Southport still confident over Barratt move

Southport boss Liam Watson is still confident of bringing Paul Barratt back to the club – despite Northwich Victoria's decision to take him off the transfer list. The 21-year-old was one of five players told they were surplus to requirements at the Victoria Stadium last week, only to be offered a clean slate by stand-in manager Mike Marsh. Barratt had agreed terms to return to the Sandgrounders after just five months away when Northwich's rethink meant the move stalled. But, as he prepared for tonight's Setanta Shield second round tie at Vauxhall Motors, Watson declared: "I still think Paul will end up back here in the near future. "I got permission last week to speak to him. Paul wants to come back. We had agreed terms and he was going to come. "But because of the turbulent things going on at Northwich it didn't happen.... [read full story]