NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Tranmere Rovers F.C.

Tranmere Rovers Football Club is an English football club, currently playing in Football League One and based at Prenton Park, Prenton, Birkenhead - just across the River Mersey from the two Premiership Clubs of Liverpool F.C. and Everton F.C. Image File history File links Tracrest. ... The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1884 throughout the world. ... Prenton Park is a multi-use stadium in Birkenhead, England. ... , Prenton is a suburb of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. ... For other uses, see Birkenhead (disambiguation). ... Rungnado May Day Stadium is the worlds largest football stadium. ... Ronald David Moore (born 29 January 1953) is an English football manager, currently of Tranmere Rovers and former player. ... Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons) is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system. ... The new Wembley Stadium was completed in time for the 2006-07 seasons FA Cup Final. ... Image File history File links Kit_left_arm_bluewhite_cuffs. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links left arm of kit template File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Coca-Cola Football League 1 for sponsorship reasons) is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system. ... Prenton Park is a multi-use stadium in Birkenhead, England. ... , Prenton is a suburb of Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. ... For other uses, see Birkenhead (disambiguation). ... The River Mersey is a river in the north west of England. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ... Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ...

Overview

The club was founded as Belmont F.C. by a merger of two local cricket clubs in 1884, before changing name to Tranmere Rovers a year later. The club played its first match in the Liverpool & District Challenge Cup in 1886. In 1921-22 the club joined the newly formed Third Division North of the Football League. They were also winners of the 1934-35 Welsh Cup. The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1886 throughout the world. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales. ...

Though they played in blue shirts and white shorts for much of their existence, the club's traditional home kit is now regarded as white shirt, shorts and socks, with blue trim. The 2006-07 away kit is black with silver trim. The new Wembley Stadium was completed in time for the 2006-07 seasons FA Cup Final. ...

Tranmere is a district in south Birkenhead on the eastern side of the Wirral Peninsula. Tranmere alone has a population of 11,668 (2001). The area is made up of industrial buildings and Victorian terraced houses. Its name was given by Norwegian Vikings who settled and colonised Wirral in the 10th century. Tranmere in Old Norse is Trani-melr, "cranebird sandbank" or "sandbank with the cranebirds". Tranmere is an area in Birkenhead on the Wirral. ... Map showing the location of the Wirral at grid reference SJ285850 Wirral or The Wirral (IPA: [wÉªÉ¹É™É«]) is a peninsula in the north west of England, bounded by the River Dee to the west and the River Mersey to the east. ... Genera Grus Anthropoides Balearica Bugeranus Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae. ...

Following Brian Little's resignation, Ronnie Moore was appointed manager in June 2006, from Oldham Athletic. Brian Little (born on 25 November 1953, Horden, County Durham) is an English football player and manager. ... Ronald David Moore (born 29 January 1953) is an English football manager, currently of Tranmere Rovers and former player. ... Rochdale Road stand Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane, Oldham. ...

Between 1991 and 2001 they were in the second tier of the English league, reaching the playoffs three times and the League Cup final once before being relegated.

John Aldridge, the former Liverpool striker who scored nearly 500 goals in his professional career, was appointed player-manager of Tranmere in March 1996 and remained at the helm for five years, although he hung up his boots in 1998. His predecessor was John King, who took Rovers from the brink of losing their league status to the brink of reaching the Premiership.

Other well known players to wear a Tranmere shirt include Dixie Dean, 'Pongo' Waring, Derek Mountfield, Colin Clarke, Jason McAteer, Pat Nevin, John McGreal, John Morrisey, Clint Hill, Eric Nixon, Steve Simonsen, Ian Moore, Alan Mahon, Ryan Taylor, Iain Hume, Ged Brannan and Jason Koumas. Colin Clarke (born October 30, 1962 in Newry) is a former Northern Irish football (soccer) player, who is currently the head coach for F.C. Dallas of Major League Soccer. ... Ged Brannan is an English former footballer, born on 15 January 1972. ...

Tranmere play their home games at Prenton Park, which is located in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club has faced years of strong competition for both players and supporters from the two much bigger clubs - Liverpool and Everton - just across the River Mersey which is why they play many of their home fixtures on a Friday night. Wirral is a metropolitan borough in Merseyside, North West England, which occupies part of the Wirral peninsula, more commonly known locally as The Wirral. ...

Prenton Park

There are four stands: The Kop, the Main Stand (including the paddock), the Cowshed and the Johnny King Stand (formerly the Borough Road Stand). The Kop is the biggest of the stands and houses the home fans while the Cowshed houses the away fans. The stadium is all-seater and has a 16,587 capacity. Three sides of the ground were rebuilt over a nine month period in 1994 to a design conceived by much reviled former Chairman Frank Corfe, who later left the club under a cloud. That said his legacy was the Prenton Park of today, all achieved for less than the cost of one architect designed stand at Everton's park end.

History

Since the mid-1990s, Tranmere Rovers have become famous for their unlikely cup successes. John King led them to the 1994 League Cup semi-final only losing to Premiership side Aston Villa on penalties. John Aldridge continued this tradition, guiding Tranmere to FA Cup quarter-finals in 2000 and 2001 and a League Cup final in 2000. This then continued under manager Brian Little as Tranmere took Millwall to a quarter-final replay in the FA Cup in 2004, eventually losing 2-1. The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... See also John Aldridge (Royal Academician) John William Aldridge (born Liverpool, 18 September 1958). ... This article is about the English FA Cup. ... The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... Millwall Football Club are an English professional football team based at the New Den Stadium in Bermondsey, South East London. ...

Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, Tranmere have beaten many Premiership sides in cup competitions. Notable scalps include a 3-0 victory against local rivals Everton at Goodison Park (FA Cup, 2001) and a victory against Southampton (FA Cup, 2001), which saw the greatest comeback in FA Cup history when Tranmere came from 3-0 down at half-time to win 4-3.

The early days, 1884-1921

The current Tranmere Rovers Football Club was formed by two cricket clubs - Belmont CC and Lyndhurst Wanderers - coming together, initially as Belmont FC. They played and won their first match 4-0 against Brunswick Rovers on November 15, 1884. The following year (16 September 1885) they re-named themselves Tranmere Rovers, taking the name of a club that had previously disbanded. The connection being both clubs had the same benefactor, Mr James Hannay McGaul, who later became Chairman and president until he died in 1920. Under the name Tranmere Rovers they played matches at Steeles Field on Borough Road, Birkenhead, in a kit of blue shorts and white shirts. In 1887 they gain a new ground from Tranmere Rugby Club, Ravenshaws Field, also on Borough Road. This was later renamed Prenton Park, although it was not until March 9, 1912 that the team moved into the current stadium of that name. This article is about the sport. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The team had by this time joined the West Lancashire League in which they competed for thirty years, winning it in 1908. TRFC nearly folded in 1899 when most players elected to join the rival Birkenhead FC, and the team had to rent out the ground to Birkenhead Warriors Rugby Club - who did at least bring a 250 seat stand with them. Tranmere were eventually promoted to the Central League in 1919 (though not by 'normal' means - Leeds City Reserves were expelled for overpayment of wages, Tranmere took both their place and their points!), and then to the Third Division North in which they played their first match against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park on August 27, 1921. At this time the team were managed by Bert Cooke - who did so for twenty three years in total. is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

The Dixie, Bunny, Pongo & Nibbler era, 1922-1939

In 1924, a Birkenhead youth named William Ralph Dean, but known to fans as "Dixie", made his début at the age of 16. Dean was discovered by Jack "Dump" Lee, Rovers' trainer and earlier team member. He played just 30 games for Rovers, scoring 27 goals, when he fulfilled his boyhood dream and was transferred to Everton in 1925 for a club record fee, £3,000. In the season 1927-28, Dixie netted 60 League goals, a record unlikely ever to be broken. William Ralph Dean (January 22, 1907-March 1, 1980), popularly known as Dixie Dean, was an English football player, one of the most prolific centre forwards in English football history, who is best known for his exploits at Everton. ... Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ...

Three years after Dixie's departure, two more talented youngsters left for First Division clubs - winger Ellis Rimmer to Sheffield Wednesday for £3,000 and Tom 'Pongo' Waring to Aston Villa, where he is still their all-time record scorer in a single season, for £4,700. SWFC redirects here. ... Thomas (Tom) Pongo Waring (October 12, 1906 - December 20, 1980) was an English footballer. ... Aston Villa redirects here. ...

As a boy, Pongo had sold chocolate and cigarettes to the Prenton Park crowd before signing for the club. Before he left, Pongo made his mark with a then club record six goals in the 11-1 thrashing of Durham City in January, 1928. Durham City A.F.C. are an English football club that currently plays in the Albany Northern League Division One. ...

A fourth local youngster with an eye for goals, Bill "Nibbler" Ridding, was sold to Manchester City, in early 1930, for £3,500. Bill Ridding was a football player and manager, most notably in a 17 year period managing Bolton Wanderers between 1951 and 1968 in which the club won the FA Cup (1958). ... Manchester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Manchester. ...

Without these talents, Rovers took some time to re-group but by 1930-31 they seemed to be running away with the championship on the back of an inside forward trio netted 93 goals between them. But, as would happen again in the future, with four games to go, Rovers' form slumped and the promotion dream vanished.

Off the pitch, many improvements were made to Prenton Park including a five span roof over the Prenton Road West end terrace, forever to be known as the "Cowshed", and the expansion of the Kop which was doubled in size with ash and clinker.

In 1932, Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw in the F A Cup at Prenton Park. Again in the FA Cup, a home tie in Round 4 against Liverpool, on 27 January 1934, was switched to Anfield where 61,036 saw Rovers defeated 1-3 - the largest ever gate for a "home game". Chelsea Football Club (also known as The Blues or previously The Pensioners) are an English professional football club based in west London. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In both 1934-35 and 1935-36 seasons, Rovers led the Third Division (North) for most of the campaign but, in the last few vital weeks, blew their promotion chance on each occasion to fuel talk that the club lacked ambition and "did not want to go up" - though they did win the Welsh FA Cup in 1935.

The stability of the club was hardly helped by the departure, in acrimonious circumstances, of long serving secretary/manager Bert Cooke amid FA enquiries into illegal payments to players to induce them to sign for Rovers and the dismissal of several directors.

Cooke was replaced by former England international, Jacky Carr, who was in charge on 26 December 1935, when Robert "Bunny" Bell, who had netted an incredible 57 goals in all competitions during 1933-34 season, scored a record breaking nine goals in the 13-4 demolition of Oldham Athletic - and missed a penalty. Jacky Carr (born 26th November 1891 in South Bank, Middlesbrough, UK) is a former England footballer. ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Oldham Athletic Association Football Club are an English football team currently playing in Football League One. ...

Bell's record was broken by Joe Payne who played for Luton Town, three months later, and he himself was subsequently sold to Everton, being replaced a year later by the returning Pongo Waring. Joseph Payne (born January 17, 1914 in Bridlington Common near Chesterfield, England, died April 1975) was an English international football player. ... Luton Town Football Club are an Englishfootball team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ... Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ...

It was Pongo, along with former film extra and new team secretary/manager, Jim Knowles, who masterminded Rovers' triumphant championship season in 1937-38, when five points from their three final games clinched a first ever season in Division Two. In fact, it is still, nearly seventy years later, Rovers' sole championship in the Football League.

With Pongo well past his best and allowed to go to Accrington Stanley, and the rest of the team inadequate for the higher grade of football, Rovers struggled. Accrington Stanley is a football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the north-west of England, formed in 1968. ...

Despite early euphoria and then a series of panic buys which failed, they were relegated having won just six of 42 matches - the all time worst record of any team in Division Two.

The Wilderness era, 1939-1986

For the large part of this time Tranmere simply survived, and sometimes barely that, making little impact upon the wider football world. Prenton Park survived World War 2 without any significant damage, except perhaps to Manager Bill Ridding, who served throughout the war years, and was then promptly replaced by Ernie Blackburn, who stayed in post nine years. Blackburn's team had some FA Cup success - beating First Division Huddersfield Town 2-1 on 1951, and holding Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw at Prenton Park in 1953, although the return leg was lost 9-1, Tranmere's record defeat. Prenton Park is a multi-use stadium in Birkenhead, England. ... Bill Ridding was a football player and manager, most notably in a 17 year period managing Bolton Wanderers between 1951 and 1968 in which the club won the FA Cup (1958). ... Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. ... Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club which plays in the Premier League. ...

Blackburn was replaced by Republic of Ireland international Noel Kelly, but his tenure was unsuccessful and brief, with Rovers having to apply for re-election to the League in 1957, following which Peter Farrell took charge of the club. Farrell took the team to a mid-table position, ensuring that in the 1958 restructuring of the football league's lower divisions, Tranmere were among the top 12 clubs from the third division north who moved into the newly created third division, rather than going down to the fourth. A crucial match against Wrexham, also fighting for a place in the higher league, on 30 April 1958 attracted a crowd of 19,615, which remains the highest ever attendance at a Prenton Park league match. Later that same year, floodlights were installed for the first time. Noel Kelly (28 December 1921 â€” 1991) was an Irish soccer player during the 1940s. ... Peter Desmond Farrell (born Dalkey, County Dublin, August 16, 1922; died Dalkey, County Dublin, March 16, 1999) is a former Irish footballer who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. ... Wrexham Football Club (Welsh: , nicknamed The Red Dragons, or more traditionally, The Robins) are a football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ...

As Rovers struggled in 1961 a new manager, Walter Galbraith was brought in, but he could not help Rovers avoid the drop to Division 4 for the first time in their history despite the purchase of a number of players, including one John King. John King is an English football player and manager. ...

1961 also saw one of Tranmere's greatest servants leaving the club - Harold Bell. Between 1946 and 1955 Bell never missed a single Rovers game - 459 consecutive appearances, a record which holds to this day.

Galbraith was replaced by Dave Russell who all but revolutionised the club - bringing in the modern all white strip and developing a highly successful youth policy which saw many club stalwarts through its ranks - including England international Roy McFarland. Russell oversaw a steady progress for Rovers, coming close to promotion in both 1965 and 1966, before finally achieving it in 1967 - despite winning fewer games than in either previous season. The following year was also successful, with FA Cup wins over First Division Huddersfield Town (again) and Coventry City, before a fifth round 2-0 defeat to Everton. With an attendance of 61,982 this was the largest ever crowd for a Rovers game. By the Everton game, Tranmere was the last third division club left in the cup, a fact which attracted a lot of media attention for the curious reason that a purported mystic had earlier that year predicted that a third division side would reach the final at Wembley. David Russell may refer to: David Abel Russell (1780-1861), U.S. Representative from New York David Allen Russell (1820-1864), United States Army officer David J Russell (born 1954), English golfer David John Russell (born 1931), politician from Alberta, Canada David O. Russell (born 1958), American film director and... Roy McFarland (born 5 April 1948) is a football manager and previously a player. ...

Russell became the clubs General Manager in 1969 allowing coach Jackie Wright to take the reins. Wright's most significant purchase, former Liverpool defender Ron Yeats scored in the drawn FA Cup match v {{subst:fcStoke City}} which saw a record Prenton Park attendance - 24,424. Yeats replace Wright as manager after just four months. Jackie Wright (1905-January 1989) was a British comedian known for being the bald-headed sidekick of fellow comic Benny Hill on his television programme for three decades, receiving head taps from the former. ... Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ... Ron Yeats (born Aberdeen, Scotland, November 15, 1937) was the captain of the first great Liverpool team of the 1960s. ...

Yeats immediately started strengthening Tranmeres' Liverpool connections - bring in Ian St John, Bobby Graham, Willie Stevenson and Tommy Lawrence, as well as the great Bill Shankly in a "consultancy" role. This team saw one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time when, on 2 October 1973, in a League Cup tie, Tranmere beat First Division superstars Arsenal 1-0 thanks to an Eddie Loyden goal, and later FA Chief Executive Mark Palios shackling Arsenal's Alan Ball. Tranmere Rovers are the only club to have a 100% record at Arsenal's former Highbury home. This article is about the former Association Football (soccer) player. ... Bobby Graham (born Motherwell, November 22nd 1944) was a professional footballer who played for Liverpool during the 1960s. ... Willie Stevenson (born October 26th 1939 in Edinburgh) was a professional footballer who played for Rangers, Liverpool, Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers and South African side Hellenic. ... Tommy Lawrence (born Ayrshire, Scotland, 14th May 1940) was the goalkeeper in the first great Liverpool team under legendary manager Bill Shankly. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... Edward (Eddie) Loyden (3 May 1923â€”27 April 2003) was a British Labour politician. ... Mark Palios is so kool he rox,(born Liverpool 9 November 1952) is an English chartered accountant, football administrator and a former professional footballer. ... Alan James Ball, MBE (born May 12th 1945 in Farnworth, Lancashire) is an English former professional footballer and football club manager. ...

Such glories couldn't last though, and Tranmere slipped back into the Fourth Division in 1975, despite bringing players through such as Steve Coppell. Yeats was sacked and replaced by his coach. The following decade was among the bleakest times in Tranmere's history, with the club usually in the lower reaches of the fourth division and beset by severe financial difficulties, almost going out of business on several occasions. A takeover by local businessman Peter Johnson proved to be a turning point in Tranmere's history, the club under his ownership enjoying by far the most successful period in its history, in which manager Johnny King took the team from the bottom of the fourth division to the brink of English football's top league. Stephen James Coppell (born 9 July 1955 in Norris Green, Liverpool) is the manager of Reading Football Club. ... John King is an English football player and manager. ...

The John King era, 1987-1996

John King is widely regarded as the most successful manager ever to take charge of Tranmere Rovers. He was appointed manager of the club for a second time (having previously been in charge in the 70's) towards the end of the 1986-1987 season, with the club fighting not to finish bottom of the fourth division and be relegated from the football league. Safety was only guaranteed in the last game of the season with a 1-0 home win over Exeter City, Tranmere's crucial winner being scored by midfielder Gary Williams. Thereafter, King began to show the talents which made him a legend on the Wirral and established his reputation as one of the greatest managerial geniuses ever to grace England's lower leagues, as well as one of the most eccentric. Carefully blending homegrown talent from the club's youth programme with astute bargain signings from league and non-league clubs, he built a team which took Tranmere steadily up the football league standings and acquired a fearsome reputation in cup competitions. John King is an English football player and manager. ...

King's first full season of his second managerial spell in charge saw Tranmere make their first appearance at Wembley stadium when a good mid-season run of form saw them qualify as one of the fourth division's two representatives, along with eventual champions Wolves, in the football league's centenary tournament. Tranmere were the surprise stars of an otherwise derided tournament, beating first division Wimbledon and Newcastle before losing on penalties to eventual winners Nottingham Forest.

King's second season in this spell (1988-89) saw him guide Tranmere to promotion as Fourth Division runners-up. It also marked the first of a string of cup successes against sides from the first division, Middlesborough going down 1-0 on aggregate in the second round of the League Cup. Fellow top flight sides Millwall, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Coventry were among the other giants slain at Prenton Park by King's Tranmere.

A successful return to division three saw Tranmere finish fourth in the table, only to lose to Notts County in the 1990 third division playoff final. They were granted a place in the Second Division after Swindon Town (Second Division playoff winners) were demoted to the Third Division for financial irregularities. But Tranmere remained in the Third Division after Swindon's punishment was reduced to remaining in the Second Division. Consolation came in the form of victory in the Associate Members' cup final, a 2-1 Wembley win over third division champions Bristol Rovers. Club record scorer Ian Muir gave Tranmere an early lead with a magnificent volleyed strike, and after Devon White gave Bristol Rovers an equaliser early in the second half, Muir's strike partner Jim Steele headed a late winner.

Tranmere Rovers went one better in the 1990-91 season, finishing fifth in the league but winning the Third Division playoffs with a dramatic 1-0 win over local rivals Bolton Wanderers. Chris Malkin's extra time goal saw the club promoted to the Second Division for the first time since the 1930s. They also made a second successive appearance in the Associate Members' cup final, this time losing 3-2 to Birmingham City. This made the play-off victory over Bolton Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley final in just over a year. Another notable event that season was in Tranmere's home match against Southend United on new year's day 1991, when right back Tony Thomas scored after just eight seconds, at the time the fastest televised goal in history.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge joined the club that summer, signing from Spain's Real Sociedad, and would remain on the club's payroll for the next 10 years. John King guided Tranmere into the new Division One playoffs three years in succession from 1993, but each time they lost in the semi-finals and King resigned in March 1996 with the club in mid table.

The John Aldridge era, 1996-2001

John Aldridge was appointed player-manager and remained in that role for five years. During that time Tranmere failed to reach the playoffs although they came very close in the 1996-97 season. The 1999-2000 season was Tranmere's best ever in cup competition, with a run to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, and the final of the League Cup, the club's first major cup final. The League Cup final resulted in a 1-2 defeat to Leicester City, Tranmere's goal scored by David Kelly after Tranmere defender Clint Hill had foolishly got himself sent off; although it should also be added that the player he fouled had been clearly offside at the time. Remarkably, Aldridge took Tranmere to the final of a major national cup competition with a team which did not include a single player he had paid a fee for. The club's severe financial constraints meant that at the time the squad included only a single player for whom a transfer fee had been paid, big striker Wayne Allison, who was cup-tied for the League Cup run.

The following season they again reached the FA Cup quarter final with a run that included two games unlikely ever to be forgotten. The fourth round saw Tranmere drawn away to Merseyside rivals Everton, in whose shadow, along with that of Liverpool, the club has always lived. A memorably one-sided game, refereed by Jeff Winter saw Tranmere give the Toffees a comprehensive three-nil hammering at Goodison Park, with one goal from Jason Koumas and two storming headers from defender Steve Yates. The date has been immortalised in Tranmere history, fans having designated 27 January Saint Yates' Day. More drama was to come in the shape of a 4-3 fifth round victory over Southampton. Trailing 3-0 at half time, and having been comprehensively outplayed by the Premier League side, Tranmere came out for the second half transformed. With Prenton Park a cauldron of noise, Tranmere began to launch an astonishing display of unfettered attacking football, ripping the Southampton defence to tatters as they blazed forward at will. A hat trick by Paul Rideout brought the scores level, Stuart Barlow then hitting the winner which gave Tranmere a 4-3 victory in a game generally regarded as one of the greatest FA Cup comebacks of all time. Jeff Winter is a former FA Premier League referee. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In the league things were very different, with the side floundering at the very bottom of the table. Aldridge finally handed in his resignation in March 2001 when Tranmere lost 2-3 at home to Barnsley after having led 2-0. The caretaker team of Ray Mathias and Kevin Sheedy was unable to save them and Tranmere were relegated from Division One after a decade at that level.

The Dave Watson era, 2001-2002

Tranmere had hopes of a quick return to Division One, but it was not to be. Dave Watson was appointed manager, an unpopular move with fans due to his links with Everton and concern over his lack of contacts and managerial experience. This scepticism proved to be well founded, Watson proving to be utterly out of his depth as he took Tranmere into a slump from which the club has still not recovered. Watson not only unexpectedly held on to key players such as Jason Koumas and club captain Clint Hill, both of whom had been expected to move to higher division clubs, but also made several new signings. These included Simon Haworth, who under subsequent managers became the club's most prolific striker since Aldrige, and Liverpool cast-off Alan Navarro, a 20-year-old who made a great impression during a loan spell but failed to fulfil this promise after signing for the club.

Despite this signing of expensive new talent and some fairly encouraging early season form, Watson's first season in charge vindicated his critics. His team played a dull and unattractive style of football, insipid to a crowd raised on the tradition of silky passing football perfected under King and Aldridge, and, astonishingly given the strength of the squad he inherited, spectactularly ineffective in terms of results. From February until the end of the season, Tranmere only managed three wins from 19 fixtures, resulting in a mediocre mid-table finish in a league many had expected them to win. The season provided some memorable results, including a 5-0 win over local rivals Wrexham, a 4-0 win over Blackpool, and two 6-1 wins in the same week; the first against Cambridge in the league, the second an FA Cup victory over Carlisle. However, among many unwanted statistics for the year was that Tranmere failed to do the double over a single team in the league demonstrating a lack of consistency that contributed to their downfall.

Despite calls for Watson to be replaced and the collapse of Aldridge's cup final side as key players departed in droves, he remained in charge for the duration of the summer. In July 2002, Waton signed Kevin Gray from Huddersfield and immediately installed him as club captain but while the manager sang his praises, fans raised questions about the quality of his defending and his pace. Gray's poor performances in the 2002-03 pre-season heaped pressure onto Watson and gave his critics further ammunition, culminating in Birmingham City's visit to Prenton Park in which the newly-promoted midland team ran out 7-0 winners and Gray was singled out for particular criticism. In the wake of the this game, the board sacked Watson, with Lorraine Rogers stating a lack of passion on the pitch as the main reason. Dave Watson joins an extremely short list of managers who have been sacked due to a side's performance in a pre-season friendly. He nowadays coaches schoolboy sides in Liverpool.

The Ray Mathias era, 2002-2003

Results and performances seemed to improve immediately when Tranmere stalwart Ray Mathias was promoted from assistant manager to full manager in 2002-03. Tranmere's season opener was an away match at Port Vale which was won convincingly 4-1. By the end of August Tranmere were a point outside the playoff places. Under the guidance of Mathias and the extremely popular assistant-manager David Kelly who was appointed in October, Tranmere remained within three points of the playoff places most of the season. David Kelly's influence on the season was said to be considerable and his ideas and personality in training were hailed by the players. David Kelly (born November 25, 1965) is a retired footballer. ...

A feature of the 2002-03 season was the extraordinary number of loan players who served the club for different lengths of time, including three goal-keepers: Ian Feuer, Keith Welch and Phil Whitehead, plus short-lived outfield players Pat McGibbon, Tom Curtis, Christian Edwards, Adam Proudlock and Marvin Robinson. Loan players of note were Tyrone Loran and Mike Jackson (who were both later signed permanently) and winger Iain Anderson who chipped in with two goals in his seven-game stay.

A remarkable second half of the season saw the team lose only once in 23 league matches to finish just outside the play-off zone in seventh place, despite equalling a club record of eighty points. In their push for promotion Tranmere also established a new club record of doing the double over eight league opponents. Cardiff City beat Rovers to the last playoff spot by a single point, a feat made mathematically possible by an unforgettable Tranmere v Cardiff Friday night fixture in March 2003. Cardiff opened the scoring through Robert Earnshaw but Simon Haworth equalised for Tranmere. Earnshaw scored again only for Iain Hume to equalise again for Tranmere. The home side finally went ahead through Gary Jones with one minute of normal time remaining and the game seemed won, only for Robert Earnshaw to equalise for Cardiff and complete his hat-trick in the 94th minute - An event which has fuelled rivalry between the South Wales club and Tranmere. Cardiff City Association Football Club (Welsh: Clwb PÃªl-droed Dinas Caerdydd) are a football team based in Cardiff, and are one of the three Welsh clubs competing in the Football League, currently playing in the Football League Championship. ... Robert Earnshaw (born April 6, 1981) is a Zambian-born Welsh international football player. ... Iain Hume (born Edinburgh, October 30th 1983) is a professional soccer player from Canada. ...

Optimism for the following 2003-04 season was shaken when in July 2003 assistant manager David Kelly left the club for Sheffield United. Tranmere's opening match was followed by ten games without a victory and pressure on Ray Mathias was mounting. This lead the board to issue Mathias with an ultimatum that he must win the home match against Wrexham on Saturday 27 September 2003 in order to retain his job. In a cruel twist of fate Tranmere not only took an early lead but outplayed Wrexham in almost every respect. Had it not been for an outstanding performance by Wrexham goalkeeper Andy Dibble, the visitors faced a heavy defeat. Unfortunarly for Mathias's career, Wrexham equalised on 62 minutes, and a minute later Shaun Holmes scored his first-ever league goal to leave Tranmere defeated, and managerless. is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Andy Dibble (born 8 May 1965 in Cwmbran) is a Welsh professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper, currently with Accrington Stanley. ...

Following Mathias's departure from the club at the end of September, Tranmere actually won their first game since the beginning of August however there followed another two league defeats, and Tranmere were left low on morale, without a manager and occupying a relegation spot.

The Brian Little era, 2003-2006

In October 2003, Tranmere turned to Brian Little as their new manager. Little had previously achieved promotion success with Darlington (twice) and Leicester, as well as leading Aston Villa to League Cup success in 1996. Darlington Football Club (also known as The Quakers or Darlo) are an English football team based in the English town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. ... Leicester City Football Club, (also known as The Foxes) is an English professional football club based in the city of Leicester. ... Aston Villa redirects here. ...

Tranmere had slipped into the relegation zone just prior to Little taking over, but his arrival seemed to bring an immediate stabilising influence over the team. His primary objective was to tighten up the defence and despite losing his first game in charge in the LDV Vans Trophy, there followed a run of eleven league and cup games in which Tranmere won seven, drew three and lost only one which pulled away from the drop zone, and took the team through to an FA Cup tie with old rivals Bolton Wanderers. The match played at Prenton Park ended in a draw which meant a replay at Bolton's Reebok Stadium in which the home team looked favourites to ease past their lower-league opposition, despite fielding a weakened team. However, it was Tranmere who scored first through Eugene Dadi, whose goal-celebration revealed a t-shirt with the number "9" and "Haworth" in honour of the team-mate who had recently broken his leg. Tranmere's hopes of a win in normal time were ended when Bolton equalised with one minute of injury time remaining to take the game to extra time. Only 20 seconds into extra time, Tranmere's young Iain Hume struck a 25-yard shot which proved to be the winner and continued the upturn in the club's fortunes.

By mid-February, Tranmere had climbed to 12th and were only seven points from a playoff position. Following an FA Cup win over Swansea, March saw an FA Cup quarter final away to Milwall in which again, the lower-league Tranmere were not favourites, however the game was a draw thanks to a penalty save by John Achterberg. Meanwhile, in the league, a loss to Blackpool had been followed by four draws in five. The FA Cup success once again seemed to weigh heavily on the team's league performance as it had done in the relegation season of 1999-2000 and four consecutive losses saw Tranmere drop back down to 16th. After being knocked out of the FA Cup by Millwall in the replay at Prenton Park, Tranmere's league form returned and Tranmere won eight out of their last ten fixtures, ending the season in eighth place. Millwall Football Club are an English professional football team based at the New Den Stadium in Bermondsey, South East London. ...

Little's first full season in charge saw a genuine promotion challenge as the club finished third behind Luton Town and Hull City. The side had started the season well but the end of Januray and throughout February saw a run of four draws in five games, culminating in a 3-1 humbling at home by promotion rivals Hull City. Having only lost five games all season up until that point, Tranmere managed only five wins in the last 12 fixtures and it was on the back of this poor form that Tranmere went into the playoffs. Not surprisingly, the team which had only won two of the last nine away games put in a poor performance away at Hartlepool United, being well beaten 0-2. Just as might be expected, the return match at Prenton Park was a superb football game and proved that once again Tranmere could perform when the occasion demanded it. Rovers outperformed Hartlepool, despite captain Jason McAteer going off with concussion, and Tranmere scored two goals which took the tie into extra time. In the end they lost on penalties to Hartlepool to send them crashing out of the play-off semi-finals with Ian Sharps having his spot-kick saved. Luton Town Football Club are an Englishfootball team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ... Hull City Association Football Club is an English football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. ... Hartlepool United Football Club are an English football team currently playing in League One. ...

During the 2005 close season Tranmere lost their top four goal scorers of the previous campaign. Ryan Taylor and Iain Hume were sold to Wigan Athletic and Leicester City respectively. The club released Eugene Dadi who later joined Nottingham Forest while Paul Hall was only offered a one year deal and swapped Birkenhead for Chesterfield. Sam Aiston and Steve Wilson were brought in from the lower leagues, whilst Little signed the striker Chris Greenacre from Stoke City. A poor 2005-2006 season, in which the club achieved safety from relegation only with a dramatic away victory over MK Dons in the penultimate game, saw rising discontent against Little among Tranmere fans. As well as below-standard performances, many supporters blamed him for excessively conservative tactics leading to dull football, weakening the strength of the squad by failing either to identify quality signings or introduce new talent from the club's youth ranks, and generally failing to recognise the spirit of the club. Many players had come on loan to Tranmere during the course of the season due to the loss of Ryan Taylor and Iain Hume, but were generally considered not to have been of high enough quality, Alex Bruce was brought in at right back and did little to impress, whilst veteran Nicky Summerbee came on a week to week deal, and also failed to impress. The exception was Simon Francis from Sheffield United who proved himself to be a more than capable right back, and with the potential to play at a much higher level. Sam Aiston signed from Shrewsbury, and despite being a favourite with the home fans, due to his willingness to run with the ball, he failed to make much impression on the scoresheet: scoring only 3 times all season. Steve Wilson in goal was capable of great saves but also capable of equally silly mistakes. Some credit should go to Brian Little for recognising the untapped potential of Chris Greenacre, who he converted to a striker from the midfield role he played at Stoke City. Greenacre went on to become leading scorer for the 2005/2006 season with Delroy Facey next on 8 goals for the season, including the last minute winner against MK Dons which helped send the Dons down and keep Tranmere up. The lack of goals from midfield was the biggest failing of the side. Tranmere's midfield, containing local players Steve Jennings and Danny Harrison were organised and hard working, but shows little creativity and flair to provide ammunition for the strikers. Polls conducted on the club's unofficial website during this season recorded an increasing swell of opinion that Little should be removed. It therefore came as no great surprise when Little left by mutual consent on May 5th, with club captain McAteer and John McMahon taking over for the last game of the season, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers. Despite speculation linking the former Brentford manager, Martin Allen with the vacant post, on June 9, Tranmere announced the appointment of popular former player, coach and assistant manager Ronnie Moore, formerly manager at Rotherham and Oldham, as Little's replacement. Ryan Anthony Taylor (born August 19, 1984 in Liverpool, England) is a Under 21 International with England. ... is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Doncaster Rovers Football Club (or Donny as they are more commonly known) are an English professional football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in the town of Doncaster, South Yorkshire. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ...

The Ronnie Moore era, 2006-

After Moore took over the job in June he quickly made a flurry of signings, including several from his former club Rotherham such as Paul McClaren and John Mullin. Australian central defender Shane Sherriff signed as did Chris McCready from Crewe, after impressing in pre-season friendlies. Perhaps the biggest signing of the summer for Rovers was the addition of pacey wide man Chris Shuker from Barnsley, fighting off competition from several successful Championship clubs as well as Blackpool. Veteran forward Gareth Taylor signed from Nottingham Forest, after an uneasy stay at the City Ground. The season began with a 1-0 win against Moore's former club Oldham. History Nottingham Forest F.C. are an English football club, based at the City Ground, which is just outside the official boundary of Nottingham on the south side of the River Trent. ... Oldham Athletic Association Football Club are an English football team currently playing in Football League One. ...

Six games into the season, the match against Leyton Orient caught the headlines not least because it placed Tranmere second in the league table, but mainly due to an extraordinary 90-yard goal scored by the Rovers goalkeeper Gavin Ward from a free kick just outside his area. A good run of form, including a creditable draw at home against Nottingham Forest left Tranmere placed second in the table but there then followed three opporunities in quick succession whereby Tranmere could have used a game in hand to go to the top of the table. None of these chances were taken and a spate of injuries in October exposed the lack of depth in the squad after Ronnie Moore had chosen quality over quantity of players with his limited budget. Injuries contributed to a result at home to Huddersfield Town which ended 2-2 after being 2-0 up after half time and a 2-0 reverse in the second half at Bradford City. Attempts to bring in loan signings to cover the lack of strikers proved fruitless however coming through this bad patch saw a morale-boosting away win at Brighton take Tranmere back to within one point of automatic promotion once more. However, form slipped away and Tranmere finished a respectable 9th position for Moore's first season at the helm. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football team, currently playing in League One of the Football League. ... Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English professional football club based at The City Ground in Nottingham, England. ... Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. ... Bradford City Association Football Club is a football team based at the Bradford and Bingley Stadium (formerly known as Valley Parade) in Bradford, England. ...

In the close season, Moore signed the ex-Rovers Welsh international goalkeeper Danny Coyne as well as defensive duo Antony Kay and Ben Chorley. Midfielder Adnan Ahmed was also signed from Huddersfield Town. Tranmere opened the 2007/08 season at home with defeat to Leeds and then went on to exit the Carling Cup in the first match. Tranmere won their next two games away at Gillingham, 2-0, and at home to Brighton, also 2-0. Daniel Danny Coyne (born 27 August 1973 in Prestatyn, Wales) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Tranmere Rovers. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ben Chorley (born Sidcup, September 30, 1982), is a professional footballer with Milton Keynes Dons. ... Adnan Ahmed (born June 7, 1984 in Burnley, England) is a professional football (soccer) midfielder currently playing for Huddersfield Town F.C.. Ahmed was a trainee with Huddersfield prior to his signing a professional contract in July 2003. ... Huddersfield Town Association Football Club are an English football club based in the town of Huddersfield in the county of Yorkshire. ... Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. ...

On 6 October 2007, after their 2-1 win at Southend, they reached the top of the League One table, on goal difference, with 19 points from 10 games. However, their stay at the top only lasted for one week.

On Friday the 16th of November, Tranmere expanded their defensive choices with the signing of Blackburn Rovers youth player Andy Taylor on a 1 month loan.

Players

is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Current squad

Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... A football goalkeeper leaves the ground to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender, netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ... Daniel Danny Coyne (born 27 August 1973 in Prestatyn, Wales) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Robert Stockdale (born 30 November 1979 in Redcar), is a Scottish football (soccer) player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Carl Tremarco (born 11 October 1985 in Liverpool) is a professional footballer currently playing as a left back for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Paul McLaren (born November 17, 1976, High Wycombe) is a footballer, currently playing as a midfielder for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Shane Cansdell-Sherriff (born 10 November 1982), also known simply as Shane Sherriff, is an Australian football (soccer) player currently playing for English Football League One team Tranmere Rovers F.C.. Sherriffs first professional club was Leeds United, who spotted him playing for the New South Wales academy team. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... John Mullin (born August 11, 1975) is a footballer, currently playing for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo. ... Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, and formerly inside forwards, are the players on a team in football in the row nearest to the opposing teams goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. ... Calvin Zola Makongo (born December 31, 1984 in Kinshasa) is a football (soccer) player from the Democratic Republic of Congo. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, and formerly inside forwards, are the players on a team in football in the row nearest to the opposing teams goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. ... Gareth Taylor (born Weston-super-Mare, 25 February 1973) is Wales international footballer currently playing for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, and formerly inside forwards, are the players on a team in football in the row nearest to the opposing teams goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. ... After starting his career at Manchester City, Chris Greenacre went on to play football for the likes of Cardiff, Mansfield and Stoke City, before joining League One club Tranmere Rovers on a free-transfer in the summer of 2005. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Adnan Ahmed (born June 7, 1984 in Burnley, England) is a professional football (soccer) midfielder currently playing for Huddersfield Town F.C.. Ahmed was a trainee with Huddersfield prior to his signing a professional contract in July 2003. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Steve Jennings (born 28 October 1984 in Liverpool) is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a central midielder for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Ben Chorley (born Sidcup, September 30, 1982), is a professional footballer with Milton Keynes Dons. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Jamaica. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Ian Goodison (born November 21, 1972 in Montego Bay) is a football defender from Jamaica. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Kevin Cooper (born 8 February 1975 in Derby) is an English professional footballer, on loan to Walsall from Cardiff City. ... Cardiff City Association Football Club (Welsh: Clwb PÃªl-droed Dinas Caerdydd) are a football team based in Cardiff, and are one of the three Welsh clubs competing in the Football League, currently playing in the Football League Championship. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... For other persons named Andrew Taylor, see Andrew Taylor (disambiguation). ... Blackburn Rovers Football Club are an English Premier League football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Steve Davies born 29 December 1987 in Liverpool is a professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Paul Henry is a young football player currently playing for English League One team Tranmere Rovers F.C.. Categories: | | ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Michael Jones born 15 August 1987 in Birkenhead is a professional footballer currently playing as a Right or centre midfielder for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Midfield in relation to the football positions In association football, a midfielder is a player whose position of play is midway between the attacking strikers and the defenders (highlighted in blue on the diagram). ... Chris Shuker (born May 9, 1982 in Liverpool) is an English footballer who plays for Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... A football goalkeeper leaves the ground to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender, netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ... John Achterberg is a Dutch footballer currently goalkeeper for Tranmere Rovers in England. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, and formerly inside forwards, are the players on a team in football in the row nearest to the opposing teams goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Danny Holmes (born 6 January 1989) is an English professional football player Currently playing for Football League One club Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Strikers, also known as forwards and attackers, and formerly inside forwards, are the players on a team in football in the row nearest to the opposing teams goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals. ...

Out on loan

Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Michael Johnston born 16 December 1987 in Liverpool is a professional footballer currently with Tranmere Rovers. ... Bangor City F.C. is a football team, playing in the League of Wales. ...

Notable Former Players

see also Cat:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Iain Hume (born Edinburgh, October 30th 1983) is a professional soccer player from Canada. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Alan ACourt (born September 30, 1934) is an English former football player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... William Ralph Dean (January 22, 1907 - March 1, 1980), popularly known as Dixie Dean, was an English football player and the most prolific goal-scorer in English football history,[1] best known for his legendary exploits at Everton. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Stephen James Coppell (born 9 July 1955 in Norris Green, Liverpool) is the manager of Reading Football Club. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... David Fairclough (born Liverpool, 5th January 1957) was a footballer whose special role in the great Liverpool side of the 1970s was that of Supersub. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Jamie Hughes is a current semi-professional and former professional English footballer who is notable for becoming the first British footballer to fail a test for a performance-enhancing drug. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Roy McFarland (born 5 April 1948) is a football manager and previously a player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Eric Nixon (born October 4, 1962 in Manchester) is a former English goalkeeper. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Mark Palios is so kool he rox,(born Liverpool 9 November 1952) is an English chartered accountant, football administrator and a former professional footballer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Michael Gary Stevens (born in Barrow-in-Furness, England, 27 March 1963) was an English footballer who shot to fame in the great Everton side of the 1980s. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Ray Stubbs (born Wallasey, Merseyside, 1956) is a broadcaster and former footballer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Frank Stewart Worthington (born November 23, 1948 in Shelf near Halifax, Yorkshire) is a former English footballer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Steve Yates (born Bristol, January 29, 1970) was a professional footballer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Steve Simonsen (born 3 April 1979 in South Shields) is an English professional football goalkeeper currently playing for Stoke City. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Ryan Taylor (born August 19, 1984) is a Under 21 International with England. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland. ... Bryan Hamilton (born Belfast 21 December 1947) was a Northern Irish footballer and football manager. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Northern_Ireland. ... Joshua Walter Sloan (commonly known as Paddy Sloan) (April 30, 1921 - January 1993, born in Lurgan, Northern Ireland) was a professional footballer in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s playing for several clubs in Europe and gaining international caps for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... See also John Aldridge (Royal Academician) John William Aldridge (born Liverpool, 18 September 1958). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... Thomas Joseph Eglington (born January 15, 1923, Donnycarney, County Dublin, Ireland; died February 18, 2004, Raheny, County Dublin, Ireland), is a former Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... Peter Desmond Farrell (born Dalkey, County Dublin, August 16, 1922; died Dalkey, County Dublin, March 16, 1999) is a former Irish footballer who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... Jason Wynn McAteer (b. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Ivano Bonetti was born in Brescia, Italy on 1 August 1964. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... Tommy Lawrence (born Ayrshire, Scotland, 14th May 1940) was the goalkeeper in the first great Liverpool team under legendary manager Bill Shankly. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... Patrick Kevin Francis Michael Pat Nevin (born 6 September 1963 in Glasgow) is a Scottish former footballer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... Ian St. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... Ron Yeats (born Aberdeen, Scotland, November 15, 1937) was the captain of the first great Liverpool team of the 1960s. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... William David Davies, better known as Dai Davies (born April 1, 1948 in Glanaman, South Wales), was a professional footballer, who played in goal between 1969 and 1987. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... Jason Koumas (born September 25, 1979 in Wrexham) is a professional player for Football League Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... Gareth Roberts (born Wrexham, February 6th 1978) is a Welsh international footballer with Tranmere Rovers. ...

Biggest rivals

Despite being near to Liverpool and Everton, just across the Mersey, Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant they have formed rivalries with other clubs... Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ...

Bolton Wanderers F.C.: The history between Bolton Wanderers FC and Tranmere goes back to the early 1990s when both clubs were fighting for promotion from Division 3 into Division 2. They met in the Division 3 play-off final at Wembley in 1991. Before the match Bolton manager, Phil Neal, complained that Bolton had finished third in the league and deserved to go up. This comment didn't go down to well with Tranmere supporters, not least because Neal had made no such comments the previous season when his Bolton side qualified for the play-offs in 6th place, despite their points total leaving them closer to relegation than to automatic promotion. In the final Chris Malkin scored the winning goal in extra time to send Rovers up into Division 2 for only the second time in their history. Bolton and Tranmere fans were reacquainted once more after Bolton won promotion from Division 3 in the 1991-92 season. The rivalry continued as both clubs went for promotion into the Premiership culminating in the fateful 1994-95 season when Bolton gained promotion through the play-offs leaving Tranmere behind. As Bolton found it hard to remain in the Premiership, being promoted and relegated twice, there were still some meetings between the sides. In the days when the Bebington Kop housed both home and away fans, Tranmere supporters would sing, "up and down, up and down, up and down" while Bolton fans would respond with "you'll never see the Premier". When the two teams were under John Aldridge and Sam Allardyce, meetings became quite juicy.^[2]. When Tranmere met Bolton in the League Cup semi-finals at the Reebok Stadium, the advertising boards were moved in to stop Tranmere's long throw specalist, Dave Challinor, from taking a run up. Bolton were beaten and after the match Allardyce was less than complimentary about Tranmere's style of play. Another season, Bolton travelled to Prenton Park and refused to use the showers after the game, preferring to drive back to Bolton and use the showers at the Reebok Stadium. It is interesting to note that a lot of the rivalry between the clubs has been sparked by the managers. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football club based in Horwich, in the Borough of Bolton, North West England. ... Philip (Phil) George Neal (born February 20, 1951 in Irchester, Northants) is a much-decorated former footballer who is the only player to have appeared in the first five of Liverpools European Cup finals. ... Samuel Allardyce (born October 19, 1954 in Dudley, West Midlands) is an English former professional football player and is the manager of Newcastle United. ... The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook retail park in Horwich, near Bolton. ... Dave Challinor is an English footballer currently playing for Bury F.C.. Challinor holds the world record for the longest throw in football[]. Challinor is also responsible for ending the career of Charlton Athletic striker Martin Pringle whilst playing for Stockport County. ...

Chester City F.C.: Chester City are based to the south of Tranmere near the Welsh border. In fact they are so close to the Welsh border (with parts of the City of Chester being in Wales itself) that many opposition fans regard Chester as, "Just a small town in Wales". Chester have traditionally been in local and regional leagues, but at times over the last 30 years have been in the same division as Tranmere. There is no love lost generally between Chester and Tranmere, much of it emanating from the fact that Chester City chairman, Stephen Vaughan, in 2003 proposed to buy Tranmere, sell Prenton Park and have Tranmere play their home games at the Deva Stadium whilst a new "community stadium" was built on the Wirral.^[3]. This was unacceptable to most reasonable Tranmere fans, who heard with horror that it was possible that Chester and Tranmere could be merged. For the Local Government District of Chester, see Chester (district). ...

Wrexham A.F.C.: Wrexham AFC have always been one of Tranmere's biggest rivals, not only because the two clubs are relatively close to each other but also because they have been in the same division for long periods of time. Tranmere's last win at Wrexham's Racecourse ground – a 5-1 drubbing – was particularly sweet for most Tranmere fans. Wrexham Football Club (nicknamed The Red Dragons, or more traditionally, The Robins) are a football team based in Wrexham in north-east Wales. ...

Oldham Athletic A.F.C. has grown as a small rivalry due to Ronnie Moore leaving the Latics to return to Prenton Park. Wigan Athletic also had a small, short rivelry during their Division 2 era because of Simon Haworth's controversial transfer from Wigan to Tranmere. Rochdale Road stand Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane, Oldham. ... Ronald David Moore (born 29 January 1953) is an English football manager, currently of Tranmere Rovers and former player. ... Prenton Park is a multi-use stadium in Birkenhead, England. ... Wigan Athletic Football Club are a football team based in Wigan, England. ...

Local teams such as Cammell Laird F.C. and Vauxhall Motors F.C. play Tranmere every pre-season and as both teams are within 5 miles of Tranmere, there is a friendly rivalry between the clubs. Official club logo. ... Vauxhall Motors F.C. are an English football team based at Rivacre Park, Rivacre Road, in Hooton, sandwiched in between Eastham and Ellesmere Port, Wirral, who play in the Conference North. ...

As at the summer of 2007, the following teams have played the most league games against Tranmere: Crewe Alexandra 116, Halifax Town 104, Rochdale 104, Stockport County 104, Wrexham 102, Hartlepool United 100, Chesterfield 92, Darlington 86, York City 82, Southport 80, Barrow 70, Chester City 68.

Women's football

Tranmere Rovers' affiliated female counterpart, Tranmere Rovers L.F.C., is currently competing in the Northern Championship. They are currently feuding with Liverpool L.F.C., Lincoln City L.F.C. and Crewe Alexandra L.F.C. for promotion to the Women's Premiership, where they have been before, from 1996 to 2001. UEFA Womens Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam Womens association football is the most prominent team sport for women in many countries, and one of the few womens team sports with professional leagues. ... Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club are an English womens football club affiliated with Tranmere Rovers F.C. They currently play in the Womens Northern Championship. ... The FA Womens Premier League Northern Division is a league in the second-level in the womens football pyramid in England, along with the Southern divisions. ... Liverpool L.F.C. is the ladies football club affiliated with Liverpool Football Club. ... Lincoln City Ladies are amazing and will also be amazing ... Crewe Alexandra L.F.C are a Ladies football side that play in the FA Womens Premier League Northern Division. ... The FA Womens Premier League National Division is at the top of the English womens football league pyramid. ...

Internal records

Highest attendance Rochdale Road stand Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane, Oldham. ...

Lowest attendance Liverpool Football Club are an English professional football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside, who play in the Premier League; they are historically the most successful club in the history of English football, having won more trophies than any other English club. ... This article is about the football stadium. ... Stoke City Football Club is a football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. ... Prenton Park is a multi-use stadium in Birkenhead, England. ...

See also John Aldridge (Royal Academician) John William Aldridge (born Liverpool, 18 September 1958). ...

Honours

The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... The Third Division North of The Football League was a level in English association football, which ran parallel to Third Division South from 1921 to 1958. ... From the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. ... The Football League Trophy is the generic name of an English football competition for clubs in the two lower divisions of the Football League, the official name of which is frequently changed to match changes in sponsors, and which is presently called the LDV Vans Trophy. ... The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales. ...

Famous fans

Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Steve Anderson is a member of the band Scratch Acid [1]. Formerly Kylie Minogues partner, he was a producer and co-writer of many of the songs on Impossible Princess and some of her earlier albums [2]. He was at one stage part of the due Brothers in Rhythm. ... Ray Stubbs (born Wallasey, Merseyside, 1956) is a broadcaster and former footballer. ... Nigel Blackwell, singer, guitarist and songwriter Half Man Half Biscuit, often abbreviated to HMHB, are a UK rock band from Birkenhead, active sporadically since the mid-1980s, known for their satirical, sardonic and sometimes surreal songs. ... The Tube may refer to: The London Underground Television generally The Tube (London Underground TV series), an ITV/Sky programme featuring the work of staff on the London Underground The Tube (TV series), a former Channel 4 (UK) music programme The Tube (TV channel), US music video channel The Port...

In Popular Culture

In the movie Goal!, one of the young reserve players says he joined Newcastle United from Tranmere Rovers. Goal! (also known as Goal! The Dream Begins in the United States) is a 2005 film directed by Danny Cannon. ... For the Australian soccer club see Newcastle United (Australia). ...

In the movie Lucky Break, starring Timothy Spall, Lennie James and James Nesbitt, a young cell mate, who is good at making gizmos and gadgets, has a Tranmere Rovers team poster on the wall of his cell. Timothy Leonard Spall OBE (born February 27, 1957) is an English BAFTA award-nominated film, stage and television actor. ... Lennie James is a British actor. ... James Nesbitt (born January 15, 1965) is a Northern Irish actor who is best known for his roles in ITVs Cold Feet and the BBCs Murphys Law as well as many television advertisements. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

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