The FA Trophy — Southport FC reach the semi-final for the first time in 28 years

FA Trophy Semi-FinalSaturday 28 March 2026Haig Avenue · Southport

Southport FCv Southend UnitedFA Trophy Semi-Final. Haig Avenue

The biggest home game at Haig Avenue in 28 years. Away fans, day trippers, and first-time visitors to Southport, here is everything you need before you travel.

Tickets, southportfc.net →Getting There Pubs

28 March

Date

Saturday, 2026

PR8 6JZ

Ground

Haig Avenue, Southport

~5,400

Capacity

Practical sell-out level

~£13–£15

Tickets

Check southportfc.net

Road closure: Haig Avenue closed to traffic from 12:30pm

Street parking near the ground will be near-impossible after 12:30pm. Arrive early or plan to park further away and walk. See parking alternatives below.

Terry's Take

The Biggest Game in a Generation

I have lived in this town my entire life and I cannot remember Haig Avenue being this loud for a home game. The quarter-final against Yeovil drew nearly 3,700 people. The semi-final against Southend will be bigger again. It is the first time Southport FC have been in a Trophy semi-final in 28 years. If you understand what that means to a town that has had a complicated relationship with football at this level for a long time, you understand why people are genuinely excited.

If you are coming from Southend, or you are visiting Southport for the first time and fancying the match: welcome. This is genuinely a good place to spend a day. There is more here than the football, Lord Street, the seafront, Southport Market, decent pubs and restaurants. If the weather holds on a March Saturday and you arrive a couple of hours early, you can make a proper day of it.

The practical things that matter: there is no car park at the ground, street parking fills up early, the away end is open to the elements, and the Thatch and Thistle at the bottom of Haig Avenue gets busy before kick-off. Come by train if you can. It is much less stressful.

And if Southport win, the town will be going to Wembley for the first time in a generation. Book a room now just in case.

The Context

Why This Match Matters

🏆

First Semi in 28 Years

Southport FC have not reached an FA Trophy semi-final since 1998. The 1998 run ended in a final at Wembley, the club lost to Cheltenham Town. This is the first time since then they have come within one result of returning.

⚽

The Quarter-Final

The quarter-final against Yeovil Town at Haig Avenue drew 3,696, a massive crowd for National League North level. The atmosphere was described as the best at the ground in years. The semi-final is expected to be bigger again.

🎯

One Game from Wembley

The FA Trophy Final is played at Wembley Stadium. Win this semi-final and Southport FC are there. That is what is at stake. It is a single-leg tie, everything decided in 90 minutes at Haig Avenue.

Travel

Getting to Haig Avenue

Postcode: PR8 6JZ. There is no car park at the stadium, plan your travel accordingly.

By Train (Recommended)

Meols Cop station is the closest. 10-minute walk to the ground. Exit the station, turn left onto Norwood Road, walk down to the Thatch and Thistle pub at the bottom. Haig Avenue is directly opposite the pub.

Southport station (town centre). 20-minute walk or take the number 44 bus from Eastbank Street to Haig Avenue.

From Liverpool: Liverpool Central (Merseyrail Northern line) to Southport, around 50 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes on Saturdays.

From Manchester or further afield: Manchester Piccadilly to Wigan North Western, then Northern rail to Southport. Check National Rail for the latest times.

By Car

⚠️ Road closure: Haig Avenue is closed to traffic from 12:30pm. If driving, plan to be parked by noon at the latest.

Satnav postcode: PR8 6JZ, but do not rely on parking directly on Haig Avenue after 12:30pm.

Best alternatives before the closure: Meols Cop Road area streets or Kew area side streets off Scarisbrick New Road, both within 10–15 minutes' walk of the ground.

Town centre car parks are another option, park up, then take the number 44 bus or walk the mile and a half to the ground in 25–30 minutes.

Tip for Southend fans travelling from Essex: Liverpool Lime Street to Liverpool Central is a 5-minute walk, then Merseyrail to Southport. If you are travelling in a group, this avoids driving entirely and means you can have a proper day out. A lot of away fans on this route make a day of Liverpool before heading to Southport.

Parking

Parking Near Haig Avenue

There is no car park at the stadium. Here is what you are working with.

Meols Cop School (club parking)

Check southportfc.net

The club operates matchday parking at Meols Cop school near the ground. Check southportfc.net for availability, pricing, and access details before travelling.

Street Parking. Haig Avenue

Must arrive before 12:30pm

Haig Avenue is closed to traffic from 12:30pm, street parking near the ground is near-impossible after that. Meols Cop Road area or Kew area side streets off Scarisbrick New Road are within 10–15 minutes' walk but will also fill fast. Be parked by noon.

Town Centre Car Parks

Walk 25–30 mins or bus

Southport town centre has several car parks with lower stress on a matchday. Park on Lord Street or the Promenade car parks, then walk (25–30 minutes) or take the number 44 bus. Good option if you want to have a look around town before the match.

Bus from Town Centre

Number 44 from Eastbank St

If you are parked in the town centre or arriving at Southport station, the number 44 bus runs along the route toward Haig Avenue. Check Merseytravel for the exact stop and timetable on the day.

Full Southport Parking Guide

Before the Match

Pubs Near Haig Avenue

Options near the ground are limited but functional. If you have time, Southport town centre (a mile and a half away) is the better call for a proper pre-match drink.

Hospitality only

The Grandstand Bar

At the ground

The Grandstand Bar is for hospitality guests only, not accessible to general admission or away supporters. Do not rely on this as a pre-match option.

Not available to away fans.

Most convenient

Thatch and Thistle

Norwood Road / Haig Avenue junction

Right at the bottom of Haig Avenue, directly opposite the ground entrance. Sky Sports, food available, decent enough for a pre-match. Nothing special but it does the job. Gets very busy before a game this size.

Arrive early, tables go fast.

Short walk

The Richmond

Scarisbrick New Road

A few minutes from the ground on Scarisbrick New Road. Slightly more relaxed than the Thatch and Thistle before a big game. A reasonable option for away fans who want a bit more space.

Less crowded alternative.

Best pint

Tap and Bottles

Town centre

Luke Randles (of the Southport BID) ran this for years, proper CAMRA-award-winning pub in the town centre. If you are arriving 2+ hours early and want a genuinely good pint, this is where to go. About 20–25 minutes walk from the ground.

Worth the walk if you have time.

Town centre

The Guest House

Town centre

A popular town centre pub that gets mentioned by away fans researching the area. Good atmosphere, central location. Bus the mile and a half to the ground from here when you are ready.

Get the bus back, don't rush.

Specialist

Inn Beer Shop

Town centre

Independent bottle shop and bar in Southport town centre. Good selection. If you are a beer enthusiast and have time before the match, worth knowing about.

Good for a different kind of pre-match.

All Southport pubs and bars

Haig Avenue

The Ground

The Blowick End (Away)

Bring layers

Away supporters are in the Blowick End, the open terrace at the south end of the ground.

It is uncovered. The wind comes in off the Irish Sea and it can be bitter on an exposed terrace in March. Do not underestimate this.

Wear a waterproof and proper layers. A matchday that starts mild can turn cold quickly in an open terrace.

The sightlines are fine, this is a decent lower-league ground. The atmosphere can be good for a game with this kind of stakes.

Ground Details

Capacity: ~5,400

Practical sell-out capacity of around 5,400. The registered figure is 6,008 but restricted-view seats and hospitality use reduce the available total.

The Jack Carr Stand (west) is the main home terrace. The Grandstand (east) has the seating and hospitality.

Haig Avenue was built in 1905. It is a traditional lower-league football ground, not modern but with genuine character.

Hospitality packages are available via the club, the club pushes this and it is decent value for the level. Check southportfc.net.

Beyond the Match

Making a Day of Southport

If you are travelling from Southend or further afield, Southport is worth a few hours of your time before the match. It is a proper Victorian seaside town with a long beach, a mile-long boulevard of glass-canopied shops and restaurants, an indoor market, and an arts centre. Here is where to go if you arrive early.

🏛️

Lord Street

Southport's Victorian boulevard, glass canopies, independent shops, restaurants, and cafés. A 20-minute walk from Haig Avenue. Worth an hour on a dry morning.

🏖️

Southport Beach

One of England's widest beaches. Marine Drive car park (PR8 1RX) gives you direct access. In March it will be bracing. Excellent for a short walk.

🍜

Southport Market

Street food, independent traders, and a good atmosphere. On Market Street in the town centre. Good option for lunch before the match if you are in town early.

🎨

The Atkinson

Lord Street arts centre, gallery, theatre, café. If you are in town with time to spare and the weather is poor, this is genuinely excellent.

🍽️

Restaurants

Southport has proper dining. If you are staying overnight, book ahead, particularly at weekends. Lord Street and Birkdale village have the best options.

🛏️

Hotels

If you are making a weekend of it, book now. If Southport win and go to Wembley, accommodation will be a story in itself. Booking ahead is sensible.

If Southport Win

Southport FC at Wembley

If Southport beat Southend United, they go to the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. It would be the first time the club has appeared at Wembley since reaching the final in 1998. We will publish a full Wembley guide within 24 hours of the final whistle, travel from Southport, where to stay in London, the history, and everything you need.

If you are visiting Southport for the semi-final, you already know where to look. Keep this page bookmarked.

Common Questions

Haig Avenue. FAQs

What is the postcode for Haig Avenue?

The postcode for Haig Avenue Stadium is PR8 6JZ. Put this in your satnav and it will take you directly to the ground. Note there is no car park at the stadium, you'll be looking for street parking on Haig Avenue and surrounding roads.

Which train station is nearest to Haig Avenue?

Meols Cop is the closest station, about a 10-minute walk to the ground. Come out of the station, turn left onto Norwood Road, walk down to the Thatch and Thistle pub at the bottom, and Haig Avenue is directly opposite. Southport station (town centre) is also an option but it's a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride on the number 44 from Eastbank Street.

Is there parking at Haig Avenue?

The club operates matchday parking at Meols Cop school, check southportfc.net for details. Note that for this match, Haig Avenue itself will be closed to traffic from 12:30pm, making street parking near the ground near-impossible after that time. Arrive early, use Meols Cop school parking, or park in Southport town centre and take the number 44 bus or walk the mile and a half to the ground.

Which pubs near Haig Avenue allow away fans?

The Thatch and Thistle at the junction of Norwood Road and Haig Avenue is the most convenient option near the ground, it has Sky Sports and food. The Richmond on Scarisbrick New Road is a short walk away and tends to be slightly more relaxed. Both are fine for away fans. Note that the Grandstand Bar at the ground is for hospitality guests only and is not accessible to general admission or away supporters.

What is the away end like at Haig Avenue?

Away supporters are in the Blowick End, an open terrace at the south end of the ground. It is uncovered. The Irish Sea wind is a real factor at Haig Avenue, particularly on the exposed terrace. Dress accordingly: waterproof, layers, and do not underestimate how cold a March afternoon on an open terrace can be. The views of the pitch are fine.

How much are tickets for the FA Trophy semi-final?

Check the official Southport FC website at southportfc.net for confirmed ticket prices and availability for the semi-final. General admission standing at Haig Avenue is typically around £13–£15 for adults. This is a big occasion, confirm ticket availability before travelling.

How do I get from Liverpool to Haig Avenue?

From Liverpool, the simplest route is Liverpool Central to Southport on the Merseyrail Northern line (approximately 50 minutes, runs regularly). From Southport station walk to Eastbank Street and take the number 44 bus to Haig Avenue, or walk the 20 minutes. Alternatively, come off at Meols Cop station if that service runs on matchday, confirm timetables with Merseyrail.

What if Southport win and go to Wembley?

If Southport beat Southend United and reach the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, we will publish a full Wembley guide immediately, travel from Southport, where to stay in London, and everything you need to know. It would be the first time Southport have reached a Trophy Final since 1998.

The Full Matchday Guide

Not just here for the Trophy? Our permanent Haig Avenue matchday guide covers every away visit to Southport FC, parking, pubs, travel, the ground, and how to make the most of a day in the town.

Southport FC Matchday Guide

Southport Businesses