Rovers trace their origins to 1884 when Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont Cricket Club spawned Belmont FC. The following year they changed their name to Tranmere Rovers. Up to the First World War the club competed in local leagues such as the Liverpool & District and the Lancashire Combination. In 1919, when football resumed, they broadened their horizons and entered the Central League. On the formation of the Football League Division Three North in 1921 they were one of the clubs given a place.

The early years as a League club were uninspired, with plenty of low finishes and even the odd re-election. However by the Thirties they were generally at the right end of the table, and in the 1937-38 season were Champions and won their first promotion to Division Two. Unfortunately they finished last in the following campaign, though had to wait for a minor skirmish called the Second World War to run its course before picking up life in Division Three North again in 1946-47.

Having had to resort to re-election in 1957 they were fortunate enough to have a better next season, and so when Divisions Three North and South were restructured in 1958 found themselves placed in Division Three. Three years of struggle saw them eventually relegated to Division Four at the end of the 1960-61 season. In 1966-67 they squeaked back up to the Third in fourth spot and spent nearly a decade in mid-table until another relegation at the end of 1974-75. The following campaign they bounced straight back, again in the final fourth promotion spot. Down again three seasons later they looked like becoming a bit of a yo-yo club but it was to be survival not table position that dominated most of the Eighties. A 'Save the Rovers' fund raising campaign and a £200,000 loan from the council kept them afloat but did not solve the problems, and by 1987 they were into administration. Local businessman and multi-millionaire Peter Johnson took them on and, after retaining their Football League status with a win on the last day of the season in the 1986-97 campaign, with Johnson's money the only way was up.

The Main Stand at Prenton Park Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

These were to be great days for Tranmere, with a series of record signings for the club, including John Aldridge in the summer of 1991 for £250,000 from Real Sociedad. Tranmere had already been promoted to Division Three, and taken a trip to Wembley in 1990 to defeat Bristol Rovers in the Final of the Leyland Daf Cup. A week later they were back at the Twin Towers again, but lost out in the play-off Final to Notts County for a place in Division Two. However they made up for it the following season when a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley saw them up to the second tier of football. From 1992-93 to 1994-95 Tranmere were in touching distance of the top flight, finishing fourth, fifth and fifth. In 1993-94 they also missed out on a League Cup Final appearance by the narrowest of margins. After taking Aston Villa to a 4-4 aggregate in the two leg semi-final they went down 4-5 on penalties. On the back of all this relative prosperity and the requirements of the Taylor Report Prenton Park was completely rebuilt in the mid-Nineties.

Aldridge took over as manager from Johnny King and although the demands of maintaining a promotion challenge for a place in the Premier League proved too much for the club's resources there were some glorious days in the Cups. In 1999-2000 Rovers reached the quarter-finals of the F.A. Cup for the first time in their history. And then repeated the feat in 2000-01, and again in 2003-04. Even more impressively they made up for that disappointment in 1994 and got to the League Cup Final in 2000, but lost 1-2 to Leicester City. During all these cup exploits they lost their place in Division One, relegated in 2000-01. After the drop they were a top half but not play-off side in Division Two/League One for three seasons, and then finished third in 2004-05. Many considered them by far the best side in the play-offs, but it's the actual results that count and they lost out on penalties at the semi-final stage to unfancied Hartlepool United.

The Johnny King at Prenton Park Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

It is always a difficult act to follow a particularly successful period at a club, especially when it has generated iconic status for predecessors - in this case Johnny King and John Aldridge. Neither Dave Watson nor Ray Mathias had lasted long, but Brian Little appeared to have created a team destined to return to what was now termed the Championship and was expected to kick the club on the following season. However it all began to fall apart. Little was under severe pressure from the fans, and when his chairwoman began openly criticising it became a question of when not if. In the end he survived to see the season completed, but lost his job in the summer of 2006. Ronnie Moore, a surprise casualty at Oldham Athletic after only fifteen months in the post, returned to the club where he'd both played and been Assistant Manager previously.

Last season saw Tranmere sit on the edge of the playoffs, being good, but not quite good enough. The Glovers unfortunately caught them on two of their better days, suffering two comprehensive defeats, but consistency is the name of the game, and whilst the Glovers made it into the playoffs, Tranmere finished on the wrong side of the dividing line. So far during the 2007-08 season, they've shown little sign of having moved on from that - again they are a useful side on their day, but for whatever reason can't break the barrier needed to really reach their potential.

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RECENT RESULTS

28/03/2008	Swindon Town	Home	CCL1	W	2-1	5815		Jennings 12, Greenacre 40
05/04/2008	Walsall	Away	CCL1	L	1-2	5745		Myrie-Williams 3
12/04/2008	Nottingham Forest	Home	CCL1	L	0-2	8689
19/04/2008	Huddersfield Town	Away	CCL1	L	0-1	8315
26/04/2008	Southend United	Home	CCL1	W	1-0	5842		Kay 53
03/05/2008	Northampton Town	Away	CCL1	L	1-2	5088		Greenacre 43

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Chris Greenacre	11	0	0	0	0	11
Antony Kay	6	0	0	0	0	6
Calvin Zola	5	0	0	0	0	5
Paul McLaren	4	0	0	0	0	4
Ian Moore	3	0	0	0	0	3
Jennison Myrie-Williams	3	0	0	0	0	3
Gareth Taylor	3	0	0	0	0	3
Chris Shuker	3	0	0	0	0	3
Shane Sherriff	3	0	0	0	0	3
Steve Davies	2	0	0	0	0	2
Craig Curran	2	0	0	0	0	2
Steven Jennings	2	0	0	0	0	2
Andy Taylor	2	0	0	0	0	2
Mike Jones	1	0	0	0	0	1
Ben Chorley	1	0	0	0	0	1
Own Goals	1	0	0	0	0	1

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 11008, vs Leeds United, 11/08/2007
Lowest League Attendance: 5006, vs Gillingham, 29/01/2008
Average League Attendance: 6504

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	1		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	8		Games Without Defeat:	0
Games Without A Home Defeat:	1		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	9		Games Without A Score Draw:	9
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	14		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	LWWWLW
Away Results Sequence:	LDLLLL		Overall Results Sequence:	WLLLWL

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The alternative is to stay on the M6, joining the M56 heading west at Junction 9. Join the M53 at Junction 15. Easier to type and one suspects probably quicker than joining the M53 via Chester, despite the extra mileage involved. Obviously roadworks/accidents at the time may make this advice obsolete, or to put it another way, plain wrong.

Once on the M53 follow the road past the delights of Ellesmere Port and leave the motorway at Junction 4. Take the 4th exit on the roundabout, the B5151, Mount Road. After around 2.5 miles Mount Road becomes Storeton Road. Turn right at the traffic lights onto Prenton Road West and Prenton Park is around 200 yards further on, on the right.

The Kop End. So how are these facilities worse than the Cowshed (below), supposedly justifying away fans being charged more? Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

Parking

There's limited parking at the ground which you'll pay £4.00 per car for, and you'll have to get there early to get a place. Otherwise it's park where you can pretty much, though beware of the local residents parking scheme. We will also manfully resist warning you to lock up your car stereos and hubcaps - this profile is going to rise above such pathetic stereotyping.

By Rail

There are 3 choices of stations near(ish) to Prenton Park for the rail traveller: Conway Park (100 yards from Birkenhead Bus Station, see below for buses to the ground), Birkenhead Central (approx 30 mins walk from Prenton Park), and Rock Ferry (15 mins walk from Prenton Park). The two main options of routes are to either get to Liverpool Lime Street, from where you need the Wirral Line for New Brighton / West Kirby to Conway Park, or Ellesmere Port / Chester train to Birkenhead Central or Rock Ferry; or via Chester, changing for a train destined for Liverpool and disembarking at Rock Ferry or Birkenhead Central. Check the National Rail Enquiries site for details of services.

By Bus

From Birkenhead Bus Station services 3, 3A 33B, 41C, 71 and 72 stop at the the nearby Singleton Avenue; while services 42, 177, 447, 464 all stop at Prenton Park.

By Taxi

A selection of Birkenhead taxi companies can be found here.

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Club Bar :

The away end (Cowshed Stand) has its own licensed bar as well as the usual pies/burgers type facilities.

The Cowshed, end for the visiting fans Photo © 2005 Ciderspace

N.B. Some opening times given are for pre the change in licencing laws on November 24th 2005. It's fair to presume no pubs will be reducing their times when open, so consider those supplied below as the minimum.

Local Pubs :

Fox and Hounds: If it's a country hostelry you're after the Wirral isn't the best place to go - as there's virtually no countryside left. However Barnston is one of the very few villages that hasn't been swallowed up, and this offering is a good option for those who prefer pubs well away from the crowds around the stadium, being the other side of the motorway and three and a half miles drive into Prenton Park. Real ales are Webster's Yorkshire Bitter, Theakston's Best and Old Peculier, Marston's Pedigree and two guest ales. Keg comprises Carlsberg, Fosters, Becks, Kronenbourg, Budweiser, Chestnut Mild, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and Strongbow Cider. The pub is proud of having sixty different varieties of whisky on offer. Meals are available at lunchtime, 12.00 noon - 2.00 p.m., wheelchair access, disabled adapted toilet, children welcome (in family room), dogs allowed (outside eating areas), garden, forty-five car parking spaces. Opening 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (12.00 noon - 10.30. p.m. Sundays). Fox and Hounds, 107, Barnston Road, Barnston, Merseyside, CH61 1BW. Tel: 0151 6481323. Fax: 0151 6480872. Email: ralph@the-fox-hounds.co.uk. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Halfway House: Opening 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. There's Carling, Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export, Stones, Worthingtons, Tetley Smooth, Ansells Mild, Guinness and Strongbow Cider on keg, and Wadworth 6X as the real ale. Typical pub food served from 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Children welcome if eating. Has Sky and a juke box, wheelchair access to bar, disabled adapted toilet and parking for twenty cars. Switch / cash back and credit cards accepted. Less than ten minutes walk to the stadium. Halfway House, 293, Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 9QE. Tel: 0151 6094331. Map: Click Here.

Mersey Clipper: Closest pub to the stadium; in fact right on the doorstep just behind the Main Stand. As such pretty much a home fan pub, though there's no restrictions on away supporters using it that we are aware of. Mersey Clipper, 17, Prenton Road West, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 9PY. Tel: 0151 6083446. Map: Click Here.

Prenton Park Hotel: Second closest outlet to the stadium, and packed. Step outside, cross a road, and you are pretty much at the away end. As such it's used to away supporters, though still mainly a home side pub. We used it during the 2005-06 season, more through want of time after taking seven soddin' hours to get to Tranmere, and convenience, than because of its qualities. Standard range of keg beer and 'cider', lagers, Guinness etc - it's a typical lager'n'Sky-Sports sort of place. After the match it was fairly lively, though this was as a result of Liverpudlians and Evertonians giving it large at each other, not because anyone cared two hoots about us. Prenton Park Hotel, 796, Borough Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 9JG. Tel: 0151 6083852. Map: Click Here.

The Sportsman: As the name suggests a sports orientated pub with five screens, and only 500 yards from Prenton Park. There's also a pool table. Opening is 11.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. (12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday). On draught are Carling, Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export, Stones, Ansells Mild, Tetley Smooth, Worthington Creamflow, Guinness and Strongbow Cider. Typical pub food served Monday to Friday 12.00 noon - 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m., Saturday 1.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m., Sunday 12.0 noon - 6.00 p.m. Although heavily used by home fans there's no reports of issues with visiting supporters. Has own car park, and also an over-spill into the health centre across the road evenings and weekends. The Sportsman, 9, Prenton Road East, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH42 7LQ. Tel: 0151 6436941. Map: Click Here.

Traveller's Rest: With decent beer scarce as honest scousers on the Wirral this is one of the more likely options, though a mile and a half from the ground. Has a central bar serving two rooms, in 'village style' with lots of brasses etc. Beers are Boddingtons Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Flowers IPA (WHY!?), Greene King Abbot and Taylor Landlord as regulars, together with a guest or three, often from local micro breweries. Food ranging from sandwiches to the full mixed grill served lunchtimes, with last orders at 1.45 p.m. Children not allowed. Wheelchair access. Opening 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday (no food). Traveller's Rest, 169, Mount Road, Higher Bebington, Merseyside, CH63 8PJ. Tel: 0151 6082988. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Scousers gorra gobs as big as de Mersey Tunnel: mind yer pozzy jar, mista? We'll do a scutty job dan de bizzies. Fork over de rips or gerra Kirkby kiss. Stitch that, pal. Awright.

Top-Tip :

Try singing : 'You're just a small club near Vauxhall Motors' - doubtless the famed Merseyside wits will chuckle.

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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