Non League

Southport part company with Mark Duffy just 19 days after permanent appointment

Mark Duffy pictured with Southport imagery and the headline 19 days then gone after permanent appointment — Mark Duffy’s departure came 19 days after his permanent appointment, following an earlier caretaker spell. FanBanter editorial illustration.

Southport have parted company with Mark Duffy just 19 days after appointing him permanently, ending another short managerial chapter in a difficult start to the season.

The club confirmed on 20 October that his contract had been terminated by mutual agreement. Duffy had already been in caretaker charge before his permanent appointment on 1 October, so the 19-day spell refers specifically to his time in the permanent role.

His departure follows Neil Danns’ decision to step aside on 6 September. Southport are now facing another change in the dugout, with their latest league result leaving them 22nd after 12 matches.

Southport FC’s official statement — 20 October 2026

From caretaker to permanent manager — then out

6 September: Neil Danns stands down. The club names Duffy to take charge of the next first-team fixture.
8 September: Duffy starts with a 2–1 league win at home to Morecambe.
1 October: Southport appoint him permanently after his caretaker spell, with Craig Noone announced as assistant.
20 October: Southport confirm Duffy’s departure by mutual termination.

Only two matches fell between the permanent appointment and his departure: a 1–0 loss at Harborough Town on 10 October and a 2–0 home defeat to Radcliffe on 17 October.

The departure statement thanks Duffy for his efforts but gives no further explanation and names no replacement. It also does not announce a change to Noone’s position.

Southport’s season in numbers

22nd · 9 points from 12 games
2 wins · 3 draws · 7 defeats
13 goals scored · 23 conceded · goal difference −10

A 4–1 home win over Bedford Town on 22 August briefly lifted Southport to 11th. Defeats in their next three league games left them 22nd when Danns stepped aside.

The Morecambe win gave Duffy an encouraging start. His remaining four league games brought one point, while a Lancashire Challenge Trophy win at Garstang was offset by an FA Cup exit at Morecambe.

League spell	Played	W–D–L	Points
Before Duffy took charge	7	1–2–4	5
Duffy: caretaker	3	1–1–1	4
Duffy: permanent	2	0–0–2	0

Across his caretaker and permanent spells, Duffy oversaw seven competitive matches: two wins, one draw and four defeats. Five were league games; the other two were cup ties.

Southport have yet to keep a league clean sheet and have taken one point from six away league games. Their next fixture is another away trip, to King’s Lynn Town on Saturday 24 October, before home games against Macclesfield and AFC Telford United.

Managerial movements elsewhere this season

Southport’s change comes amid departures across the EFL and non-league. These confirmed examples cover the season so far to 21 October; summer changes and completed caretaker spells are excluded. The distinction matters: leaving for another job is different from being dismissed.

Date	Manager / club	Departure
19 Aug	Bernard Morley Radcliffe	Resigned
31 Aug	Kevin James Walton & Hersham	Dismissed
2 Sep	Tommy Miller Spennymoor Town	Resigned
6 Sep	Neil Danns Southport	Stood down
8 Sep	Michael Duff Wycombe Wanderers	Dismissed
13 Sep	Paul Heckingbottom Preston North End	Dismissed
19 Sep	Luke Williams Peterborough United	Dismissed
19 Sep	Lee Clark Hartlepool United	Resigned
28 Sep	Graham Alexander Bradford City	Joined Preston
2 Oct	Robbie Savage Forest Green Rovers	Joined Peterborough
4 Oct	Lee Cattermole Gateshead	Dismissed
12 Oct	Alan Dowson Hampton & Richmond	Mutual consent
19 Oct	Steve Watson Darlington	Mutual agreement
20 Oct	Mark Duffy Southport	Mutual termination