FORMER Bolton Wanderers captain Kevin Davies has been sacked by Southport just six months into his first managerial role.

The former England international took charge of 29 games for the Sandgrounders, taking 33 points, including five straight victories in February and March.

Recent results had taken a dip, however, and after eight defeats in the last nine the Conference club issued a statement today to confirm he had left the club.

Davies is currently one of the bookmakers’ favourites to take over at Chesterfield, the club where he began his professional career.

Southport are now looking for their 12th manager since May 2013.

Phil Hodgkinson, Southport board director said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Kevin for his effort and hard work over the last 31 games since he took charge. Kevin has put his heart and soul into the job and an unbelievable amount of time effort and commitment day in, day out, his work-rate and desire is to be admired, and nobody can question his endeavour.

“Kevin joined the club at a very difficult time, inheriting a disjointed squad on a run of heavy defeats, and a dressing room which was far from together.

“Undertaking a mid-season overhaul of that squad was a difficult task, however, following a long run of games without a win, and with the addition of First Team Coach Jon McCarthy, results started to improve at the turn of the year, with the club briefly flirting with the play-offs.

“The Board has made no secret of our ambitions for the Football Club, and those include a quick return to the National League. To do that we need to compete with the teams at the top end of the table.

“As custodians of the Football Club, we sometimes have to make tough decisions. We feel that to achieve our ambitions for the Club, we require somebody with extensive experience of both the level and also winning leagues.

“We wish Kevin all the very best for the future and have no doubt that he will be a tremendous success as a Manager. However at this time, it has become clear to the Board that this Football Club requires an experienced head to take us up the leagues.”