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Meet the new boys

It's time to meet the ten new faces that have arrived at the Club this summer.


We have a couple of new keepers this season as Sheffield United were unwilling to let Thomas Hanlon come back for a second season on loan. However, returning to Prenton Park on a permanent deal is Marcus Dewhurst who was released by the Blades at the end of last season. Marcus, 22, spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient but is back to reclaim that number one spot after making 15 appearances for us in the 2022-23 season. Pushing him close will be 23 year old Calum Ward who signs for a nominal fee from Concord Rangers. The former Bournemouth trainee will be hoping to make his return back to the professional ranks a positive one.


The most exciting capture this summer is the acquistion of Welsh right-back Neco Williams. Neco, 23, was released by Liverpool without making a league appearance for the Anfield giants. He is reunited with manager Mark Duell whom he appeared in 10 Under 21 games for. Expecting to contest him for the starting right back slot is another 23 year old in the shape of Jake Nicholls. Nicholls joins us from League One Notts County for whom he made nine appearances last season after his release from Hull City. The final new defender is left back Myles Kenlock who has joined us on a season long loan from Swindon Town. The former Ipswich Town trainee will looking to complete with Caleb Richards for a starting spot.


Two new midfielders in the Tranmere ranks this season. First up is former Ajax talent Kees De Boer, 24, who was released by Bury after four seasons at the Shakers. The Dutchman is an accomplished passer and should be a very useful signing indeed. Also added to the midfield is Irishman Conor Tee who has been acquired from Leicester City. Conor, 23, was released by the Foxes this summer after making just a single appearance for them. His signing is another one as the manager looks to exciting young talents in the return to League Two action this season.


The new signings are completed by three new strikers. With Jake Collier being constantly linked to a move to a Championship Club, Mark Duell has moved swiftly to enhance his striking options should the 19 year old indeed depart. The first new striker is 22 year old Scot Aaron Pressley, son of former Scottish internationalist Steven. Aaron had an impressive loan spell at Hartlepool United last season and obviously caught the manager's eye during that. He joins us on a free from Aston Villa. Also joining us from Villa is Frenchman Dimitri Sea who has explosive pace and an eye for a goal; Dimitri made just two appearances in the claret and blue of the Villans in six seasons there. The final signing is 23 year old Sam Sanders who has been acquired on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest where he failed to make a single start. Sam spent last season on loan to Welsh Premier side Cefn Druids, scoring 10 times in 33 games.

Carabao Cup First Round Draw

Tranmere Rovers today learned their opponents in the First Round of this season's Carabao Cup.

Rovers have been handed a home game against fellow League Two side and nearby rivals Blackpool, with the tie to be played at Prenton Park on Tuesday 13 August 2024.

Another appetising tie sees 1969 winners Swindon Town take on 1991 winners Sheffield Wednesday at the County Ground whilst Sheffield United host Bristol City at Bramall Lane in a battle of two of the Championship's big guns.

Well that computer has certainly thrown up a few appetising opening day games. Bromley start their maiden League Two campaign with a testing trip to Devon to face a Plymouth Argyle side that some think have an outside chance of promotion. National League champions Tranmere Rovers face a trip down the East Lancs Road to face Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

For the relegated sides; Walsall travel to Oxford United, Blackpool go to Chesterfield, Mansfield Town host Scunthorpe United and Colchester United are on the road to Maidstone United.

There's a few derbies with Oldham against Stockport, Chesterfield against Mansfield and Chester against Tranmere to whet one's appetite too throughout the campaign.

Now who wants the start of the season to begin?

Club Statement

Tranmere Rovers can today confirm that Mark Duell is to remain as the club's manager.

This comes after reports linking him with a Championship club. We're not surprised considering what he has achieved so far in his short time here at Prenton Park but we're pleased he has agreed to stay. Tranmere Rovers look forward to making even better progress with him at the helm.

Jack McCadden
Club Chairman

With no championships this summer, the young Welsh starlets (well the current crop of them) played a couple of friendlies. This involved a trip to Cyprus before entertaining Sweden in Wrexham. This is how we got on.

Thursday 13 June 2024

It should have been a comfortable win for us but this friendly ended up being closer than what we wanted it to be. We gave international débuts to three players, and it was one of them who gave us the lead after ten minutes play. Right-back Jonathan Letheren played the ball into the area and Anthony Stevenson of Chelmsford City volleyed home and beat the keeper at his near post. Eight minutes later, the Cypriots were level when Kyriakou's pass sent Loizou racing clear and the striker took a couple of touches before finding the top corner with Scott Williams well beaten.

We regained the lead in the 26th minute, John Eaton picked out Russell Burton and the Cardiff youngster pulled away from his marker so he could then chest the ball home and fire home. Yet once more the Cypriots failed to yield and levelled on the half hour, Pachipis with a superb curling effort that left everyone applauding. Two minutes after half time we scored what proved to be the match winner; Eaton's deep cross was turned back into the danger area by Stevenson and Burton poached from just outside the six yard box.

Monday 17 June 2024

I changed the starting line up completely for the game against Sweden, ensuring all my 23 man squad would get some kind of game time. The Swedes to be honest controlled it from first whistle to last, and were ahead after 13 minutes. That came thanks to a couple of lucky bounces before Tayfun Gök fired the ball past Jack Jackson from distance. They clinched the win with 20 minutes to go, Josefsson's run ending with a shot that took a wicked deflection off Tom McCarthy and totally wrong footing Adam Evans. Plenty of things to digest before we resume the qualifiers against in September; we will definitely need to step up our game for sure.

So with national duties completed, it's back to club action.

Ward is our first new face of the summer

Tranmere Rovers can confirm the signing of 23 year old goalkeeper Calum Ward. The former AFC Bournemouth trainee joins us for a nominal fee from Vanarama National League South side Concord Rangers.

Ward has made over 200 appearances for the Beach Boys since being released by the Cherries at the end of the 2018-19 season. His signing is the first of a number of signings that manager Mark Duell plans as Rovers look forward to the new season back in League Two.

As well as the new signing, Rovers have also agreed new deals with defenders Ryan Reynolds and Joseph Joseph as well as tying some of their exciting youth prospects down to fresh contracts.

Wales Under-21 manager Mark Duell today released his 23 man squad for their summer friendlies against Cyprus and Sweden. There are a few changes from the last squad with first call ups for goalkeeper Adam Evans, defenders Jamie McKinnon; Nathan Pritchard and Anthony Stevenson as well as midfielders Tommy Hill and Shane Stevenson. The full squad is as follows:.

Goalkeepers:
Scott Williams (Scunthorpe United)
Jack Jackson (Cardiff City)
Adam Evans (Cardiff City)

Defenders:
Jamie McKinnon (Leyton Orient, on loan from Swansea City)
Jonathan Letheren (Swansea City)
Sam Edwards (Swansea City)
Tom McCarthy (Cardiff City)
George Armstrong (Eastleigh, on loan from Portsmouth)
Nathan Pritchard (Barry Town United)
Anthony Stevenson (Chelmsford City)
Nick Clayton-Curran (Dartford)

Midfielders:
Tommy Hill (Cardiff City)
Shane Stevenson (Eastleigh, on loan from Peterborough United)
Dion Tipton (TNS)
Darren Hewitt (Charlton Athletic)
Connor Coyne (Wrexham)
Sion Pulis (Morecambe)
John Eaton (Leyton Orient, on loan from Colchester United)
Cory Bond (Swansea City)

Strikers:
Ian Branch (Cardiff City)
Dewi Coates (Connah's Quay Nomads)
Sam Hall (Stoke City)
Russell Burton (Cardiff City)

New senior affiliate link announced!

The club can today announce an exciting new partnership.

After a brief search, Tranmere Rovers have confirmed a brand new senior affiliation. 1982 European Cup winners Aston Villa were the unanimous choice of the Rovers board as they continue with their ambitious plans for the club's future.

As part of the deal, the Villians have agreed to pay Rovers £37,470 per year and there will be an annual friendly at Prenton Park between the two sides. It's also understood that some of Villa's promising youngsters may appear in Tranmere colours on loan as well.

This deal takes effective immediately, and thus the Club can confirm that the previous partnership with Ipswich Town has been terminated at the same time.

The National League have announced their final awards of the season.

Manager of the Year:


Get in there! Another managerial award to add to the ever growing collection. That's one, at least, from each of the countries I've managed in so far. More to follow one hopes.

Player of the Year:


The former Rangers man did look a class act in the National League. I'd love to sign him for our League Two campaign but their asking price will be far more than we can afford. It'll probably take at least half a million to procure him.

National League Golden Boot:


One can only but think that Jake Collier would have walked away with this if it wasn't for injuries and missing some open goals.

National League Goal of the Season:


I told you that this was a special goal indeed, nice to see that the rest of the league agree.

There are ambitious times ahead at Tranmere Rovers.


Rovers chairman Jack McCadden, who took over the club in March this year, has announced that the Club will be looking at building a new stadium in the future. The Stafford based businessman admitted this in an exclusive statement that BBC North West Tonight has learned today:


First Team Manager Mark Duell was excited when we asked him for his opinion:

Supporters spokesperson Declan Shaw had this to say;

Season 2023-24 Club Award Winners

A look at who won what in the club awards.


Towering defender Christian Mbulu took the big award; polling nearly half of the votes cast. To say he's still unhappy about the relegation, he stuck the whole campaign out and to be honest the bids we did get for him: were just pathetic. I'm hoping that he decides to withdraw his transfer request in the summer and the same goes for skipper Jon Murray too. As for the third of that trio, Nnamdi Ofoborh will be probably on his way once his contract expires unless someone comes in with a surprise bid.

Special mention goes for our on-loan keeper from Sheffield United; Thomas Hanlon. Thomas had a superb season for us, conceding just 43 in 50 games with 26 clean sheets. I really hope I can get him on loan for a second season when we are in League Two. Jake Collier was a revelation as the lone striker, bagging 27 goals and he's now attracting the attention of a lot of Championship clubs so it might be a big job on in the summer trying to fend those vultures. Perhaps if I put a £1 million plus price tag on his head then that might stop them but then again not. He'll get his head turned I fear.

Our wingers created just under 50 goals between them this season, and it could have been more if Carlo Banks hadn't had such an injury hit campaign to be honest. I wonder if they can hit the same heights in League Two though. Signing wise, picking up Hanlon as I said was a great loan deal for us and he was just consistent over the season which is what you want from your first choice keeper. Sam Durrant, who did get the signing of the season, was also a great pick up on a free from Blackburn Rovers and chipped in with 12 goals from midfeld despite not holding down a permanent place in the first eleven throughout. I'm hoping to find a few more gems for League Two for sure.

Cedwyn Scott's overhead kick which won the goal of the season and few could really argue with that. It certainly was a superb effort that would have been replayed over and over again if it had been in the Premiership or the Champions League though. Sam Graham won the young player of the year which came as a bit of surprise to me, I was half expecting top scorer Collier to take this. But Sam was a real calming influence when he was in the side, so much so that it was hard to drop him in the final stages of the season. I've not got any real complaints about our own team of the season as most of the players picked themselves in it. That said, the surprise was the inclusion of loanee Andrâs Domokos at right-back over both Ryan "Deadpool" Reynolds and Goerge Alfieri. Not bad to say the fans weren't overly excited when he first came in; he must have really won them over. Might be one to consider bringing back?

On a disappointing note, Blair Henderson never really got going despite scoring twice in his first two games and bringing in the veteran Jani Tanska from my old Finnish club Ilves was a mistake. Tanska never got fit enough to be included in the first team, and maybe at 35, his best years are behind him. Both will be released at the end of the season and there's a lot of other hard decisions to be made with a considerable amount of contracts up for renewal. This is when a good Director of Football comes in handy.

Season 2023-24 Review

Well, that's the first ever season in the bag in English football, so let's look back on it.

It has to be said that my first season managing in English football was a massive success indeed. After spells in Scotland, Finland and latterly France I felt I needed the challenge of an English club and what better way to cut your teeth than in the harsh environment that is the National League. Chuck in the factor you are managing a newly relegated side then it becomes a much bigger test than ever. No pressure right?

After a reasonable pre-season, we kicked off the campaign at newly promoted Hartlepool United playing a 4-2-3-1 formation which we had developed in that pre-season programme. We apparently needed this extra formation according to my assistant manager as it might become too predictable for the squad to play my tried and trusted 4-1-4-1 formation which I have used at my previous clubs and also at national level with the Welsh Under 21s. So we ran with it, and for the first few games it seemed to work well, and after six games we had only conceded just a goal a game but something didn't feel right. You know how you get this feeling, OK?

In the middle of September, we switched back to 4-1-4-1 and it seemed to be the one that the players enjoyed. It was a case of go back to what I knew the best and it worked in the National League home and away. We seldom slipped off of the play-off spots which I was targetting all along, in fact our lowest position in the whole campaign was 11th which was were we sat after the opening game. The change back to the 4-1-4-1 came after a 2-2 home draw with rivals Wrexham, which had us in 9th, but once the adjustment was made then we were never out of the top seven.

December was the defining month it has to be said though. The bookmakers (when are they always right?) had AFC Fylde as the title winners when the campaign started and to be honest they looked good to make that prediction when they defeated us 1-0 at Prenton Park. But that loss seemed to hurt the boys and spur them onto a charge that would change our season's fortunes. After that loss, we would go on a run that would last the remainder of the campaign. Whenever the chips were down, the team dug in and either snatched an unlikely win from out of nowhere or get a point out of it. We hit the top in the final game in December and were never headed afterwards. With teams falling over themselves to try and keep pace, we just kept picking up the points and slowly extended our advantage. We're joined in League Two by Bromley who defeated Eastleigh 2-1 at Wembley in the Final thanks to a winner from Jordan Brown, it was the last kick of the game so not short on drama there.

The title and an immediate return was secured in our 41st league game of the campaign. Knowing well that if we beat Southport then we would be champions regardless what second placed Eastleigh would do at home to Gateshead. We duly won, and for an extra bonus Gateshead won on the South Coast which made it even sweeter. In the end, a 11 point winning gap was superb even if we didn't take the record of most points in a National League from Crawley Town. I really couldn't have asked for anything as good as that: it even feels more satisfying than the league and cup double in Finland with Ilves.

The club was also taken over as the season ended, and I've got a chairman that seems ambitious. He's added an extra 14K to the wage budget for the new season and for once I look having a bit of money to spend on new faces. Furthermore; after being declined in my requests to get a Continental Pro licence at both Ilves and Le Mans I asked him about this and he was only too willing to grant the request. This can only increase my reputation when completed, and if I can continue to get the results for Tranmere then maybe that Championship managerial dream at the moment isn't too far away. I seem to have found a club that wants to be ambitious, and hope they can kick on in League Two. If we can perform well, then I might to have fight off managerial advances from higher up the ladder.

Cup-wise for us, we did superb in the FA Cup. To say we came into it at the final qualifying round, we got to Round Three. Granted we exited at this stage to Derby County of the Championship, we acquitted ourselves superbly. To lose after a replay to the Rams, and not be humiliated in that replay was a real high. I would have liked to gone further in the FA Trophy but an extra time winner in Round Three at Victoria Park ended that, and as for the Irn-Bru Cup that ended early but after a penalty shootout in Hamilton which is always the most cruellest way to finish a football match. Next season's going to be hectic with the FA Trophy and Irn-Bru Cup be replaced by the Checkatrade Trophy and the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) so we're going to need a squad with numbers in depth to cope with the demands.

Bring it on!

April's National League awards.

The winners were as follows, we didn't feature in any of them:

Manager of the Month:


Player of the Month:


Young Player of the Month:


Goal of the Month:
Despite scoring another worldie, not a mention in the top three for Cedwyn's curler against Solihull. The winner was Wtrexhan's Anis Memheti.

Coming soon, the end of National League end of season awards. Who will be winners of the Manager of the Year, National League Player of the Year and National League Goal of the Season? Plus also the Team of the Season.

April and May 2024 Summary

The final games of the season analysed.

Thanks to our own efforts and Gateshead beating Eastleigh, the title was bagged with four games left to spare. Cheers 'Heed! Safe to say the celebrations from Southport went long into the night for us all, and a few sore heads were in evidence when we resumed training the following Monday. But we wanted to continue this unbeaten run and maybe, just maybe, break a few more records if possible.

We weren't really at our best when we played our penultimate home game of the season against Ebbsfleet United. In fact they were the better side throughout but we just continued to be miserly in front of our own goal and shut them out. The only goal of the game would come after just two minutes play; skipper Jon Murray producing a superb free-kick from distance that curled its way in via the crossbar. A goal worthy of winning any game. Further proof that you can play not well as a team but can grind out a win when needed.

Twice we led in our next game, away to Dagenham and Redbridge, but in the end we had to settle for a point which took us over the 100 point barrier which itself is an incredible achievement for all concerned. We took the lead in the 12th minute when the recalled Einar Iversen took a touch inside the penalty area before arrowing a nice effort that found the corner of the home goal. However, Reece Mitchell levelled matters for the Daggers two minutes later. We would regain the lead in the 22nd minute however, Ollie Banks with a well struck effort from close range after Harrison Howard had headed down a Carlo Banks corner to him. The Daggers would drew level once more in the 69th minute thanks to a Tim Penfold effort, and we eventually shook hands on an entertaining 2-2 draw.

The game against the Daggers saw Tranmere débuts for two promising youngsters in striker Ridvan Polat who is of Turkish descent despite being born in Newcastle, and Birkenhead (so, a proper home grown talent eh?) born defender Kris Camacho. It was funny to hear the away fans sing his name to the tune of the Sinitta hit single "So Macho" when he took the field. I also opted to give Bayleigh Passant a rare league start in between the sticks.

We were expected to win comfortably in our final home game of the campaign but we again shook hands at the end on a 2-2 draw; this time with mid-table Solihull Moors. The Moors actually took the lead on the quarter hour when skipper and central defender Kory Roberts beat Passant with a shot that any centre forward would have been proud of. The equaliser though wasn't far in coming, another set piece this time converted by Nnamdi Ofoborh: he of the five first names! It was the last meaningful action for the midfielder as he limped off eight minutes later. With nine minutes to go to the break, we took the lead thanks to a superb 30 yard curling effort from Cedwyn Scott that gave the Moors keeper no chance at all. But the lead lasted all of two minutes when Korrey Perry drew the away side back on parity. Neither side could find a winner after that, but it extended our unbeaten run.

The season would finish with an away trip to AFC Fylde, the bookies pre-season title favourites, and also the last team to defeat us in league play way back in December. We took an amazing 1285 fans to Mill Lane for the finale and after nine minutes we were ahead when a revitalised Paul Mullin sent in a corner and skipper Murray picked it up with one touch before striking an effort through a crowd and into the net. Fylde equalised four minutes later with a set piece goal of their own, defender Saul Milovanovic with the goal. They would go ahead just after the half hour with a fine strike from Austin Manning. With time running out, it looked like we would see the end of our remarkable run until we awarded a penalty seven minutes from time following a foul on Carlo Banks. Up stepped top scorer Jake Collier to send the keeper the wrong way from twelve yards and net his 27th of the season.

So these were the final standings, with the promotion play-offs to begin soon:

Rovers are champions!

"Championi, championi - olé, olé, olé!" was the sound coming from the away support in Southport at 4:50pm this afternoon.

Yes Rovers are back in League Two next season as they secured an immediate return, and their third National League title in five years.

Needing just a win to secure the title regardless of what second placed Eastleigh were going to do in their home game with Gateshead, Rovers set off with intent and the travelling support were rewarded as early as the third minute. Full back Ryan Reynolds swung in a cross from the right, and inside forward Cedwyn Scott connected with a sweet half volley past Jim Tonge in the home goal. But Southport weren't in the mood to let this early setback affect them; and equalised four minutes later when skipper Ray Cooper converted from close range with Rovers defence stretched out of position. Cooper's goal was the first goal that Thomas Hanlon had conceded in 491 minutes, going back to the penalty converted by Issac Layne of Barrow in our 3-1 win there last month.

We regained the lead after 19 minutes, and it was definitely a case of April Fools for unfortunate Sandgrounders right-back Jordan Aina. Aina put us back in front when he headed a cross from Carlo Banks into his own net; sparking heated conversations in defence with his team-mates. Obviously, there had been a lack of communication somewhere but not that Rovers were complaining. Rovers thought they had added a third a minute before half time when Banks swept home from a Jon Murray free-kick but the assistant referee's flag ruled that one out. Replays confirmed it appeared to be the right decision.

The away support had already been jumping for joy as two Greg Olley penalties had Gateshead 2-0 at the interval in Eastleigh, and midway through the second half those title dreams became closer when Banks provided another superb cross and this time top scorer Jake Collier volleyed in his 26th of a remarkable season from close range after 68 minutes play. The title was within touching distance, and Rovers knew it. Southport's Jaidon Anthony saw red for a couple of yellow cards with seven minutes to go then the moment really arrived a couple of minutes later. With play in the Southport half, news came through of a third Gateshead goal in Eastleigh from Joe Pritchard. The title was won barring a massive collapse.

Eddie Brown did make the game a bit more interesting at Haig Avenue with a second Southport goal in time added on whilst Shanar Moore pulled one back for Eastleigh around the same time. However Rovers were not to be denied, and the party began.

Our team was:

Hanlon; Reynolds (Ofoborh 62), Graham, Mbulu, Richards (Kinina 55); Murray ©; Durrant, Ollie Banks (Henderson 72); Carlo Banks, Scott; Collier. Unused Substitutes: Passant, Iversen.

Attendance: 1203 (586 Rovers)

March's National League awards.

The winners were as follows:

Manager of the Month:


You know what they say: good things come to those who wait. Well this was definitely worth the wait, really it was. Six wins from seven in the month, maybe this will also have a bearing when they come to hand out the Manager of the Year gong at season's end. And we thought it would never happen....

Player of the Month:


Wee Sam, OK he's 6ft tall so not a shorty, has been in more superb form as we close in on promotion. He's chipped in some vital goals and some equally good performances as a rule. To say I picked him up on a free from Blackburn Rovers, he's been worth signing. 12 goals from midfield is a superb haul, and I think he can maybe get better if he applies himself the right way. Prior to being at the Rovers academy, he was on schoolboy forms with both Everton and Liverpool but neither took him on further.

For those who wonder what he looks like, this is the current Vanarama National League Player of the Month for March 2024:


Young Player of the Month:


Despite scoring a fair number of goals this month, not even a mention for our Jake. Must have upset the judging panel I guess or they didn't fancy lauding all the awards our way. Draw your own conclusions folks.

Goal of the Month:
Won by a thumping 31 yard free kick from Aldershot striker Shaun Rigg.

March 2024 Summary

A busy period of seven games in just 27 days as we head towards the end of a long season.

We began March with a home game against AFC Telford United, and what a hard fought game that was. Despite having more chances but conceding more of the possession: a draw looked a certainty. Referee Ryan Johnson must have thought it was Christmas too as he was handing out cards to our lads like they were confetti. We had no less than five players booked, the most we have had in a single game all season, but still no reds which is always good and allows us to have our strongest team out all of the time. Yet you always have to keep working until that final whistle, and good things might happen. Well they did for us in the fourth of five minutes added on at the end of the game! Skipper Jon Murray punted the ball forward, Carlo Banks got above his marker to head down to top scorer Jake Collier who volleyed home his 20th of the season and left Telford absolutely gutted.

We would then play three sides in the bottom reaches of the division and each one of them a potential banana skin. It started with a midweek trip to Holker Street, Barrow, and two goals in the space of six minutes put us on course for yet another three points. After 17 minutes we opened the scoring, Caleb Richards with the left wing cross and although Collier headed against the bar initially; he reacted first of all to poach home the rebound. Then in the 23rd minute, Banks supplied a corner which Christian Mbulu headed down for Murray to lash in a fierce volley. Four minutes after half time, they reduced the arrears when Issac Layne converted a penalty but four minutes from time, the boys in red (yeah, we were wearing our third choice kit) clinched it when Sam Durrant gambled on a hopeful ball from Banks, the Barrow defender made a hash of a clearance, and the former Blackburn trainee took a touch before rifling in his 10th of the season...some return eh?

Another potential slip up followed with a back to back away game, this time to Barnet. We certainly buzzed in The Hive and continued our winning ways plus yet another clean sheet for Thomas Hanlon. Some great play would lead to the opener in the 13th minute, unlucky for Barnet eh? The final pass was a weighted pass from the byline by Paul Mullin and who else but Collier was on hand to finish from six yards out. As the game headed into the final 19 minutes, that goal was the only one which could have given the Bees hope but we stung them with a quickfire four minute salvo. In the 71st minute a searching cross from Cedwyn Scott saw Collier somehow beat THREE Barnet defenders to the ball and head in. Then it was game over with quarter of an hour left, another corner kick routine saw Mbulu head into the path of Ollie Banks whose shot had too much power on it for the Barnet keeper to keep out.

The home game against Aldershot had been promoted as a fan day by the Club and we enjoyed a superb attendance of over 6700: most of whom would go home the happier as we chalked up another win. The opener came in the 16th minute when "Deadpool" (Ryan Reynolds) fired in a low cross which Scott superbly got out of his feet and then smash home an unstoppable effort. That lead would be doubled five minutes later, Clements tripping Scott in the area and Collier producing the perfect penalty. Whatever the Shots threw at us, we repelled and we completed yet another win when Durrant headed in from close range after 66 minutes following a Mullin corner.

After that, we would entertain Salford City in the first game for the new owner but we failed to spark as the team recorded a rare blank. Salford will probably go back and think how the heck they didn't take full points as they controlled us on our own patch. Well if they had taken their chances they would have really taken us apart but two shots on target from 15 tells its own story. Never was I so delighted to come off a home game with a point when really we deserved nothing at all.

Despite being clear at the top, our next game would be against nearest challengers Eastleigh: and we knew if we could get a good result against them then we would really be in a good position for the title race. As it was, just one goal would decide matters. It came six minutes before half time when Doyle tugged the shirt of Mullin as the inside forward prepared to shoot. The referee had no doubt in awarding the spot kick, and up stepped Collier to emphatically thump home from twelve yards and score his 25th of the season. Eastleigh did try but our defence was in no need to concede and so it was three massive points for us on the board. We had really found a way to win despite not being at our fluent best.

With Eastleigh not in action on Good Friday 2024, we had a chance to make the title almost ours if we could finish the month with a win at mid-table Cambridge United. It was far from being a classic but it all changed just after the hour. Cambridge midfielder Tommy Haines saw red for a second yellow card from referee Joe Hull, and I thought this was our cue. As Haines trooped off, I encouraged the Lads to kick on and make the most of the extra man: we produced within two minutes of this. An unstoppable effort from Durrant , which arrowed into the top corner, proved to be the decisive moment and we're now within touching distance of an immediate return to League Two and more silverware for me.

So with just a handful of games left, this is how we stand:


That was a defining month of the season, and when I needed the boys to really step up the pressure: they delivered the results for us. Just five games to play and a point could conceivably clinch the title if Eastleigh fail to take maximum points at home to Gateshead. We're rewriting a number of records this season and this seems to be one of the best squads I've had. Match winners all over the squad.

Now if we do go up, as expected, will Mbulu, Murray and Ofoborh all withdraw their transfer requests and will the new chairman put some more serious funding so we can build on this? One can only hope in both circumstances. Squeaky bum time for us all.

The saga is at over, the long protracted takeover of Tranmere Rovers has been completed.

The new owner of the Wirral based club, currently riding high in the National League, is Staffordshire based Jack McCadden. He succeeds Mark Palios, who had been in charge since 2014. Mr Palios and his wife Nicola have both left the Club as part of the takeover.

Mrs Palios' replacement on the Tranmere board is Mr McCadden's business partner Nigel Tinnion.

The Club have also announced that the previous link with Liverpool, established under the Palios reign, has been terminated with immediate effect. They insist that there is no effect to Mark Duell's role as manager and look forward to working with him.

February's National League awards.

The winners were as follows:

Manager of the Month:


A third placed finish in February. Got the feeling that I might have stood a chance if it wasn't for that dreary draw in Morecambe. Congratulations to "Reg" Varney on the gong though.

Player of the Month:


Unlucky wee Sam, close yet not so far. That said Robinson also bagged the Young Player of the Month award too for good measure. Things are good when they come in doubles right?

Goal of the Month:

This was won by Grimsby's Antonio Diaz, who is actually English rather than his Spanish sounding name. We don't hit screamers here at Prenton Park....

February 2024 Summary

A four game span as we go deep into the business end of the season now.

Bromley started the month and a potential banana skin as they are in the play off spots, looking for a good finish. In front of almost 5000 fans, we were ahead after just seven minutes play when Caleb Richards whipped in a cross from the left and Paul Mullin glanced his header into the far corner out of the keeper's grasp. Then as we waited to see how many minutes to be played at the end of that first half, we added our second. Cedwyn Scott with a nice lay off to Ollie Banks who produced a sublime side foot finish. Andy Sims reduced the arrears early in the second half to give Bromley a chance but we were standing steadfast in defence. The points though were secured two minutes from time when Banks played in substitute Marcus Sammons to slide a shot under the advancing keeper. It was his first goal for the club.

Midweek dreariness in Morecambe, that's how you can describe the next game. It has to be said that defences were the biggest winners in this game with Ryan Reynolds, aka Deadpool as the Lads have nicknamed him, turning into a brilliant game at right back. Still a clean sheet, and at least we didn't lose.

After suffering FA Trophy agony in my home town, we were on the road again for the penultimate game of the month. Leyton Orient are one of the few sides that have beaten us this season in the league so there was plenty of incentive to put that right when we arrived in the capital. Two goals in the second half saw that done and kept us unbeaten for the month. Just two minutes after the restart, some great interplay saw Mullin tee up Sam Durrant for a crisp finish past former Rovers loanee Marcus Dewhurst. The same two combined for the clincher with ten minutes to go, Mullin with a corner to the back post and Durrant with a firm header that crashed into the net giving Dewhurst no chance at all.

Our biggest home league crowd of the season of almost 7000 saw us take the points against Carlisle United in the final game of February. The only goal came after seven minutes when Durrant, fresh from his double salvo at Orient, sent Jake Collier scampering clear. Was this to be the youngster's 20th of the season? Well the keeper saved his initial shot only for Collier to crash the second shot against the bar. Third time of asking it went in, Mullin with a low finish for his 15th of the campaign which Kessell couldn't get near. It was a niggly game with eight yellow cards brandished but no reds. We now go into March on an impressive run of 12 league games without defeat. If that's not title winning form then what exactly was is.

So with just a couple of months to go, these are the standings:


Twelve games left to go, and seven of those come in March in a 27 day spell. February proved to be a decent move indeed as it allowed us to open a bit more of a gap. Wrexham are the outsiders of the four but are Eastleigh able to keep pace with us? The bookies favourites can never be discounted despite lying seven points adrift of us at present, they're my personal danger team. If we continue to grind out the wins then we can secure the title in April.

The takeover is still unresolved which means I can't buy any new faces to freshen the squad, that said I have a decent crop of youngsters I could call on if need be. Still kept hold of the want away three of Mbulu, Murray and Ofoborh however...maybe they'll stay if we go up!

Wembley dreams end in Hartlepool defeat

Extra time proved to be the decisive moment as Rovers saw their Buildbase FA Trophy dreams end.

Taking on the current holders Hartlepool United was always going to be a tough ask, and at Victoria Park too. It did prove to be a very entertaining affair with both teams carving out many an opportunity. With four minutes to go to half time, Rovers went ahead. A long ball down the right from Harrison Howard picked out the ever willing Cedwyn Scott and his low cross fizzed across the six yard box for Paul Mullin to tap home with no Pools defenders near him.

Six minutes after the interval, Pools were back on parity. A deep cross from Rob Wright was nodded home at the far post by Josh Blake despite Thomas Hanlon's valiant attempt to keep it out. However Rovers would go ahead once more in this tie with just 12 minutes left to play. Ollie Banks flighted a ball forward that Alex Denny then flicked on, and nipping in behind the Pools defence was none other than top scorer Jake Collier to poach his 19th goal of the season. Was that to prove to be winner?

Well they always say, play to the whistle and the final whistle at that. So it proved as Pools scored a dramatic equaliser deep into second half stoppage time to force extra time between the two teams. It all began with a Mullin corner which was headed clear at the near post; Pools then went on the counter and the ball found its way through to Jack Evans who drilled home his first ever goal for Pools from the edge of the area; Hanlon given no chance.

So we went to extra time and possibly penalties. We knew it would take something special to win it, and that came eight minutes before that dreaded shootout. It was an exocet of a finish from substitute Chanka Zimba which again gave Hanlon no chance whatsoever. The loanee from Blackburn Rovers certainly won't hit anything as sweet as that for sure. Rovers tried to get back on terms but ultimately fell short so it's the holders who move into the quarter-finals.

Our team was:

Hanlon; Reynolds (Kinina 80), Howard, Mbulu, Richards; Ofoborh; Durrant (Denny 66), Murray © (Ollie Banks 39); Scott, Mullin; Collier. Unused Substitutes: Passant, Sammons.

Attendance: 3266 (391 Rovers)