Southport FC legend Liam Watson is to concentrate on his director’s role at the football club, after departing the position as First Team Manager as part of a “management restructure”.
Pressure had been growing on Watson after a run of three successive defeats to open the Sandgrounders’ league season.
In three managerial spells at the football club, Watson oversaw two National League North championship runs and seven County Cups, taking charge of exactly 500 league games.
Over his three spells in charge of the side, he is the club’s second-longest serving manager.
On Tuesday however, in a 5-1 defeat to Spennymoor Town, the side equalled a 48-year-old club record of 11 consecutive defeats.
Assistant Manager Andy Burgess and Player-Coach David Morgan will take interim charge of the first team.
The club will now lean heavily on Watson’s lengthy experience in the non-league game, with the former manager’s influence credited as being essential in bringing in investment from stadium sponsor The Big Help Project.
Club Chairman Ian Kyle told southportfc.net: “I would like to thank Liam for the huge contribution he has made as first team manager over many years, however we have both agreed that the time is now right to make a change.
“Looking ahead though, I see this as a massive gain for the Board. In recent years, the Club has taken positive strides forward in terms of its infrastructure, Academy, junior sides and relationships with sponsors, and Liam has been a huge part of that.”
Southport return to National League North action this weekend when they welcome Boston United to The Big Help Stadium, kick off 3pm.
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