Liam Watson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Liam Watson is an English
former professional footballer and currently manager of Conference National
side Southport
.
and Burscough
, Watson finally made his mark at Warrington Town
where John Beck
signed him for Preston North End
for a fee of £60,000. This smashed Warrington Town's transfer fee received record which had only been set a few weeks earlier when Neil Whalley also moved to Deepdale
for just £25,000. He scored in his debut after replacing the injured Micky Norbury in a 5-2 win over Rotherham United
on the 27th March 1993 and then netted again in his next two appearances against Port Vale
and Huddersfield Town
. They would turn out to be the only three goals he would score for Preston but went on to make six more appearances before a serious injury cut short his professional footballing career.
before moving on to Witton Albion
and then eventually Runcorn. Watson was soon signed from Runcorn by John Coleman
for a short stint at ambitious Accrington Stanley
before returning to the newly renamed Runcorn F.C. Halton in a managerial capacity replacing Mark Carter
.
. With little budget Watson was forced to scour the reserves of local non-league teams with a bulk of his signings coming from Southport, who he would later go on to manage, performing minor miracles he managed to turn perennial relegation battlers into a solid mid table team. After three relatively successful years at Runcorn, in September 2003 Watson replaced Mike Walsh
as manager of Southport and became the youngest manager in their history at the age of 33.
was to oversee a large turn around of players. Out went players such as Peter Wright, Mark Byrne and Andy Whittaker and among the influx of players was Neil Robinson, who went on to scored 15 goals in 15 games on loan from Macclesfield Town
, Steve Daly, Chris Price and Kevin Leadbetter all followed Watson from Runcorn while young starlet Carl Baker
was signed from Prescot Cables
. This saw a remarkable turn around of fortunes, with Southport languishing in mid-table and struggling to qualify for the newly formed Conference North
when he took over, Watson oversaw a climb up the table with some impressive performances along the way to finish the season in a respectable 6th place and qualifying for Conference North football the following season.
At the start of the 2003–04 season Watson began undertaking another squad re-build which saw Neil Robinson return to the club permanently along with Earl Davis who had previously been on loan from Burnley
. He signed Terry Fearns from nearby Vauxhall Motors
who would later go on to score 41 goals in all competitions that season. That season Southport became the inaugural champions of the Conference North, pipping Droylsden
to the title on the last day with a 5–2 victory away at Harrogate Town
while they slipped up away at Worksop Town
.
The 2004–05 season was always going to be a struggle being one of the only part time teams in the league however against all odds Watson kept Southport up, securing them their status as a Conference National
team with Steve Pickford scoring a vital goal in a 1–1 draw away from home at Grays Athletic
.
During the pre-season of 2004–05 chairmen Charlie Clapham announced Southport would be going full time as they looked to move forward in the league, that was a move that would see Watson leave his post as Southport manager, due to him unable to go full time as he already held down a full time job at Ashworth Hospital
. He did however make one full time signing and that was of Gary Brabin
, who himself left soon after Watson. He was not without a job long however and dropped down a league to local rivals Burscough
who had been taken over by ambitious local businessman Chris Lloyd.
manager Derek Goulding.
With a lot of the players not accepting full-time terms under Southport's new manager Paul Cook
the majority of the players followed Watson to Burscough signing on part-time.
Watson's first season in charge at Victoria Park was also a successful one. With the majority of the squad having promotion winning experiences at Southport they proved to be no push overs, dropping down a league and winning the Northern Premier League
, the Peter Swailes
Memorial Shield and for the first time in 40 years the Lancashire Junior Cup
.
For the 2007–08 season, Burscough found themselves for the first time playing Conference North football, just one league below the Conference, equalling the highest ever level they have played at. After starting the season badly, with an injury ravished squad, they finished the season in a credible eighth place just outside of the play-off positions.
On 27 June 2008, came a shock as Watson announced he was resigning from his post with immediate effect, only to announce three days later he was taking up the now vacant role back at Southport.
held by the Southport board of directors that Watson would be returning to Southport filling the vacancy left when Gary Brabin
departed to Cambridge United
. Watson was to be assisted by John Doolan
, who was initially Brabin's assistant, with former Southport player Chris Price also following from Burscough.
Watson's first signing for Southport was striker Ciaran Kilheeney from Burscough followed shortly by a nine others; Adam Flynn, Shaun Gray, Tony McMillan, Alan Moogan and Craig Noone
along with former Southport players James Connolly, Earl Davis, Matty McGinn, and Steve Daly.
In his first season back at Southport, Watson oversaw a strong title challenge but fell short and ultimately lost to Gateshead
in the play-off semi finals. This was also capped with some impressive performances in the Liverpool Senior Cup
reaching the semi-finals, while reaching the quarter-finals in the FA Trophy
, Setanta Shield
and the Lancashire Junior Cup
.
In the 2009–10 season, Watson guided Southport back to the Conference Premier as champions with a win on the last day of the season away at Eastwood Town. This was his third title in 5 years with two different clubs, and his second Conference North title. Watson is the only manager to have won this title twice, as are Southport. Watson also oversaw Southport progress to the final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy where they beat Clitheroe at the Reebok Stadium, making it the third occasion in 5 years he has won the trophy and making him the most successful manager in the trophies recent history.
alongside his former assistant, and the man who replaced him at Burscough, Joey Dunn.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer and currently manager of Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
.
Professional career
Having plied his trade at MaghullMaghull F.C.
Maghull F.C. are an English association football club based in Maghull, Merseyside. They currently play in the West Cheshire League. In 1981–82 they reached the 3rd round of the FA Vase.-History:...
and Burscough
Burscough F.C.
Burscough F.C. is an English football club based in Burscough, Lancashire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and groundshare with Skelmersdale United...
, Watson finally made his mark at Warrington Town
Warrington Town F.C.
Warrington Town F.C. are a football club based in Warrington, Cheshire, England. They were established in 1949 under the name of Stockton Heath Albion. In 1961, they changed to their present name...
where John Beck
John Beck (footballer)
John Alexander Beck is an English former footballer and manager. As a player he made nearly 500 league appearances between 1972 and 1988....
signed him for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
for a fee of £60,000. This smashed Warrington Town's transfer fee received record which had only been set a few weeks earlier when Neil Whalley also moved to Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
for just £25,000. He scored in his debut after replacing the injured Micky Norbury in a 5-2 win over Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
on the 27th March 1993 and then netted again in his next two appearances against Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. They would turn out to be the only three goals he would score for Preston but went on to make six more appearances before a serious injury cut short his professional footballing career.
Semi-professional career
Due to his injury Watson retired from professional football and returned to non-league. The first side to sign him on his return was MarineMarine F.C.
Marine Football Club is an English football club in Crosby, Merseyside. The club, which was founded in 1894, is a member of both the Liverpool County and Lancashire County Football Associations, and currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.Marine is notable for having the...
before moving on to Witton Albion
Witton Albion F.C.
Witton Albion F.C. are a football club based in Northwich, England. They were founded in 1887. They have won the Cheshire Senior Cup 11 times since 1902. Their most recent success in this competition was in 2006, when they defeated Stalybridge Celtic in the final. They have also reached the FA Cup...
and then eventually Runcorn. Watson was soon signed from Runcorn by John Coleman
John Coleman
John Douglas Coleman was an Australian rules footballer and coach for Essendon in the Victorian Football League ....
for a short stint at ambitious Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
before returning to the newly renamed Runcorn F.C. Halton in a managerial capacity replacing Mark Carter
Mark Carter
For the former All Black see Mark Carter Mark Colin Carter is an English former footballer....
.
Runcorn FC Halton
In September 2000, Watson, at the relatively young age of 29, became Runcorn's new manger in the Northern Premier LeagueNorthern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. With little budget Watson was forced to scour the reserves of local non-league teams with a bulk of his signings coming from Southport, who he would later go on to manage, performing minor miracles he managed to turn perennial relegation battlers into a solid mid table team. After three relatively successful years at Runcorn, in September 2003 Watson replaced Mike Walsh
Mike Walsh
Mike Walsh may refer to:* Mick Walsh , Chairman of DEC - a UK charity umbrella group.* Mike Walsh , host of the Australian television program The Mike Walsh Show...
as manager of Southport and became the youngest manager in their history at the age of 33.
Southport
One of Watson's first moves at SouthportSouthport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
was to oversee a large turn around of players. Out went players such as Peter Wright, Mark Byrne and Andy Whittaker and among the influx of players was Neil Robinson, who went on to scored 15 goals in 15 games on loan from Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
, Steve Daly, Chris Price and Kevin Leadbetter all followed Watson from Runcorn while young starlet Carl Baker
Carl Baker
Carl Paul Baker is an English footballer who plays as a winger or as an attacking midfielder for Coventry City. He has also played for the Middlesex Wanderers touring team.-Club career:...
was signed from Prescot Cables
Prescot Cables F.C.
Prescot Cables F.C. is a football club based in Prescot, Merseyside. It was established in 1884 and has also been known as Prescot and Prescot Town...
. This saw a remarkable turn around of fortunes, with Southport languishing in mid-table and struggling to qualify for the newly formed Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
when he took over, Watson oversaw a climb up the table with some impressive performances along the way to finish the season in a respectable 6th place and qualifying for Conference North football the following season.
At the start of the 2003–04 season Watson began undertaking another squad re-build which saw Neil Robinson return to the club permanently along with Earl Davis who had previously been on loan from Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
. He signed Terry Fearns from nearby Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors F.C.
Vauxhall Motors Football Club is an English football club based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, who play in the Conference North. It was originally the works team of the car manufacturer Vauxhall...
who would later go on to score 41 goals in all competitions that season. That season Southport became the inaugural champions of the Conference North, pipping Droylsden
Droylsden F.C.
Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...
to the title on the last day with a 5–2 victory away at Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
while they slipped up away at Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
.
The 2004–05 season was always going to be a struggle being one of the only part time teams in the league however against all odds Watson kept Southport up, securing them their status as a Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
team with Steve Pickford scoring a vital goal in a 1–1 draw away from home at Grays Athletic
Grays Athletic F.C.
Grays Athletic Football Club is an English football club currently based in Corringham, Essex after leaving the New Recreation Ground in Grays at the end of the 2009–10 season...
.
During the pre-season of 2004–05 chairmen Charlie Clapham announced Southport would be going full time as they looked to move forward in the league, that was a move that would see Watson leave his post as Southport manager, due to him unable to go full time as he already held down a full time job at Ashworth Hospital
Ashworth Hospital
Ashworth Hospital is a high security psychiatric hospital at Maghull in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England.Ashworth is one of only three high-security specialist psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales, along with Rampton and Broadmoor, that exist to work with people who...
. He did however make one full time signing and that was of Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin is an English former footballer and manager, currently manager at Conference National club Luton Town.-Playing career:...
, who himself left soon after Watson. He was not without a job long however and dropped down a league to local rivals Burscough
Burscough F.C.
Burscough F.C. is an English football club based in Burscough, Lancashire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and groundshare with Skelmersdale United...
who had been taken over by ambitious local businessman Chris Lloyd.
Burscough
In June 2006, Watson was announced as the new manager of Burscough, replacing former Southport player and now A.F.C. LiverpoolA.F.C. Liverpool
A.F.C. Liverpool is a semi-professional English football club set up by 1,000 Liverpool football club fans in 2008. Fans are able to buy into the club on a 'one member-one vote' basis. The club kicked off the 2010–11 season in North West Counties League Division One...
manager Derek Goulding.
With a lot of the players not accepting full-time terms under Southport's new manager Paul Cook
Paul Cook (footballer)
Paul Anthony Cook is an English former footballer, currently manager of Sligo Rovers in Ireland. He had a lengthy career, playing for a number of clubs in the Football League as a left sided or central midfielder before retiring from the game in 2006.-Playing career:Cook began his career at his...
the majority of the players followed Watson to Burscough signing on part-time.
Watson's first season in charge at Victoria Park was also a successful one. With the majority of the squad having promotion winning experiences at Southport they proved to be no push overs, dropping down a league and winning the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
, the Peter Swailes
Peter Swailes
Peter Swales was Chairman of Manchester City F.C. from 1973 until 1993, when he was replaced by Francis Lee after a long protest by supporters. He was blamed for the club's failure to keep pace with neighbours Manchester United F.C...
Memorial Shield and for the first time in 40 years the Lancashire Junior Cup
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
The Lancashire Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for senior non-league clubs who are members of the Lancashire County Football Association. The trophy was first played for in 1885, when it was known as the Lancashire Junior Cup. It is currently sponsored by...
.
For the 2007–08 season, Burscough found themselves for the first time playing Conference North football, just one league below the Conference, equalling the highest ever level they have played at. After starting the season badly, with an injury ravished squad, they finished the season in a credible eighth place just outside of the play-off positions.
On 27 June 2008, came a shock as Watson announced he was resigning from his post with immediate effect, only to announce three days later he was taking up the now vacant role back at Southport.
Return to Southport
On 30 June 2008, it was announced at 1pm in an official press conferenceNews conference
A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides.-Practice:...
held by the Southport board of directors that Watson would be returning to Southport filling the vacancy left when Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin is an English former footballer and manager, currently manager at Conference National club Luton Town.-Playing career:...
departed to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
. Watson was to be assisted by John Doolan
John Doolan
John Doolan is an English footballer who most recently played for Southport, as well as fulfilling the assistant manager's role. He is a midfielder.-Club career:...
, who was initially Brabin's assistant, with former Southport player Chris Price also following from Burscough.
Watson's first signing for Southport was striker Ciaran Kilheeney from Burscough followed shortly by a nine others; Adam Flynn, Shaun Gray, Tony McMillan, Alan Moogan and Craig Noone
Craig Noone
Craig Stephen Noone is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion as a winger, having previously played for Skelmersdale United, Burscough, Southport, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City....
along with former Southport players James Connolly, Earl Davis, Matty McGinn, and Steve Daly.
In his first season back at Southport, Watson oversaw a strong title challenge but fell short and ultimately lost to Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
in the play-off semi finals. This was also capped with some impressive performances in the Liverpool Senior Cup
Liverpool Senior Cup
The Liverpool County Football Association Senior Cup, commonly known as the Liverpool Senior Cup, is a football knockout tournament involving teams from the city of Liverpool, England and surrounding areas....
reaching the semi-finals, while reaching the quarter-finals in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
, Setanta Shield
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
and the Lancashire Junior Cup
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
The Lancashire Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for senior non-league clubs who are members of the Lancashire County Football Association. The trophy was first played for in 1885, when it was known as the Lancashire Junior Cup. It is currently sponsored by...
.
In the 2009–10 season, Watson guided Southport back to the Conference Premier as champions with a win on the last day of the season away at Eastwood Town. This was his third title in 5 years with two different clubs, and his second Conference North title. Watson is the only manager to have won this title twice, as are Southport. Watson also oversaw Southport progress to the final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy where they beat Clitheroe at the Reebok Stadium, making it the third occasion in 5 years he has won the trophy and making him the most successful manager in the trophies recent history.
Personal life
Outside of football, Watson works at Ashworth HospitalAshworth Hospital
Ashworth Hospital is a high security psychiatric hospital at Maghull in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England.Ashworth is one of only three high-security specialist psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales, along with Rampton and Broadmoor, that exist to work with people who...
alongside his former assistant, and the man who replaced him at Burscough, Joey Dunn.
Southport
- Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
: 2004–05, 2009–102009–10 in English footballThe 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League... - Lancashire Junior CupLancashire FA Challenge TrophyThe Lancashire Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for senior non-league clubs who are members of the Lancashire County Football Association. The trophy was first played for in 1885, when it was known as the Lancashire Junior Cup. It is currently sponsored by...
: 2005–06, 2009–10
Burscough
- Northern Premier LeagueNorthern Premier LeagueThe Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
: 2006–07 - Lancashire Junior CupLancashire FA Challenge TrophyThe Lancashire Football Association Challenge Trophy is an English football competition for senior non-league clubs who are members of the Lancashire County Football Association. The trophy was first played for in 1885, when it was known as the Lancashire Junior Cup. It is currently sponsored by...
: 2006–07 - Peter SwailesPeter SwailesPeter Swales was Chairman of Manchester City F.C. from 1973 until 1993, when he was replaced by Francis Lee after a long protest by supporters. He was blamed for the club's failure to keep pace with neighbours Manchester United F.C...
Memorial Shield Winners: 2006–07
Individual
- Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
Manager of the Month: October 2004, April 2005, September 2007, August 2008