Tranmere Rovers F.C.: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox football club |
{{Infobox football club |
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| nickname = |
| nickname = The Rovers |
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| ground = [[Prenton Park]] |
| ground = [[Prenton Park]] |
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| capacity = 16,567<ref name=os>{{cite web |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk//news/article/a-guide-to-prenton-park-236883.aspx |title=A Guide to Prenton Park |date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Tranmere Rovers |access-date=5 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326012848/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/a-guide-to-prenton-park-236883.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2016 }}</ref> |
| capacity = 16,567<ref name=os>{{cite web |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk//news/article/a-guide-to-prenton-park-236883.aspx |title=A Guide to Prenton Park |date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Tranmere Rovers |access-date=5 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326012848/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/a-guide-to-prenton-park-236883.aspx |archive-date=26 March 2016 }}</ref> |
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| clubname = Tranmere Rovers |
| clubname = Tranmere Rovers |
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| image = Tranmere Rovers FC |
| image = Tranmere Rovers FC crest.svg |
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| image_size = 150px |
| image_size = 150px |
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| fullname = Tranmere Rovers Football Club |
| fullname = Tranmere Rovers Football Club |
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| short name = Rovers |
| short name = Rovers, Super White Army |
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| founded = {{Nowrap|{{Start date and age|df=yes|1884}} as ''Belmont FC''}} |
| founded = {{Nowrap|{{Start date and age|df=yes|1884}} (as ''Belmont FC'')}} |
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| owner = [[Mark Palios|Mark & Nicola Palios]] |
| owner = [[Mark Palios|Mark & Nicola Palios]] |
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| chairman = [[Mark Palios]] |
| chairman = [[Mark Palios]] |
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| manager = [[Nigel Adkins]] |
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| manager = [[Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)|Ian Dawes]] |
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| league = {{English football updater|TranmerR}} |
| league = {{English football updater|TranmerR}} |
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| season = {{English football updater|TranmerR2}} |
| season = {{English football updater|TranmerR2}} |
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| position = {{English football updater|TranmerR3}} |
| position = {{English football updater|TranmerR3}} |
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| current = |
| current = 2024–25 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season |
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| website = |
| website = {{official URL}} |
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| pattern_la1 = |
| pattern_la1 = _navyborder |
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| pattern_ra1 = _navyborder |
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| pattern_sh1 = |
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| pattern_so1 = |
| pattern_so1 = _blue_midband |
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| body1 = FFFFFF |
| body1 = FFFFFF |
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}} |
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'''Tranmere Rovers Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Birkenhead]], [[Merseyside]], England. The team |
'''Tranmere Rovers Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Birkenhead]], [[Merseyside]], England. The team competes in {{English football updater|TranmerR}}, the fourth level of the [[English football league system]]. |
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Founded in 1884 as Belmont Football Club, they adopted their current name in 1885. Tranmere's regular [[Kit (association football)|kit]] is an all-white strip with blue, or occasionally blue and green trim which have been their main colours since 1962. The club moved to its current home, [[Prenton Park]], in 1912. In 1995, the ground had a major redevelopment in response to the [[Taylor Report]]. It now seats 16,567 in four stands: the Main Stand, the Kop, the [[John King (footballer, born 1938)|Johnny King]] Stand and the Cowshed. |
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Tranmere played in regional leagues until they were invited to become a founder member of [[Football League Third Division North]] in 1921. They finished as champions for the 1937–38 season, though were relegated out of the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] the following year. They dropped into the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in 1961, before winning promotion back to the third tier at the end of the 1966–67 season. Relegation in 1975 was followed by an immediate promotion in 1975–76 under the stewardship of manager [[John King (footballer born 1938)|John King]], and this time they survived for just three seasons in the third tier until being relegated once again in 1979. During the 1980s, they were beset by financial problems and, in 1987, went into [[administration (British football)|administration]]. However John King returned to manage the club for a second spell and guided Rovers to promotion in 1988–89, which they followed up by winning the [[EFL Trophy|Associate Members' Cup]] in [[1990 Associate Members' Cup Final|1990]] and then promotion out of the play-offs in [[1991 Football League Third Division play-off Final|1991]]. |
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Tranmere played in regional leagues until they were invited to become a founder member of [[Football League Third Division North]] in 1921. They finished as champions for the 1937–38 season, though were relegated out of the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] the following year. They dropped into the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in 1961, before winning promotion back to the third tier at the end of the 1966–67 season. Relegation in 1975 was followed by an immediate promotion in 1975–76 under the stewardship of manager [[John King (footballer born 1938)|John King]], and this time they survived for just three seasons in the third tier until being relegated once again in 1979. During the 1980s, they were beset by financial problems and, in 1987, went into [[administration (British football)|administration]]. However John King returned to manage the club for a second spell and guided Rovers to promotion in 1988–89, which they followed up by winning the [[EFL Trophy|Associate Members' Cup]] in [[1990 Associate Members' Cup final|1990]] and then promotion out of the play-offs in [[1991 Football League Third Division play-off final|1991]]. |
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The 1990s would prove to be the most successful period in the club's history as Tranmere remained in the second tier, and came close to reaching the [[Premier League]] with three consecutive play-off campaigns at the start of the decade. Under King's successor, [[John Aldridge]], Tranmere experienced a number of cup runs, most notably reaching the [[2000 Football League Cup Final|2000 League Cup final]]. They were finally relegated in 2001 and then spent 13 seasons in the third tier, before two successive relegations saw them drop out of the Football League after an 84-year stay. Tranmere spent three seasons in the [[National League (division)|National League]] and then returned to the third tier of the Football League via successive play-off campaigns in [[2018 National League play-off Final|2018]] and [[2019 EFL League Two play-off Final|2019]]. They were relegated from [[EFL League One|League One]] in 2020 after clubs voted to end the season early due to the [[COVID-19]] pandemic. |
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The 1990s would prove to be the most successful period in the club's history as Tranmere remained in the second tier, and came close to reaching the [[Premier League]] with three consecutive play-off campaigns at the start of the decade. Under King's successor, [[John Aldridge]], Tranmere experienced a number of cup runs, most notably reaching the [[2000 Football League Cup final|2000 League Cup final]]. They were finally relegated in 2001 and then spent 13 seasons in the third tier, before back-to-back relegations saw them drop out of the Football League after an 94-year stay. Tranmere spent three seasons in the [[National League (division)|National League]] and then returned to the third tier of the Football League via successive play-off campaigns in [[2018 National League play-off final|2018]] and [[2019 EFL League Two play-off final|2019]]. They were demoted from [[EFL League One|League One]] in 2020 after clubs voted to end the season early due to the [[COVID-19]] pandemic. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Tranmere Rovers were, initially, formed as Belmont Football Club when the football arms of two [[cricket]] clubs – Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont – came together in 1884.<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> On 15 November 1884, they won their first game 4–0 against Brunswick Rovers. This was a [[friendly match]], as there were no leagues until 1888.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Under the presidency of [[James McGaul]], the team had a successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name "Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association football section)" in 1881–82. On 16 September 1885, before their second season began, Belmont F.C. adopted this name Tranmere Rovers.<ref name="official site history" /> |
Tranmere Rovers were, initially, formed as Belmont Football Club when the football arms of two [[cricket]] clubs – Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont – came together in 1884.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'When Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont Cricket Club came together, Belmont FC was formed'}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> On 15 November 1884, they won their first game 4–0 against Brunswick Rovers. This was a [[friendly match]], as there were no leagues until 1888.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Under the presidency of [[James McGaul]],{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'under the presidency of James McGaul'}} the team had a successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name "Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association football section)" in 1881–82. On 16 September 1885, before their second season began, Belmont F.C. adopted this name Tranmere Rovers.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source at end mentions first match. nothing about a 'successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches'. nothing about an 'unrelated, disbanded side'. name change is mentioned, but 'before season began' and date given is not verified by source.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=1 source is the club website. other source is 'By the fans', and written by 'club historian'. use of words like 'successful' here, based on a primary source?}}<ref name="official site history" /> [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] is historically a large village that was subsumed within the later expansion of the town of [[Birkenhead]].{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='a large village'? source says 'civil parish'.}}<ref name=GENUKI>{{cite web|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CHS/Tranmere|title=Tranmere|publisher=GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025200940/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CHS/Tranmere|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Tranmere played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead.<ref name="official site history" /> In 1887, they bought Ravenshaws Field from Tranmere Rugby Club. In 1895, their ground was renamed [[Prenton Park]], although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere first wore a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. In 1889 they adopted orange and maroon shirts, but in 1904 returned to wearing their original kit.<ref name="historicalkits" /> |
Tranmere played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead.<ref name="official site history" /> In 1887, they bought Ravenshaws Field from Tranmere Rugby Club. In 1895, their ground was renamed [[Prenton Park]], although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=source says 'moved to Ravenshaws Field' in 1887. does not mention buying it. or Tranmere Rugby Club. or 'although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere first wore a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. In 1889 they adopted orange and maroon shirts, but in 1904 returned to wearing their original kit.<ref name="historicalkits" /> |
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In 1886, Tranmere entered their first competition: the Liverpool and District Challenge Cup; in 1889, they entered the [[West Lancashire Football League|West Lancashire League]]. They joined [[the Combination]], a much stronger league, in 1897, and won the championship in 1908.<ref name="combination" /> In 1910, continuing their movement through the leagues, they entered the [[Lancashire Combination]] and in 1912 they showed their ambition by moving to the present Prenton Park site, with an 800-seat stand.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere won the Lancashire Combination Championship in 1914<ref name="Lancashire combination" /> and [[Stan Rowlands]] became the first Tranmere player to receive an international cap when he was selected to play for [[Wales national football team|Wales]].<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /><ref name="Wales 0-2 England" /> |
In 1886, Tranmere entered their first competition: the Liverpool and District Challenge Cup; in 1889, they entered the [[West Lancashire Football League|West Lancashire League]]. They joined [[the Combination]], a much stronger league, in 1897,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of the previous ('In 1886' onwards) is mentioned in the source at the end. nothing about a cup or West Lancashire League or joining the Combination.}} and won the championship in 1908.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=source says Everton Liverpool II won in both 1907-1908 and 1908-1909. Tranmere Rovers appears to be listed as separate club.}}<ref name="combination" /> In 1910, continuing their movement through the leagues, they entered the [[Lancashire Combination]] and in 1912 they showed their ambition by moving to the present Prenton Park site, with an 800-seat stand.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason='showed their ambition' is sourced to primary. it does not say this anyway. is it impartial tone? is it needed here?}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere won the Lancashire Combination Championship in 1914,<ref name="Lancashire combination" /> and [[Stan Rowlands]] became the first Tranmere player to receive an international cap when he was selected to play for [[Wales national football team|Wales]].{{when|date=February 2024|reason=source 1 does not say when? source 2 gives 1914 but only Wales team, not England. this can be any game. no connection proven between the 2.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /><ref name="Wales 0-2 England" /> |
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Rovers continued to play throughout the [[World War I|First World War]], although their players were criticised for avoiding military service, despite being employed in the local shipyards.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
Rovers continued to play throughout the [[World War I|First World War]], although their players were criticised for avoiding military service, despite being employed in the local shipyards.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'Rovers continued to play throughout the 1914-18 War, although many footballers were, unjustly, criticised for avoiding military service... being employed in the local shipyards.'}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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===Inter-war years=== |
===Inter-war years=== |
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Following the expulsion of [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]] Reserves in 1919, Tranmere were able to enter [[the Central League]]. Their timing was excellent as the following season, four Central League clubs – including Tranmere – were invited to join the new [[Football League Third Division North|Division Three North]]. On 27 August 1921, as founder members of the division,<ref name="1921-22" /> they won their first [[The Football League|Football League]] match 4–1 against [[Crewe Alexandra]] at Prenton Park.<ref name="official site history" /> At this time the team were managed by [[Bert Cooke]], who did so for 23 years in total, the club record for longest serving manager.<ref name="managers" /> |
Following the expulsion of [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]] Reserves in 1919, Tranmere were able to enter [[Central League (England)|the Central League]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|not mentioned in next source.}} Their timing was excellent as the following season, four Central League clubs – including Tranmere – were invited to join the new [[Football League Third Division North|Division Three North]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|not mentioned in next source. even if it was, 'Their timing was excellent' is not impartial.}} On 27 August 1921, as founder members of the division,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=does not mention 'founder members', or show that this was the first year it happened.}}<ref name="1921-22" /> they won their first [[The Football League|Football League]] match 4–1 against [[Crewe Alexandra]] at Prenton Park.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention result of game. or that Tranmere Rovers won.}}<ref name="official site history" /> At this time the team were managed by [[Bert Cooke]], who did so for 23 years in total, the club record for longest serving manager.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=ideally with confirmation that this is 'the club record for longest serving manager'. the club does not even say that. and source only goes as far as 2012.}}<ref name="managers" /> |
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In 1924, local |
In 1924, local boy [[Dixie Dean]] made his debut aged 16 years 355 days. He played 30 games for Rovers, scoring 27 goals, before being transferred to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] for £3,000.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'before being transferred... to Everton for £3,000...'}}<ref name="official site history" /> In the 1927–28 season, Dean scored a [[English football records|record]] 60 League goals for Everton.<ref name="goal records" /> After Dean's departure, several talented young players also left for [[Football League First Division|Division One]] clubs, leading to Cooke's reputation as a shrewd businessman.<ref name="bishop 98" /> Among those sold was [[Tom Waring|Pongo Waring]] who – having scored six goals in the 11–1 victory over [[Durham City F.C.|Durham City]] – went to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] for £4,700. As of 2010, Waring retains the record of scoring most goals for Villa in a single season.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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In 1934, an FA Cup tie between Rovers and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] was watched at [[Anfield]] by 61,036 fans, then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers.<ref name="official site history" /> One year later, [[Robert Bell (footballer)|Bunny Bell]] netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season, and nine goals in the 13–4 Boxing Day 1935 victory over Oldham Athletic.<ref name="indy festive feats" /> As of 2011, the aggregate of 17 goals in one game |
In 1934, an FA Cup tie between Rovers and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] was watched at [[Anfield]] by 61,036 fans, then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'In 1934 an FA Cup tie between Rovers and Liverpool was switched to Anfield where 61,036 fans..., then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers. One year later, Robert Bunny Bell (next sentence here).}}<ref name="official site history" /> One year later, [[Robert Bell (footballer)|Bunny Bell]] netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season, and nine goals in the 13–4 Boxing Day 1935 victory over Oldham Athletic.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is for the '13–4' game, and does not mention 'netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season'.}}<ref name="indy festive feats" /> As of 2011, the aggregate of 17 goals in one game remained a [[English football records|league record]].<ref name="goal records" /> |
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During this same period, Tranmere made several appearances in the Welsh Cup, reaching the |
During this same period, Tranmere made several appearances in the Welsh Cup, reaching the final on two occasions.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 1934, they lost 3–0 to Bristol City in a replay, after a 1–1 draw.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The following season, they went one better by beating local rivals Chester 1–0 to win their first silverware since joining the Football League.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this paragraph is in the next source.}} |
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Rovers won their first championship in the Football League in 1938 with victory in Division Three North and, hence, promotion to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] for the first time.<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="1937-38" /> It is still Rovers' only championship in the Football League. However, they were relegated the next season winning six matches – the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two.<ref name="1938-39" /> |
Rovers won their first championship in the Football League in 1938, with victory in Division Three North, and, hence, [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] for the first time.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'Rovers claimed their first ever Championship in the Football League in 1938... and a place in Division Two for the first time'.}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="1937-38" /> It is still Rovers's only championship in the Football League.{{when|date=February 2024|reason=insert 'As of' and year here, because this can become outdated.}} However, they were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] the next season, winning six matches – the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two' not in source.}}<ref name="1938-39" /> |
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===Creation of the Superwhites=== |
===Creation of the Superwhites=== |
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Prenton Park emerged from the [[World War II|Second World War]] largely unscathed. Tranmere rejoined the peacetime Football League in Division Three North and stayed there until the 1958 restructuring of the football league's lower divisions. Manager [[Peter Farrell (Irish footballer)|Peter Farrell]]<ref name="managers" /> led Tranmere to finish 11th in the final season of the Northern Section, securing a place in the new national [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]] where they were, again, founder members.<ref name="1957-58" /> The final match against [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]], also fighting for a place in the higher league, attracted a crowd of 19,615, which |
Prenton Park emerged from the [[World War II|Second World War]] largely unscathed.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=next source just leads to club website's list of managers.}} Tranmere rejoined the peacetime Football League in Division Three North, and stayed there until the 1958 restructuring of the football league's lower divisions.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=next source just leads to club website's list of managers.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=some of this appears to be taken directly from 'The CowSheds' fan site/club historian primary source? e.g. 'the club was able to re-join the peacetime Football League in Division Three (North)'.}} Manager [[Peter Farrell (Irish footballer)|Peter Farrell]]<ref name="managers" /> led Tranmere to finish 11th in the final season of the Northern Section, securing a place in the new national [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]], where they were, again, founder members.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source shows finishing 11th in 1958. 'final season' is unverified. 'securing a place in the new national Division Three, where they were, again, founder members' is unverified by this source.}}<ref name="1957-58" /> The final match against [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]], also fighting for a place in the higher league, attracted a crowd of 19,615, which, as of 2010, remained the highest ever attendance at a Prenton Park league match.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='Wrexham, also fighting for a place in the higher league' is not mentioned in source.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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In 1961, Tranmere's inspirational captain [[Harold Bell (footballer)|Harold Bell]] left the club. Bell had been picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season and did not miss a match until he was dropped on 30 August 1955, a total of 459 consecutive appearances for a British team, a record which held until 2011.<ref name="appearances" /> Rovers certainly missed their captain, and were relegated to [[Football League Fourth Division|Division Four]] for the first time in 1961.<ref name="1960-61" /> |
In 1961, Tranmere's inspirational captain [[Harold Bell (footballer)|Harold Bell]] left the club. Bell had been picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season, and did not miss a match until he was dropped on 30 August 1955, a total of 459 consecutive appearances for a British team, a record which held until 2011.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is dated 2005. so cannot verify 2011. also does not verify 'picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season'. or 'dropped on 30 August 1955'. or leaving the club in 1961. or being a captain. 'inspirational' is not used by a source (and is it impartial anyway?)}}<ref name="appearances" /> Rovers certainly missed their captain,{{tone inline|date=February 2024|reason=this opinion is not in the next source.}}{{according to whom|date=February 2024}} and were relegated to [[Football League Fourth Division|Division Four]] for the first time in 1961.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='for the first time' is not in source.}}<ref name="1960-61" /> |
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[[File:Tranmere Rovers FC League Performance.svg|thumb|left|250px|Chart of yearly table positions of Tranmere Rovers in the Football League.]]The club brought in [[Dave Russell (footballer)|Dave Russell]] as manager |
[[File:Tranmere Rovers FC League Performance.svg|thumb|left|250px|Chart of yearly table positions of Tranmere Rovers in the Football League.]]The club brought in [[Dave Russell (footballer)|Dave Russell]] as manager,<ref name="managers" /> and Russell made some changes. Tranmere had worn a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904 – the same colours as local rivals, [[Football League First Division|Division One]] club [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]. Russell introduced an all-white strip to set the teams apart; these have been Tranmere's usual colours since.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=they have not been the 'usual colours since'. 1981 to 1987, for a start? and, also, they did not wear 'a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904'. white is on the socks for most of that time. there is even some sort of... black(?) for only 25 years.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Russell introduced an all-white kit that set Rovers apart from their illustrious Mersey neighbours, Everton'.}}<ref name="historicalkits" /> Russell also developed a successful youth policy which included England international [[Roy McFarland]] among its graduates.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=does not even mention Roy McFarland. or any graduates. also, 'highly successful' is not impartial when taken directly from a primary source (a fan site and club historian).}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Russell... also introduced a highly successful youth policy'.}}<ref name="official site history" /> Russell guided Rovers back to Division Three in 1967,<ref name="1966-67" /> a year before a new 4,000-seater main stand was opened, and Rovers reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not verify 'for the first time', only that they played Everton in the Fifth Round in 1968. or 'a new 4,000-seater main stand was opened'.}}<ref name="FA Cup Archive" /> Three years later the club's record attendance at Prenton Park was established as 24,424 supporters witnessed Rovers draw 2–2 with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in the FA Cup.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason='close paraphrasing' does not even describe this one. compare: 'Three years later the Club's record attendance at Prenton Park was established as 24,424 supporters witnessed Rovers draw 2-2 with Stoke City in the FA Cup'.}}<ref name="official site history" /> |
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In 1972, [[Ron Yeats]] was installed as player |
In 1972, [[Ron Yeats]] was installed as [[Player-coach|player-manager]].<ref name="managers" /> He strengthened Tranmere's connections with local rivals Liverpool by recruiting several former teammates such as [[Ian St John]], and bringing in [[Bill Shankly]] in a consultancy role.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'install Yeats as player/manager... Liverpool connections were particularly strong with Yeats recruiting several of his former team-mates, including Ian St John... Bill Shankly came over... in a consultancy role'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> This team saw one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time when, in a League Cup tie in 1973, Tranmere beat First Division [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] 1–0 at their former [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] home.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='Tranmere beat First Division Arsenal 1–0' is verified by the source. not verified is 'their former Highbury home' and 'one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time'.}}<ref name="league cup" /> However, Tranmere returned to the Fourth Division in 1975.<ref name="1974-75" /> The following decade was among the bleakest times in the club's history, with the team usually in the lower reaches of the Fourth Division, beset by financial problems, and attaining crowds of less than 2,000.{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=especially for the claim 'among the bleakest times in the club's history'. the source is a fan site and written by a 'club historian'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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In 1979, [[Steve Mungall]] joined Tranmere from [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]]. He went on to make more than 500 league appearances for Rovers in a 17-year period. This spell saw Rovers rise up the league and make several appearances at Wembley. He remained with the club on the coaching staff |
In 1979, [[Steve Mungall]] joined Tranmere from [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} He went on to make more than 500 league appearances for Rovers in a 17-year period.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source gives 'played 624 times'. nothing about total league appearances, or 'a 17-year period'.}} This spell saw Rovers rise up the league and make several appearances at Wembley.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about 'Rovers rise up the league' in the next source.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason='My Wembley appearances' says club's player, is not secondary, not independent.}} He remained with the club, on the coaching staff, until October 2000, when he left to pursue business interests.<ref name="mungall ends era" /> |
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===1980s=== |
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Another relegation to Division Four in 1979<ref name="1978-79" /> put the club in financial difficulties. Debts mounted throughout the 1980s, with insolvency forestalled through a series of friendly fixtures, contributions from fans and a £200,000 loan from [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral Council]]. This partnership proved an enduring one, as Wirral's logo still appeared on the shirts until 2011.<ref name="wirral" /> In July 1984 the club was sold to a Californian attorney, making Tranmere one of the first English clubs bought by a foreign owner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|title=How a soccer-mad Californian kicked off today's megarich global sports machine|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-08-06|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806112119/https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nonetheless, in 1987 the club went into [[ |
Another relegation to Division Four in 1979<ref name="1978-79" /> put the club in financial difficulties.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Debts mounted throughout the 1980s, with insolvency forestalled through a series of friendly fixtures, contributions from fans and a £200,000 loan from [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral Council]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source mentions a 2011 sponsorship deal. no '£200,000 loan from Wirral Council'. nothing about friendly fixtures, 'contributions from fans', 'insolvency forestalled', 'Debts mounted throughout the 1980s'.}} This partnership proved an enduring one, as Wirral's logo still appeared on the shirts until 2011.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=Wirral Council mentioning sponsorship since 1989 does not refer to previous sentence ('This partnership proved an enduring one', Debts mounted throughout the 1980s', 'a £200,000 loan').}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about the logo on shirts. source is from 2011, announcing a renewed sponsorship deal, so does not verify what happened after 2011.}}<ref name="wirral" /> In July 1984, the club was sold to a Californian attorney, making Tranmere one of the first English clubs to be bought by a foreign owner.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=remove if the source says 'July', but cannot see it.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|title=How a soccer-mad Californian kicked off today's megarich global sports machine|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-08-06|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806112119/https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nonetheless, in 1987, the club went into [[Administration (law)|administration]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} |
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===Johnny King era=== |
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The first full season (1987–88) of King's second managerial spell in charge saw Tranmere make their first appearance at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley stadium]] when a good mid-season run of form saw them qualify for the [[Football League Centenary Tournament]]. Tranmere were the surprise stars of the event, beating Division One [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] and [[Newcastle United]] before losing on penalties to eventual winners [[Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="wembley" /> The following season, King guided Tranmere to promotion as Division Four runners-up.<ref name="1988-89" /> Their final game played to clinch promotion was against Crewe Alexandra, and was notable for the fact that both teams needed a point to gain promotion. The first half was contested as usual, but the second half, with the score at 1–1, both teams failed to attack each other's goals, leading to combined celebrations at the final whistle. |
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Local businessman [[Peter Johnson (businessman)|Peter Johnson]] took over control and ownership.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'local businessman Peter Johnson took over control and ownership'.}}<ref name="official site history" /> This proved to be a turning point in Tranmere's history, the club under his ownership experiencing by far the most successful period in its history, in which manager [[John King (footballer born 1938)|John King]] took the team from the bottom of Division Four to the brink of English football's top league.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source only shows that John King managed the club between 1975 and 1980, and again from 1987 until 1996.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=claims like 'proved to be a turning point' and 'by far the most successful period' sourced to club website. and club website does not even mention any of this?}}<ref name="managers" /> King's first task was to avoid the team finishing bottom of Division Four, which would have resulted in their relegation from the football league. Safety was guaranteed in the last game of the season, with a 1–0 home win over [[Exeter City]] on the last day of the season.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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The first full season (1987–88) of King's second managerial spell in charge saw Tranmere make their first appearance at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], when a good mid-season run of form saw them qualify for the [[Football League Centenary Tournament]]. Tranmere defeated Division One clubs [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] and [[Newcastle United]], before losing on penalties to eventual winner [[Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="wembley" /> The following season, King guided Tranmere to promotion as Division Four runner-up.<ref name="1988-89" /> Their final game played to secure promotion was against Crewe Alexandra, with both teams needing a point to gain promotion.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The first half was contested as usual, but, in the second half, with the score at 1–1, neither team targeted the goal of the other, leading to combined celebrations when the game had concluded.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Earlier that season, they had won several games in the League Cup, including against Division One [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], in between wins against fellow Division Four club Stockport County and Division 3 club Blackpool, ultimately losing to Bristol City of Division 3.<ref name="league cup" /> |
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In the same season, they achieved a string of cup successes including beating Division One [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref name="league cup" /> Promotion was almost achieved in their first season in Division Three, losing 2–0 in the Play-off Final to [[Notts County]].,<ref name="1989-90" /> a week after Tranmere's 2–1 victory over [[Bristol Rovers]] at Wembley in the [[1990 Football League Trophy Final|final]] of the [[EFL Trophy|Leyland DAF Trophy]] had clinched the club's first trophy.<ref name="football league trophy" /> A key element in Tranmere's success during this period was the form of striker [[Ian Muir]]. He joined the club in 1985 and scored 180 goals in eleven seasons. He is the club's record scorer, and the first inductee to their [[hall of fame]].<ref name="Ian Muir" /> Fellow hall of fame member [[John Morrissey (footballer)|John Morrissey]] joined the club in 1986. The winger spent 14 seasons at the club, making 585 appearances.<ref name="John Morrissey" /> |
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At the end their first season in Division Three, Tranmere almost secured promotion to Division 2, losing 2–0 in the play-off final to [[Notts County]],<ref name="1989-90" /> a week after Tranmere's 2–1 victory over [[Bristol Rovers]] at Wembley Stadium in the [[1990 Football League Trophy final|final]] of the [[EFL Trophy|Leyland DAF Trophy]] had secured the club's first trophy.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not verify 'a week after' or 'club's first trophy'.}}<ref name="football league trophy" /> The form of striker [[Ian Muir (English footballer)|Ian Muir]] was key to Tranmere's success during this period. He joined the club in 1985, and scored 180 goals in eleven seasons. He became the club's record scorer, and, in 2012, the first inductee to their [[hall of fame]].<ref name="Ian Muir" /> Fellow hall of fame member [[John Morrissey (footballer)|John Morrissey]] joined the club in 1986.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=year does not match source.}} The winger spent 14 seasons at the club, making 585 appearances.<ref name="John Morrissey" /> |
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===Wembley years=== |
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In the 1990–91 season, Tranmere won promotion to Division Two for the first time since the 1930s, with a 1–0 play-off win over local rivals [[Bolton Wanderers]].<ref name="1990-91" /> Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland DAF Trophy [[1991 Football League Trophy |
In the 1990–91 season, Tranmere won promotion to Division Two for the first time since the 1930s, with a 1–0 play-off win over local rivals [[Bolton Wanderers]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'first time since the 1930s'.}}<ref name="1990-91" /> Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland DAF Trophy [[1991 Football League Trophy final|final]], this time losing 3–2 to [[Birmingham City]].<ref name="football league trophy" /> This made the play-off victory over [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley Stadium final in just over a year.{{citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source for all the games being at Wembley Stadium?}} |
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In summer 1991, former Liverpool player [[John Aldridge]] joined Tranmere Rovers, signing from Spanish club [[Real Sociedad]] for a fee of £250,000; he would remain on the club's payroll for the next 10 years, scoring 170 times to put him behind only Ian Muir in the all-time scoring charts.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='official site history' is dead link. archive link does not work from 1980s onwards. 'John Aldridge' link gives 'career scoring record', and does not verify 'scoring 170 times to put him behind only Ian Muir in the all-time scoring charts' claim. goal totals given for 'first six seasons' add up to 169?}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="John Aldridge" /> Aldridge also received 30 caps for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]], and was the first Tranmere player to score at a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref name="John Aldridge" /> In 1993, Scotland international [[Pat Nevin]] joined the team, forming a four-man attack alongside Aldridge, [[Chris Malkin|Malkin]] and Morrissey.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=year not in source. but 1992 is mentioned. this is earlier than 1993.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'formed part of a four man attack alongside John Morrissey, John Aldridge and Chris Malkin'.}}<ref name="Pat Nevin" /> In three successive seasons, Tranmere reached the play-off semi-finals, missing out on promotion to the newly formed [[Premier League]] through defeat to [[Swindon Town]] in 1993,<ref name="1992-93" /> [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] in 1994,<ref name="1993-94" /> and [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] in 1995.<ref name="1994-95" /> 1994 also saw Tranmere progress to the League Cup semi-final, where they faced Aston Villa over two legs. The home leg was won 3–1 by Tranmere, with Villa scoring their only goal in the 94th minute. The score in the away leg was 2–1 in favour of Villa until the 88th minute when Villa scored again to win the game 3–1, so the match went to extra-time and penalties. With Tranmere one kick away from the final, Mark Bosnich saved Liam O'Brien's sudden death penalty, and Tranmere eventually lost 5–4. |
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A reconstructed Prenton Park was opened in March 1995, with the all seater stadium now holding just under 17,000 supporters. One year later, John Aldridge was appointed player/manager and held that position for five years;<ref name="managers" /> he retired from playing in 1999. |
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A reconstructed Prenton Park was opened in March 1995, with the all-seater stadium then holding just under 17,000 supporters. In April 1996, with Rovers struggling for form in the league, chairman Frank Corfe appointed [[John Aldridge]] as [[Player-coach|player-manager]], and King was "moved upstairs" to become [[Director of football]]. They finished the [[1995–96 Football League|1995–96]] campaign in 13th position. |
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===2000 and beyond=== |
===2000 and beyond=== |
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In the 1999–2000 season, despite severe financial constraints, |
In the 1999–2000 season, despite severe financial constraints,{{failed verification|reason=nothing on this in FA Cup database.|date=February 2024}} victories over two Premiership sides (West Ham United, Sunderland, followed by First Division club Fulham) led, not only to a place in the sixth round of the FA Cup,<ref name="FA Cup Archive" /> but also, to a place in the [[2000 Football League Cup final]] against [[Leicester City]] – the first time in the club's history that Rovers had reached a major final.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=League Cup database does not state 'first time in the club's history that Rovers had reached a major final'.}} [[Matt Elliott (footballer)|Matt Elliott]] scored Leicester's opening goal, before Tranmere's [[Clint Hill (footballer)|Clint Hill]] was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite being reduced to ten men, [[David Kelly (association footballer)|David Kelly]] equalised; however, Elliot scored Leicester's second goal three minutes later, and Tranmere lost the match 2–1.<ref name="league cup 2000" /> This was the last League Cup game held at the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley stadium]].<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> |
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In 2000, the all-white kit was reintroduced and is still used in 2014.<ref name="historicalkits" /> That season |
In 2000, the all-white kit was reintroduced and is still used in 2014.{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason='is'? 2014 was 10 years ago.}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=misleading. kit appears to have had blue in it until 2002? and after that (2009?) nearly as much blue as 1997.}}<ref name="historicalkits" /> That season, Tranmere Rovers had another cup competition run, beating local Premier League rival [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] 3–0 at [[Goodison Park]],<ref name="Tranmere shame Everton" /> then [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] 4–3 (after being 0–3 down),<ref name="Tranmere comeback stuns Saints" /> before exiting after a loss to another local rival, Premier League club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref name="Liverpool cling on to beat Tranmere" /> However, Tranmere Rovers struggled during league matches that season; Aldridge quit as manager before Tranmere's relegation to Division Two ended a spell of ten years in Division One.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source is for Aldridge quitting. if it happened later then Tranmere's relegation and that it 'ended a spell of ten years in Division 1' needs separate verification.}}<ref name="Aldridge walks out on Rovers" /> |
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[[File:Trfc v sufc 2013 IJA 02.png|thumb|left|350px|Tranmere Rovers v [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the [[2012–13 Football League One|2012–13 season]] |
[[File:Trfc v sufc 2013 IJA 02.png|thumb|left|350px|Tranmere Rovers v [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the [[2012–13 Football League One|2012–13 season]]]] |
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[[Brian Little (footballer)|Brian Little]] |
The club hired [[Brian Little (footballer)|Brian Little]] as manager in 2003.<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Tranmere appoint Little" /> He took Rovers to a play-off semi-final in 2004–05, and a best ever 6th round replay in the 2004 FA Cup, where they lost to eventual finalists, [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about any of this in the 2 sources at the end. 2004 FA Cup as 'best ever', Millwall as 'eventual finalists', etc.}} At the end of the 2005–06 season, Little left the club and was replaced by former player [[Ronnie Moore]].<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Moore appointed as Tranmere boss" /> In Moore's three seasons in charge, the club finished 9th, 11th and 7th, narrowly missing out on qualification for in the play-offs in his final season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=dead link. archive link does not appear to work.}}<ref name="football league" /> Moore was sacked in 2009, with former England winger [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]], whose only previous domestic managerial experience was with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] 10 years earlier, replacing him.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=misleading. if anything, joining direct from coaching Jamaica needs explaining. 'only previous domestic managerial experience' is not in this source.}}<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Barnes confirmed as Tranmere boss" /> It was during Barnes's time as manager that long-serving kitman, Mark Trevor, ended his 12-year "Labour of Love", washing the kit of his local team. Having been at the club since 1997, he washed his last kit in August 2009, ahead of the club's home game against [[Charlton Athletic]].<ref name="Trevors final wash" /> Barnes's term as manager lasted considerably less time, and it was a five months before long-serving club [[physiotherapist]] [[Les Parry]] was given temporary charge.<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Tranmere sack Barnes and McAteer" /><ref name="Les Parry Extends Contract as Manager" /> Rovers finished the season in 19th place in League One, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, thanks to a 3–0 victory at Stockport County.<ref name="Stockport 0 - 3 Tranmere" /> In June 2010, Parry was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.<ref name="Les Parry Extends Contract as Manager" /> He was sacked on 4 March 2012, after a 1–0 defeat by Chesterfield left the club only one point above the relegation zone,<ref name="Tranmere Rovers sack manager Les Parry"/> and replaced by Ronnie Moore for the remainder of the season.<ref name="Club Statement" /> Moore won six of his thirteen games in charge at the end of the season, guiding Tranmere to a mid-table position, as they finished the season in the top half for the first time in several{{quantify|date=February 2024}} years.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=league table does not verify statements like 'won six of his thirteen games in charge at the end of the season' and 'finished the season in the top half for the first time in several years'.}}<ref name="Tranmere 2011/12 Results"/> In April 2012, Moore signed a new one-year deal with Tranmere, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season.<ref name="Moore extends contract" /> |
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Towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Moore admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules, and |
Towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Moore admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules, and Tranmere sacked him when the club were just clear of the relegation zone.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Tranmere have sacked manager Ronnie Moore after he admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules'.}}<ref name="Tranmere Rovers sack manager after betting breach" /> Assistant John McMahon took over as caretaker manager,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in next source.}} but Tranmere were relegated to League Two in the final gameof the season on the final day of the season.<ref name="Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Bradford City" /> [[Robert Edwards (footballer born 1973)|Rob Edwards]] was subsequently appointed as new manager.<ref name="Rob Edwards appointed as new manager" /> |
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On 11 August 2014, it was announced that former player and [[Football Association]] chief executive [[Mark Palios]] and his wife Nicola were taking a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson. |
On 11 August 2014, it was announced that former player and [[Football Association]] chief executive [[Mark Palios]] and his wife Nicola were taking a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson. Mark Palios would become executive chairman of the club, with Johnson becoming its honorary president.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28738487 "Mark Palios: Tranmere taken over by ex-FA chief and wife", BBC News, 11 August 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108000406/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28738487 |date=8 January 2015 }}. retrieved 11 August 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/new-owners-110814-1818957.aspx "Tranmere Rovers Football Club Delighted To Announce New Owners", TRFC, 11 August 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205336/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/new-owners-110814-1818957.aspx |date=12 August 2014 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2014</ref> |
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After a poor start to the season, the home loss to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] on 11 October 2014 saw Tranmere in last place in the Football League for the first time since 27 August 1987 after they had lost their first two matches of that season.<ref>[http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88 "Football League Division Four /1987/88 /points table", ESPN.co.uk ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022174212/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88 |date=22 October 2014 }}. retrieved 18 October 2014</ref> Edwards was sacked as manager on 13 October.<ref name="edwards sacked">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|title=Rob Edwards: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after five months|date=13 October 2014|access-date=29 December 2016|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201055820/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mickey Adams]] took over a week later, with the aim of saving the club from relegation to the [[Football Conference|Conference]]. However, on 25 April 2015 |
After a poor start to the season, the home loss to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] on 11 October 2014 saw Tranmere in last place in the Football League for the first time since 27 August 1987 after they had lost their first two matches of that season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=the only part of this verified is that Tranmere Rovers were in last place on 27 August 1987. does not show it was the first time since then. does not mention the game with Plymouth Argyle. or 'poor start to the season'. or anything else from 2014.}}<ref>[http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88 "Football League Division Four /1987/88 /points table", ESPN.co.uk ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022174212/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88 |date=22 October 2014 }}. retrieved 18 October 2014</ref> Edwards was sacked as manager on 13 October.<ref name="edwards sacked">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|title=Rob Edwards: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after five months|date=13 October 2014|access-date=29 December 2016|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201055820/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mickey Adams]] took over a week later, with the aim of saving the club from relegation to the [[Football Conference|Conference]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} However, on 25 April 2015, after another defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the reverse fixture, Tranmere were relegated, ending their 94-year stay in the [[English Football League|Football League]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32362789 "Plymouth 3–2 Tranmere", BBC Sport, 25 April 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616123739/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32362789 |date=16 June 2015 }}. Retrieved 25 April 2015</ref> |
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===Non- |
===Non-League years=== |
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[[Gary Brabin]] was appointed as manager on 5 May 2015.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905 "Gary Brabin: Tranmere Rovers appoint new manager", BBC Sport, 5 May 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508060140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905 |date=8 May 2015 }}. Retrieved 6 May 2015</ref> It was a season of ups and downs, with home form |
[[Gary Brabin]] was appointed as manager on 5 May 2015.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905 "Gary Brabin: Tranmere Rovers appoint new manager", BBC Sport, 5 May 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508060140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905 |date=8 May 2015 }}. Retrieved 6 May 2015</ref> It was a season of ups and downs,{{tone inline|date=February 2024}} with poorer home form than away form.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} It took a while{{vague|date=February 2024}} for Rovers to adjust to life in the non-league, with erratic form during the season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=a fixture list for pre-season friendlies!? before they were even played?}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/|title=Tranmere Rovers FC Fixture List|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229203024/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tranmere finished sixth, one place outside the play-off zone, in Gary Brabin's first season.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} |
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Tranmere started the [[2016–17 National League|2016–17]] season |
Tranmere started the [[2016–17 National League|2016–17]] season well, ranking at the top of the non-league table at the end of August, after which Brabin received an award for manager of the month.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gary-brabin-named-manager-of-the-month-3288234.aspx|title=Gary Brabin Named Manager Of The Month|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=2 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002005447/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gary-brabin-named-manager-of-the-month-3288234.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Form later dipped which resulted in one goal scored in the next four games, with a 1–0 defeat to [[Sutton United]] resulting in Brabin being sacked on 18 September 2016.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention 'being sacked'. they appear to have 'agreed'. no mention of 'Form later dipped which resulted in one goal scored in the next four games, with a 1–0 defeat' to club sponsored by BT Sport.}}<ref name="tranmererovers.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3314214.aspx|title=Club Statement|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007063149/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3314214.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Assistant manager, ex-Southport boss Paul Carden took over on an interim basis.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} On 6 October 2016, former Tranmere player [[Micky Mellon]] was appointed permanent manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35217334 "Micky Mellon named Tranmere Rovers manager after Shrewsbury Town departure", BBC Sport, 7 October 2016.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905001933/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35217334 |date=5 September 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> His first game in charge was against cross-border rivals [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]], and ended with a 2–0 victory for Tranmere.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37527514 "Tranmere Rovers 2–0 Wrexham", BBC Sport, 8 October 2016.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226211915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37527514 |date=26 December 2018 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Despite a 2nd-place finish and a club record 95-point haul, this still was not enough to gain automatic promotion back to the league.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'club record 95-point haul'.}}<ref>[https://www.flashscores.co.uk/football/england/vanarama-national-league-2016-2017/standings/ "Vanarama National League 2016/17 Standings", Flash Scores, 29 April 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034247/https://www.flashscores.co.uk/football/england/vanarama-national-league-2016-2017/standings/ |date=1 December 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Tranmere faced [[Aldershot Town]] in the play-offs. A goal from [[James Norwood]] and a brace from [[Cole Stockton]] in the first leg away at the [[Recreation Ground (Aldershot)|Recreation Ground]] saw Rovers take a 3–0 lead back to [[Prenton Park]] for the second leg, which ended in a 2–2 draw, Norwood and Stockton once again on the scoresheet. This gave Tranmere a 5–2 aggregate win and their first [[Wembley]] appearance in 17 years.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='first Wembley appearance in 17 years' not mentioned in source.}}<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758997 "Tranmere Rovers 2–2 Aldershot Town (agg: 5–2)", BBC Sport, 6 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816052513/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758997 |date=16 August 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758998 "Aldershot Town 0–3 Tranmere Rovers", BBC Sport, 3 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830173917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758998 |date=30 August 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Tranmere lost 3–1 in the [[2017 National League play-off final]] the 3–1 to [[Forest Green Rovers]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'first goal at Wembley since the 2000 League Cup final'.}}<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39850996 "Tranmere Rovers 1–3 Forest Green Rovers", BBC Sport, 14 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211011529/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39850996 |date=11 February 2018 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB5PsGSWS_E "GOAL! Connor Jennings With A Superb Strike At Wembley", YouTube, 17 May 2017.] Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> |
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Tranmere's 2017–18 season got off to a poor start, with 3 wins from the first 12 games. Tranmere slipped to 18th in the |
Tranmere's 2017–18 season got off to a poor start, with 3 wins from the first 12 games.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Tranmere slipped to 18th in the table, their lowest ever league position.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'lowest ever league position'.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41290751|title=Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wrexham|date=23 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805074220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41290751|url-status=live}}</ref> A spectacular winter turnaround saw Tranmere move into the play-off spots, where they remained for the rest of the season. This turnaround included a record-breaking run of 9 consecutive home league wins. This record-breaking stint was ended in February by a 4–1 defeat to eventual title winner [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='eventual title winner'. this is not known when source was published. source mentions nothing about Macclesfield ending any Tranmere record. all the 'record breaking', 'spectacular' stuff is unverified. play-offs for 'rest of the season'? unverified.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43040145|title=Tranmere Rovers 1-4 Macclesfield Town|date=20 February 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311104541/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43040145|url-status=live}}</ref> Tranmere responded to this defeat by winning 8 out of their next 9 games, finishing the season as [[National League (English football)|National League]] runners-up for the second time in as many years, qualifying for the play-offs.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} In the play-off semi-final, Tranmere met [[Ebbsfleet United F.C.|Ebbsfleet United]] at home. Tranmere came from behind twice to take the game to extra time before prevailing 4–2 after extra time, a result which sent Tranmere to Wembley Stadium for the National League play-off final.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43990503|title=Tranmere Rovers 4-2 Ebbsfleet United (aet)|date=5 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805123559/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43990503|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 May 2018, a crowd of 16,306 were at Wembley for the final against [[Boreham Wood F.C.|Boreham Wood]]. Tranmere were [[2018 National League play-off final|2–1]] victors, their first trophy in 27 years, and were promoted back to the [[English Football League|Football League]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'their first trophy in 27 years'.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44029571|title=Boreham Wood 1-2 Tranmere Rovers|date=12 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001231319/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44029571|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Return to the Football League=== |
===Return to the Football League=== |
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Under the chairmanship of [[Mark Palios]] and the management of [[Micky Mellon]], |
Under the chairmanship of [[Mark Palios]] and the management of [[Micky Mellon]], Tranmere played in [[EFL League Two|League Two]] for the [[2018–19 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season|2018–19]] season, finishing 6th and thereby reaching the play-offs. On 25 May 2019, Tranmere secured back-to-back promotions, beating [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. They did so with a goal from [[Connor Jennings]] in the 119th minute, thus securing their spot in [[EFL League One|League One]] for the [[2019-20 EFL League One|2019–20 season]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318580 League Two Playoff Final: Newport 0, Tranmere 1, ''BBC Sport'', 25 May 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004064334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318580 |date=4 October 2020 }}. Retrieved 25 May 2019</ref> |
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By March 2020, the team were within the relegation zone, but with a game in hand on their nearest rivals and on a run of three successive victories. |
By March 2020, the team were within the relegation zone, but with a game in hand on their nearest rivals and on a run of three successive victories. The cancellation of fixtures due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] meant that the season could not be completed, and a vote was taken by League One clubs on 9 June to resolve promotion and relegation issues on a [[points per game]] (PPG) basis. This meant that Tranmere would be demoted to [[EFL League Two|League Two]] for the 2020–21 season. Club chairman Mark Palios said that the decision was unfair and that he was considering legal action as a result. He also announced that 20 members of staff would have to be made redundant.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/10/tranmere-consider-legal-action-against-efl-relegation-results/ Mike McGrath and James Ducker, "Tranmere consider legal action against EFL after relegation results in 20 redundancies", ''Telegraph'', 10 June 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611015911/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/10/tranmere-consider-legal-action-against-efl-relegation-results/ |date=11 June 2020 }}. Retrieved 12 June 2020</ref><ref>[https://talksport.com/football/efl/715612/tranmere-mark-palios-decision-grossly-unfair-charlton/ Josh Fordham, "Tranmere owner Mark Palios 'white hot with anger' as League One season ends in relegation, questions why Charlton can fight for survival but they can't", ''TalkSport'', 10 June 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612080114/https://talksport.com/football/efl/715612/tranmere-mark-palios-decision-grossly-unfair-charlton/ |date=12 June 2020 }}. Retrieved 12 June 2020</ref> |
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With the team back in League Two, [[Mike Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] was named as manager of Tranmere on 18 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Jackson appointed first team manager|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|access-date=18 July 2020|website=www.tranmererovers.co.uk|language=en-gb|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719115239/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 31 October 2020.<ref>[https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/ TRFC Club Statement, 31 October 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305092003/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/ |date=5 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2020</ref> [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] succeeded temporary manager [[Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)|Ian Dawes]] on 21 November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|title=Tranmere Rovers appoint Keith Hill as first team manager|access-date=11 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083353/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 11 May 2021, after the side reached the play-offs but before the play-off matches had started.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |title="Club Statement - Keith Hill", ''Tranmere Rovers FC'', 11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083034/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
With the team back in League Two, [[Mike Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] was named as manager of Tranmere on 18 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Jackson appointed first team manager|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|access-date=18 July 2020|website=www.tranmererovers.co.uk|language=en-gb|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719115239/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 31 October 2020.<ref>[https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/ TRFC Club Statement, 31 October 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305092003/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/ |date=5 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2020</ref> [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] succeeded temporary manager [[Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)|Ian Dawes]] on 21 November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|title=Tranmere Rovers appoint Keith Hill as first team manager|access-date=11 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083353/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 11 May 2021, after the side reached the play-offs, but before the play-off matches had started.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |title="Club Statement - Keith Hill", ''Tranmere Rovers FC'', 11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083034/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] defeated Tranmere in the play-off semi-final.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57132083 "Morecambe booked a first EFL play-off final as they held Tranmere to a 1-1 draw to complete a 3-2 aggregate win.", ''BBC News'', 23 May 2021] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602160643/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57132083 |date=2 June 2021 }}. Retrieved 24 May 2021</ref> At the end of May 2021, Tranmere announced that Micky Mellon was returning to the club as manager, having spent the season apart in charge of [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Micky Mellon returns to Tranmere as manager for second time|url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/19339882.micky-mellon-returns-tranmere-rovers-manager/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Wirral Globe|date=31 May 2021 |language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221538/https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/19339882.micky-mellon-returns-tranmere-rovers-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tranmere re-appoint Mellon as boss|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57307327|access-date=2021-06-02|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603005818/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57307327|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a strong start to the season,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in source.}} Tranmere sacked Mellon on 19 March 2023, following results that included a total of six wins since mid-October 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65008611 | title=Tranmere sack Mellon after second spell as boss | work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Dawes oversaw seven games as caretaker manager before being appoinbted the permanent manager, but Tranmere sacked him in early September 2023 after six consecutive defeats; Tranmere appointed their technical director [[Nigel Adkins]] as interim manager.<ref name="BBC-10Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Ian Dawes: Tranmere Rovers sack boss as Nigel Adkins takes interim charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66768196 |access-date=11 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2023}}</ref> |
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==Colours and crest== |
==Colours and crest== |
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[[File:Tranmere 1962 crest.jpg|right|150px|thumb|1962 crest]] |
[[File:Tranmere 1962 crest.jpg|right|150px|thumb|1962 crest]] |
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Belmont F.C., the forerunners of today's Rovers, wore blue shirts and white shorts, as did the early Rovers, until a radical change in 1889, when a combination of maroon and orange shirts and navy blue shorts was introduced to "dazzle" their opponents in the [[West Lancashire Football League|West Lancashire League]].<ref name="colours" /> These were abandoned in 1904 in favour of the earlier blue and white colours which have, in some form or other, remained until the present day.<ref name="historicalkits" /><ref name="colours" /> In 1962, Dave Russell introduced a white strip with blue trim, saying "Tranmere Rovers should have a specific identity of its own, so on Merseyside there's now Liverpool's Red, Everton's blue and Tranmere's white".<ref name="colours" /> Since then, the team have worn varying combinations of blue and white, moving back towards a more predominantly white kit in 2000.<ref name="historicalkits" /><ref name="beautiful history" /> The team's colours are reflected in their nickname of the "Superwhites".<ref name="superwhites" /> |
Belmont F.C., the forerunners of today's Rovers, wore blue shirts and white shorts, as did the early Rovers, until a radical change in 1889, when a combination of maroon and orange shirts and navy blue shorts was introduced to "dazzle" their opponents in the [[West Lancashire Football League|West Lancashire League]].<ref name="colours" /> These were abandoned in 1904 in favour of the earlier blue and white colours which have, in some form or other, remained until the present day.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=no blue in 1999 kit. no blue in 2002 kit.}}<ref name="historicalkits" /><ref name="colours" /> In 1962, Dave Russell introduced a white strip with blue trim, saying "Tranmere Rovers should have a specific identity of its own, so on Merseyside there's now Liverpool's Red, Everton's blue and Tranmere's white".{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=why did he capitalize 'Liverpool's Red'? but not 'Tranmere's white'? or 'Everton's blue'? is that a mistake?}}<ref name="colours" /> Since then, the team have worn varying combinations of blue and white, moving back towards a more predominantly white kit in 2000.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason|reason=there is a lot of blue in the 2000 kit and less blue in the 2002 kit. there is not much blue at all on any of the kits used between 1987 and 1993. so how does this match the source?}}<ref name="historicalkits" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=WordPress? He even calls it a 'blog' in the 'About Me' section.}}<ref name="beautiful history" /> The team's colours are reflected in their nickname of the "Superwhites".{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=this, from the club's own website, mentions 'Rovers' and 'Superwhite Army'. no 'Superwhites'. why is Wikipedia saying different?}}<ref name="superwhites" /> |
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Tranmere first introduced a badge on their shirt in 1962, wearing the coat of arms of the borough of [[Birkenhead]], along with adopting their motto "''Ubi fides ibi lux et robur''", meaning "Where there is faith there is light and strength".<ref name="beautiful history" /><ref name="heraldry" /> The crest was replaced in 1972 by a [[monogram]], and in 1981 by a simplified blue and white shield. In 1987, a complex <ref name="historicalkits" /> heraldic crest was introduced, adapting the Birkenhead crest through the inclusion of a football and a TRFC logo. The simpler badge was adopted in 1997,<ref name="historicalkits" /> and modified slightly in 2009 to mark the club's 125-year anniversary.<ref name="125 years" /> |
Tranmere first introduced a badge on their shirt in 1962, wearing the coat of arms of the borough of [[Birkenhead]], along with adopting their motto "''Ubi fides ibi lux et robur''", meaning "Where there is faith there is light and strength".{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=source 1 is WordPress. He even calls it a 'blog' in the 'About Me' section. source 2 gives the motto, its meaning and the coat of arms of Birkenhead, but does not connect all this to Tranmere Rovers.}}<ref name="beautiful history" /><ref name="heraldry" /> The crest was replaced in 1972 by a [[monogram]], and, in 1981, by a simplified blue and white shield.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=misleading. 'historical kits' source shows no crest from 1964 to 1972. the change to 'blue in white shield' appears not to have occurred in 1981 at all, but in another year?}} In 1987, a complex <ref name="historicalkits" /> heraldic crest was introduced, adapting the Birkenhead crest through the inclusion of a football and a TRFC logo.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='historical kits' source says, for 1987, 'The all-white strip was restored and the old coat of arms crest was reintroduced'. where does the 'adapting' mentioned here come from?}} The simpler badge was adopted in 1997,<ref name="historicalkits" /> and modified slightly in 2009 to mark the club's 125-year anniversary.<ref name="125 years" /> The blue and white crest incorporated simplified elements of the Birkenhead civic coat of arms: the [[crosier]] and lion originally formed part of the [[Birkenhead Priory]] [[Seal (emblem)|seal]]; the oak tree was a symbol of the Tranmere [[Local Board]]; the star or [[starfish]] represents [[Bebington]]; the two lions represent [[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]]; and the crescents may represent the [[William Laird (shipbuilder)|Laird family]].{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=The crosier... and the lion formed part of the seal of the 'Extra-Parochial Chapelry or Township of Birkenhead'... The oak tree was the main feature of the Tranmere Local Board, the star (or perhaps starfish) is representative of Bebington... the two lions of Oxton. The crescents possibly represent the Laird family'.}}<ref>[http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/cheshire_pre74.html Civic Heraldry: Birkenhead County Borough Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729172950/http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/cheshire_pre74.html |date=29 July 2010 }}. Retrieved 23 September 2016</ref> |
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For the 2021–22 season, Tranmere reverted to their pre-1997 badge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 May 2021|title=2021/22 home kit revealed!|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/202122-home-kit-revealed/|access-date=8 October 2021|publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C.|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008211306/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/202122-home-kit-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
For the 2021–22 season, Tranmere reverted to their pre-1997 badge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 May 2021|title=2021/22 home kit revealed!|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/202122-home-kit-revealed/|access-date=8 October 2021|publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C.|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008211306/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/202122-home-kit-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[File:Prenton Park 1986 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Prenton Park in 1986]] |
[[File:Prenton Park 1986 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Prenton Park in 1986]] |
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Rovers played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead but, in 1887, they bought a new site from Tranmere Rugby Club.<ref name="official site history" /> The ground was variously referred to as the "Borough Road Enclosure", "Ravenshaw's Field" and "South Road".<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> The name "Prenton Park" was adopted in 1895 as a result of a suggestion in the letters page of the Football Echo.<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> Because the land was required for housing and a school, Tranmere were forced to move and the name went with them. The present Prenton Park was opened on 9 March 1912.<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /><ref name="inglis" /> There were stands (also known as [[bleacher]]s) on both sides of the pitch, a paddock and three open terraces, the general format which remained until 1994.<ref name="official site Prenton Park"/> |
Rovers played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead but, in 1887, they bought a new site from Tranmere Rugby Club.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=source, on 1887, states 'By 1887 Rovers had moved ground to Ravenshaws Field, which was later renamed Prenton Park, our final home before the switch to the current Prenton Park in 1912'. where does it mention buying anything? or Tranmere Rugby Club?}}<ref name="official site history" /> The ground was variously referred to as the "Borough Road Enclosure", "Ravenshaw's Field" and "South Road".<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> The name "Prenton Park" was adopted in 1895 as a result of a suggestion in the letters page of the Football Echo.<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> Because the land was required for housing and a school, Tranmere were forced to move and the name went with them. The present Prenton Park was opened on 9 March 1912.<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /><ref name="inglis" /> There were stands (also known as [[bleacher]]s) on both sides of the pitch, a paddock and three open terraces, the general format which remained until 1994.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'There were stands on boths side of the pitch, a paddock and three open terraces, the general format which remained until 1994'.}}<ref name="official site Prenton Park"/> |
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Many improvements to the ground were driven by changes in [[legislation]]. The biggest change of all took place during 1994 and 1995. The [[Taylor Report]] suggested that all stadia in the top two divisions of English football should no longer permit standing. The club's response was to redevelop three sides of the ground with entirely new [[all-seater]] stands created – the Borough Road Stand (now the Johnny King Stand), the Cowshed and the new Kop, in addition to the existing Main Stand.<ref name="official site Prenton Park"/> Capacity in the ground thus increased from 14,200<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> to the 16,567 of today.<ref name="official site Prenton Park" /> On 11 March 1995, |
Many improvements to the ground were driven by changes in [[legislation]]. The biggest change of all took place during 1994 and 1995. The [[Taylor Report]] suggested that all stadia in the top two divisions of English football should no longer permit standing. The club's response was to redevelop three sides of the ground with entirely new [[all-seater]] stands created – the Borough Road Stand (now the Johnny King Stand), the Cowshed and the new Kop, in addition to the existing Main Stand.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=the 'in addition to the existing Main Stand' part? source used in next paragraph says opposite. https://web.archive.org/web/20111003153918/http://www.footballgroundguide.com/tranmere_rovers/ 'Only the Main Stand on one side of the pitch was left intact'. where is the redevelopment of the Main Stand?}}<ref name="official site Prenton Park"/> Capacity in the ground thus increased from 14,200<ref name="A-Z Prenton" /> to the 16,567 of today.<ref name="official site Prenton Park" /> On 11 March 1995, having been built at a cost of £3.1 million, the new ground was officially opened.<ref name="TheCowsheds History"/> |
||
Attendances at the ground have fluctuated over its hundred-year history. Around 8,000 visitors watched the first game at the stadium, as Tranmere beat [[Lancaster City F.C.|Lancaster Town]] 8–0.<ref name="ATTENDANCES" /> Prenton Park's largest-ever crowd was 24,424 for a 1972 [[FA Cup]] match between Tranmere and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref name="football ground guide" /> |
Attendances at the ground have fluctuated over its hundred-year history. Around 8,000 visitors watched the first game at the stadium, as Tranmere beat [[Lancaster City F.C.|Lancaster Town]] 8–0.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in source?}}<ref name="ATTENDANCES" /> Prenton Park's largest-ever crowd was 24,424 for a 1972 [[FA Cup]] match between Tranmere and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref name="football ground guide" /> Average attendances for home games between 2008 and 2011 ranged from above 5,000 to under 6,000.<ref name="ATTENDANCES" /> |
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==Supporters and rivalries== |
==Supporters and rivalries== |
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Tranmere Rovers had an average home attendance of 6,552 during the [[2018–19 EFL League Two|2018–19]] season, making them the 4th best supported club in [[League Two]] and 42nd in [[The Football League]] as a whole. The club has a number of supporters' groups, including the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust; in 2010, the trust raised £12,500 for the club to sign [[Andy Robinson (footballer, born 1979)|Andy Robinson]] on loan.<ref name="les aid" /> In 2011, they raised £200,000 and |
Tranmere Rovers had an average home attendance of 6,552 during the [[2018–19 EFL League Two|2018–19]] season, making them the 4th best supported club in [[EFL League Two|League Two]] and 42nd in [[The Football League]] as a whole.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The club has a number of supporters' groups, including the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust; in 2010, the trust raised £12,500 for the club to sign [[Andy Robinson (footballer, born 1979)|Andy Robinson]] on loan.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}<ref name="les aid" /> In 2011, they raised £200,000 and planned to purchase a controlling interest in Tranmere.{{failed verification|date=February 2024}}<ref name="TRST takeover" /> TSB (Tranmere Stand Boys) is the [[hooligan firm]] associated with the club.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=source also lists 'TheNestonNasties'. is there more than 1?}}<ref name="ave-it" /> Tranmere Rovers have been the subject of an independent supporters' [[fanzine]] ''Give Us an R'' since the 1990s.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source is from 1996, so cannot verify if it continued until present day.}}<ref name="GUAR" /> |
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Despite being geographically closest to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant that they have rarely met either club and have built up traditional rivalries with near neighbours [[ |
Despite being geographically closest to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant that they have rarely met either club and have built up traditional rivalries with near neighbours [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]], [[Chester F.C.|Chester]], and [[Southport F.C.|Southport]], the latter two of which are now non-league clubs.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant that they have rarely met either club and have built up traditional rivalries with near neighbours...' how has this been extracted from that source?}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=Oldham Athletic? Bolton Wanderers? no sign of Wrexham, Chester or Southport.}}{{better source needed|reason=WordPress? on 1 survey of 'under 2,100 football fans'? written by a self-described 18 year-old ('About')?|date=February 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |url = http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/2012-football-rivalry-census-results |title = 2012–13 Football Rivalry Survey Results |access-date = 27 April 2015 |date = 28 August 2012 |archive-date = 2 April 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155825/https://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/2012-football-rivalry-census-results/ |url-status = live }}</ref> According to a survey entitled 'The League of Love and Hate' conducted in August 2019, Tranmere fans listed the more distant [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] as their biggest rivals, followed by [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], although the results were open to debate as the census does not contain non-league clubs.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=Tranmere Rovers not mentioned.}}{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='results were open to debate as the census does not contain non-league clubs' - not in source.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.givemesport.com/1500300-the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed|title = The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs have been revealed|date = 27 August 2019|access-date = 1 October 2019|archive-date = 29 September 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190929205049/https://www.givemesport.com/1500300-the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed|url-status = live}}</ref> Tranmere also had a fierce rivalry with [[Wallasey]]-based near neighbour [[New Brighton A.F.C.|New Brighton]], until that club failed to be re-elected to the Football League in 1951.{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason='founded by Ryan Ferguson, a lifelong fan'? what? because Tranmere is 'often overlooked by mainstream outlets' ('About')?}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planetprentonia.com/2016/11/10/a-history-of-the-wirral-derby-tranmere-v-new-brighton/|title=A History of The Wirral Derby: Tranmere v New Brighton|date=10 November 2016|work=planetprentonia.com|access-date=20 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202123333/https://planetprentonia.com/2016/11/10/a-history-of-the-wirral-derby-tranmere-v-new-brighton/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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As of the end of the |
As of the end of the 2022–23 season, Tranmere had met the following teams most times in the Football League:{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=how can a 2009 book be used to predict the future?}}<ref name="league records" /> |
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{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
||
|+ Statistics, to end of |
|+ Statistics, to end of 2022–23 season |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="col" | Opponents |
! scope="col" | Opponents |
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Line 272: | Line 273: | ||
|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
! scope="row" | [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
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{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|120|53|26|41}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" | [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] |
! scope="row" | [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] |
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{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|118|52|28|38}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" | [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
! scope="row" | [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
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{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|113|54|23|36}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" | [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
! scope="row" | [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
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{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|108|40|31|37}} |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]] |
! scope="row" | [[Halifax Town A.F.C.|Halifax Town]] |
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Line 293: | Line 294: | ||
|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] |
! scope="row" | [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] |
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{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|86|36|20|30}} |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
! scope="row" | [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
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Line 306: | Line 307: | ||
{{Main|Tranmere Rovers L.F.C.}} |
{{Main|Tranmere Rovers L.F.C.}} |
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Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club were founded in 1990.<ref name="history" /> Based in the Wirral, they are affiliated with the men's team,<ref name="history" /> and play home games at Villa Park, the home of [[Ashville F.C.]], in [[Wallasey]].<ref name="ground" /> Between 1996 and 2004 they competed in the [[FA Women's Premier League National Division|FA Premier League National Division]],<ref name="history" /><ref name="2004 table" /> then the top tier of the [[Women's football in England|English women's football]] pyramid. Since 2011, they have played in the North West Regional League, Premier Division.<ref name="2012 table" /> As of the start of the 2011–12 season, they have won the Cheshire Cup a record 11 times.<ref name="cheshire cup" /> |
Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club were founded in 1990.<ref name="history" /> Based in the Wirral, they are affiliated with the men's team,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='formed under the wings of the Football In The Community scheme'?}}<ref name="history" /> and play home games at Villa Park, the home of [[Ashville F.C.]], in [[Wallasey]].{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=very hardto read but source says Cross Lane? does not appear to mention Villa Park.}}<ref name="ground" /> Between 1996 and 2004 they competed in the [[FA Women's Premier League National Division|FA Premier League National Division]],<ref name="history" /><ref name="2004 table" /> then the top tier of the [[Women's football in England|English women's football]] pyramid. Since 2011, they have played in the North West Regional League, Premier Division.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=this is dated 2012, so how can it know the future?}}<ref name="2012 table" /> As of the start of the 2011–12 season, they have won the Cheshire Cup a record 11 times.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=permanent dead link.}}<ref name="cheshire cup" /> |
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==Players== |
==Players== |
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Line 314: | Line 315: | ||
<!-- official squad list at: https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/teams/first-team/ --> |
<!-- official squad list at: https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/teams/first-team/ --> |
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<!-- please also update [[Template:Tranmere Rovers F.C. squad]] --> |
<!-- please also update [[Template:Tranmere Rovers F.C. squad]] --> |
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{{updated| |
{{updated|10 September 2024}}<ref>{{cite web |title = First Team |url = https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/teams |publisher = Tranmere Rovers F.C. |access-date = 10 September 2024 |archive-date = 10 May 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240510214437/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2024/april/202324-retained-and-released-list/ |url-status = live }}</ref> |
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{{Fs start}} |
{{Fs start}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Luke McGee]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Cameron Norman]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Zak Bradshaw]]|other=on loan from [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Brad Walker (footballer)|Brad Walker]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Tom Davies (footballer, born 1992)|Tom Davies]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Jordan Turnbull]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Kieron Morris]]}} |
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Kieron Morris]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=8|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[ |
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Regan Hendry]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Luke Norris]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Josh Davison]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Hawkes]]}} |
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Hawkes]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Charlie Jolley (footballer, born 2001)|Charlie Jolley]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=13|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=[[Joe Murphy (footballer, born 1981)|Joe Murphy]]}} |
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=[[Joe Murphy (footballer, born 1981)|Joe Murphy]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos= |
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Kristian Dennis]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Ben Hockenhull]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jon Nolan]]}} |
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{{Fs mid}} |
{{Fs mid}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Chris Merrie]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=17|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Sam Finley]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Connor Jennings]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Harvey Saunders]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Samuel Taylor (footballer, born 2003)|Samuel Taylor]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Sol Solomon]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=[[Lee O'Connor (footballer)|Lee O'Connor]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Connor Wood (footballer)|Connor Wood]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=[[Josh Williams (Welsh footballer)|Josh Williams]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=Reuben Egan}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=28|nat=GAM|pos=MF|name=[[Saidou Khan]]|other=on loan from [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Omari Patrick]]}} |
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{{Fs player|no= |
{{Fs player|no=35|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Declan Drysdale]]}} |
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{{Fs end}} |
{{Fs end}} |
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<!--===Out on loan=== |
<!--===Out on loan=== |
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Line 350: | Line 350: | ||
===Former players=== |
===Former players=== |
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As part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations in 2010, a [[hall of fame]] was announced, initially honouring seven former players and managers: [[Ian Muir]], John Aldridge, John King, [[Ray Mathias]], [[Steve Mungall]], [[John Morrissey (footballer)|John Morrissey]], and [[Pat Nevin]].<ref name="Hall of Fame" /> [[Harold Bell (footballer)|Harold Bell]] holds the record for the most consecutive league appearances for a British team. He was picked for the first game after the Second World War in the 1946–47 season and did not miss a match until 30 August 1955, a total of 401 consecutive matches in the Third Division North.<ref name="Bell record" /> |
As part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations in 2010, a [[hall of fame]] was announced, initially honouring seven former players and managers: [[Ian Muir (English footballer)|Ian Muir]], John Aldridge, John King, [[Ray Mathias]], [[Steve Mungall]], [[John Morrissey (footballer)|John Morrissey]], and [[Pat Nevin]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='125th anniversary celebrations in 2010, a hall of fame was announced' is not verified by this source. the dates given for the seven in the source are April and May 2012. why did it take 2 years?}}<ref name="Hall of Fame" /> [[Harold Bell (footballer)|Harold Bell]] holds the record for the most consecutive league appearances for a British team. He was picked for the first game after the Second World War in the 1946–47 season and did not miss a match until 30 August 1955, a total of 401 consecutive matches in the Third Division North.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=not verified by source is 'picked for the first game after the Second World War', the '30 August' date in 1955, and all 401 matches being in the Third Division North.}}<ref name="Bell record" /> |
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==Officials== |
==Officials== |
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===Coaching staff=== |
===Coaching staff=== |
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{{updated| |
{{updated|26 September 2024}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/teams |title=Staff |publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C.|access-date=10 September 2024}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
||
|+ List of staff |
|+ List of staff |
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Line 363: | Line 363: | ||
|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | Manager |
! scope="row" | Manager |
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| [[Nigel Adkins]] |
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| [[Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)|Ian Dawes]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | Assistant Manager |
! scope="row" | Assistant Manager |
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| [[Neil Danns]] |
| [[Neil Danns]] |
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|- |
|||
! scope="row" | Technical Director |
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| [[Nigel Adkins]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | Goalkeeping Coach |
! scope="row" | Goalkeeping Coach |
||
| [[Joe Murphy (footballer, born 1981)|Joe Murphy]] |
| [[Joe Murphy (footballer, born 1981)|Joe Murphy]] |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | |
! scope="row" | First Team Coach |
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| [[Andy Parkinson]] |
| [[Andy Parkinson]] |
||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | Player Development Manager |
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| [[Alan Morgan (footballer, born 1973)|Alan Morgan]] |
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|- |
|||
! scope="row" | Physiotherapist |
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| Karly Bland |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | Sports Scientist |
! scope="row" | Sports Scientist |
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| Mark Cowan |
| Mark Cowan |
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|- |
|- |
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! scope="row" | |
! scope="row" | Chief Scout |
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| |
| Ollie Knight |
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|- |
|||
! scope="row" | Performance Analyst |
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| Kevin Mulligan |
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|} |
|} |
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Line 387: | Line 393: | ||
{{Main|List of Tranmere Rovers F.C. managers}} |
{{Main|List of Tranmere Rovers F.C. managers}} |
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By the start of the |
By the start of the 2024–25 season, the club had employed 40 [[manager (football)|managers]]. The first man to hold this position was [[Bert Cooke]], appointed in 1912.<ref name="managers" /> He oversaw the club's entry into the Football League,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is a table showing Tranmere in 1921-22. does not mention Bert Cooke. does not verify 'entry into the Football League'.}}<ref name="1921-22" /> and remained in charge for 23 years, the longest spell of any manager at the club.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not include what happened after 2012.}}<ref name="managers" /> Major changes were not seen until businessman [[Dave Russell (footballer)|Dave Russell]] took over in 1961.{{citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='historical kits' source does not mention 'businessman Dave Russell' taking over in 1961. closest is a manager called Dave Russell being involved in August 1962.}} His introductions included the team's current all-white [[Kit (association football)|kit]]<ref name="historicalkits" /> and regularly arranged [[Floodlights|floodlit]] home fixtures on Friday evenings rather than the usual Saturday afternoon.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='regularly arranged floodlit home fixtures on Friday evenings rather than the usual Saturday afternoon' is not verified. the closest is possibly 'Prenton Park regulars Half Man Half Biscuit illustrated the difference in mentality when they sang: 'Friday night and the gates are low...' source appears to be about Johnny King, not Dave Russell. 1987 and 'the early 1990s', not 1962.}}<ref name="WSC" /> Rock band and Tranmere fans [[Half Man Half Biscuit]] described the practice in their song "Friday Night And The Gates Are Low".<ref name="hmhb1" /><ref name="hmhb2" /> |
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Tranmere's most successful period came at the end of the twentieth century. John King returned for his third spell at the club in 1987, having previously both played and managed the team.<ref name="managers" /> He led them to a victory in the League Trophy,<ref name="football league trophy" /> and from the bottom of the Fourth Division to reach the play-offs |
Tranmere's most successful period came at the end of the twentieth century. John King returned for his third spell at the club in 1987, having previously both played for and managed the team.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source suggests 1987 was King's second time as manager, not third. nothing about playing.}}<ref name="managers" /> He led them to a victory in the League Trophy,<ref name="football league trophy" /> and from the bottom of the Fourth Division to, on three occasions, reach the semi-finals in play-offs that had as their prize a promotion to the Premier League.<ref name="1992-93" /><ref name="1993-94" /><ref name="1994-95" /> Under King's replacement, John Aldridge, Tranmere appeared in the 2000 Football League Cup final.<ref name="league cup 2000" /> From 2009, they were managed by former club physiotherapist, Les Parry,<ref name="Tranmere sack Barnes and McAteer" /> until he was sacked on 4 March 2012,<ref name="Tranmere Rovers sack manager Les Parry" /> and replaced by [[Ronnie Moore]].<ref name="Club Statement" /> In February 2014, media reports suggested Moore was under investigation by [[The Football Association]], for breaching its rules against betting on competitions in which his club were involved.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason='betting on any competition in which his club is involved'.}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26194712 |title=Ronnie Moore: Tranmere boss under FA betting investigation |work=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305032916/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26194712 |url-status=live }}</ref> Three days later, Tranmere suspended Moore,<ref>{{cite news |author=Kay, Dan |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/tranmere-rovers-fc-suspend-manager-6719691 |title=Tranmere Rovers FC suspend manager Ronnie Moore over alleged betting rule breach |work=Liverpool Echo |date=17 February 2014 |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223013434/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/tranmere-rovers-fc-suspend-manager-6719691 |url-status=live }}</ref> and then sacked him on 9 April 2014, after he conceded that the FA's charges were valid.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/09/tranmere-sack-ronnie-moore-manager |title=Tranmere sack Ronnie Moore for breaching contract |work=The Guardian |date=9 April 2014 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=24 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424182705/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/09/tranmere-sack-ronnie-moore-manager |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On 27 May 2014, the club announced that [[Robert Edwards (footballer born 1973)|Rob Edwards]] had been appointed as their new manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27583986 BBC Sport, "Tranmere Rovers appoint Rob Edwards as new manager", 27 May 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418150113/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27583986 |date=18 April 2015 }}. Retrieved 27 May 2014</ref> |
On 27 May 2014, the club announced that [[Robert Edwards (footballer born 1973)|Rob Edwards]] had been appointed as their new manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27583986 BBC Sport, "Tranmere Rovers appoint Rob Edwards as new manager", 27 May 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418150113/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27583986 |date=18 April 2015 }}. Retrieved 27 May 2014</ref> Tranmere sacked Edwards on 13 October 2014.<ref name="edwards sacked"/> Moving quickly to arrest the decline which had seen Tranmere slump to the bottom of [[EFL League Two|League Two]], Tranmere announced former [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] manager [[Micky Adams]]'s appointment as Edwards's successor on 16 October 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29644396|title=Micky Adams: Tranmere Rovers appoint ex-Port Vale manager|date=16 October 2014|access-date=29 December 2016|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=23 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023112751/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29644396|url-status=live}}</ref> He left the club by mutual consent on 19 April 2015, when the club were bottom of the league with two matches remaining.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'when the club were bottom of the league with two matches remaining'.}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-2411451.aspx |title=Micky Adams leaves Tranmere Rovers by mutual consent |website=tranmererovers.co.uk |access-date=19 April 2015 |archive-date=19 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419134409/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-2411451.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Gary Brabin]], whose contract was in turn ended in September 2016, replaced Adams.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for Brabin replacing Adams.}}<ref name="tranmererovers.co.uk"/> Tranmere appointed [[Micky Mellon]] as manager the following month, and he led the team to a pair of consecutive play-off final victories in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, the last of which brought a return to League One for the club.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is from 2016. so ddoes not verify 'led the team to a pair of consecutive play-off final victories in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, the last of which brought a return to League One for the club'.}}<ref name=mellon>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exciting-project-took-back-tranmere-11991099|title='Exciting project' took me back to Tranmere says new manager Mellon|first=Chris|last=Beesley|date=6 October 2016|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=14 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014100837/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exciting-project-took-back-tranmere-11991099|url-status=live}}</ref> After four years at Tranmere, Mellon moved to [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] on 6 July 2020.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53298248 "Dundee United: Micky Mellon appointed as manager", ''BBC News'', 6 July 2020]. Retrieved 6 July 2020</ref> |
||
On 18 July 2020, Mellon's former assistant manager [[Mike Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] was appointed as manager, however his tenure was short-lived. After only two league wins in his first 10 games Jackson was sacked on 31 October 2020 following a 1–0 home defeat to [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54764710 |title=Mike Jackson: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after three months - BBC Sport<!-- Bot generated title --> |work=BBC Sport |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101052935/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54764710 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
On 18 July 2020, Mellon's former assistant manager [[Mike Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] was appointed as manager, however his tenure was short-lived. After only two league wins in his first 10 games Jackson was sacked on 31 October 2020 following a 1–0 home defeat to [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not verify date of appointment as manager, that the game against Morecambe ended 1–0, or that it was at home.}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54764710 |title=Mike Jackson: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after three months - BBC Sport<!-- Bot generated title --> |work=BBC Sport |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101052935/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54764710 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] replaced Jackson as first team manager on 21 November.<ref>[https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keith-hill-confirmed-new-manager-19323266 Ben Reardon, "Keith Hill confirmed as new manager of Tranmere Rovers", ''Liverpool Echo'', 21 November 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121203712/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keith-hill-confirmed-new-manager-19323266 |date=21 November 2020 }}. Retrieved 21 November 2020</ref> Hill's first game ended in a 1–0 victory against [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} His side were top of the form table (after 20 games) in February, the team's spine spearheaded by [[Scott Davies (footballer, born 1987)|Scott Davies]], [[Peter Clarke (footballer)|Peter Clarke]], [[Manny Monthé]], [[Jay Spearing]], [[Paul Lewis (footballer)|Paul Lewis]] and finally, [[James Vaughan (footballer, born 1988)|James Vaughan]], who is still the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer since 2005.{{relevance inline|date=February 2024|reason=is 'still the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer since 2005' relevant to Tranmere?}}{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Hill was sacked in May 2021, after the team had reached the League Two play-offs, but before the play-off matches took place. At the end of May 2021, Micky Mellon returned to Tranmere for a second spell as manager.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57305421 |title=Dundee Utd move to interview stage as former manager Micky Mellon returns to Tranmere Rovers |first=Kheredine |last=Idessane |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2021 |access-date=31 May 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531111249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57305421 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Full time managers are shown below (excluding caretaker managers). |
Full time managers are shown below (excluding caretaker managers). |
||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
||
|+ Managerial statistics, to |
|+ Managerial statistics, to 22 June 2024 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="col" | Manager |
! scope="col" | Manager |
||
Line 409: | Line 415: | ||
! scope="col" | W% |
! scope="col" | W% |
||
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Reference |
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Reference |
||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Bert|Cooke|Bert Cooke}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1912|August|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|April|30}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|607|258|123|226}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Jack|Carr|Jack Carr (footballer born 1892)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1935|May|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1936|November|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|60|27|17|16}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Jim|Knowles|Jim Knowles (footballer)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1936|November|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1939|January|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|98|38|16|44}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Bill|Ridding|Bill Ridding}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1939|January|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1945|May|31}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|20|3|3|14}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Ernest|Blackburn|Ernest Blackburn}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1946|September|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1955|May|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|421|172|83|166}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Noel|Kelly|Noel Kelly (footballer born 1921}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1955|July|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1957|October|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|107|26|25|56}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Peter|Farrell|Peter Farrell (footballer born 1922)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1957|October|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1960|December|31}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|164|63|34|67}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Walter|Galbraith|Walter Galbraith}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1961|January|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1961|December|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|43|20|3|20}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Dave|Russell|Dave Russell (footballer born 1914)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1961|December|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1969|December|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|402|175|88|139}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Jackie|Wright|Jackie Wright (footballer born 1926)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1969|December|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1972|April|1}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|132|35|57|40}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Ron|Yeats|Ron Yeats}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1972|April|8}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1975|April|4}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|156|49|44|63}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|John|King|John King (footballer born 1938)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1975|April|13}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1980|September|30}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|269|86|79|104}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_king" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Bryan|Hamilton|Bryan Hamilton}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1980|October|1}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1985|February|7}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|232|75|64|93}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_hamilton"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=259 |
|||
| title = Bryan Hamilton |
|||
| publisher = Soccerbase |
|||
| access-date = 8 November 2011 |
|||
}} |
|||
</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Frank|Worthington|Frank Worthington}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1985|July|9}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1987|February|11}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|83|24|23|36}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_worthington"> |
|||
{{cite web |
|||
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=455 |
|||
| title = Frank Worthington |
|||
| publisher = Soccerbase |
|||
| access-date = 8 November 2011 |
|||
}} |
|||
</ref> |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|John|King|John King (footballer born 1938)}} |
! scope="row" | {{sortname|John|King|John King (footballer born 1938)}} |
||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1987|April|13}} |
| {{dts|format=dmy|1987|April|13}} |
||
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|April|12}} |
| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|April|12}} |
||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|488|211|129|148}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_king" /> |
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_king" /> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 501: | Line 595: | ||
| publisher = Soccerbase |
| publisher = Soccerbase |
||
| access-date = 28 November 2021 |
| access-date = 28 November 2021 |
||
| archive-date = |
| archive-date = 8 March 2016 |
||
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308234332/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2155 |
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308234332/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2155 |
||
| url-status = live |
| url-status = live |
||
Line 537: | Line 631: | ||
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|November|21}} |
| {{dts|format=dmy|2020|November|21}} |
||
| | {{dts|format=dmy|2021|May|11}} |
| | {{dts|format=dmy|2021|May|11}} |
||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center| |
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|40|20|10|10}} |
||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_hill">{{cite web |
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_hill">{{cite web |
||
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2066 |
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=2066 |
||
Line 551: | Line 645: | ||
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|May|31}} |
| {{dts|format=dmy|2021|May|31}} |
||
| | {{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|19}} |
| | {{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|19}} |
||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|97|39|25|33}} |
|||
| | |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_mellon" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Ian|Dawes|Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|20}} |
|||
| | {{dts|format=dmy|2023|September|10}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|19|3|5|11}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_dawes">{{cite web |
|||
| url = https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=5595 |
|||
| title = Ian Dawes |
|||
| publisher = Soccerbase |
|||
}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row" | {{sortname|Nigel|Adkins|Nigel Adkins}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|2023|November|2}} |
|||
| {{dts|format=dmy|}} |
|||
{{WDL|decimals=1|align=center|42|16|6|20}} |
|||
| align=center | <ref name="soccerbase_adkins" /> |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
==Honours== |
==Honours== |
||
Source:<ref name="honours and records" /><ref name="FCHD">{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/TRANMERR.HTM |title=Tranmere Rovers Football Club |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref> |
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Source:<ref name="honours and records" /> |
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'''League''' |
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===Titles=== |
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* |
*[[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] (level 3) |
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: [[1937–38 |
**Champions: [[1937–38 Football League|1937–38]] |
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**Play-off winners: [[1991 Football League Third Division play-off final|1991]] |
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*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4) |
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**Runners-up: [[1988–89 Football League|1988–89]] |
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**Promoted: [[1966–67 Football League|1966–67]], [[1975–76 Football League|1975–76]] |
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**Play-off winners: [[2019 EFL League Two play-off final|2019]] |
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*[[National League (division)|National League]] (level 5) |
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**Play-off winners: [[2018 National League play-off final|2018]] |
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*[[The Combination]] |
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**Champions: [[1907–08 in English football|1907–08]] |
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*[[Lancashire Combination]] |
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**Champions: [[1913–14 in English football|1913–14]] |
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*[[Lancashire Combination|Lancashire Combination Division Two]] |
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**Promoted: [[1911–12 in English football|1911–12]] |
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'''Cup''' |
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* '''[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4)''' |
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*[[Football League Cup]] |
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**Runners-up: [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]] |
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*[[EFL Trophy|Associate Members' Cup / Football League Trophy / EFL Trophy]] |
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* '''[[National League (division)|National League]] (level 5)''' |
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: [[ |
**Winners: [[1989–90 Football League Trophy|1989–90]] |
||
**Runners-up: [[1990–91 Associate Members' Cup|1990–91]], [[2020–21 EFL Trophy|2020–21]] |
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* |
*[[Welsh Cup]] |
||
**Winners: [[1934–35 Welsh Cup|1934–35]] |
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: ''Runners-up:'' [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]] |
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* [[EFL Trophy|'''EFL Trophy''']] |
|||
: [[1989–90 Football League Trophy|1989–90]] |
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[[Image:Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers, Wembley 1990 (344523653).jpg|thumb|Tranmere playing against [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in the final of the 1990 [[Football League Trophy]]]] |
[[Image:Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers, Wembley 1990 (344523653).jpg|thumb|Tranmere playing against [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in the final of the 1990 [[Football League Trophy]]]] |
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===Minor titles=== |
|||
* [[The Combination]] |
|||
: [[1907–08 in English football|1907–08]] |
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* [[Lancashire Combination]] |
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: [[1913–14 in English football|1913–14]] |
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* [[Welsh Cup]] |
|||
: [[1934–35 Welsh Cup|1934–35]] |
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==Records== |
==Records== |
||
* '''Highest league finish''': 4th in [[Football League First Division]], [[1992–93 Football League|1992–93]] |
* '''Highest league finish''': 4th in [[Football League First Division|First Division]] (level 2), [[1992–93 Football League|1992–93]]<ref name="FCHD"/> |
||
* '''Best FA Cup performance''': Quarter-finals [[1999–2000 FA Cup|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 FA Cup|2000–01]], [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]] |
* '''Best FA Cup performance''': Quarter-finals, [[1999–2000 FA Cup|1999–2000]], [[2000–01 FA Cup|2000–01]], [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]]<ref name="FCHD"/> |
||
* '''Best League Cup performance''': Runners-up [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]] |
* '''Best League Cup performance''': Runners-up, [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|1999–2000]]<ref name="FCHD"/> |
||
* '''Best League Trophy performance''': Winners [[1989–90 Football League Trophy|1989–90]] |
* '''Best League Trophy performance''': Winners, [[1989–90 Football League Trophy|1989–90]]<ref name="FCHD"/> |
||
* '''Best FA Trophy performance''': Semi-finals [[2016–17 FA Trophy|2016–17]] |
* '''Best FA Trophy performance''': Semi-finals, [[2016–17 FA Trophy|2016–17]]<ref name="FCHD"/> |
||
* ''' |
* '''Record win''': |
||
** 13–4, against [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], 26 December 1935<ref name="indy festive feats" /> The aggregate of 17 goals in one game remains a [[English football records#Scorelines|league record.]]<ref name="goal records" /> |
** 13–4, against [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], 26 December 1935<ref name="indy festive feats" /> The aggregate of 17 goals in one game remains a [[English football records#Scorelines|league record.]]<ref name="goal records" /> |
||
** 9–0 against [[Solihull Moors F.C.|Solihull Moors]], 8 April 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=Report: Tranmere Rovers 9–0 Solihull Moors|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-tranmere-rovers-9-0-solihull-moors-3664686.aspx|website=Tranmere Rovers FC|access-date=8 April 2017|archive-date=9 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409110845/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-tranmere-rovers-9-0-solihull-moors-3664686.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> |
** 9–0 against [[Solihull Moors F.C.|Solihull Moors]], 8 April 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=Report: Tranmere Rovers 9–0 Solihull Moors|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-tranmere-rovers-9-0-solihull-moors-3664686.aspx|website=Tranmere Rovers FC|access-date=8 April 2017|archive-date=9 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409110845/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-tranmere-rovers-9-0-solihull-moors-3664686.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
* '''Record defeat''': |
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** 1–9 against [[Tottenham Hotspur]], FA Cup 3rd round replay, 14 January 1953<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stevesfootballstats.uk/tranmere_rovers_club_record.html |title=Tranmere Rovers club records |access-date=6 January 2019 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106153358/http://www.stevesfootballstats.uk/tranmere_rovers_club_record.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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** 1–9 against [[Tottenham Hotspur]], FA Cup 3rd round replay, 14 January 1953<ref>{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2019–20 |year=2019 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6111-3 |page=363}}</ref> |
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* '''Highest attendance''': 74,313, against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], 27 February 2000, League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium<ref name="honours and records" /> |
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* '''Highest home attendance''': 24,424, against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], 5 February 1972, FA Cup<ref name="honours and records" /> |
* '''Highest home attendance''': 24,424, against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], 5 February 1972, FA Cup<ref name="honours and records" /> |
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* '''Most goals (total)''': Ian Muir, 180<ref name="honours and records" /> |
* '''Most goals (total)''': Ian Muir, 180<ref name="honours and records" /> |
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* '''Most goals in a season''': [[Robert Bell (footballer)|Bunny Bell]] (1934–35) and John Aldridge (1991–92), 40<ref name="honours and records" /> |
* '''Most goals in a season''': [[Robert Bell (footballer)|Bunny Bell]] (1934–35) and John Aldridge (1991–92), 40{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in source.}}<ref name="honours and records" /> |
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* '''Most appearances''': Ray Mathias, 637<ref name="1921-1997 data" /> |
* '''Most appearances''': Ray Mathias, 637<ref name="1921-1997 data" /> |
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| title = Tranmere Rovers, 1881–1921: A New History |
| title = Tranmere Rovers, 1881–1921: A New History |
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| date = December 1991 |
| date = December 1991 |
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| publisher = G. Upton |
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| isbn = 978-0-9518648-0-7 |
| isbn = 978-0-9518648-0-7 |
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}} |
}} |
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| title = Tranmere Rovers 1921–1997: A Complete Record |
| title = Tranmere Rovers 1921–1997: A Complete Record |
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| date = November 1997 |
| date = November 1997 |
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| publisher = The Authors |
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| isbn = 978-0-9518648-2-1 |
| isbn = 978-0-9518648-2-1 |
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}} |
}} |
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| pages = 101–108 |
| pages = 101–108 |
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| chapter = Players' Data |
| chapter = Players' Data |
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| publisher = The Authors |
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}} |
}} |
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</ref> |
</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category}} |
{{Commons category}} |
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* {{ |
* {{official website|http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk}} |
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* {{BBC Football Info|BBClinkname=tranmere-rovers}} |
* {{BBC Football Info|BBClinkname=tranmere-rovers}} |
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* {{fchd|id=TRANMERR|name=Tranmere Rovers}} |
* {{fchd|id=TRANMERR|name=Tranmere Rovers}} |
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{{EFL League Two}} |
{{EFL League Two}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{Good article}} |
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[[Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C.| ]] |
[[Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C.| ]] |
Latest revision as of 03:40, 31 December 2024
Full name | Tranmere Rovers Football Club | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Rovers | |||
Short name | Rovers, Super White Army | |||
Founded | 1884 (as Belmont FC) | |||
Ground | Prenton Park | |||
Capacity | 16,567[1] | |||
Owner | Mark & Nicola Palios | |||
Chairman | Mark Palios | |||
Manager | Nigel Adkins | |||
League | EFL League Two | |||
2023–24 | EFL League Two, 16th of 24 | |||
Website | www | |||
| ||||
Tranmere Rovers Football Club is a professional association football club based in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.
Founded in 1884 as Belmont Football Club, they adopted their current name in 1885. Tranmere's regular kit is an all-white strip with blue, or occasionally blue and green trim which have been their main colours since 1962. The club moved to its current home, Prenton Park, in 1912. In 1995, the ground had a major redevelopment in response to the Taylor Report. It now seats 16,567 in four stands: the Main Stand, the Kop, the Johnny King Stand and the Cowshed.
Tranmere played in regional leagues until they were invited to become a founder member of Football League Third Division North in 1921. They finished as champions for the 1937–38 season, though were relegated out of the Second Division the following year. They dropped into the Fourth Division in 1961, before winning promotion back to the third tier at the end of the 1966–67 season. Relegation in 1975 was followed by an immediate promotion in 1975–76 under the stewardship of manager John King, and this time they survived for just three seasons in the third tier until being relegated once again in 1979. During the 1980s, they were beset by financial problems and, in 1987, went into administration. However John King returned to manage the club for a second spell and guided Rovers to promotion in 1988–89, which they followed up by winning the Associate Members' Cup in 1990 and then promotion out of the play-offs in 1991.
The 1990s would prove to be the most successful period in the club's history as Tranmere remained in the second tier, and came close to reaching the Premier League with three consecutive play-off campaigns at the start of the decade. Under King's successor, John Aldridge, Tranmere experienced a number of cup runs, most notably reaching the 2000 League Cup final. They were finally relegated in 2001 and then spent 13 seasons in the third tier, before back-to-back relegations saw them drop out of the Football League after an 94-year stay. Tranmere spent three seasons in the National League and then returned to the third tier of the Football League via successive play-off campaigns in 2018 and 2019. They were demoted from League One in 2020 after clubs voted to end the season early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
[edit]Formative years
[edit]Tranmere Rovers were, initially, formed as Belmont Football Club when the football arms of two cricket clubs – Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont – came together in 1884.[close paraphrasing][3][4] On 15 November 1884, they won their first game 4–0 against Brunswick Rovers. This was a friendly match, as there were no leagues until 1888.[4] Under the presidency of James McGaul,[close paraphrasing] the team had a successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name "Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association football section)" in 1881–82. On 16 September 1885, before their second season began, Belmont F.C. adopted this name Tranmere Rovers.[failed verification][non-primary source needed][3] Tranmere is historically a large village that was subsumed within the later expansion of the town of Birkenhead.[improper synthesis?][5]
Tranmere played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead.[3] In 1887, they bought Ravenshaws Field from Tranmere Rugby Club. In 1895, their ground was renamed Prenton Park, although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name.[improper synthesis?][4] Tranmere first wore a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. In 1889 they adopted orange and maroon shirts, but in 1904 returned to wearing their original kit.[2]
In 1886, Tranmere entered their first competition: the Liverpool and District Challenge Cup; in 1889, they entered the West Lancashire League. They joined the Combination, a much stronger league, in 1897,[failed verification] and won the championship in 1908.[clarification needed][6] In 1910, continuing their movement through the leagues, they entered the Lancashire Combination and in 1912 they showed their ambition by moving to the present Prenton Park site, with an 800-seat stand.[non-primary source needed][4] Tranmere won the Lancashire Combination Championship in 1914,[7] and Stan Rowlands became the first Tranmere player to receive an international cap when he was selected to play for Wales.[when?][4][8]
Rovers continued to play throughout the First World War, although their players were criticised for avoiding military service, despite being employed in the local shipyards.[close paraphrasing][4]
Inter-war years
[edit]Following the expulsion of Leeds City Reserves in 1919, Tranmere were able to enter the Central League.[failed verification] Their timing was excellent as the following season, four Central League clubs – including Tranmere – were invited to join the new Division Three North.[failed verification] On 27 August 1921, as founder members of the division,[failed verification][10] they won their first Football League match 4–1 against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park.[failed verification][3] At this time the team were managed by Bert Cooke, who did so for 23 years in total, the club record for longest serving manager.[non-primary source needed][11]
In 1924, local boy Dixie Dean made his debut aged 16 years 355 days. He played 30 games for Rovers, scoring 27 goals, before being transferred to Everton for £3,000.[close paraphrasing][3] In the 1927–28 season, Dean scored a record 60 League goals for Everton.[12] After Dean's departure, several talented young players also left for Division One clubs, leading to Cooke's reputation as a shrewd businessman.[9] Among those sold was Pongo Waring who – having scored six goals in the 11–1 victory over Durham City – went to Aston Villa for £4,700. As of 2010, Waring retains the record of scoring most goals for Villa in a single season.[4]
In 1934, an FA Cup tie between Rovers and Liverpool was watched at Anfield by 61,036 fans, then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers.[close paraphrasing][3] One year later, Bunny Bell netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season, and nine goals in the 13–4 Boxing Day 1935 victory over Oldham Athletic.[failed verification][13] As of 2011, the aggregate of 17 goals in one game remained a league record.[12]
During this same period, Tranmere made several appearances in the Welsh Cup, reaching the final on two occasions.[citation needed] In 1934, they lost 3–0 to Bristol City in a replay, after a 1–1 draw.[citation needed] The following season, they went one better by beating local rivals Chester 1–0 to win their first silverware since joining the Football League.[failed verification]
Rovers won their first championship in the Football League in 1938, with victory in Division Three North, and, hence, promotion to Division Two for the first time.[close paraphrasing][3][14] It is still Rovers's only championship in the Football League.[when?] However, they were relegated the next season, winning six matches – the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two.[additional citation(s) needed][15]
Creation of the Superwhites
[edit]Prenton Park emerged from the Second World War largely unscathed.[failed verification] Tranmere rejoined the peacetime Football League in Division Three North, and stayed there until the 1958 restructuring of the football league's lower divisions.[failed verification][close paraphrasing] Manager Peter Farrell[11] led Tranmere to finish 11th in the final season of the Northern Section, securing a place in the new national Division Three, where they were, again, founder members.[failed verification][16] The final match against Wrexham, also fighting for a place in the higher league, attracted a crowd of 19,615, which, as of 2010, remained the highest ever attendance at a Prenton Park league match.[additional citation(s) needed][4]
In 1961, Tranmere's inspirational captain Harold Bell left the club. Bell had been picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season, and did not miss a match until he was dropped on 30 August 1955, a total of 459 consecutive appearances for a British team, a record which held until 2011.[failed verification][17] Rovers certainly missed their captain,[tone][according to whom?] and were relegated to Division Four for the first time in 1961.[additional citation(s) needed][18]
The club brought in Dave Russell as manager,[11] and Russell made some changes. Tranmere had worn a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904 – the same colours as local rivals, Division One club Everton. Russell introduced an all-white strip to set the teams apart; these have been Tranmere's usual colours since.[failed verification][close paraphrasing][2] Russell also developed a successful youth policy which included England international Roy McFarland among its graduates.[improper synthesis?][close paraphrasing][3] Russell guided Rovers back to Division Three in 1967,[19] a year before a new 4,000-seater main stand was opened, and Rovers reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time.[failed verification][20] Three years later the club's record attendance at Prenton Park was established as 24,424 supporters witnessed Rovers draw 2–2 with Stoke City in the FA Cup.[close paraphrasing][3]
In 1972, Ron Yeats was installed as player-manager.[11] He strengthened Tranmere's connections with local rivals Liverpool by recruiting several former teammates such as Ian St John, and bringing in Bill Shankly in a consultancy role.[close paraphrasing][4] This team saw one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time when, in a League Cup tie in 1973, Tranmere beat First Division Arsenal 1–0 at their former Highbury home.[improper synthesis?][21] However, Tranmere returned to the Fourth Division in 1975.[22] The following decade was among the bleakest times in the club's history, with the team usually in the lower reaches of the Fourth Division, beset by financial problems, and attaining crowds of less than 2,000.[better source needed][4]
In 1979, Steve Mungall joined Tranmere from Motherwell.[citation needed] He went on to make more than 500 league appearances for Rovers in a 17-year period.[failed verification] This spell saw Rovers rise up the league and make several appearances at Wembley.[improper synthesis?][non-primary source needed] He remained with the club, on the coaching staff, until October 2000, when he left to pursue business interests.[23]
Another relegation to Division Four in 1979[24] put the club in financial difficulties.[citation needed] Debts mounted throughout the 1980s, with insolvency forestalled through a series of friendly fixtures, contributions from fans and a £200,000 loan from Wirral Council.[failed verification] This partnership proved an enduring one, as Wirral's logo still appeared on the shirts until 2011.[improper synthesis?][failed verification][25] In July 1984, the club was sold to a Californian attorney, making Tranmere one of the first English clubs to be bought by a foreign owner.[additional citation(s) needed][26] Nonetheless, in 1987, the club went into administration.[citation needed]
Johnny King era
[edit]Local businessman Peter Johnson took over control and ownership.[close paraphrasing][3] This proved to be a turning point in Tranmere's history, the club under his ownership experiencing by far the most successful period in its history, in which manager John King took the team from the bottom of Division Four to the brink of English football's top league.[failed verification][non-primary source needed][11] King's first task was to avoid the team finishing bottom of Division Four, which would have resulted in their relegation from the football league. Safety was guaranteed in the last game of the season, with a 1–0 home win over Exeter City on the last day of the season.[4]
The first full season (1987–88) of King's 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 for the Football League Centenary Tournament. Tranmere defeated Division One clubs Wimbledon and Newcastle United, before losing on penalties to eventual winner Nottingham Forest.[27] The following season, King guided Tranmere to promotion as Division Four runner-up.[28] Their final game played to secure promotion was against Crewe Alexandra, with both teams needing a point to gain promotion.[citation needed] The first half was contested as usual, but, in the second half, with the score at 1–1, neither team targeted the goal of the other, leading to combined celebrations when the game had concluded.[citation needed] Earlier that season, they had won several games in the League Cup, including against Division One Middlesbrough, in between wins against fellow Division Four club Stockport County and Division 3 club Blackpool, ultimately losing to Bristol City of Division 3.[21]
At the end their first season in Division Three, Tranmere almost secured promotion to Division 2, losing 2–0 in the play-off final to Notts County,[29] a week after Tranmere's 2–1 victory over Bristol Rovers at Wembley Stadium in the final of the Leyland DAF Trophy had secured the club's first trophy.[failed verification][30] The form of striker Ian Muir was key to Tranmere's success during this period. He joined the club in 1985, and scored 180 goals in eleven seasons. He became the club's record scorer, and, in 2012, the first inductee to their hall of fame.[31] Fellow hall of fame member John Morrissey joined the club in 1986.[failed verification] The winger spent 14 seasons at the club, making 585 appearances.[32]
In the 1990–91 season, Tranmere won promotion to Division Two for the first time since the 1930s, with a 1–0 play-off win over local rivals Bolton Wanderers.[additional citation(s) needed][33] Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland DAF Trophy final, this time losing 3–2 to Birmingham City.[30] This made the play-off victory over Bolton Wanderers Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley Stadium final in just over a year.[citation needed]
In summer 1991, former Liverpool player John Aldridge joined Tranmere Rovers, signing from Spanish club Real Sociedad for a fee of £250,000; he would remain on the club's payroll for the next 10 years, scoring 170 times to put him behind only Ian Muir in the all-time scoring charts.[failed verification][3][34] Aldridge also received 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland, and was the first Tranmere player to score at a World Cup.[34] In 1993, Scotland international Pat Nevin joined the team, forming a four-man attack alongside Aldridge, Malkin and Morrissey.[failed verification][close paraphrasing][35] In three successive seasons, Tranmere reached the play-off semi-finals, missing out on promotion to the newly formed Premier League through defeat to Swindon Town in 1993,[36] Leicester City in 1994,[37] and Reading in 1995.[38] 1994 also saw Tranmere progress to the League Cup semi-final, where they faced Aston Villa over two legs. The home leg was won 3–1 by Tranmere, with Villa scoring their only goal in the 94th minute. The score in the away leg was 2–1 in favour of Villa until the 88th minute when Villa scored again to win the game 3–1, so the match went to extra-time and penalties. With Tranmere one kick away from the final, Mark Bosnich saved Liam O'Brien's sudden death penalty, and Tranmere eventually lost 5–4.
A reconstructed Prenton Park was opened in March 1995, with the all-seater stadium then holding just under 17,000 supporters. In April 1996, with Rovers struggling for form in the league, chairman Frank Corfe appointed John Aldridge as player-manager, and King was "moved upstairs" to become Director of football. They finished the 1995–96 campaign in 13th position.
2000 and beyond
[edit]In the 1999–2000 season, despite severe financial constraints,[failed verification] victories over two Premiership sides (West Ham United, Sunderland, followed by First Division club Fulham) led, not only to a place in the sixth round of the FA Cup,[20] but also, to a place in the 2000 Football League Cup final against Leicester City – the first time in the club's history that Rovers had reached a major final.[failed verification] Matt Elliott scored Leicester's opening goal, before Tranmere's Clint Hill was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite being reduced to ten men, David Kelly equalised; however, Elliot scored Leicester's second goal three minutes later, and Tranmere lost the match 2–1.[39] This was the last League Cup game held at the original Wembley stadium.[4]
In 2000, the all-white kit was reintroduced and is still used in 2014.[relevant?][failed verification][2] That season, Tranmere Rovers had another cup competition run, beating local Premier League rival Everton 3–0 at Goodison Park,[40] then Southampton 4–3 (after being 0–3 down),[41] before exiting after a loss to another local rival, Premier League club Liverpool.[42] However, Tranmere Rovers struggled during league matches that season; Aldridge quit as manager before Tranmere's relegation to Division Two ended a spell of ten years in Division One.[additional citation(s) needed][43]
The club hired Brian Little as manager in 2003.[11][44] He took Rovers to a play-off semi-final in 2004–05, and a best ever 6th round replay in the 2004 FA Cup, where they lost to eventual finalists, Millwall.[failed verification] At the end of the 2005–06 season, Little left the club and was replaced by former player Ronnie Moore.[11][45] In Moore's three seasons in charge, the club finished 9th, 11th and 7th, narrowly missing out on qualification for in the play-offs in his final season.[failed verification][46] Moore was sacked in 2009, with former England winger John Barnes, whose only previous domestic managerial experience was with Celtic 10 years earlier, replacing him.[failed verification][11][47] It was during Barnes's time as manager that long-serving kitman, Mark Trevor, ended his 12-year "Labour of Love", washing the kit of his local team. Having been at the club since 1997, he washed his last kit in August 2009, ahead of the club's home game against Charlton Athletic.[48] Barnes's term as manager lasted considerably less time, and it was a five months before long-serving club physiotherapist Les Parry was given temporary charge.[11][49][50] Rovers finished the season in 19th place in League One, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, thanks to a 3–0 victory at Stockport County.[51] In June 2010, Parry was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.[50] He was sacked on 4 March 2012, after a 1–0 defeat by Chesterfield left the club only one point above the relegation zone,[52] and replaced by Ronnie Moore for the remainder of the season.[53] Moore won six of his thirteen games in charge at the end of the season, guiding Tranmere to a mid-table position, as they finished the season in the top half for the first time in several[quantify] years.[failed verification][54] In April 2012, Moore signed a new one-year deal with Tranmere, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season.[55]
Towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Moore admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules, and Tranmere sacked him when the club were just clear of the relegation zone.[close paraphrasing][56] Assistant John McMahon took over as caretaker manager,[failed verification] but Tranmere were relegated to League Two in the final gameof the season on the final day of the season.[57] Rob Edwards was subsequently appointed as new manager.[58]
On 11 August 2014, it was announced that former player and Football Association chief executive Mark Palios and his wife Nicola were taking a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson. Mark Palios would become executive chairman of the club, with Johnson becoming its honorary president.[59][60]
After a poor start to the season, the home loss to Plymouth Argyle on 11 October 2014 saw Tranmere in last place in the Football League for the first time since 27 August 1987 after they had lost their first two matches of that season.[failed verification][61] Edwards was sacked as manager on 13 October.[62] Mickey Adams took over a week later, with the aim of saving the club from relegation to the Conference.[citation needed] However, on 25 April 2015, after another defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the reverse fixture, Tranmere were relegated, ending their 94-year stay in the Football League.[63]
Non-League years
[edit]Gary Brabin was appointed as manager on 5 May 2015.[64] It was a season of ups and downs,[tone] with poorer home form than away form.[citation needed] It took a while[vague] for Rovers to adjust to life in the non-league, with erratic form during the season.[failed verification][65] Tranmere finished sixth, one place outside the play-off zone, in Gary Brabin's first season.[citation needed]
Tranmere started the 2016–17 season well, ranking at the top of the non-league table at the end of August, after which Brabin received an award for manager of the month.[non-primary source needed][66] Form later dipped which resulted in one goal scored in the next four games, with a 1–0 defeat to Sutton United resulting in Brabin being sacked on 18 September 2016.[failed verification][67] Assistant manager, ex-Southport boss Paul Carden took over on an interim basis.[citation needed] On 6 October 2016, former Tranmere player Micky Mellon was appointed permanent manager.[68] His first game in charge was against cross-border rivals Wrexham, and ended with a 2–0 victory for Tranmere.[69] Despite a 2nd-place finish and a club record 95-point haul, this still was not enough to gain automatic promotion back to the league.[additional citation(s) needed][70] Tranmere faced Aldershot Town in the play-offs. A goal from James Norwood and a brace from Cole Stockton in the first leg away at the Recreation Ground saw Rovers take a 3–0 lead back to Prenton Park for the second leg, which ended in a 2–2 draw, Norwood and Stockton once again on the scoresheet. This gave Tranmere a 5–2 aggregate win and their first Wembley appearance in 17 years.[additional citation(s) needed][71][72] Tranmere lost 3–1 in the 2017 National League play-off final the 3–1 to Forest Green Rovers.[additional citation(s) needed][73][74]
Tranmere's 2017–18 season got off to a poor start, with 3 wins from the first 12 games.[citation needed] Tranmere slipped to 18th in the table, their lowest ever league position.[additional citation(s) needed][75] A spectacular winter turnaround saw Tranmere move into the play-off spots, where they remained for the rest of the season. This turnaround included a record-breaking run of 9 consecutive home league wins. This record-breaking stint was ended in February by a 4–1 defeat to eventual title winner Macclesfield Town.[failed verification][76] Tranmere responded to this defeat by winning 8 out of their next 9 games, finishing the season as National League runners-up for the second time in as many years, qualifying for the play-offs.[citation needed] In the play-off semi-final, Tranmere met Ebbsfleet United at home. Tranmere came from behind twice to take the game to extra time before prevailing 4–2 after extra time, a result which sent Tranmere to Wembley Stadium for the National League play-off final.[77] On 12 May 2018, a crowd of 16,306 were at Wembley for the final against Boreham Wood. Tranmere were 2–1 victors, their first trophy in 27 years, and were promoted back to the Football League.[additional citation(s) needed][78]
Return to the Football League
[edit]Under the chairmanship of Mark Palios and the management of Micky Mellon, Tranmere played in League Two for the 2018–19 season, finishing 6th and thereby reaching the play-offs. On 25 May 2019, Tranmere secured back-to-back promotions, beating Newport County 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. They did so with a goal from Connor Jennings in the 119th minute, thus securing their spot in League One for the 2019–20 season.[79]
By March 2020, the team were within the relegation zone, but with a game in hand on their nearest rivals and on a run of three successive victories. The cancellation of fixtures due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the season could not be completed, and a vote was taken by League One clubs on 9 June to resolve promotion and relegation issues on a points per game (PPG) basis. This meant that Tranmere would be demoted to League Two for the 2020–21 season. Club chairman Mark Palios said that the decision was unfair and that he was considering legal action as a result. He also announced that 20 members of staff would have to be made redundant.[80][81]
With the team back in League Two, Mike Jackson was named as manager of Tranmere on 18 July 2020.[82] He was sacked on 31 October 2020.[83] Keith Hill succeeded temporary manager Ian Dawes on 21 November 2020.[84] He was sacked on 11 May 2021, after the side reached the play-offs, but before the play-off matches had started.[85] Morecambe defeated Tranmere in the play-off semi-final.[86] At the end of May 2021, Tranmere announced that Micky Mellon was returning to the club as manager, having spent the season apart in charge of Dundee United.[87][88] Despite a strong start to the season,[failed verification] Tranmere sacked Mellon on 19 March 2023, following results that included a total of six wins since mid-October 2022.[89] Dawes oversaw seven games as caretaker manager before being appoinbted the permanent manager, but Tranmere sacked him in early September 2023 after six consecutive defeats; Tranmere appointed their technical director Nigel Adkins as interim manager.[90]
Colours and crest
[edit]Belmont F.C., the forerunners of today's Rovers, wore blue shirts and white shorts, as did the early Rovers, until a radical change in 1889, when a combination of maroon and orange shirts and navy blue shorts was introduced to "dazzle" their opponents in the West Lancashire League.[91] These were abandoned in 1904 in favour of the earlier blue and white colours which have, in some form or other, remained until the present day.[failed verification][2][91] In 1962, Dave Russell introduced a white strip with blue trim, saying "Tranmere Rovers should have a specific identity of its own, so on Merseyside there's now Liverpool's Red, Everton's blue and Tranmere's white".[clarification needed][91] Since then, the team have worn varying combinations of blue and white, moving back towards a more predominantly white kit in 2000.[failed verification][2][better source needed][92] The team's colours are reflected in their nickname of the "Superwhites".[failed verification][93]
Tranmere first introduced a badge on their shirt in 1962, wearing the coat of arms of the borough of Birkenhead, along with adopting their motto "Ubi fides ibi lux et robur", meaning "Where there is faith there is light and strength".[better source needed][92][94] The crest was replaced in 1972 by a monogram, and, in 1981, by a simplified blue and white shield.[failed verification] In 1987, a complex [2] heraldic crest was introduced, adapting the Birkenhead crest through the inclusion of a football and a TRFC logo.[improper synthesis?] The simpler badge was adopted in 1997,[2] and modified slightly in 2009 to mark the club's 125-year anniversary.[95] The blue and white crest incorporated simplified elements of the Birkenhead civic coat of arms: the crosier and lion originally formed part of the Birkenhead Priory seal; the oak tree was a symbol of the Tranmere Local Board; the star or starfish represents Bebington; the two lions represent Oxton; and the crescents may represent the Laird family.[close paraphrasing][96]
For the 2021–22 season, Tranmere reverted to their pre-1997 badge.[97]
Stadium
[edit]Rovers played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead but, in 1887, they bought a new site from Tranmere Rugby Club.[improper synthesis?][3] The ground was variously referred to as the "Borough Road Enclosure", "Ravenshaw's Field" and "South Road".[98] The name "Prenton Park" was adopted in 1895 as a result of a suggestion in the letters page of the Football Echo.[98] Because the land was required for housing and a school, Tranmere were forced to move and the name went with them. The present Prenton Park was opened on 9 March 1912.[98][99] There were stands (also known as bleachers) on both sides of the pitch, a paddock and three open terraces, the general format which remained until 1994.[close paraphrasing][100]
Many improvements to the ground were driven by changes in legislation. The biggest change of all took place during 1994 and 1995. The Taylor Report suggested that all stadia in the top two divisions of English football should no longer permit standing. The club's response was to redevelop three sides of the ground with entirely new all-seater stands created – the Borough Road Stand (now the Johnny King Stand), the Cowshed and the new Kop, in addition to the existing Main Stand.[failed verification][100] Capacity in the ground thus increased from 14,200[98] to the 16,567 of today.[100] On 11 March 1995, having been built at a cost of £3.1 million, the new ground was officially opened.[4]
Attendances at the ground have fluctuated over its hundred-year history. Around 8,000 visitors watched the first game at the stadium, as Tranmere beat Lancaster Town 8–0.[failed verification][101] Prenton Park's largest-ever crowd was 24,424 for a 1972 FA Cup match between Tranmere and Stoke City.[102] Average attendances for home games between 2008 and 2011 ranged from above 5,000 to under 6,000.[101]
Supporters and rivalries
[edit]Tranmere Rovers had an average home attendance of 6,552 during the 2018–19 season, making them the 4th best supported club in League Two and 42nd in The Football League as a whole.[citation needed] The club has a number of supporters' groups, including the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust; in 2010, the trust raised £12,500 for the club to sign Andy Robinson on loan.[non-primary source needed][103] In 2011, they raised £200,000 and planned to purchase a controlling interest in Tranmere.[failed verification][104] TSB (Tranmere Stand Boys) is the hooligan firm associated with the club.[clarification needed][105] Tranmere Rovers have been the subject of an independent supporters' fanzine Give Us an R since the 1990s.[additional citation(s) needed][106]
Despite being geographically closest to Everton and Liverpool, Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant that they have rarely met either club and have built up traditional rivalries with near neighbours Wrexham, Chester, and Southport, the latter two of which are now non-league clubs.[improper synthesis?][failed verification][better source needed][107] According to a survey entitled 'The League of Love and Hate' conducted in August 2019, Tranmere fans listed the more distant Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic as their biggest rivals, followed by Everton, Liverpool and Crewe Alexandra, although the results were open to debate as the census does not contain non-league clubs.[failed verification][improper synthesis?][108] Tranmere also had a fierce rivalry with Wallasey-based near neighbour New Brighton, until that club failed to be re-elected to the Football League in 1951.[better source needed][109]
As of the end of the 2022–23 season, Tranmere had met the following teams most times in the Football League:[failed verification][110]
Opponents | P | W | D | L | W% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crewe Alexandra | 120 | 53 | 26 | 41 | 44.2 |
Hartlepool United | 118 | 52 | 28 | 38 | 44.1 |
Rochdale | 113 | 54 | 23 | 36 | 47.8 |
Stockport County | 108 | 40 | 31 | 37 | 37.0 |
Halifax Town | 104 | 42 | 28 | 34 | 40.4 |
Wrexham | 102 | 38 | 25 | 39 | 37.3 |
Chesterfield | 94 | 31 | 19 | 44 | 33.0 |
Bradford City | 86 | 36 | 20 | 30 | 41.9 |
Darlington | 82 | 38 | 13 | 31 | 46.3 |
Southport | 80 | 38 | 22 | 20 | 47.5 |
Tranmere Rovers Ladies
[edit]Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club were founded in 1990.[111] Based in the Wirral, they are affiliated with the men's team,[failed verification][111] and play home games at Villa Park, the home of Ashville F.C., in Wallasey.[clarification needed][112] Between 1996 and 2004 they competed in the FA Premier League National Division,[111][113] then the top tier of the English women's football pyramid. Since 2011, they have played in the North West Regional League, Premier Division.[additional citation(s) needed][114] As of the start of the 2011–12 season, they have won the Cheshire Cup a record 11 times.[failed verification][115]
Players
[edit]First-team squad
[edit]- As of 10 September 2024[116]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Former players
[edit]As part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations in 2010, a hall of fame was announced, initially honouring seven former players and managers: Ian Muir, John Aldridge, John King, Ray Mathias, Steve Mungall, John Morrissey, and Pat Nevin.[additional citation(s) needed][117] Harold Bell holds the record for the most consecutive league appearances for a British team. He was picked for the first game after the Second World War in the 1946–47 season and did not miss a match until 30 August 1955, a total of 401 consecutive matches in the Third Division North.[additional citation(s) needed][118]
Officials
[edit]Coaching staff
[edit]- As of 26 September 2024[119]
Position | Name |
---|---|
Manager | Nigel Adkins |
Assistant Manager | Neil Danns |
Goalkeeping Coach | Joe Murphy |
First Team Coach | Andy Parkinson |
Player Development Manager | Alan Morgan |
Physiotherapist | Karly Bland |
Sports Scientist | Mark Cowan |
Chief Scout | Ollie Knight |
Performance Analyst | Kevin Mulligan |
Managers
[edit]By the start of the 2024–25 season, the club had employed 40 managers. The first man to hold this position was Bert Cooke, appointed in 1912.[11] He oversaw the club's entry into the Football League,[failed verification][10] and remained in charge for 23 years, the longest spell of any manager at the club.[additional citation(s) needed][11] Major changes were not seen until businessman Dave Russell took over in 1961.[citation needed] His introductions included the team's current all-white kit[2] and regularly arranged floodlit home fixtures on Friday evenings rather than the usual Saturday afternoon.[failed verification][120] Rock band and Tranmere fans Half Man Half Biscuit described the practice in their song "Friday Night And The Gates Are Low".[121][122]
Tranmere's most successful period came at the end of the twentieth century. John King returned for his third spell at the club in 1987, having previously both played for and managed the team.[failed verification][11] He led them to a victory in the League Trophy,[30] and from the bottom of the Fourth Division to, on three occasions, reach the semi-finals in play-offs that had as their prize a promotion to the Premier League.[36][37][38] Under King's replacement, John Aldridge, Tranmere appeared in the 2000 Football League Cup final.[39] From 2009, they were managed by former club physiotherapist, Les Parry,[49] until he was sacked on 4 March 2012,[52] and replaced by Ronnie Moore.[53] In February 2014, media reports suggested Moore was under investigation by The Football Association, for breaching its rules against betting on competitions in which his club were involved.[close paraphrasing][123] Three days later, Tranmere suspended Moore,[124] and then sacked him on 9 April 2014, after he conceded that the FA's charges were valid.[125]
On 27 May 2014, the club announced that Rob Edwards had been appointed as their new manager.[126] Tranmere sacked Edwards on 13 October 2014.[62] Moving quickly to arrest the decline which had seen Tranmere slump to the bottom of League Two, Tranmere announced former Port Vale manager Micky Adams's appointment as Edwards's successor on 16 October 2014.[127] He left the club by mutual consent on 19 April 2015, when the club were bottom of the league with two matches remaining.[additional citation(s) needed][128] Gary Brabin, whose contract was in turn ended in September 2016, replaced Adams.[additional citation(s) needed][67] Tranmere appointed Micky Mellon as manager the following month, and he led the team to a pair of consecutive play-off final victories in the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons, the last of which brought a return to League One for the club.[failed verification][129] After four years at Tranmere, Mellon moved to Dundee United on 6 July 2020.[130]
On 18 July 2020, Mellon's former assistant manager Mike Jackson was appointed as manager, however his tenure was short-lived. After only two league wins in his first 10 games Jackson was sacked on 31 October 2020 following a 1–0 home defeat to Morecambe.[additional citation(s) needed][131] Keith Hill replaced Jackson as first team manager on 21 November.[132] Hill's first game ended in a 1–0 victory against Carlisle United.[citation needed] His side were top of the form table (after 20 games) in February, the team's spine spearheaded by Scott Davies, Peter Clarke, Manny Monthé, Jay Spearing, Paul Lewis and finally, James Vaughan, who is still the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer since 2005.[relevant?][citation needed] Hill was sacked in May 2021, after the team had reached the League Two play-offs, but before the play-off matches took place. At the end of May 2021, Micky Mellon returned to Tranmere for a second spell as manager.[133]
Full time managers are shown below (excluding caretaker managers).
Manager | From | To | P | W | D | L | W% | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bert Cooke | 1 August 1912 | 30 April 1935 | 607 | 258 | 123 | 226 | 42.5 | |
Jack Carr | 1 May 1935 | 1 November 1936 | 60 | 27 | 17 | 16 | 45.0 | |
Jim Knowles | 1 November 1936 | 1 January 1939 | 98 | 38 | 16 | 44 | 38.8 | |
Bill Ridding | 1 January 1939 | 31 May 1945 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 15.0 | |
Ernest Blackburn | 1 September 1946 | 1 May 1955 | 421 | 172 | 83 | 166 | 40.9 | |
Noel Kelly | 1 July 1955 | 1 October 1957 | 107 | 26 | 25 | 56 | 24.3 | |
Peter Farrell | 1 October 1957 | 31 December 1960 | 164 | 63 | 34 | 67 | 38.4 | |
Walter Galbraith | 1 January 1961 | 1 December 1961 | 43 | 20 | 3 | 20 | 46.5 | |
Dave Russell | 1 December 1961 | 1 December 1969 | 402 | 175 | 88 | 139 | 43.5 | |
Jackie Wright | 1 December 1969 | 1 April 1972 | 132 | 35 | 57 | 40 | 26.5 | |
Ron Yeats | 8 April 1972 | 4 April 1975 | 156 | 49 | 44 | 63 | 31.4 | |
John King | 13 April 1975 | 30 September 1980 | 269 | 86 | 79 | 104 | 32.0 | [134] |
Bryan Hamilton | 1 October 1980 | 7 February 1985 | 232 | 75 | 64 | 93 | 32.3 | [135] |
Frank Worthington | 9 July 1985 | 11 February 1987 | 83 | 24 | 23 | 36 | 28.9 | [136] |
John King | 13 April 1987 | 12 April 1996 | 488 | 211 | 129 | 148 | 43.2 | [134] |
John Aldridge | 12 April 1996 | 17 March 2001 | 269 | 93 | 78 | 98 | 34.6 | [137] |
Dave Watson | 20 May 2001 | 1 August 2002 | 55 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 40.0 | [138] |
Ray Mathias | 1 August 2002 | 29 September 2003 | 66 | 29 | 18 | 19 | 43.9 | [139] |
Brian Little | 12 October 2003 | 9 June 2006 | 147 | 61 | 43 | 43 | 41.5 | [140] |
Ronnie Moore | 9 June 2006 | 5 June 2009 | 171 | 71 | 42 | 58 | 41.5 | [141] |
John Barnes | 14 June 2009 | 9 October 2009 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 21.4 | [142] |
Les Parry | 9 October 2009 | 4 March 2012 | 131 | 40 | 34 | 57 | 30.5 | [143] |
Ronnie Moore | 4 March 2012 | 9 April 2014 | 111 | 41 | 25 | 45 | 36.9 | [141] |
Rob Edwards | 27 May 2014 | 13 October 2014 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 14.3 | [144] |
Micky Adams | 16 October 2014 | 19 April 2015 | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 26.3 | [145] |
Gary Brabin | 5 May 2015 | 18 September 2016 | 60 | 28 | 15 | 17 | 46.7 | [146] |
Micky Mellon | 7 October 2016 | 6 July 2020 | 198 | 91 | 45 | 62 | 46.0 | [147] |
Mike Jackson | 18 July 2020 | 31 October 2020 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 23.1 | [148] |
Keith Hill | 21 November 2020 | 11 May 2021 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 50.0 | [149] |
Micky Mellon | 31 May 2021 | 19 March 2023 | 97 | 39 | 25 | 33 | 40.2 | [147] |
Ian Dawes | 20 March 2023 | 10 September 2023 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 15.8 | [150] |
Nigel Adkins | 2 November 2023 | 42 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 38.1 | [151] |
Honours
[edit]League
- Third Division North / Third Division (level 3)
- Fourth Division / League Two (level 4)
- National League (level 5)
- Play-off winners: 2018
- The Combination
- Champions: 1907–08
- Lancashire Combination
- Champions: 1913–14
- Lancashire Combination Division Two
- Promoted: 1911–12
Cup
- Football League Cup
- Runners-up: 1999–2000
- Associate Members' Cup / Football League Trophy / EFL Trophy
- Welsh Cup
- Winners: 1934–35
Records
[edit]- Highest league finish: 4th in First Division (level 2), 1992–93[153]
- Best FA Cup performance: Quarter-finals, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04[153]
- Best League Cup performance: Runners-up, 1999–2000[153]
- Best League Trophy performance: Winners, 1989–90[153]
- Best FA Trophy performance: Semi-finals, 2016–17[153]
- Record win:
- 13–4, against Oldham Athletic, 26 December 1935[13] The aggregate of 17 goals in one game remains a league record.[12]
- 9–0 against Solihull Moors, 8 April 2017[154]
- Record defeat:
- 1–9 against Tottenham Hotspur, FA Cup 3rd round replay, 14 January 1953[155]
- Highest home attendance: 24,424, against Stoke City, 5 February 1972, FA Cup[152]
- Most goals (total): Ian Muir, 180[152]
- Most goals in a season: Bunny Bell (1934–35) and John Aldridge (1991–92), 40[failed verification][152]
- Most appearances: Ray Mathias, 637[156]
References
[edit]- General
- Bishop, Peter (1990). The A–Z of Tranmere Rovers. Ellesmere Port: Chester IV Graphics. ASIN B0011SRSOG.
- Upton, Gilbert (December 1991). Tranmere Rovers, 1881–1921: A New History. G. Upton. ISBN 978-0-9518648-0-7.
- Upton, Gilbert; Wilson, Steve (November 1997). Tranmere Rovers 1921–1997: A Complete Record. The Authors. ISBN 978-0-9518648-2-1.
- Bishop, Peter (1 November 1998). Tranmere Rovers Football Club. Images of England. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1505-5.
- Upton, Gilbert; Wilson, Steve; Bishop, Peter (24 July 2009). Tranmere Rovers: The Complete Record. Breedon. ISBN 978-1-85983-711-5.
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External links
[edit]- Official website
- Tranmere Rovers F.C. on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures
- Tranmere Rovers at the Football Club History Database
- Tranmere Rovers F.C.
- 1884 establishments in England
- Association football clubs established in 1884
- Sport in Birkenhead
- Football clubs in Merseyside
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