Southport Rugby Club capped one of their most successful seasons so far in their proud 141 year history last week as they featured on BBC Radio 2 on Friday followed by winning a Runners Up prize for the 2014 RFU Presidents Award at Twickenham on Sunday.

Following on from being awarded Sefton Club of the Year and then Merseyside Club of the Year, this latest accolade represents a major breakthrough in putting the club on the national stage.

New Director of Communications Dave McCaughrean started the ball rolling by starring on the Liza Tarbuck Radio 2 show last Friday and setting out the progress and ambitions of the Club including the prestigious RFU Club Management Award that the Club had been nominated and shortlisted for.

Club Chairman Andrew Carney and Head Groundsman Shane Cook then took the baton and headed down to the Rugby Football Union’s headquarters at Twickenham last Sunday and attended a lunch and awards ceremony as guests of President Bob Reeves before watching the England versus Barbarians match.

Club Chairman Andrew Carney commented “We are thrilled and grateful that the Club has been recognised for the progress we are making from our parent body the RFU who have been extremely supportive both on and off the field.This recognition and the awards are dedicated to our wonderful volunteers,members and supporters who make this a very special club and we have now given ourselves a fantastic opportunity to create an exciting future for everyone.”

In addition further progress is also being made off the field given the first phase of building works has now been completed delivering new changing and referees facilities, and the work will continue over the Summer months with further work to replace and refurbish more changing rooms and the provision of a new kitchen and catering facilities all of which underpins the feeling that the club is heading in the right direction.

Pictured above are Andrew Carney and Shane Cook receiving the award from former England and British Lion Jason Leonard who is the RFU President elect for 2015.

The event is featured on the RFU web site at http://www.rfu.com/news/2014/may/news-articles/060614_presidents_awards