2025 PREVIEWS: Aigburth skipper Keogh looking for fourth time lucky in promotion race
Aigburth are hoping to mount another promotion push from Division Two of the Southport & District league, after three successive third-place finishes.
One of the quirks that will be sadly lost in the merger with the Love Lane Liverpool Competition is that the Southport league has no Division One – so Ali Keogh’s men have been knocking on the door of the top flight.
And the skipper hopes this is the year he gets an answer.
“It has been frustrating,” admitted Keogh. “But it has given us a platform to push on and try to get into the top two places, and try to win the league.
“We’ve lost a few players but we’ve brought in a few as well and we’re looking really strong and feeling confident.
“It’s about taking the positives from the last three years and kicking on.”
Leading scorer Lakshmi Srinivasan has left, but wicketkeeper Harry Walsh arrives from Churchtown to bolster the top order.
Keogh added: “Scoring runs is the hardest thing to do, especially when the wickets aren’t the best.
“Your net form is obviously very different to your outdoor form so the first few games are often about consolidating what you’ve done in the nets and transferring it to outdoor wickets.”
With another few weeks until the league season begins, Keogh hopes his side can use the early cup games to settle into their roles.
He said: “It feels like the first few games will be a bit experimental, there’s no pressure on them.
“We’re just trying to work out who our best XI is, and getting everyone enjoying it.”
The club itself is still operating under the threat of losing its Southwood Home road, making it even more impressive that they managed to resurrect the 2nd XI last year, after two seasons without one.
On the fears for the future, Keogh said: “It’s always in the back of the mind but it’s something we can’t control, so we want to get as many teams out as possible and get as many games played as possible before anything does happen.
“I’m really proud to say the club is growing and we’re getting more participation, from the kids as well.
“We’re just trying to do everything we can to grow the club.”
