HockeyBhoy - Comments

2025-26 Expectations

Just the three competitions to deal with this season, makes a change from four which I have had to contend with for the last couple of campaigns.

The big one is of course my maiden excursion in the Sky Bet Championship, or for you old timers out there: the former Second Division. Well the expectation is quite simple, they want promotion and an instant return back to the Premier League. To be honest, I'm not really surprised whatsoever. They've had a wee taste of the top flight and want to taste it further. I've got to deliver it, but they've not said if it has to be automatic promotion. Will they settle for a play-off win? I've never been a big fan of the drama these bring so I'll be targeting automatic which means finishing in the top two and looking at the squad: they have the quality and experience about them to make this happen.

Getting that promotion will realise one part of a dream, to manage in the Premier League. The next stop, would be to stay there.

In the Emirates FA Cup, they have indicated they want to reach the Fourth Round stage. Considering we enter at the round before, this is very much achievable. All it takes is for a decent draw to be given to us, but at that stage you could get anything and anywhere. We just need lady luck to be shining bright on our side. It also needs to be shining bright for the Carabao Cup too as they want to make the Third Round; again a stage after we enter said competition.

At least I don't have the headache that is the Checkatrade.

All in all, I think we can meet the targets set out...if not exceed them!

2025-26 Pre-Season (Part Two)

The second part of the pre-season analysis.

I was less than happy after the second home friendly, as Nice dismantled us with absolute ease. Nice, you could say weren't at all, nice. Lone striker Frederick Obeng did the damage with the 18 year old striking a superb hat-trick which had me purring with delight. He's certainly going to be one to be watched for the future, I'll be keen to see how he does progress. We weren't taking the chances which were presented to us but did not suffer the ignominy of being blanked out at home as we scored a consolation with quarter of an hour to go. That came from the penalty spot after Briançon fouled Veton Berisha, Berisha picking himself up to slam the kick out of the keeper's reach and into the top corner. The team certainly got a taste of the hair dryer treatment at the end.

We would conclude our preparations with a trip to Bamber Bridge in our annual pre-season game at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The sell out crowd of 3000 would see me give plenty of opportunties to players that aren't first team regulars as I opted to leave a lot of the first team on the bench or rest them completely

The pundits expected a one sided game and a bit of a goal avalanche, well safe to say they weren't wrong on both counts as we had 37 shots on their net. It took just six minutes to open the scoring, and it was a Bamber Bridge player that scored it albeit in his own net. A corner came in from Montenegrin national captain Nikola Vukcevic looking for the head of Mateus Uribe but for full back Jeremiah Watson to intervene and head the ball past own keeper. Sheer embarrassment for the 17 year old. A minute later and we were two goals to the good, a left wing cross from back up left back Richard Tipple being nodded home at the far post by winger Andrew Ferguson. A third would come in the 22nd minute, and once more Tipple was involved. This time his cross was headed out but not convincingly clear by Watson and Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler lashed in the loose ball into the roof of the net via a post.

We continued to dominate and scored our fourth in the 26th minute, and another assist for Tipple who was certainly impressing me, His cross this time was powered into the net by a header from Albanian striker Brijan Ibrahimi. Ibrahimi had struggled in the previous friendlies so the goal must have definitely improved his confidence no end, and as any great striker would tell you: confidence is a major thing for them. Brig would pull one goal back two minutes after that strike, midfielder Ryan White capping a swift break with a low finish past back up keeper James Montgomery. It was one of only four shots they had all game. The joy the home fans experienced following that goal was quickly diluted on the half hour as we netted our fifth of the game thanks to an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area by Colombian Uribe which just literally fizzed by the keeper into the corner. There was still time for a sixth before the half time whistle was shrilled, and that came in the 44th minute. Another cross from the left by Tipple and a glancing header into the far corner by Ibrahimi, his second of the game.

We made four changes at half time but that did nothing to stop the flow of goals into the home net, in fact the seventh came just 20 seconds after the restart. Another Tipple cross, a weak defensive header and a precise finish from Ollie Watkins. Seven minutes we had an eighth, and yes Tipple was involved again. Another cross caused panic in the home defence, and 17 year old Andy Derbyshire had the simple task of tapping home the chance past the exposed keeper. Midway through this second half, it was 9-1. A fine cross from the right by young Tahir Cain, and a precise header from Moise Kean. We should have had number ten with 14 minutes left when Berisha was sent tumbling in the area by Mooney but the Norwegian smashed his spot kick against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. It did come though with five minutes to go, some good interplay ended with Kasey Palmer scoring with a composed finish as he continued his comeback after injury. The rout was completed in added on time, Italian Giulio Maggiore scoring from twelve yards after being left unmarked at a corner kick routine.

So that's pre-season done with, the real thing is around the corner.

2025-26 Pre-Season (Part One)

We played five games in preparation for the new Championship season, my first at that level.

The first game was the sole game as part of the training camp held in the United States, against Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League and an affiliate of MLS side DC United. Adopting the 4-1-2-2-1 variant of the 4-1-4-1 which has served me oh so well, I picked what I thought was the strongest side I have at my disposal but named a full bench of 12 substitutes in order to give the majority some game time. We opened the scoring in first half injury time, Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler.making no mistake from the spot after Moise Kean had been sent tumbling in the area. That lead was doubled 53 seconds after the restart, winger Jack Harrison with an unstoppable effort into the far corner from around the penalty spot. Striker Ed Allen pulled one back for Richmond in the 50th minute but we completed a very good workout with two more goals nine minutes apart. In the 65th minute, another winger in the shape of Andrew Ferguson headed in from a Harrison Kirby cross then Grady Diangana netted a superb solo goal when he cut inside his markers to strike home a superb effort. The only downside? Kasey Palmer pulling a back muscle in a tackle which would sideline him for a week and a half.

More on our transfer dealings in another post...

After arriving back from America, we decided to have what we call a bounce game behind closed doors against the Youth Team. It gave the first team more practice of working together and the youths an experience against the guys they ultimately want to possibly emulate if they are good enough. The first game came after just a couple of minutes, Ollie Watkins tapping from close range after Harrison had fashioned the opportunity. Goal number two came on the half hour, Watkins sending Harrison clear who scored at the second attempt and the third came five minutes later when Watkins was tripped in the area; Freuler again making no mistake from twelve yards. Another good workout, but thankfully no serious injuries picked up to players which will constitute my first team squad.

The third friendly would the first of two back to back friendlies against French sides. We hosted Stade De Reims, who played in the first ever European Cup Final way back in 1956 and compete in Ligue 1, and in a blistering first half display scored four times without conceding at the other end. Watkins continued where he had left off with our first goal in the eighth minute, a low drive across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. A second arrived on the half hour, Harrison with the flighted free-kick and although the keeper denied Watkins a second goal: he parried it straight out to captain Jules Koundé who made no mistake against his fellow countrymen. Four minutes later, Kean got his first of the afternoon when he latched onto a Watkins through ball to smash a low shot past the exposed keeper and then the Italian striker put us 4-0 ahead with a fine finish after pulling away from his markers following some great vision by Harrison. Reims scored twice in the last 15 minutes but we had changed our entire eleven and maybe that was to blame. But again I was more than satisfied with the overall outcome.

2025-26 Squad Numbers

Wales Under-21 manager Mark Duell has today resigned from his role with immediate effect.

The highly coveted manager has decided to concentrate on his club managerial position, and leaves the position after almost 5 years in the position. In that time, he has overseen the young Dragons make two successive European Under-21 Championship Finals, and whilst they haven't won any of them: the nation can be proud of what he has achieved.

Players that he has nurtured into full internationals include goalkeeper Jack Jackson, left back Cole DaSilva, midfielders Eifion Tipton and Anthony Hartigan as well as strikers Andrew Berry and Tyler Roberts. Duell has recently been appointed as the new manager at Championship side Preston North End and is hoping to build on his domestic success. He hasn't ruled out a return to the international fold though as he said in a statement from America where he is with his new club side

Predictably enough we did lose against the Azzurini, I mean did anyone really think we would beat them? In what was really a dull as ditchwater game, the Italians had an astonishing 35 shots on our net but only one would beat Gareth Ryan. That came in the 28th minute when left back Giuseppe Magri netted with a deflected effort that wrongfooted Ryan. So another Finals comes to an end for us, but at least we didn't finish stone last this time out. That unfortunate honour goes to Turkey.

Manager Update

Preston North End are pleased to announce that Mark Duell has agreed terms to become the Lilywhites new manager.

Mark, who is currently in Switzerland with the Wales Under-21 squad, joins us after two successful seasons at Tranmere Rovers. The 43 year old, who cut his managerial teeth in 2018 at Scottish League side Edinburgh City, has won numerous trophies in his career and possesses experience gained in Scotland, Finland and France as well as in England.

To date, Mark has won trophies at every club side he has managed and is obviously a managerial legend in the making. He succeeds Philip Cocu who left the club in May, and chairrman Ira Gordon is convinced that we have acquired a special managerial talent:


Mark had this to say when we caught up with him:


The new manager has signed a two year deal here at Deepdale and will join us officially on 12 July 2025 when his Wales Under-21 duties end. In the meantime, Head of Youth Development Nick Harrison will continue to look after first team matters.

Club Statement

Tranmere Rovers can today confirm that manager Mark Duell has announced his departure from the Club.

Mark, who has lifted two Championships in successive seasons, has stated he has agreed terms at a new Club once his Wales Under 21 duties finish next month and sees that opportunity to enhance his managerial ambitions.

He obviously wants to manage at the highest level possible, and whilst we will be sad to see him depart, we wish him the best.

A change is imminent

Well it seems like my future is going to be resolved one way or the other soon. This is what has happened since...

So I have turned down the Sheffield Wednesday role. Not because they're going to be in the same division as Tranmere but it seems that the Chairman is too trigger happy when it comes to his managers: seven managers in as many seasons says it all. They did offer me a much increased salary than what I'm earning at Tranmere and an astonishing £8 million to spend but it's not to be. They need a Chairman that will be patient with his manager and I don't think Chansiri is that type. Bye bye Tuna Man!.

How about the others, Hibernian and FC Groningen? Well this is what they said:

SORRY, BUT NO!

Yet as soon as they had said no, then I was being offered other opportunities to move on from Tranmere. The Swansea City job was first but I didn't like the fact they're in debt and for a new Club then they need to be financially solvent so I said thanks but no thanks. I've had interviews at the following two though:


Stadium: Deepdale
Capacity: 20,830
2024-25 Performance: 20th in the Premier League (relegated), will be playing Championship football next season.
Pros: One of the founder members of football in the English leagues. Finances are healthy enough for a relegated club. Excellent training and youth facilities. Some Premier quality players on their roster.
Cons: Could do with a bit more spending power though. Might need investment in junior coaching as it's seriously underfunded. May want an immediate return back, not sure though.
Affiliated Clubs: Bamber Bridge, Chorley (both non-league)

Then this offer came knocking unexpectedly...


Stadium: Goodison Park
Capacity: 39,572
2024-25 Performance: 12th in the Premier League
Pros: Another famous old name in English football. Excellent training and youth facilities. Roster is littered with star names throughout. Potential for European football if really do perform. Finances and Budget are freaking huge.
Cons: Like West Ham; could go wrong horribly if results aren't as expected. Tough ask to break into the top four. Last two managers have resigned; chairman too hands on perchance? No affiliated clubs for a club of this stature.
Affiliated Clubs: None

The Everton approach came a day before this though:


So I'm definitely going to be leaving Tranmere, that's now certain. Will it be the short hop across the Mersey to Goodison or a trip down the East Lancs Road to Preston? Preston must have been impressed from the Emirates FA Cup game that Tranmere had with them in 2024-25 I can surmise to approach me. Obviously I want to manage at the highest level possible so if Everton make a decision and it's a positive one before I have to give Preston an answer, then I'll probably go there. If not, Preston is good back up plan to have. Either way, I'll be looking to plunder Tranmere for both Neco Williams and Jake Collier. Top two targets and both players have release clauses I could invoke and force Tranmere to sell....

Watch this space....

Wales Under-21 manager Mark Duell today released his 23 man squad for the European Championship Finals this summer. The squad will play two warm up games before the tournament begins in earnest, those friendlies will be away to Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The full squad is as follows:.

Goalkeepers:
Scott Williams (Bury)
Gareth Ryan (Swansea City)
Adam Evans (Cardiff City)

Defenders:
Jamie McKinnon (Swansea City)
Dale Radford (Swansea City)
Jeff Lloyd (Cardiff City)
Lloyd Bellamy (Middlesbrough, on loan from Manchester United)
Danny Ellis (Cardiff City)
James Bloom (Cardiff City)
Anthony Stevenson (Chelmsford City)
Sam Bull (Swansea City)

Midfielders:
Tommy Hill (Cardiff City)
Matty Williams (Burnley)
Dion Tipton (TNS)
Jamie Cotterill (Carlisle United)
Curtis Yates (Sunderland)
Paul Clarke (Preston North End)
Peter Parry (Swansea City)
John Eaton (Colchester United)
Cory Bond (Swansea City)

Strikers:
Michael Sadler (Newport County)
Sam Hall (Stoke City)
Russell Burton (Cardiff City)

Wales begin their challenge for the European Under 21 title on 19 June 2025 against Sweden at MittellandArena before taking Turkey six days later, and then finishing their group games on 28 June 2025 against Italy. The top team in each of the three groups will qualify automatically for the semi final stage plus the second placed team with the best record.

Job Update

So since the last update, I've actually been approached by two other clubs desperate to try and see if I'm the right person to take them forwards and leave Tranmere Rovers. I've attended interviews with them both and had replies back from the other three.

Job Interview Number 4

Stadium: Easter Road, Edinburgh
Capacity: 20,421
2024-25 Performance: 6th in the Scottish Premier League
Pros: Know the nation from the start of the career, just at the top level this time. Great Youth Facilities to develop the stars of tomorrow.
Cons: Breaking the stranglehold of Celtic and Rangers to win the league will be hard, only chance would be in the Cups. Small finances, would be probably selling best players to keep them out of the red.
Affiliates: None

Interview Number 5 was this...

Stadium: Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadium
Capacity: 22,579
2024-25 Performance: 8th in Eredivisie
Pros: New nation to add to the career. Great training facilities, almost state of the art and a decent youth structure in place. Possible European football if you do well. Decent finances
Cons: Will be hard to overcome the likes of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord Rotterdam. Might take some time to adjust and clubs abroad aren't sometimes known for patience.
Affiliates: None

We've had replies back though from Stoke City and West Ham saying the same thing:



Obviously they see quality in me but not enough to take a chance on me at a higher level than what I am at presently. Former Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was the choice instead, a man who got his last club relegated....


Don't they know that West Ham is the Academy of Football? Stupid owners, I hope they have a terrible season and they then realise that they are missing out on something good.

But...


I've asked for a delay of a week to see if it is still going to be the right fit for me. Granted the Club stature is bigger than Tranmere, I have reservations about the finances and the fact Chansiri likes to get rid if things aren't going to plan. He was the guy that sacked Huntelaar, who beat me to the Stoke position!

Hibs would be a good fit but it'll be hard to break the usual cycle whilst Groningen is an unknown quantity, but then again so were Le Mans and Ilves and I kinda did alright there. Not sure if moving abroad again is a wise move yet. Might be best to see my deal out at Tranmere and see how further we can go, and then if anyone else wants me then we will see what transpires.

A man in demand

The season is not that long since finished and clubs are looking at me to leave Tranmere and take them forward. My stock is rising and I have had three interviews for clubs in three different divisions, leaving me with a potential dilemma. They are as follows, in order of interview:

First up.




Stadium: Bet 365 Stadium
Capacity: 30,089
2024-25 Perfornance: 18th in the Premier League (relegated), will be in the Championship next season.
Pros: Club have excellent training and youth facilities which is always a good start. Stadium is of a very decent size too so should get some decent crowds if they do well. Finances seem to be on the right track as well.
Cons: Might be asked to get them back in the Premier League at the first possible opportunity.
Affiliates: Newcastle Town (non-league), Orlando City (MLS), St. Pauli (German 3.Liga)

Next...


Stadium: Hillsborough
Capacity: 39,812
2024-25 Perfornance: 23rd in the Championship, will be Divisional rivals for Tranmere in 2025-26..
Pros: One of the famous old names in English Football.
Cons: Have the least favourable finances of the three. Training and youth facilities need some serious improvement as well. The Chairman has been through seven full time managers in seven seasons. Will be expected to bounce straight back methinks.
Affiliates: Stocksbridge Park Steels (non- league)

Finally...


Stadium: London Stadium
Capacity: 66,000
2024-25 Perfornance: 13th in the Premier League.
Pros: Iconic club that has had loads of famous names play for them in the past, Only had three managers in seven seasons, richest team for finances out of the three. Excellent training and youth facilities.
Cons: Moving to the Premier League so soon as after getting promoted to League One might be too fast, too quick. Could easily be under pressure to deliver if results start to go wrong horribly,.
Affiliates: Ifeanyi Ubah (Nigeria), Stirling Lions (NPL - Western Australia), VVV-Venlo (Eredivisie)

And that's where we will pause the updates...what would you do? Comment or PM me.

Season 2024-25 Review

Time to look back on the season just finished, my second season at the Rovers and the seventh season in this career. Unlike last season's review I'm not going to waffle on and on...

The target when we began the 2024-25 season was to avoid the drop comfortably and consolidate ourselves into a mid-table position ready for a charge at promotion the season after. Well, that was the plan, and as you know it didn't exactly finish like that. We had a steady start and slowly built up some momentum that eventually blew Colchester and the other challengers away. To win the title and by TWENTY points is the stuff of dreams. It's like the team just have it in them to go on these remarkable unbeaten runs and tear it up. Even when a key player is injured, others will come in and step up to the plate.

That's a sign of a great side. Bar a few additions, the team hasn't changed much from when I took charge in the National League in 2023. I do believe though more quality will be needed in League One. You can't expect those players who were stand outs in the National League to be just as awesome the higher the standard becomes. Unless you're Jamie Vardy of course haha.

The performance of the season in my eyes had to be winning at Colchester early in the season, it ruined their perfect start to the season and considering they were one of the favourites to win the title then it was a real marker we had set down. Completing the double over local rivals Chester was equally as sweet, there's nothing finer than having the bragging rights in local derbies is there come to think of it. Most disappointing? I'd say the home loss to Accrington Stanley where we went from being comfortable with a quarter of the game left to play to concede three goals without reply and slip to a defeat that shouldn't have happened.

The domestic Cups went well. In the Carabao Cup, we made it to the third round after knocking out Blackpool and then Premier League Leeds United. OK we narrowly lost to Reading but we had certainly shown that we had the bottle and ability to mix it up with more illustrious names. We also made the Third Round of the FA Cup for the second successive season which was pleasing no end and once more we were unlucky not to go further as a late winner for Preston saw them edge past us by the odd goal in seven. We've certainly proved we are no pushovers. I was not really bothered with the Checkatrade and still wasn't when the draw came out. If we had gotten out of that group then it would have been amazing but you get a group like what we had then on top of everything else then perhaps exiting at the group stage isn't too bad after all.

So we now wait on what 2025-26 will bring for me as a manager and for Tranmere themselves.

Here are the winners of the League Two annual awards:

Manager of the Year:

It had to be, it just had to be. That's another piece of personal silverware bagged, and can only enhance my reputation.

Player of the Year:

Well done Neco on another award, really deserved. The signing of the season, and especially when it was a free transfer from Liverpool no less.

Goal of the Season:

Nobody could better this goal from Plymouth's Brazilian. Might have to look at his availability should they not make it through the play offs as I think he's got the quality to play at a higher level.

Team of the Season:

Five players named, and it could have been many more. Thought skipper Jon Murray was unlucky not to get one of the central midfield berths considering how creative he was this season. Collier might have got in if he had scored more goals. Why do they think it's suitable to name them in a 4-4-2 formation when clubs like ours don't play that kind of system? Answers on a postcard to the usual address haha....

End of Season Club Awards: 2024-25

Here's who won what at the Club's End of Season awards night:


It came as no surprise whatsoever to see Neco Williams take the majority of the awards on offer. The former Anfield trainee had a remarkable first season at Prenton Park it has to be said. He started off as he was signed, at right back. Then when it was clear that we weren't getting consistent performances on the right, I pushed him further forward and he was a revelation to be said. Neco chipped in with some many valuable goals and was an integral part of the title winning side.

To sign him on a free transfer was probably the most astute signing I have ever made in this career.


A snapshot of who topped each of the player categories. The fact we only picked up one red card was again amazing, and I'm not concerned about Yann Songo'o and his ten yellow cards. All teams need a tough tackling central midfielder and he did that job for us perfectly. Jake Collier topped the goalscoring chart for a second successive season, and could have crashed through the 20 goal barrier again if he had been a bit more consistent earlier in the season with his form.

No wonder he's got lots of clubs interested in him.

Skipper Jon Murray was an assist machine! To say he's supposed to be rubbish at indirect free kicks, he certainly disproved that theory. All in all, a splendid season all round for us.

Decisions, decisions

I have come to the conclusion that we have too many players at the Club, probably more than most top flight sides.

First Team Contracts Expiring This Summer:

So there are ten what we could call first team contract expiries. Two of them are out of our hands in the shape of Myles Kenlock and Harvey Davies, who will return to their parent clubs (Swindon Town and Leeds United respectively) in the summer once the loan ends. Both did superb jobs for me, Kenlock especially as he became the first choice left back in pre-season and kept it when the season started and only didn't feature when he was injured. Davies is a youngster who started off slow, but made an impact with some all important late goals. I might bring them back for League One. As for the others, I can see a large proportion of them leaving. We might retain the services of "Deadpool" but the others can leave. We're going to need a bit more quality for the next level and this will free up lots of wages to do so.

Reserve Team Contracts Expiring This Summer:

If you think that that the first team contract list was big, then look at the amount of reserve teamers that are out of contract! It is almost 50 per cent of the actual players we have here and to be honest we've stockpiled too much. A lot of these will not be good enough for League One so they'll be looking for new clubs soon. Of course if any of my backroom staff recommend we keep some of them on then we will do but I can sense an almighty cull taking place. We need to have a reserve team but the squad we have at the moment for it is too big. More money saved and available to be re-onvested in first team quality as we progress.

Youth Team Contracts Expiring This Summer:

Only a small handful of youth contracts expiring this summer, think I might leave them to Lee Jones (Head of Youth Development) to decide if he wants to keep them or let them go.

Here are the winners of the awards for April:

Manager of the Month:

Hat-trick! A third Manager of the Month award for yours truly, and if I don't take the Manager of the Year then there's got to be some kind of conspiracy going on at EFL towers!

Player of the Month:

One of my latest Welsh Under 21 talents, got a decent future ahead of him. Second placed was our very own Christian Mbulu.

Young Player of the Month:

Complete nobody, and another one with a double barrelled name. Second placed was the Player of the Month..

Goal of the Month: Alex Denny (Tranmere Rovers)

He hasn't had many starts this season due to the quality in front of him but he produced a sublime strike against Oldham in the final home game of the season. Well done Alex!

The summary of the final six games of the season:


The game that clinched the title, as detailed in a previous post above....


Relegation threatened Maidstone were next and in a tight match, it was two clinical finishes in the first half which ensured the points would go our way and deepen the Stones drop fears. The opener came after 14 minutes play after a patient passage of play that ended with Paul Mullin crossing from the left and the rejuvenated Dimitri Sea.for the French striker's second in three games and fourth of the season. Two minutes from half time, he had a second and fifth of the season when he slid in from close range to convert from a Neco Williams pull back. Alas he couldn't complete what would have been a well deserved hat-trick as a thigh injury caught his game short when he was in full flight. His replacement on field would secure the win with nine minutes; that being Harvey Davies who planted home a far post header for his fifth of the season: Williams with the cross.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Ofoborh, Murray ©; Williams, Collier, Scott, Sea. Substitutes: De Boer (for Ofoborh 58), Davies (for Sea 72), Durrant (for Murray 83), Ward, Reynolds, Carlo Banks, Scott.
Goalscorers: Sea (14, 43), Davies (81)
Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Tranmere)
Attendance: 3340 (355 Rovers)


Good Friday game against Plymouth Argyle, one of the few sides that have beaten us this season. It also produced the lowest home league crowd of the campaign, beating the 6431 which were present when we hosted Forest Green Rovers way back in August. Those who stayed away missed yet another home victory as goals midway through each half secured another maximum point haul and us crashing through the 100 point barrier with three games left to play. The opener came when a sweet cross from Myles Kenlock was headed into the net from a crowded penalty area by Jake Collier for the striker's 15th of the season. The points were secured when a free kick swung in by Kees De Boer was met by a powerful close range header from Christian Mbulu; it was the big central defender's fifth of the campaign. A very nice win indeed.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Mbulu, Graham, Kenlock; Durrant; Murray ©; Williams, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: De Boer (for Murray 62), Scott (for Mullin 70), Ofoborh (for Davies 78), Ward, Sea, Reynolds, Ofoborh.
Goalscorers: Collier (22), Mbulu (64)
Man of the Match: Christian Mbulu (Tranmere)
Attendance: 5875 (165 away)


Easter Monday and a trip to the Kassam Stadium for the penultimate away trip of the season. Because he had been patient in playing back up all season, I decided to give Calum Ward his first start of the season and would keep him in for the final home game too. It enabled Marcus Dewhurst to have a well deserved rest. The scoring was opened in the 24th minute when another superbly flighted free kick from skipper Jon Murray (did I forget to mention that he and Mbulu have signed one year extensions?) and Williams headed in his 14th of the season. Nine minutes later, we doubled the lead when a Kenlock corner was headed in by Mbulu for his sixth of the season and second in successive matches.

A third came just before half time, when the recalled Sam Durrant thumped one in from 20 yards for his fourth of the season. Oxford pulled one back ten minutes into the second half when Carlo Banks diverted a shot past the bewildered Ward. Yet within a minute, we restored our three goal advantage when a mistake by U's defender Conor Lawless saw him present the ball straight to Cedwyn Scott who found Collier who unselfishly set up [Mullin for a tap in and his 13th of the season. Joe Piggott (no relation to Lester) scored their second with three minutes to go but we had the game won by then and moved onto 105 points.

Team: Ward; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Durrant, Murray ©; Williams, Davies, Mullin, Collier. Substitutes: Carlo Banks (for Davies 42), Scott (for Williams HT), Reynolds (for Kenlock HT), Dewhurst, Sea, De Boer, Ofoborh.
Goalscorers: Williams (24), Mbulu (33), Durrant (44), Mullin (56)
Man of the Match: Sam Durrant (Tranmere)
Attendance: 5248 (338 Rovers)


We rounded off our home programme and the month of April with another win by the odd goal in seven against a plucky Oldham side. The Latics stunned the large crowd present for the trophy handover when they scored in the 21st minute thanks to former Atalanta trainee Sebastiano Finardi. We would though turn the game on its head with four unanswered goals, three of them coming either side of half time. In the 44th minute, Alex Denny celebrated a rare start by equalising with a placed shot from long range into the bottom corner. We went ahead in the 48th minute when a weighted pass from Denny found Collier and he slotted home a left foot effort from close range. Seconds later, Denny netted his second and our third when he fired in off the crossbar from a Mullin assist.

After 64 minutes we went 4-1 ahead thanks to a second of the day and 17th of the season for Collier. The highly coveted 19 year old produced a cool but clinical finish from 12 yards to give the Latics keeper no chance whatsoever. But we seemed to switch off in the closing twenty minutes or so as Oldham scored twice. First of all, Finardi picked his spot beautifully to blast in from long range and then in the final minute of time added on Josh Caton netted to cause a few butterflies in the stomach. Yet we held on for another win, our sixth in succession.

Team: Ward; Nicholls, Mbulu, Graham, Kenlock; Durrant; Denny; Williams, Davies, Mullin ©, Collier. Substitutes: Reynolds (for Mbulu 51), De Boer (for Durrant 75), Carlo Banks (for Davies 75), Dewhurst, Sea, Scott, Ofoborh.
Goalscorers: Denny (44, 49), Collier (48, 64)
Booked: Kenlock (56), Collier (74)
Man of the Match: Alex Denny (Tranmere)
Attendance: 10,131 (393 away)


We concluded the season with a trip to Field Mill, or the One Call Stadium as it is commercially known as, in Mansfield. The game was far from a classic as regards a performance from us, we had given a debut to one of the Club's most exciting youth prospects: 15 year old Brian Rich and to be honest the kid did alright. He certainly could be one for the future if he keeps developing as much as he has done so far. We would open the scoring with five minutes to go, Sea latched onto a Mullin through ball and although his goalbound effort was blocked by Lee: the Stags defender only managed to strike his central defensive partner and captain Frederik Nielsen with the clearance and the ball ricocheted off the big Dane and into the net. A complete fluke! Yet the home side deservedly levelled three minutes later through Owen Downey. No further scoring happened after that and we shook hands on a 1-1 draw to end another successful season.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Mbulu, Graham, Kenlock; De Boer; Denny; Williams, Rich, Mullin ©, Sea. Substitutes: Collier (for De Boer 62), Carlo Banks (for Williams 75), Davies (for Mullin 90), Ward, Murray, Scott, Reynolds.
Goalscorer: Nielsen (own goal 85)
Man of the Match: Owen Downey (Mansfield Town)
Attendance: 5237 (1664 away)

So this is how the table finished after 46 league games played, who will join us in League One next season?:

Welcome Gary Aspin!

Tranmere Rovers can confirm the consortium led by Gary Aspin has taken control of the newly crowned League Two champions.

Hayes based Aspin, who headed the consortium, succeeds Jack McCadden who purchased the Club from Mark Palios last March and has promised a brand new dawn, As part of the takeover, finance director Nigel Tinnion has been replaced in his role by Harrison Smith.

The Club can also confirm the link with Aston Villa remains in place but they have decided not to continue with the one with non-league Vauxhall Motors as part of a restructuring plan.

No news on the new stadium, outlined by McCadden, has been provided by the new board so it remains to see if these are still are to go ahead.

Rovers bag more silverware!

"We are the Champions!" seems to be a regular song at Prenton Park these days as Rovers celebrated their second title win in as many seasons.

Going into today's home game against Exeter City, Rovers knew that if they won and Colchester suffered a defeat at home loss to struggling Cheltenham Town then the champagne corks would be once more popping on the Wirral.

However it didn't initially start to go to plan when Exeter's Sol Pryce drilled in his 24th goal of the season after just seven minutes and cause a few nervous thoughts in the large crowd. Those thoughts got a bit more concerning when news trickled through that Theo Waites had put Colchester ahead in the 27th minute of their game and when the respective half time whistles sounded the gap between the sides was down to ten points.

Yet those worried frowns became more like smiles when not once, not twice but three times in the second half news broke of Cheltenham goals and scuppering Colchester's title ambitions in the process. But Rovers still had to win themselves to clinch the title with five games to spare. And they did it the hard way of course. With six minutes left to play, wantaway striker Jake Collier impressed the watching scouts with a superb volley for his 14th of the season to equalise. Then the man that some Rovers fans have called the "Mr Late Winner" scored yet another late, late goal to clinch the points and the title. It came with just two minutes to go, Collier turning provider this time for Leeds loanee Harvey Davies to sidefoot home from twelve yards out past the exposed Grecians keeper.

Then the party could really start.

Our team was:

Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock (Reynolds 82); Murray ©; Songo'o (Ofoborh 71); Williams, Collier, Mullin; Sea (Davies 58). Unused Substitutes: Carlo Banks, Ward, Tee, Scott.

Goalscorers: Collier (84), Davies (88)
Booked: Mbulu (5), Songo'o (26)
Man of the Match: Josh Laurent (Exeter City)
Attendance: 8891 (306 away)

Preview: April and May 2025 Fixtures

So we head into the final six games of another remarkable season.

With a second successive promotion bagged, our sights are now focused on a twin target. Target number one is to add the League Two title to the National League one. Winning this would certainly increase my reputation and attract a number of Championship sides should they have a vacancy on their hands, that and the completion of Continental Pro Coaching Licence. Safe to say, a decent Championship side or low ranked Premier League side coming calling in England then I'm going to give it some serious thought. I won't be dropping any lower than League One now these days or second tier overseas at a decent nation. The second target which is equally obtainable is to reach 100 points for the season, and we start that final push 7 points from it. We had 103 points last season in the National League, a club record, but there's no reason why we can't break it.

The final push starts with a home game against Exeter City. The Grecians are in the play-off spots as we speak. and a good result for them can only but help their cause immensely but we have been in good form with only one loss since the turn of the year. It'll be very nice to continue that winning feeling and make Exeter's long journey north a pointless one! Our next opponents Maidstone United are in a dogfight at the bottom of the table, they're fighting for their League Two status. It's a potential banana skin on the final run and we need to be ruthless but professional to ensure we remain on the right course.

A real tough home game comes after Maidstone in the shape of Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth, like their West Country neighbours, are still harbouring play-off success as they've kinda slipped out of the top three. They beat us deservedly, but only by a single goal, at Home Park so maybe this time it's our turn to turn the table. They're a very good side who could hand us a defeat if we are not on our A game. Then our next game is like the previous away game, playing a team that is battling for survival. Our opponents are Oxford United, and they've a far away from the U's side of the late 80s when they were in the top division and winning the Milk Cup as it was known as in 1986. How things change so much in football eh?

Our final home game of the season comes in the final Saturday of April when we host Oldham Athletic. Oldham might have nothing to play for really bar a final finishing position unless they've gone on a late play-off charge, so it could be a real dead rubber of a game. Of course, we never view any game as a dead rubber one as we want to win every game we can. The season then finishes with a trip to Mansfield who are in the promotion shake up but might have to settle for a play off berth. Like Plymouth, they have the ability to surprise us. We cannot afford to go there and think the game is already won.

Oh and did I say that the title is only a small matter of one win away providing Colchester slip up further?

Here are the winners of the awards for March:

Manager of the Month:

So Shaun Barker has copied me with a second Manager of the Month award, guess that loss at home to Accrington really did suck and hurt! Dodgy hairstyle though Shaun...

Player of the Month:

Well done our Neco! He's been probably my signing of the season, I hope he goes and wins the League Two Player of the Year now.

Young Player of the Month:

Never heard of him, and probably won't do so again.

Goal of the Month: Jamie Walker (Stockport County)

Getting on a bit now at 31, used to play the SPL for the Jambos (Heart of Midlothian) and was once linked with a move to Rangers. Never happened and after a spell at Wigan, he's at Edgeley Park and in League Two.

The second part of two which summarises March's action:


After a dour draw against Crewe, we looked to get back on the winning track with a trip to town with the Crooked Spire. It was also a reunion of sorts for some of the team as in the Spireites squad was former Rovers loanee Luca Connell. Connell would last just 29 minutes before limping off injured which caused the home side to reshuffle their pack, but they went ahead a minute before the break when Jake Nicholls shoved Kouhyar in the penalty area. Stonewall spot kick if there ever was one. Striker Liam Mandeville stepped up and produced the perfect penalty into the botttom corner with Marcus Dewhurst sent the wrong way.

We knew we had to produce a big response and with twenty minutes to go, equalised. Myles Kenlock with an inswinging corner and central defender Sam Graham with a bullet of a header for his second goal of the season. No keeper was going to stop that one going in! Then just as it looked like a second successive 1-1 draw, we conjured up yet another late winner. It had started with a clearance from a home corner and from the resultant counter; Neco Williams crossed and substitute Harvey Davies planted a header into the top corner. It was the loanee from Leeds' third of the season.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o, Murray ©; Williams, Carlo Banks, Scott, Collier. Substitutes: Reynolds (for Nicholls HT), Sea (for Carlo Banks 51), Davies (for Collier 59), Ward, Ofoborh, Tee, Mullin.
Goalscorers: Graham (70), Davies (89)
Booked: Nicholls (23), Collier (63)
Man of the Match: Sam Graham (Tranmere)
Attendance: 4920 (515 Rovers)


We had ridden our luck at Chesterfield but luck was not on our side for the penultimate game of March as we collapsed quicker than a deck of cards against Accrington at home. It started off well though as we took the lead in the 12th minute. It was also a 12th goal of an amazing season for Neco Williams, another perfect header from a perfect cross by Myles Kenlock. Surely Neco is a candidate for the League Two Player of the Year? Yet as soon as Philip Price drilled in their equaliser, second time he's done this against us, after 64 minutes then we fell apart so much so that home fans were heading for the exits before the final whistle. Further goals from Harvey Rodgers in the 79th minute and Alan Spencer four minutes later just rubbed it in. The team certainly knew about it in the dressing room post-game; the hairdryer came out!

On the flip side, promotion was secured!

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Mbulu, Graham, Kenlock; Songo'o; Murray ©; Williams, Carlo Banks, Mullin, Pressley. Substitutes: Sea (for Carlo Banks 51), Davies (for Mullin 67), Ofoborh (for Songo'o 73), Ward, Davies, Tee, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorer: Williams (12)
Booked: Mbulu (70), Songo'o (73), Ofoborh (78)
Man of the Match: Philip Price (Accrington Stanley)
Attendance: 9116 (328 away)


The sign of a good team is if they can bounce back straight away after what was, an embarrassing, loss and that's not disrespecting Accrington. We took the lead in the 21st minute when Paul Mullin clipped the ball into the box and Dimitri Sea knocked the ball past the defender before finishing with aplomb. It was just his third of the season, and his first since September when he scored in the 2-1 Carabao Cup loss to Reading. I do wonder if this might be something that re-ignites his luck in front of goal but we will just have to see, eh? The second came on the stroke of half time, another Kenlock left wing cross and another header into the net from Williams:goal number 13 this season!

Whatever the Bantams threw at us, we repelled with confidence and the icing on this very cake came in the final seconds. A shot from Kenlock was diverted goalwards by a home defender and although the keeper prevented the own goal, he only pushed it out to Mullin who scored his 12th and probably easiest of the season.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o, Murray ©; Williams, Carlo Banks, Mullin, Sea. Substitutes: Ofoborh (for Murray 61), Davies (for Carlo Banks 71), Scott (for Williams 82), Ward, Reynolds, Tee, Collier.
Goalscorers: Sea (21), Williams (45+1), Mullin (90+5)
Booked: Songo'o (30)
Man of the Match: Paul Mullin (Tranmere)
Attendance: 15,858 (874 Rovers)

So this is how we stand going into the final six games of the season:


Analysis: Barring the collapse against Accrington Stanley which ended another unbeaten run, we had another very good month. We've clinched promotion for the second successive season which is absolutely brilliant but want to go on and take the title and add more silverware to the Prenton Park trophy cabinet. We reluctantly let Aaron Pressley go on loan for the remainder of the season, despite offering him a regular run out in the first team. Unless Orient decide to not pay the purchase fee, he's on his way out of here. We need players who are committed to the club, not prima donnas. I might have to have a word with his old man to try and get some sense knocked into the youngster's head.

Dimitri Sea finally scored again which was a surprise to all and sundry, I mean it only took him six months between goals! I still think he's been a major disappointment, maybe the hype about his signing got to him. If he can go on a good run of form as the season heads to its conclusion then he might give me food for thought in League One next season. That said, League One is going to be an even bigger mountain to climb. But I'm ready for it, but there might be a bit of a player cull coming in the summer as the squad is too big and some of the players aren't exactly going to fit in at the next level up. Be interesting to see what the board wants to do too.

Pressley joins O's on loan

Tranmere Rovers striker Aaron Pressley today joined National League Leyton Orient for the remainder of the season.

The 23 year old Scot, who joined Rovers this summer on a free transfer from Aston Villa, requested to leave after asking for more first team chances at Prenton Park. Manager Mark Duell agreed to give out those chances but the striker felt he wanted to move to pastures new to obtain them. An optional fee of £55,000 has been agreed between the sides should the National League side wish to make the deal permanent.

Pressley has scored seven goals in 27 appearances this season for Rovers, and we wish him well.

The first part of two which will summarise March's action:


Could we make it three wins out of three against the Seasiders who are at the wrong end of the table? We took the lead in a close encounter after 27 minutes when Yann Songo'o lofted a ball over the top of the visiting defence and Jake Collier showed great anticipation to loop a header over the exposed goalkeeper. What made it extra special was the header came from the outside of the penalty area. It must have impressed Derek McInnes, the Rangers manager, who was apparently in the stands watching on and was Jake's 12th goal of the season. However, the lead lasted only four minutes when Glen Rea drilled home a low effort from around twelve yards. Try as we both might, neither side could break the other's defensive resistance again and we had to share the spoils with a 1-1 draw in front of our largest league crowd of the season.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o, Murray ©; Williams, Davies, Sea, Collier. Substitutes: Tee (for Davies 71), Scott (for Sea 75), Pressley, Ward, Reynolds, De Boer, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorer: Collier (27)
Man of the Match: Jake Collier (Tranmere)
Attendance: 12,475 (1538 away)


After being frustrated by Blackpool, we were certainly at the races at Cheltenham a week later as a comprehensive away performance secured a minimum play-off position for us. The thing was, we took the chances whilst Cheltenham did: one shot on target from 15 for them tells its own story right? The deadlock was broken four minutes from half time, Neco Williams was sent tumbling in the area by Breslin, and whilst it looked harsh, referee Charles Breakspear had no qualms about awarding us a penalty. With regular penalty taker Paul Mullin out injured, Collier assumed responsibility and blasted in his 13th of the season from the spot.

We kicked on in the second half with three further strikes. In the 66th minute, Collier turned provider with nice pass into Aaron Pressley who nutmegged the defender before drilling in a low finish for his seventh of the season. Then seven minutes later, after striking the post with his initial shot: Williams tucked away the rebound for 3-0 and a tenth of the season. The rout was complete in the 89th minute when Yann Songo'o volleyed home well from close range. An amazing away following of almost 700 fans went home very happy indeed. It also secured a minimum play off spot.

Team: Dewhurst; Nicholls, Mbulu, Graham, Kenlock; Songo'o; Murray ©; Williams, Collier, Scott, Pressley. Substitutes: Sea (for Scott 62), Reynolds (for Nicholls 71), Ofoborh (for Murray 77), Ward, Davies, Tee, Carlo Banks.
Goalscorers: Collier (pen 41), Pressley (66), Williams (73), Songo'o (89)
Booked: Murray (45+2)
Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Tranmere)
Attendance: 2841 (692 Rovers)


We only had one midweek game in this span, and that was when we hosted Crewe Alexandra. It was far from a classic either, and the teams went in at half time goalless which must have disappointed another large crowd. Five minutes into the restart, there was a goal to cheer for and it came our way. Some superb play down the left wing by Pressley left the Alex defender on his arse before crossing beautifully for Williams to arrive on the scene and place a stooping header into the net. But we couldn't hold on as Alex equalised three minutes from time thanks to an effort from D'Margio Lyons which clipped the inside of the far post before nestling into the net.

Team: Dewhurst; Reynolds, Graham, Mbulu, Kenlock; Songo'o, Murray ©; Williams, Collier, Scott, Pressley. Substitutes: Sea (for Scott 66), Tee (for Collier 75), Carlo Banks (for Williams 75), Ward, Davies, Nicholls, Ofoborh.
Goalscorer: Williams (50)
Man of the Match: Neco Williams (Tranmere)
Attendance: 9691 (662 away)