Southport Rugby Football Club can confirm that our Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy first round fixture against Didsbury Toc H will go ahead on Saturday 5 September 2026.

Following confirmation regarding the Lancashire RFU county cup programme, the fixture will take place as scheduled, with Southport travelling to Didsbury for the tie.

The match had originally been due to take place at Waterloo Road but will now be played away from home as significant improvement work continues on the pitches at the Club.
Considerable work is taking place at Waterloo Road as we continue to invest in the quality and long term sustainability of our playing surfaces. Protecting that work and allowing the pitches the appropriate time to establish is an important part of ensuring we provide the best possible playing environment for our teams throughout the season and for years to come.

The confirmation of the Lancashire Trophy fixture follows the RFU's recent decision to delay the start of the competitive community league season until the week commencing Monday 21 September.

The RFU decision was made following the prolonged period of dry weather across the country, which has resulted in exceptionally hard playing surfaces in many areas and increased concerns around player welfare.

While RFU Men's League fixtures at Regional 1 and below will not take place before 21 September, local cup competitions are administered by their respective Constituent Bodies. Following confirmation from Lancashire RFU, the county cup programme is therefore able to proceed.

As with all rugby activity during the current conditions, player welfare remains paramount and appropriate assessments will continue to be made ahead of training and fixtures.

For Southport, attention now turns to Didsbury and the opportunity to begin our 2026/27 competitive campaign in the Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy.

The revised league programme will then see Southport return to Waterloo Road on Saturday 26 September, when Eccles RFC are scheduled to visit for the Club's first league fixture of the season.

Lancashire Trophy Fixture

Didsbury Toc H v Southport RFC
Brian Leigh Lancashire Trophy, First Round
Saturday 5 September 2026
Venue: Didsbury Toc H RFC

First League Fixture

Southport RFC v Eccles RFC
Saturday 26 September 2026
Venue: Waterloo Road
Kick Off: 3pm

Further information regarding fixtures across the Club will be communicated through the usual club channels.