Founded in November 1872, as Southport Football Club we are one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world. Samuel Swire was the President and R.W. Smith, the Captain.

Since then, a lot has changed, 19 Presidents, 103 Club Captains and four grounds, Manchester Road (1872-1880s), Scarisbrick New Road (1880s-1906), Victoria Park (1906-1926) and Waterloo Road (1926 - Present).

As we approach the momentous occasion in our club's history and ignite celebrations ahead of 2022 we are delighted to unveil our heritage crest that will mark a milestone in the club's history with a sole aim of recognising our illustrious past whilst aiming to grow the bond between the club and the town and celebrate 150 years of Southport Rugby Football Club together.

Our heritage crest is not replacing the current that adorns the shirts of today, as that distinctive design has been in use since 1923, when the County Borough of Southport granted us permission of the use of the towns coat of arms. The arms were based on an unauthorised device, formerly in use, which had a lifeboat instead of the old ship, and differed in a few other ways; the unauthorised device has likeness to the foundations of our heritage design that is established from our oldest recorded club crest in 1879, the components of the heritage crest resemble our beginning as a club and sport within our town, whilst maintaining the key concepts of today.

Design Significance:

• Iconic shield shape, synonymous with our town.
• Crosslet entwined by a serpent bears a resemblance to the emblem known as Aaron's Rod, or the Rod of Aesculapius and represents healing.
• First year rugby was played in Southport (1872) to our 150 Year (2022).
• Gold delivers prestige whilst paying homage to our illustrious history.
• Lifeboat instead of the lymphad.

Throughout 2022 and the 2022-23 season, we are all looking forward to recognising our heritage, and celebrating our 150th anniversary season. As stated, the heritage crest is not replacing the current crest and will be used on memorial merchandise and other ways throughout our celebrations.

Details on the release of #SRFC150 memorial and further use of the heritage crest in due course.

Oldest recorded club crest, 1879 [Left] & Current club crest, 1923 - present [Right].

Heritage crest design by Reece Gaskell