HISTORY

Tranmere is very proud of the fact it is the only team in the English League with a Norwegian Viking name. Velkjent fotballklubben Tranmere i Wirral har en nordisk navn. The township of Tranmere was founded sometime around 902AD when Norwegian Vikings landed and settled in Wirral. The name Tranmere comes from the Old Norse Trani-melr meaning “cranebird (or heron) sandbank” and in modern Scandinavia Trane (Norway and Denmark) or Trana (Sweden) is still used for these birds.

Tranmere Rovers was founded in 1881 under the name Belmont fc. Their first team was: Hilton, Rothewell, Sheridan, O’ Toole, Muir, W.Rotuthledge, Sheriden, McAfee, W.Littler, Morgan and Buckley.

On September 26th they bet Liverpool North End 10:0 at Ravenshaw’s Field on borough road Wirral their home at the time. Goals from John Morgan, Buckly (3), Lee (3), Billy Littler (3).

In 1912 they move to Prenton Park in Birkenhead and gained membership of the Football League. Nine years later. Since then Tranmere rovers has established itself as Merseyside’s third club and one of the more successful lower division sides in the Football league.

In 1920 before Tranmere entered the Football League they were a member of the Central league (the league the reserves now compete in) Tranmere had replace Leeds City in 1919 when they were expelled for financial irregularities.

In 1922 Tranmere were now an established team within the Football league, now contesting their second season in the Third Division North. They had finished in 18th place out of 20 the previous season having won 9, drew 11 and lot 18 games.

In 1923 the open kop is almost bursting at the seams – all part of an enthusiastic crowd of 13,727 who filled Prenton Park to watch Tranmere beat Wigan Borough 4:2 on Good Friday.
The same season Tranmere bet barrow 3:0 at Prenton Park – including a goal from fan’s favourite Stan Sayer. It was said that Sayer enjoyed a pint and a smoke in the adjacent Prenton park hotel before each game.

The 1923 -24 campaign saw the third Division north expanded from 20 to 22 clubs. Rovers finished 12th out of 22 at the close of the season.

In 1924 a young player named William Ralph “Dixie” Dean made is debut for Tranmere at the age of just 16 years 335 days, a record that would stand for many decades. Dean scored 27 goals in 30 games for Tranmere before being transferred across the river Mersey to Everton where he scored a British record 60 league goals in 1927 – 28.

In 1932 Tranmere drew 2:2 at home to Chelsea in the FA Cup Third round.

In 1934 Tranmere entered the record books when Robert “Bunny” Bell scored nine goals and missed a penalty on Boxing Day in a 13:4 victory over Oldham Athletic.

In 1938 Tranmere calmed their first ever Championship in the Football League, winning the Division Three North title and a place in Division Two for the first time.

In 1952 Tranmere calmed a huge FA Cup scalp beating Huddersfield Town 2:1 away from Home.

In 1961 Dave Russell was appointed Tranmere manager. He changed the face of the club forever by introducing the all white kit.

In 1972 Tranmere had a record attendance as 24,424 packed into Prenton Park for an FA Cup forth round tie against Stoke City.

In 1973 Tranmere performed another giant killing act, this time against Arsenal in the second round of the league cup, by winning 0:1 at Highbury and in time became the only English Football League club to boast a 100% record at the famous old stadium.

In 1987 A dark hours but a fantastic silver lining as Tranmere secure their place in the Football league as a late goal for Gary Williams sees them defeat Exeter City 1:0.

In 1988 Tranmere made its first ever appearance at Wembley Stadium in the Mercantile Credit Football League Centenary Festival, beating Wimbledon and Newcastle United before loosing to Eventual Winners Nottingham Forrest in the semi finals.

In 1990 Tranmere took 22,000 Fans to Wembley as a 2:1 win over Bristol Rover sees them lift the Leyland DAF Cup.

In 1991 Wembley success again, this time in the Play Offs as Tranmere gain promotion for the second time in three seasons under John King, this time beating Bolton 1:0 after extra time. That summer, perhaps the greatest football bargain of all times landed in Wirral as Tranmere pulled of the signing of John Aldridge for just £250,000 from Real Sociedad.

In 1994 Tranmere are denied a place in the Coca Cola Cup final in the cruellest way possible as defeat in a penalty shoot out against Aston Villa in the semi final leaves players and fans heartbroken.

In 1995 Tranmere reach the play off for the third time in a row, and for the third time fall short at the semi final stage and miss out on promotion to England’s top flight.

In 1996 John Aldridge is appointed player manager.

On 22nd July 1998 Shelburne and Rangers played the only EUFA cup match to be played at Prenton Park. This was because EUFA were afraid of trouble between the fans if the match was played in Ireland.

In 2000 Aldridge guided the club to Wembley for the sixth time four years as Tranmere reached the League Cup Final loosing 2:1 to Leicester City, the last final to be played at the old Wembley. Along the way Tranmere gained a reputation for being League and FA Cup giant killers, defeating Premier League sides such as Everton, Southampton, West Ham United, Sunderland Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Coventry City in the space of two years.

In 2005 now back in Division one, Brian Little’s side missed out on the Play off glory once again, this time Tranmere lost to Hartlepool United following a penalty shoot out at Prenton park

In 2009 Tranmere celebrates its 125 year anniversary. They launched a new crest for the occasion.

On the 13th May 2014 Tranmere got relegated to League 2 after loosing 1-2 at home to Bradford City. Tranmere finished the season in 20th place in the table. The 4th tier of the Football league. The lowest they have been in 25 years.

On August 6th 2014 Everton fc played Celta Vigo in a pre-season friendly at Prenton Park.

On 12th August 2014 Mark and Nicola Palios are taking a controlling interest in Tranmere Rovers Football Club, having reached an agreement with current owner Peter Johnson.

On the 2nd of May 2014 Tranmere Rovers dropped out of the Football League following their relegation from League 2

Monday 4th May 2015 Ian Goodison’s Testimonial took place between a Tranmere Rovers XI and an Ian Goodison International XI

The Full Time score was Tranmere Rovers XI: 10 v Ian Goodison International XI:8.

1n 2015 Tranmere Rovers went out of the football league after finishing the 23rd in the league.

On the 5th May 2015 GARY BRABIN took over as Manager of Tranmere Rovers

Between Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2 fans attempted and broke the world’s longest 5-a-side match in memory of the former Tranmere Rovers Disabled supporters Association chairman Lee Knight. They played for 70 hours straight beating the record by 15 hours. members of the Tranmere Rovers players ad staff and even x-players helped out. Mark Palios even stepped in to referee when another referee pulled out.

Johnny king died 30th march 2016 aged 78.

On 19th July 2016 Warwick Rimmer was offered a testimonial for all his contributions at the club. Many of his old player that he brought through the
youths system played in the match before the 2016-17 squad took on Bolton wanderers in a pre season friendly. The full time in the first game, Tranmere legends vs Bolton Wanderers legends was 1-1. the score in the Tranmere vs Bolton match was 1-2.

On August 8th 2016 Tranmere erected the Johnny King gates which are located beside his statue. The trust funded this work.

On the 12th November 2016 Tranmere unveiled a plaque dedicated to Dixie Dean

In October 2016 Garry Brabin was replaced my Micky Mellon

The 2016-17 season in the Vanarama national league saw Tranmere Rovers finish in 2nd place and enter the play offs
they qualified for Wembley after beating Auldershot over 2 legs . 3:0 away (goals by James Norwood, Cole Stockton(x2))
and drawing 2:2 (goals by James Norwood, Cole Stockton)at Prenton Park.

Tranmere played Forrest Green Rovers in In the Play off Final. Tranmere had over 12,000 fans at the game but lost the game 3:1. Connor Jennngs getting Tranmere’s only goal.

12th May 2018 Tranmere Rovers returned to the Football league through the Playoff final. They bet Boreham Wood 2:1 in the final. Tranmere were down to 10 men for most of the game

Tranmere finished the season in 6th place and set up a 2 leg playoff games v Forest Green Rovers. Tranmere won the 1st leg in Prenton park 1:0. the goal came from Ollie Banks. James Norwood would score the equalizer in a 1:1 draw away to send Tranmere back to Wembley for the League 2 play off final.

25 May 2019 saw Tranmere Rovers complete back to back promotions and returned to League 1 through the Playoff final. They bet Boreham Wood 1:0 in the final. Connor Jennings score the only goal of the game in the 119th minute.

On the 14th March 2020 Tranmere Rovers home game v lincoln City was abandond due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This saw the league ending for all clubs.

8th June 2020 all the clubs in league 1 & 2 decided to end their season on a points per game which as the league stood tranmere were relagated to league 2 even though they had played 1 game less then the teams above them.

8th july saw mickey mellon depart and take charge of Dundee United.

It did’t take tranmere long to appoint a replacement as on the 18th July Mick Jackson was appointed Tanmere manager.

The 2020-21 season kicked off for Tranmere with a home game v Hattigate town in the Carabao cup 1st round. this was played behind closed door. All games were played behind closed doors in the league and cup games due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

Mick jackson lost his job on the 31st October 2020. Tranmere lost 1:0 to Morcombe at prenton Park. Tranmere won only 3 games under Jackson.

Ian dawes takes charge for 5 games. winning them all

On 21st November 2020 Keith Hill was appointed manager

14th March 2021 Tranmere returned to Wembly for the PAPA Johns Trophy final. They lost 1:0 to Sunderland.

They bet Liverpool Under 21s, Port Vale, Wigan, Man City Under 21’s, Leicester city Under 21s, Peterbrough United, Oxford City on the way to the final

Tranmere rovers sack keith Hill after taking the club 7th in the table and in a play-off position. Ian dawes takes charge for the playoffs. Tranmere drew morcome in the playoffs. after loosing the 1st leg at home 2:1 tranmere earned a 1:1 drew away but that wasnt enough to get them to the final loosing 3:2 on agg.