New Southport signing Danny Lloyd says he is out to prove people wrong after becoming frustrated in professional football.
The 32-year-old returns to Haig Avenue on an 18-month deal after beginning his career with the Sandgrounders in 2009, before his departure two years later.
Jim Bentley pulled off the coup, bringing in the attacker with over 100 Football League appearances under his belt. Lloyd counts the likes of AFC Fylde, Stockport County, Peterborough United, Salford City, Tranmere Rovers, Gillingham and Rochdale among his former clubs.
Lloyd arrives back where it all began with the Sandgrounders in a precarious position, but his return was a surprise to many. The 32-year-old highlighted the influence of the Southport manager, who he worked under at Rochdale, and explained how his frustration with the professional game led him back to the Sandgrounders.
“I was fed up and frustrated with the professional game, it’s been incredibly tough over the last few years,” he told Off The Park. “I’d had enough of the landscape, the hoops you have to jump through, but I got a phone call from Jim (Bentley) and it was a good fit – I can go back to work, 18 months, who am I to turn it down because it’s in the National League North?
“There were offers from clubs in the League Two, the National League, a club in the Northern Premier League and Division One West – Jim was a big thing in it (the move). I want to play, score goals, create goals and pull this club away from the relegation zone.
“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and get going, it has come full circle and I can’t wait to play. I want to keep myself on that full-time playing schedule to keep giving me the edge so that when I come in, I can give the maximum impact.
“Jim is a good man, a good coach, knows what he wants to do and if he can do it here, I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll get this club challenging right back at the top of this league.”
Lloyd’s return to Southport coincided with the important encounter against playoff-chasing Brackley Town, however, he was forced to watch on from the stands after he didn’t receive international clearance in time.
Despite being forced to watch with the fans, he would see a first win in three as the 10-men came from behind to beat Gavin Cowan’s side 3-1. The showing from his new teammates left the new Port attacker impressed.
“I’m very much determined over the next 18 months to have this club fighting at the top end of this league, where I know they can, and they’ve proved that on Saturday,” he continued, outlining his ambitions.
“To beat a team who are one of the best teams in the league, with the best defensive records, with 10 men and hopefully coming will provide a solid base, raise the standards with the experience and I enjoyed being around it.
“I was gutted to not be apart of it, I can’t wait for the weekend, to get going, I’ve got a point to prove that I am still good enough to play and it’s so frustrating.
“I’m not here to make the numbers up. There’s 15 games left, let’s go and win as many games as we can – we’ve beaten one of the best teams in the league and have another one on Saturday.
“There’s a run to go on, I’m coming here to help pull this team towards the top of the league – when I left this club (in 2011), it was a National League club. Everyone’s objective at this club, as a minimum, is to fight at the top of the league and promotion, it’s got to be, otherwise what’s the point?”
Lloyd is in line for his second debut for the club when they take on rivals Chorley on Saturday, with the attacker receiving international clearance. There was a positive reaction to his arrival back to Merseyside and after a difficult few years – as well as recent months – in his professional career, there is a determination to prove those who doubted him wrong.
He said: “I was buzzing with the reaction, I got some lovely messages from the fans and other clubs. I can’t wait to get out there and show this fanbase, who have not seen me for over a decade, what I’m still capable of.
“This is as determined as I’ve been to prove I’m a good player and resting on my laurels, I’m ready to go.”
And with 15 games remaining, Lloyd is looking to build strong foundations to end the season well before helping install Southport back to where they belong. The 32-year-old continued: “The club has always been towards the top of this league, the lads have proved – it should give them massive belief that they can challenge at the top of this league because of the win over Brackley.
“The lads scored three goals with 10 men, the impact that has, has got to resonate with the boys, I thought Josh Hmami was top, top drawer, it was some performance and I can’t wait to get out there.”
