Southpool
| Full name | Southpool |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1886 |
| Ground | Goodfield (1886-1985), Anmoor (1985- ), Southpool, England |
| Capacity | Goodfield 53.000 |
| Manager | John Harvey (1983-84) |
| League | FA Premier League |
Southpool are a fictional football team in the Bristish comic Champ, which first appeared in February 1984 in the We are United strip, as English football's dominating team. Southpool also appeared in the Goals of Jimmy Grant in Victor comics of D.C. Thomson and the Football Pictury Story Monthly. The name is a reference to Liverpool FC (and possibly Southampton). The club's nickname is The Reds (and occasionaly 'Pool).
History
Southpool was founded in 1886. 'Pool won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1973 and the UEFA Cup in 1974 under manager Ron Boston (left in 1975). In the Reds won the UEFA Cup again in 1979 under manager John Harvey who continued Boston's legacy. In 80/81 it became the only English club to ever do the domestic treble, in Kevin Nicklish' first season in England.
The three key players for 'Pool in the 83/84 season were: world-class striker Kevin Nicklish (with 22 goals by 17 March 1984), England's no1 Davy Parkes. Southpool had 13 internationals in 83/84! They were aiming at the treble again, but they were knocked out by Second division United in the FA Cup in the quartefinals. By March 1984 they were 7 points clear at the table (Mancastor City were second) and already in the League Cup final against struggling Tottingham Rovers. In April 1985, 'Pool's director Ernie Harris was looking for a change on the bench: Joe Pearson rejected Southpool's offer to replace John Harvey who was retiring, the highest pay in world Football. In May 1985 the Reds won the FA Cup beating Second Division Oxbridge thanks to Kevin Nicklish goal (1-0). On 25 May 1985 United and Southpool drew 2-2 in the testimonial match for John Harvey and Hans Grutter who were retiring.
In summer 1985 Nicklish was transferred to United which meant the club's decline soon. In the beginning of 85/86 'Pool were interested in United's Josh Tee to replace Nicklish but in vain. In 85/86 they lost to United in Milk Cup semifinals. In 86/87 they lost the title to United (Jimmy Grant story). From 1981 until 1986 they won 6 straight English titles which is a record in the comic universe.
In 1992 they reached the FA Cup Final but lost 2-0 to United. In 1994 Southpool with 2 games to go were 2 points on top of the league but lost home to Alton Villa by 1-0. Second were United who also lost away to Tottenford by 1-0. But 'Pool lost the decider at the Mill against Riverton United after Dean Hunter scored a late winner and they finished runners up to United just for 1 point (Blackford Rovers were third).
Southpool was last mentioned in the Football Pictury Story Monthly in 1994, in United's story Outback United.
Honours
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1984/85 season.
League
season-long tournaments
- First Division: 11 titles
- Winners: 1904, 1925, 1948, 1969, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
- Runners up: 1987
short tournaments
- First Division: '
- Runners up: 1994[lower-alpha 1]
- Third: 1987[lower-alpha 2]
Cups
- FA Cup: 8
- Winners: 1906, 1912, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1985 (Champ) and 1982[lower-alpha 3]
- Runners up: 1992[lower-alpha 4]
- League Cup: 4
- Winners: 1969, 1981, 1983, 1984 (Champ)
- Semifinals: 1986 (Champ)
European
- Cup Winners' Cup: 1
- 1973 (Champ)
- UEFA Cup: 2
- 1974, 1979 (Champ)
Colours and kits
The club colours were red and white.
Rivalries
Matches against Riverton United were described of intensity in the 1980s. For 5 consecutive seasons (1980-85) United didn't win at Anmoor and the curse broke on 12 October 1985 with a 0-3 win (Terry Evans hat-trick).
Stadium
Pool played at Goodfield of 53.000 capacity. In 1985 it is mentioned that 'Pool were playing at Anmoor.
Records
Note that all records are fictional, as of the 1983/84 season.
- Highest record fee paid: £1260.000 for Kevin Nicklish (from Celdeen) in 1980 [lower-alpha 5]
Notable players
Barry Colson- Davy Parkes
Kevin Nicklish
Notable managers
- Ron Boston (? -1975)
- John Harvey (1975-1985)
Sources
- United trophies on Talk In Archived 2024-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
