Ahead of Monday's Emirates FA Cup tie, with profile our opponents Southport
Semi-professional club Southport F.C, or the Sandgrounders as they are known, are currently in the National League – the fifth tier of English football.
They’ve played at their home ground Haig Avenue since 1905, which holds 7,000 people, and it contains a rich history, but has since been renamed the Merseyrail Community Stadium.
The past couple of seasons haven’t been successful, with bottom half table finishes both times.
In the 2014/15 season they finished 19th with 51 points, and last season they improved to 16th with 55.
Back in 1938 they were the first Third Division North club to reach the sixth round of the FA Cup, but they lost 9-1 to Everton.
An old rivalry could blossom when the Emirates FA Cup clash takes place, as both clubs played each other before the Cod Army’s promotions into the football league.
Between 2008 and 2012 they matched up eight times, with Fleetwood winning three, Southport winning two and they drew three fixtures.
The last time they met competitively was in January 2012, for a Conference League game, and Town won 6-0 away from home.
This was Port’s worst ever home defeat, and it was a game where England international striker Jamie Vardy scored twice.
In the 2016 pre-season, Southport hosted a friendly which Fleetwood won 3-1, where Bobby Grant scored from within his own half.
In their latest game, Southport escaped the relegation zone after winning a 2-1 comeback against Torquay.
Steve Burr’s side beat Chester in the Fourth Qualifying Round to progress to the First Round proper, and will be hoping for another scalp when they face Uwe Rosler’s side on Monday evening.