Southport appoint Kevin Davies as new manager

National League North side Southport have appointed former England striker Kevin Davies as their new first-team manager.

Davies played more than 800 games in his professional career, which included 10 years with Bolton Wanderers, and he won his sole senior England cap in 2010 against Montenegro.

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The 40-year-old retired from the playing ranks in 2015 and had recently been linked with the managerial vacancy at League Two side Chesterfield, who eventually appointed Jack Lester, but this will be his first venture into senior management.

Davies will be assisted by John Dreyer, who has held similar positions at Stevenage and Preston, where he also had a spell in caretaker charge.

They take over a Southport side struggling in 16th place in the sixth tier of English football, the Haig Avenue outfit having lost their last six games and conceded 21 goals in that spell.

Davies said: "I am delighted to be appointed as the new Southport manager. This is a great opportunity and the timing is right for me.

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"This is a very exciting time to be involved with Southport FC with new investment to develop the stadium and infrastructure.

"Football is about creating memories and I will be working tirelessly to take the club forward in a positive direction."