NAME: Tranmere Rovers
NICKNAME: The Superwhites, Rovers
YEAR FOUNDED: 1884
MANAGER: Mike Jackson
LEAGUE POSITION: 16th
THE HISTORY:
When Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont Cricket Club came together, Belmont FC was formed. The club won its first match against Brunswick Rovers 4-0 on November 15, 1884.
Less than one year later, the Club changed its name to Tranmere Rovers Football Club and took to the pitch in blue shirts and white shorts at Steeles Field on Borough Road, Birkenhead. The Superwhites moved into their current home Prenton Park in 1912.
After competing in local leagues including the Liverpool & District League and the Lancashire Combination - a competition in which the side won its first silverware from in 1908 - the Club made the step up to the Central League in 1919.
Following the expansion of the Football League in 1921 to a Third Division each for the north and south of England, Rovers were accepted into the Third Division (North) and played their first fixture against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park on August 27, 1921.
Rovers claimed their first ever Championship in the Football League in 1938 when a tally of 56 points was enough to capture the Division Three (North) title and a place in Division Two for the first time.
Relegation to Division Four in 1979 put the Club in financial difficulties. However, a series of friendly fixtures, a "Save the Rovers" fund and a £200,000 loan from Wirral Council managed to secure Tranmere's existence.
The debt mounted in 1987, and after the Club obtained an administration order through the courts, local businessman Peter Johnson took over control and ownership of Rovers, with one of his first changes being the appointment of John King as manager for a second time. After first securing the Club's place in the Football League with a 1-0 victory over Exeter City on 8th May 1987.
The following season, Tranmere were promoted to Division Three, and continued the success in 1990. Rovers lost out in the Play-Off final the next year against Notts County to miss out on a place in Division Two. But that goal was achieved in 1991, with a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Play-Off final at Wembley.
The side continued to build and announced perhaps the greatest signing ever in the summer of 1991, when former Liverpool striker John Aldridge arrived from Real Sociedad for £250,000.
In three successive seasons, the side was on the brink of a place in the top flight of English football, but each time Rovers were disappointed, an emotion the Club also experienced when losing in the semi-finals of the League Cup against Aston Villa and missing out on another match at Wembley. In 1999/00, victories over a succession of Premier League sides led to a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
In the 21st century, Rovers have enjoyed relative success. After getting promoted to the football league in 2017/18 season. Rovers enjoyed back to back promotions after earning a space in the League Two playoffs in the 2018/19 season. Defeating Forrest Green in the semi-final and Newport County at Wembley.
In the 2019/20 season, Tranmere Rovers were relegated to League Two.
THE LAST LINEUP:
Scott Davies (GK); Liam Ridehalgh, Peter Clarke, Mark Ellis, Lee O’Connor; Jay Spearing, Jack Young, Kieron Morris; Otis Khan, Liam Feeney, James Vaughan.
THE LAST SCORE:
Tranmere 2-0 Southend - Clarke, Vaughan.
KEY PLAYER:
Experienced striker James Vaughan has led the line for Tranmere this season, scoring six goals in all competitions so far this season. Vaughan is a versatile forward with an eye for goal and great league experience.
BETTING ODDS:
Crawley: 13/10
Draw 23/10
Tranmere 11/5