was the hefty home defeat by Notts County towards the end of 2021/22 season. They got all three goals and two of the three yellows with Demetriou picking up our one.
His 15 games this season have produced 63 yellow cards and 6 reds and he has recently been given a couple of League Two matches to referee.
Assisting him will be Richard Wharton from Hatfield, Herts and Ryan Whitaker from Bexleyheath. Nathan Oakes from Colchester will be standing by as Fourth Official.
