Experienced Conference Campaigners Join Southport

SOUTHPORT have added experienced duo Jamie Milligan and Paul Rutherford to their squad.

Midfielder Jamie Milligan started his career with Premier League club Everton and made a handful of substitute appearances for the Toffees prior to joining Blackpool in 2001.

First-team opportunities came slightly more easily while with the Tangerines, but a fractured foot saw him miss five months of the 2002/03 campaign and Milligan was later released by the Lancashire club.

Brief stints at Macclesfield Town and Leigh RMI followed, before the 33-year-old linked up with Hyde United.

He went on to amass in excess of 60 appearances while at Ewen Fields and also spent a spell on loan at Fleetwood during 2004.

Milligan picks out a pass while facing Gillingham in League Two last season

Milligan joined the Cod Army permanently in 2005 and later became club captain at Highbury.

He spent a month on loan back at Hyde earlier this year but has now joined their Conference Premier rivals Southport on a permanent basis.

His fellow midfielder Rutherford has a wealth of Conference experience, having made over 160 appearances for Barrow.

The 25-year-old, who arrived at Holker Street in 2009 after a lengthy stay at Chester City, made the third highest number of starts for the Bluebirds last term, behind goalkeeper Danny Hurst and highly-rated striker Adam Boyes.