Sheffield United icon looking to lay down marker after landing new job at sixth-tier strugglers

Former Sheffield United midfielder Mark Duffy has returned to management after being appointed permanent manager of National League North side Southport. The 40-year-old previously worked as an assistant to Neil Danns and had a spell as caretaker manager before Southport's owners offered him the full-time role.

Duffy, who previously managed Macclesfield and Warrington Rylands, expressed pride in securing the role and stated he plans to bring his own style and personnel tweaks to turn around the sixth-tier club's fortunes.