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First Team

Tranmere Rovers: 10 Things

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Thu 26 Oct 2017
Posted in First Team

A busy week for FC Halifax Town sees the Shaymen face a trip to Tranmere Rovers this weekend, having already drawn against Torquay United and losing 2-0 to Maidstone United in two successive home games.

As Billy Heathโ€™s men now turn their attention to Saturdayโ€™s game at Prenton Park, Rovers will be familiar opponents to the Shaymen, with the two sides last facing each other just under two weeks ago in the FA Cup. A tie in which Town were defeated 3-1.

In the build up to the game, we look at ten things you may not have known about Tranmere and their history.

  1. Tranmere Rovers, founded in 1884 as Belmont FC, were a founding member of Division Three North in 1921, and remained in the football league until 2015.
  2. Micky Mellon took charge of the Super White Army in 2016, having played for the club in three separate spells. Initially between 1997 and 1999, on a loan deal in 2001 and then again between 2001 and 2004.
  3. Mellon has previously been in charge of Fleetwood Town, Barnsley as a caretaker boss and Shrewsbury Town.
  4. During the First World War, Roversโ€™ players were criticised for continuing to play and avoiding military service, despite working in the local shipyards.
  5. Fast forward to the 1980โ€™s, and the club entered administration following relegation to Division Four in 1979. Financial troubles continued until 1987, before being taken over local businessman, Peter Johnson.
  6. This takeover proved to be a turning point for Rovers. After the appointment of manager John King, the club enjoyed their most successful period in history. King led the Super White Army from Division Four to within touching distance of the Premier League.
  7. Although it wasnโ€™t just the once that Tranmere failed to make Englandโ€™s top division. Rovers fell short for three years in a row, with defeats to Swindon Town (1993), Leicester City (1994) and Reading (1995).
  8. Roversโ€™ stadium Prenton Park, which has the largest capacity in non-league (16,587), came out top of last seasonโ€™s average attendance list in the Vanarama National League, with an average of 5,173 fans per game.
  9. The clubโ€™s current Chairman, Mark Palios, played for the club on two occasions between 1973-1980 and 1983-1985. He also played for Crewe Alexandra and Southport during his career.
  10. Last season, Rovers finished second in the league, just four points behind Champions, Lincoln City. They reached the Play-Off Final at Wembley, although they were defeated 3-1 at the hands of Forest Green Rovers.

 

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