Sheffield United title winner Mark Duffy has left Southport just 19 days after being appointed permanent manager. His departure comes amid reports that supporters had raised concerns about posts on his social media account.

Jamie Lopez, writing for The Southport Lead, reports that Duffy’s account had shared support for far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, alongside abusive messages directed at political figures. Southport announced his exit on Tuesday, although the club’s statement did not explain the reasons behind the decision.

The Sandgrounders are also enduring a difficult start to the National League North campaign, sitting 22nd with two wins from their opening 12 matches. Duffy had only been confirmed as their permanent manager on 1 October, having initially stepped up from his assistant’s role.

Social Media Activity Draws Scrutiny

According to The Southport Lead, attention turned to Duffy’s X account following Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Radcliffe. The publication reports that supporters challenged the content on the Port Chat fans’ forum, after which some posts were removed.

Lopez reports that the club had been approached for comment about the posts hours before announcing Duffy’s departure. The report also states that his X account was subsequently made private and then deleted, but Southport’s published statement does not confirm whether his online activity prompted the managerial change.

Southport MP Patrick Hurley welcomed the decision, telling the publication: “I welcome the decision taken by Southport FC. It can’t have been an easy one, but the club owners have done the right thing.” He also stressed the responsibility of those in leadership positions to recognise how their public conduct reflects on both the club and the town.

The report places the controversy against the current owners’ efforts to strengthen Southport’s relationship with the local community. Those efforts have included two charity matches supporting families affected by the 2024 Southport attack, with Duffy playing in both.

Brief Permanent Spell Ends At Southport

Duffy had returned to Southport as Neil Danns’ assistant in May 2025, having previously played for the club between 2007 and 2009. When Danns departed in September, the former midfielder took caretaker charge before being handed the position permanently.

That arrangement has now ended less than three weeks later, leaving Southport facing another managerial appointment early in the season. Their brief announcement confirmed that Duffy’s contract had been ended by agreement.

Southport said: “Southport Football Club can confirm that Mark Duffy has left his position as First Team Manager following the mutual termination of his contract.” The club also thanked him for his work and wished him well for the future.

Sheffield United Success Followed By Coaching Setbacks

Duffy joined Sheffield United from Birmingham City in 2016 and immediately helped Chris Wilder’s side win the League One title. He scored six goals in 39 league appearances that season and was selected in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

He subsequently played a part in United’s promotion to the Premier League in 2018/19, finishing his Blades career with 111 league appearances and 15 goals. His time at Bramall Lane remains a standout chapter in a playing career that also included spells with Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers and Burton Albion.

Management has brought a tougher sequence of results and departures. Duffy was dismissed by Macclesfield in October 2023, while his subsequent spell in charge of Warrington Rylands ended in September 2024.

The reporting around Duffy’s social media activity adds a significant dimension to a departure that initially appeared to be another managerial change at a struggling club. Southport have not publicly explained their reasoning, so the distinction between the club’s confirmed position and the circumstances reported by The Southport Lead needs to be made.

Football managers represent their clubs beyond the touchline, and supporters are entitled to scrutinise what they put into the public domain. For Southport, the task now is to appoint someone who can improve results while supporting the relationship the owners are trying to build with the town.