Sam Morris’ view on the ESL.

SAM MORRIS’ VIEW ON THE ESL.

I spoke to an Irish Liverpool supporter, who also has a great interest in Tranmere Rovers, in Sam Morris. He believes that the game, in general, is great as dreams are captured throughout being awarded and punished through promotions and relegations etc and that Florentino Perez has no understanding of how young football fans view the sport. We also spoke about other subjects, including how Sam would like to see the game change for the better.

‘I support Liverpool, I always have done’.

‘When I heard the news about the ESL, my reaction was no different to anyone else. I was shocked and embarrassed that the owners of my beloved football club would go without consulting the fans or members of the club and put our club into a breakaway league. When I saw the details of this Super League and how it would guarantee european football every season without the competitive nature of the sport made me think that this decision was made solely because of money’.

‘I felt sorry for the other 14 clubs in the league because it’s completely unfair to them. The ESL would apparently have taken the place of the Champions League and the whole underdog story. As of this season we have seen teams like Leicester and West Ham be in with a chance of getting Champions League football based on merit and their performances over the season and the ESL discredits those teams efforts over the course of the season because one of the traditional top 6 would miss out. I also know the impact it would have on the teams in the EFL because I have been to a lot of Tranmere Rovers games and there is a world of difference between clubs further down the leagues and clubs in the Premier League and it’s refreshing to see. The ESL would destroy the football pyramid and essentially divide the rich from the poorer teams’. 

‘Every football fan wants their club to be successful. For me as a fan I value success but I would rather achieve that success without adjusting the already values of the game. So you can take Liverpool as an example, we achieved our success differently to clubs like Chelsea and Man City. They in ways bought their success overtime because before their takeovers they had history but very little success and their struggles with FFP. Even lower down the leagues, clubs like Salford and Forest Green barely had any success until they had massive injections of money. So I do value core values and would rather not have the already values of the sport adjusted just so my club can be successful’.

‘I never liked the idea of a non competitive league and the fact you would play the same teams every year. For me the ESL ruins the magic of the Champions League. One of my biggest dreams is to go to watch Liverpool in the Champions League under the lights at Anfield. That is an experience in itself nevermind the game. Famous nights like the 4-0 vs Madrid, the Man City game and the Barcelona game come to mind, just to experience that once in my life would be a dream come true. The Super League would destroy that dream and the memories attached to the Champions League by playing pointless games against the huge european giants. The beauty about the Champions League is, the rare occasions you face teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich make it even more special on european nights and the Super League would just kill them games. Another reason is it kills the underdog story. You wouldn’t get great unexpected runs from teams like AS Monaco, Ajax and even Leicester a few years ago and major upsets like when Red Star Belgrade beat Liverpool. It also ruins the dreams of the smaller teams who have made long journeys through the qualifying rounds to play one of Europe’s elite clubs. Personally, I can’t see it ever working and I don’t see any positives apart from the financial aspect but I believe that The Super League idea isn’t dead in the water just yet. I reckon it will be brought back up in a few years again with revised plans and they will try to force it  through’. 

‘No, I couldn’t see the Premier League kicking them out of the league. Lets not forget that without the “Sly Six” the popularity of the league and financially would be a lot less. Those 6 clubs are the money makers when it comes to revenue, brand deals etc, so wherever those 6 go the attention and money goes with them. If they did relegate them, you would see the likes of Sky and BT lose a lot of money and would have minimal interest in the remaining 14 teams and the 6 newly promoted sides. I think if they kicked them out and the Super League went ahead, you would see the destruction of the Premier League. The big 6 have the most power when it comes to English Football and whatever they do has a ripple effect on the football pyramid’. 

‘I wouldn’t believe a word that Perez says. I don’t think he even knows what he is saying half the time. His statement about young people not interested in football anymore was mad. He has definitely never seen football twitter before. I think the main reason people would fall out of love for the game is because of VAR. From ages 16-24 you start to develop your own opinions about players and the game itself so I don’t think he even thought about what he said at all. I still engage in arguments with my mates about football all the time even if we support the same team. He started the league to save his name and try to get Real Madrid out of serious debt.  He is a clown, he’s a businessman who knows nothing about today’s game’.

‘I like the way the English game is. I love the Fa cup. I wish Liverpool took the domestic cups more seriously. You can’t beat the unpredictability of the cups and the leagues. I feel like the top 6 sides shouldn’t be involved in the league cup. The league cup gets won by Man City every year and not many teams take it seriously. They should consider changing the league cup into an all Island Cup to add more excitement. So scottish league teams would be added to the cup and it would include the 14 remaining Premier League sides, Championship, League 1&2 and Scottish League teams. Keep the same format’.

‘I didn’t like the format of the Super League at all. It’s very similar to how the MLS is run. They have theirs split into western and eastern for travel reasons and they have a semi final and final. It’s very weird. The owners of these clubs and the main ones backing Perez are American so they would be used to this type of format because that’s how most sports are played over there. It would never work in Europe, hence why there was massive outrage as well. The no relegation gave the Super League a massive disadvantage as the league then became non competitive. The Super League had more cons than pros and that’s why it failed’. 

‘The owners should 100% be punished with some hefty fines. I don’t think for one minute that the owners thought of the fans while making the decision to pull out. They were offered big money from UEFA to back out and the threats that they would be banned from all competitions. The owners showed their true colours with that decision and ultimately burned bridges with fans and staff of the club. I’m expecting big punishments from the Premier League and UEFA for these owners. I reckon there will be a points deduction at the start of next season and a possible ban from European competitions for a season’.

‘I don’t believe that the fans have won to be quite honest. UEFA and Sky Sports and all the big TV companies are tricking the working class people into thinking that we were the ones who stopped the Super League. What are we benefiting from the end of the Super League? Nothing has changed for the fans. Sky and BT subscriptions are still too high, ticket prices haven’t gone down, the price of club jerseys are a joke. Further action against these things have to be taken if we ever want to “win” but unfortunately I cannot see anything changing. The 2019 Champions League final was held in a  64,000 seater stadium. Liverpool and Spurs were given 16,613 tickets each and all the other tickets were corporate. If that doesn’t say something about how little UEFA care about the fans then I don’t know what does. 

The biggest issue right now is racism. Everyone would like to see that kicked out of the sport and the only way to do that is by handing out long punishments and big fines. UEFA and the FA will have to almost scaremonger people so they know it’s a serious offence. The other issue I would like to see ironed out is  VAR. Personally I am not a big fan. They have to change the rules around VAR because the small offsides they give are a joke. They have to change the rules around offsides with VAR, we are seeing perfectly good goals chalked off because of referees opinions. That and the referees in English football especially in the Premier League are appalling. There’s a reason not many of them go to world cups and Euros’.

Best and Worst – Bradford City F.C

‘Best and Worst’ – Bradford City F.C

A recent feature that I have started to do to gather the best and worst times from Tranmere supporters, is the ‘best and worst’. I decided to stretch this feature to a fan of the club that Tranmere are up against next, Bradford City. Matthew Ward, the Bantams’ Football Fans View correspondent, recalled some of his finest and worst memories of the club throughout his time being a supporter. 

Best team: 2012/13 team – Two trips to Wembley, went on an amazing run to get into the play offs, and got promoted. 

Worst Team: 2018/19 team – Relegated and there was no team spirit at all.

Best Player: Stephen Warnock – So professional in all that he did.

Honorable mentions got to: James Hanson, Nahki Wells, Gary Jones, Rory McCardle and Stephen Darby. 

Worst Player: Kai Bruenker. Big Kai as we used to call him. Was like Bambi on ice. 

Best Moment: Beating Arsenal on penalties in the League Cup quarter finals. 

Honourable mentions go to: Beating Leeds in the League Cup in 2014/15, Beating Aston Villa in the semi final of the League Cup, Getting promoted from League Two, Beating Chelsea in the FA cup, Beating Sunderland when they were in the Premiership in the FA Cup.

Worst Moment: Getting relegated from League 1.

Best Game: If we’re going on occasion then Arsenal in the League Cup but for football itself, Bradford 2-2 Bolton in 2016/17. Best I’ve seen City play on that day.

Worst Game: Probably losing 6-0 to Bristol City when they were in League 1. 

Best Haircut: Stephen Darby.

Worst Haircut: Gary Jones – There’s nothing there.

Best signing: Josh Cullen – Best loan signing we ever made.

Worst Signing: Kai Bruenker. 

Best season: 2012/13 season. 

Worst Season: 2018/19 season.

Best Goal: Lee Novak’s overhead kick against Grimsby. 

Worst Goal: David Ball vs Walsall.

Best Kit: 2017/18 Home Shirt. Classic stripes. 

Worst kit: 2015/16 Home Shirt- The checkerboard pattern never works. 

Best Nickname: The Bantams. The main one really. 

Worst Nickname: The Citizens. Nicked off Man City I think but it’s listed. 

Best Chant: ‘Midland Road Take me home’ 

Worst Chant: No such thing! 

Best Manager: Phil Parkinson.

Worst Manager: Gary Bowyer. 

Cult hero: Gary Jones. 

Hardman: Andrew Davies. 

Best Facial Hair: Romaine Vincelot. 

Worst Facial Hair: I haven’t a clue. There haven’t been many that stand out.

‘My favourite Cult hero is Gary Jones. Considering he has no hair and there’s no sign of anything growing, I’ll say he has the worst haircut as well’.

Jones was a midfielder for the Bantams between 2012-2014, he was born in Liverpool.

Meeting the opposition – Bradford City F.C

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Bradford City F.C

On Tuesday night, Keith Hill’s Tranmere Rovers travel to Bradford City as they face the Bantams in English Football League Two. This is the Whites’ penultimate away game of the season and recent performances have left a lot to be desired. However, there have been rumours that the top six due to the European Super League will be promoted this season so if Hill’s men can gather together a string of successful results then last season’s unfair demotion can be taken away from memory. 

Bradford City will pose their own questions as they aim to have a great end of the season, thus I spoke to Bantams fan and football fans view correspondent Matthew Ward about the club’s on and off pitch positions amongst other subjects.

How long have you been a Bradford City supporter and when/how did you first come across the club?

I have been a Bradford fan pretty much all my life. They’re my local team and my brothers supported them. So I followed suit. 

Highest and lowest points in that time?

Highest point was the 2012/13 season where we got to League Cup final and got promoted. Lowest was probably the years we were stuck in League Two up until the 2012/13 season. 

Random fact about the Bantams?

The only professional team in the EFL to wear Claret and Amber. 

What were your expectations going into the season and what are they now the campaign’s coming to a close?

My expectations were promotion but it’s gone the complete opposite to be honest. I’d say now just try and get a top 10 finish and go again next season. 

Bradford City had a change of manager in mid December as Trueman and Sellars came in. What are your thoughts on the duo so far and what have they brought to the club?

Trueman and Sellars have done wonders since they’ve come in. They revitalised the squad and got that passion and enthusiasm back into the players. 

Who owns the club and what are your thoughts on them?

The club is owned by a man called Stefan Rupp who is a German businessman. Seems a nice guy appointed a good CEO who seems to have got the behind the scenes backroom working like clockwork again. 

Your danger men?

I’d say Callum Cooke, he’s only just come back from injury so will be on the bench but when he comes on he can get things flowing in Midfield. Andy Cook is a handful. Elliot Watt can string passes from quite far. 

The last time the two clubs came head to head was when Bradford won 1-0 at Prenton Park on Boxing Day. Thoughts on that game?

Very good from our perspective. Played well and grabbed a valued three points for us at that time. 

Score prediction this time round?

I’d say Bradford City 1-0 Tranmere Rovers. 

What eleven do you think will line up for the visitors?

Think it will be Richard O’Donnell, Connor Wood, Niall Canavan, Paudie O’Connor, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Elliott Watt, Levi Sutton, Kian Scales, Ollie Crankshaw, Charles Vernam and Andy Cook.

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.

Decent club with decent fans.

What are your thoughts on the Bantams’ January transfer window? Players such as Danny Rowe and Andy Cook were two of the many that came in.

I think January was very important for us and the right business was made. Hopefully going into the summer the same can be done to make a competitive squad. 

James Vaughan and Andy Cook may face their former clubs this season? The latter formed a formidable partnership with James Norwood in the National League and now plays his football at the Utilita Energy Stadium.

Vaughan is very dangerous up front. He can be a handful but so can Andy Cook and he’s been that target man we’ve missed for many years. 

Striker Andy Cook may come up against his former club, Tranmere, on Tuesday night. He shared a formidable partnership with James Norwood in the National League, even scoring at Wembley in a final that promoted the Whites back to the Football League. ‘He’s been that target man we’ve missed for many years’.

Best and Worst – Tranmere.

Best and Worst – Tranmere.

Tristan Browning – Supporter since 1980.

Team: 

Best – John Achterberg; Steve Vickers, Mark Hughes, Ian Goodison, Ged Brannan; Gary Williams, Pat Nevin, Johnny Morrissey; Ian Muir, Chris Malkin, James Norwood.

Worst – Phil Whitehead; Marcus Holness, Janoi Donacien, Godwin Antwi, Harrison McGahey; Nicky Summerbee, Jon Otsemobor; Nathan Eccleston, Michael Ricketts, Kithson Bain, Guy Madjo

Player:

Best – Pat Nevin, pure class from start to finish. 

Worst – Unfair this, as he is a decent enough player, but in the 2014-15 relegation season, I saw us lose away at Oxford, and defender Janoi Donacien literally didn’t put a foot right all afternoon. Worst individual 90 minutes I have ever seen.

Moment: 

Best – Promotion back to the league in 2018. 

Best individual moment – Andy Cook’s goal in that play off final – I celebrated that one more than Norwood’s. 

Worst – Dropping out of the league in 2015. 

Worst individual moment – Simon Haworth breaking his leg at Brentford in 2004. It happened right in front of me. You could hear the bones break. Ouch!

Game: 

Best – The 2018 play off final just shades it from the home leg of the 2000 Worthington Cup semi v Bolton – the best atmosphere I have ever been in at Prenton Park. 

Worst – Not a bad game as such, but early 1996, home v Crystal Palace, 2-0 up at halftime, lost 3-2 – I came away knowing our time aiming for the Premier league was over.

Player’s haircut: 

Best – Johnny Morrissey’s flowing locks. 

Worst – Dougie Anderson’s 1980s home-made haircut.

Signing: 

Best – Other obvious ones I guess, but a good case for Ian Goodison, signed at age 31, went on to play over 400 games for us, 9th in the all time appearance list. 

Worst – Guy Madjo, a striker signed in 2014-15. Came, ran around in circles for 3 games, disappeared never to be seen again.

Season: 

Best – Loved 92-93, the first 2nd level play off season, and 99-2000 getting to the League Cup Final, but also seeing plenty of new grounds, and of course 2017-18.

Worst – Not so keen on 2014-15. dismal.

Goal: 

Best – Adam McGurk, last minute winner away at Bournemouth in 2011 – real Roy of the Rovers stuff. 

Worst – Sean Flynn’s 20 yard own goal volley at home to Wolves in 2001 – it would have been goal of the season if it hadn’t been in the wrong net.

Kit: 

Best – 1995-97, blue and green hooped home top. 

Worst – Never really liked the pinstripe 2000 home shirt – it had red in it! – even though we got to Wembley wearing it.

Nickname: 

Best – Stuart ‘Jigsaw’ Barlow (‘he goes to pieces in the box’) always made me smile. 

Worst – Ian ‘Goody’ Goodison wins no points for originality.

Chant: 

Best – Too many funny things over the years. 

Worst – Tequila, I can’t bear it!!

Manager: 

Best – Johnny King, a total legend, his team from around 1989 to 1995 was six years of absolute brilliance. 

Worst – Micky Adams – came in at a time we needed rescuing, failed utterly to do so.

Cult hero: 

Best – Graham Branch, described as having “the tactical awareness of a newborn deer”, he was actually a superb player and went on to have a great career after leaving us as well. Honourable mention for ‘Steeeeeeeve’ McNulty.

Worst – Never set the world alight as a player, but Frenchman Max Blanchard from 2010-11 loved playing for the club so much, he was a cult hero even though half the people in the crowd were probably better at football.

Hard man: 

Best – Georges Santos. Full stop. 

Worst – James Wallace – wasn’t trying to be hard, but it was a good job, as he injured himself every time he tied his laces.

Facial hair: 

Best – I’ll go for Aldo’s never changing moustache and goatee combo, or Stefan Payne’s full ‘stranded on a desert island’ look. 

Worst – Sean Flynn’s wispy top lip.

Worst hard man? ‘James Wallace, he injured himself every time he tied his laces’

  • The 29 year old Liverpudlian came through the Everton academy ranks before making just over 60 appearances for Tranmere across two spells at Prenton Park.

Meeting the opposition – Salford City F.C

Meeting the opposition – Salford City F.C

This weekend, Tranmere Rovers host Salford City in a League Two fixture, as they search for their first win six. The Whites’ recent run hasn’t been good enough and there are serious concerns that they will drop out of the promotion mix and the playoffs themselves if that doesn’t change soon enough. Thus, Keith Hill’s men need to beat Gary Bowyer’s Ammies.

With this game in mind, I spoke to a Salford City supporter in the form of Adam Franks. He told me about his experiences as a supporter before giving an insight into Salford’s on and off pitch positions as well as the upcoming game itself, amongst other subjects.

How long have you been a Salford City supporter and when/how did you first come across the club?

I’ve been a Salford supporter for fifteen years, my first game was back in 2006 vs FC United at The Willows. The club came across as my Nana’s next door neighbour’s son, Matthew Burke, played for the club. 

Highest and lowest points across that time?

Lowest point for me would have been the play off semi final defeat against Halifax when we got beat on penalties. Was just a cruel way to go. 

Random fact about the Ammies?

My random fact about Salford is that my stepdad, Les Whiteley, used to manage the club years ago. 

What were your expectations going into the season and what are they now the campaign’s coming to a close?

Being a football league team is still such a surreal feeling because of how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time. My expectations were to survive and hopefully challenge some of the top teams that have been up there and got a good history about themselves. 

Gary Bowyer was appointed manager last month, following the departure of Richie Wellens. It was another gaffer that was on the touchline the last time Salford hosted Tranmere, Graham Alexander. What are your thoughts on the departures of Wellens and Alexander? Also, what are your thoughts of Bowyer’s time so far?

The departure of Alexander came of a shock with the recent run of form and it being such an early start to the season. 

Wellens was a good replacement but he tried to change the full format which backfired. He went to Swindon and was handed a squad who played the formation he wanted and he tried throwing that at the lads straight away and it backfired. 

I think Bowyer will do well with these final run of games, he has to considering his contract only runs into the end of the season and I hope that the club can appoint someone on a long-term basis soon. 

Who are the club’s owners and what are your thoughts on them?

I have a lot of respect  for the owners of the club, both Class of 92, Karen Baird and the back room staff as the club wouldn’t be where they are without their constant support. 

Your danger men?

For me I have three danger men within the Salford squad, Vaclav Hladky, Ibou Touray & Ashley Hunter.

The last meeting between Salford and Tranmere ended in a 2-2 draw, in mid-October. Thoughts on that game?

I was embarrassed with our final five minutes as being 2-0 up and to only come away with one point because of two very poor late goals. 

How do you see the game panning out this weekend? (Score prediction etc) and why, if you do, do you think the game this weekend will pose more interesting questions than last time?

On the back of two wins and a loss against a strong Bolton side I see us doing well as Tranmere are still without James Vaughan who has been their target man throughout this campaign. I hope we come away with a clean sheet but it’ll be a tough game and hopefully full of goals. 

What starting eleven do you think Bowyer will select?

Hladky, Clarke, Eastham, Turnbull, Touray, Towell, Coutts, Lowe, Hunter, Brandon Thomas Asante & Henderson. 

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.

Tranmere are a solid team with a very decent past record and I did think they would be challenging for promotion. I wasn’t wrong. 

Thoughts on the Ammies’ winter transfer business? That is crucial, more often than not, in determining whether the club can reach their late found ambitions.

The transfer business this season has been very good, I’ve been impressed with every player the club has brought in. 

Who is your favourite all time Salford player?

My all time favourite Salford City player has got to be Scott Burton. Scott was a solid leader in the midfield and put his heart on the line every time he stepped on the pitch. 

Midfielder Scott Burton, ‘he was a solid leader’.

Best and Worst – Tranmere

Best and Worst – Tranmere

Zak Hayes, 20 years old – Matchgoer since 2008

Favourite team – Has to be the 17/18 squad that got us out of the National League. They all played their part in getting us what was the most important promotion to date in my opinion.

Favourite player – Ian Goodison, mostly because of how he was an absolute soldier at the back for years but throw in the overhead kicks and arrive back just in time for the start of the season every year and it’s impossible not to love the guy.

Best moment – I’d go for Jennings’s winner against Newport, since it was in virtually the last minute of normal time and it was complete pandemonium in our end. I know many of us will go for Norwood’s winner the year before but I was still too nervous for the remaining 10 minutes to over-celebrate it.

Best game – Boreham Wood at Wembley. The battle from the 10 men was something else.

Favourite player’s haircut – Ian Goodison’s dreadlocks

Best signing – James Norwood.

Favourite Season – 2018/19, was brilliant to be back and in the league and we surprised everyone with our form and promotion.

Favourite goal – Larnell Cole’s strike in extra time against Ebbsfleet. Too much power for their keeper to handle and put the semi final to bed.

Favourite kit – I’d say the 2010/11 home kit. 

Favourite nickname – The Superwhites

Favourite chant – Either One Night in Gay Paris or just simply the one where we chant “Tranmere” 11 times. I know that seems boring but it’s been a constant over the years and it still goosebumps when it’s done loudly and properly.

Favourite Manager – I wasn’t around for the King or Aldo years so it’s got to be Micky Mellon really.

Favourite cult hero – Since I’ve already mentioned Ian Goodison, this one goes to Steve McNulty. Made opposition fans eat their words on a regular basis.

Favourite hard man – Jay Harris. Loved his energy and how he didn’t hesitate to fly into a tackle, if he won the ball of course. The fact he left Wrexham for us when in the same league made him even more likeable.

Facial hair – That’s an interesting question. Stefan Payne’s beard I suppose, likeable guy even if he didn’t amount to much overall with us.

Worst Team – The 2014/2015 season side by a country mile. Owain Fon Williams, Max Power and Liam Ridehalgh spring to mind as maybe the only players that emerged from that season with any credit.

Worst Player – George Donnelly, as we actually paid money for him and he was talked about as being a good replacement for Ryan Lowe.

Worst Moment – I didn’t go to the game, but seeing the tweet that said we were relegated to non-league after Plymouth away really did feel like a strong punch in the stomach.

Worst game – Welling at home was an absolute disgrace given it was the first game after Johnny King’s passing.

Worst signing – I’ve already mentioned George Donnelly, so Stephen Foster or Kayode Odejayi.

Worst season – Again 2014/2015, by a country mile.

Worst goal – Remember one from the National League days where their keeper parried it against his own defender and it went in. Think it was Sutton at home.

Worst kit – The first home bargains one with blue sleeves in 2013/14 made me question why I bothered with this club even as a 12 year old.

Worst nickname – Always winds me up a bit seeing Bolton or Oldham fans calling us “Trampmere”.

Worst chant – “Odejayi baby” to the tune of the Human League’s Don’t You Want Me Baby.

Worst manager – Micky Adams. Came in with a good record and looking a solid appointment to steer us to mid-table safety and left with the club in ruins and fans booing when our own players had the ball.

Worst hard man – Does Michael Higdon count as a hard man? Certainly seemed to think he was when sarcastically applauding the Kop after we cheered seeing him getting taken off when behind in a crucial game against Wrexham in which he’d contributed nothing positive at all.

Worst manager? Micky Adams.

Best and Worst – Tranmere

Best and Worst – Tranmere Rovers F.C

Neil Jackson, 50 years old – Supporter since 1981

Best 

Team – 1994 squad – Nixon – Thomas, Nolan, McGreal, Hughes – Morrisey, Irons, O’Brien, Nevin – Aldridge, Muir – Subs Coyne, Higgins, Jones, Brannon, Malkin 

Player – Ian Muir just for going through from 4th division days to Championship and still standing out. 

Moment – Last 4 mins v Barrow to get 4-3 victory with 3 goals in added time. 

Game – 3-0 v Everton 

Player’s haircut – Ian Goodisons dreadlocks 

Signing – John Aldridge 

Season – 1999/2000 

Goal – Norwood’s header in the play off final to fire us back into the football league, for the pure emotion

Kit – Home kit 93 to 95 

Nickname – Tony “the tank” Thomas 

Chant – One night in Gay Paris  

Manager – Johnny King 

Cult hero – Eddie Bishop 

Hard man – Jim Steel 

Facial hair – Aldridge’s Moustache 

Worst 

Team – 2014/2015 squad 

Player – Marcus Holness 

Moment – Losing in the Worthington cup final 

Game – Tranmere 1 Burton 4 2015 – knew then we were being relegated out of the football league 

Player’s haircut – select any from 1982 to 1985

Signing – James Alabi 

Season – 2014/2015 

Goal – Matt Elliot’s at Wembley League Cup final 

Kit – Gold and grey striped away shirt 93-95 

Nickname – To be honest, I can’t think of one 

Chant – Der Tranmere 

Manager – Micky Adams 

Cult hero – Eugine Dadi 

Hard man – James Wallace, he was a great player but any decent tackle put him out for 3 months at a time.

Facial hair – None spring to mind 

Worst player? Marcus Holness.

Holness was a centre half for Rovers between 2014 and 2016.

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Walsall F.C

‘Meeting the opposition’ – Walsall F.C

Ahead of the upcoming League Two encounter at the Bescot Stadium between Walsall and Tranmere Rovers, I spoke to the Saddlers independent blog and news website @BescotBanter. They gave their thoughts on Walsall’s on and off pitch subject matters as well as giving an insight into Tuesday night’s fixture, amongst other subjects.

How long have you been a Walsall supporter and when/how did you first come across them?

Sentenced to a lifelong love of the club. From the start to the end, we’ll always be Saddlers. Although they don’t make it easy to keep the faith from time to time.

Highest and lowest points across that time?

A recent high has to be the visit to Wembley for the JPT final. Whilst there have undoubtedly been higher highs over the years, famous victories over Arsenal and Liverpool et al, the visit to the national stadium saw thousands of fans both committed and casual descend upon the capital to watch the Saddlers take on Bristol City.

Near financial collapse and proposed Bluenose mergers aside, the 2018/19 season has to be one of the low points in recent times. The club’s almost submission-like relegation from League One was a season-long decline which we’re currently showing little sign of recovering from. There remains a long road ahead.

Random fact about the Saddlers?

Always terrible at these questions. We’re joined as supporters by the likes of Pop Idol judge and train aficionado Pete Waterman, amongst others. We think you’ll agree we win this round of ‘Famous Fan Top Trumps’.

What were your expectations going into the season, and what are now the campaign’s coming to an end?

We were hoping for an upper mid-table finish with a possible late surge towards the Play-Off’s, at the moment we’ll settle for a winning end to the season and a welcome rebuild in the summer months.

Brian Dutton is Walsall manager; he was appointed this season, and it is the 35-year-old’s first time in charge of a club. What are your thoughts on him? Darrell Clarke was sacked, in mid-February, to make that happen. Was it the right time for the club to part ways with the former Bristol Rovers gaffer?

It’s still a little too early to tell in regard to Brian. He’s only recently been able to secure his first win since taking charge and has a long way to go before he will be accepted by the Saddlers faithful. Hopefully, with the upcoming appointment of a Director of Football, and the odd win or two between now and the end of the season, he can prove himself capable of not only leading the team but guiding them back towards the upper reaches of the table.

Darrell Clarke appeared to be looking for a way out for quite some time and, given our run of form, probably jumped before he was pushed. We’re probably a happier club without him and will hopefully be able to repair some of the damage done over the coming weeks and months.

Who are the club’s owners, and what are your thoughts on them?

Leigh Pomlett is the majority shareholder and chairman. A local lad who clearly loves the club, he took over from Jeff Bonser and has sought to reconnect the club with its fans, although not helped by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, there is still a long road ahead if the club is to truly begin to challenge not only for a place in the third tier but the leagues above.

Your danger men?

Only one true danger man at the moment, Rory Holden. He is capable of unlocking the opposition back-line and, as seen over the weekend, is a major player when it comes to our attacking line. His injury lay off saw team performances dip and goals almost completely disappear. Hopefully, he can continue to make the team tick before the inevitable move to pastures new.

The last time the two clubs met was in December at Prenton Park. The visitors won 3-1 in a League Two encounter .. thoughts on that game?

Always welcome the opportunity to burst a bubble and the fact that the game was the first to be played in front of fans for quite some time will (sadly) serve as a highlight of the campaign. You can draw your own conclusions as to just how successful the season has been, given this particular highlight.

How do you see the game this upcoming Tuesday night panning out? (Score prediction etc) and why, if you do, do you think that the game will pose more questions than the last encounter did?

We’re not expecting a repeat of the most recent outing, although we will come into the game on the back of a win over Forest Green so shouldn’t be discounted as a threat. We’ll go with a 1-1 draw.

What starting eleven do you think Dutton will select?

The gaffer has sought to make few changes overall, although injuries and fatigue will always play a part. The team v Forest Green was; Rose; White, Clarke, Sadler, Melbourne; Wright, Kinsella, Perry, Osadebe; Holden; Gordon. We’re not likely to see too many changes, with Alfie Bates and Cameron Norman possibly coming in.

Thoughts on Tranmere? The club in general.

Rovers appeared to be amongst the favourites to go up at the end of the campaign. And, despite the recent run of results – which we hope to capitalise upon – we expect that to be the case when the curtain comes down in May.

Thoughts on the Saddler’s winter transfer business? That plays a good part, more often than not, in improving a club’s chances of meeting their late found ambitions.

We were in a panic mode setting in January and made signings simply to fill a few gaps. Lincoln City’s Max Melbourne has slotted in well and could even make a permanent move in the summer. Sadly the departures had much more of an impact upon the squad, something which has to be addressed in the summer.

I normally finish the ‘meeting the opposition’ Q+A by asking for your thoughts on current squad members that have played for Tranmere previously. Considering that there isn’t any in your current squad who match that description, what are your thoughts on current Rovers forwards Kieron Morris and Corey Blackett-Taylor who have both played their football at the Bescot Stadium before their time on Merseyside?

Kieron Morris was a fairly consistent performer overall. Loved a shot wide of goal, but always had the potential to improve and was capable of changing a game if motivated.

Former loanee Blackett-Taylor made the odd promising performance but, as with many of our loanees, was here for match sharpness and to hopefully put himself in the shop window. Saying that we’d have welcomed his return as a permanent signing but it wasn’t to be.

23-year-old midfielder Rory Holden is Saddlers main threat. @BescotBanter describes him as being a major player when it comes to their attacking style of play.

Best and Worst – Tranmere.

Best and Worst – Tranmere Rovers F.C

Scott Keith Walker, 24 years old – Supporter since 2003. 

My favourite team has to be from the I think it was 05/06 season. It’s the first team I remember properly watching and some of my all time favorites played in it. The worst for me would have to be the 14/15 squad that saw us relegated to the national league.

My all time favourite player for me is Ian Hume. He was my hero when I first started watching the rovers and while the other kids were pretending to be Stevie G or Rooney whilst having a kick about on the playground I was shouting Hume (on the rare occasion) that I banged in a goal. My least favourite player, and this is just my personal opinion of course, has to be Marc Laird. I know a lot of fans like him but for me it just all he ever seemed to do was lose possession and sometimes he’d win it back. But as I say I don’t know what it was I just never liked the football he played. That might be one for the unpopular opinion bin though.

Moment I’ll keep short and sweet. Best moment? Norwood’s winner against Borehamwood to take us back to the football league. Worst? The journey back after watching us get bent over by Forrest Green in the play off final.

Haircut I don’t really know, I don’t think we’ve had any extravagant ones have we? In all honesty I never took much notice of hair cuts but you can’t go wrong with Humey’s skinhead can you? Bit I definitely couldn’t give a worst I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a players haircut.

Favourite signing for the impact and career that had for us in my time as a fan was probably Norwood but honorable mention to the resigning of Ian hume. I know it didn’t go well but I can’t tell you the goosebumps I got when he was subbed on for the first time and I heard his name called over the tannoy again. Least favourite signing for me would probably be Nugent on loan at the moment. Seems ridiculous that we let two capable strikers go and brought in someone not really ready to play as a replacement and now find ourselves in a real predicament because of it.

Favourite season. Promotion from league 2, some brilliant memories and away days from that one. Least would be last season. Wrongful relegation after coming into form and being in no doubt at all we wouldn’t make a great escape really does cut deep and I’m definitely still bitter about that one as, I’m sure, so are many others.

Favourite goal. Norwoods in the final. Because it was sloppy and weak but it went in and that’s all that mattered. Least favourite goal? The Bury scored to doom us and promote themselves and meant we had to watch them dance on our pitch.

Best kit for me is the home strip worn from 05 – 07. Simple but effective. Least favourite is the home strip from 15 – 16. Just looked ugly to me.

Nickname I’ll go with jenno for favourite and in all honesty I never had a least favourite nickname. I have zero negative feelings towards any nicknames.

Favourite chant by far is “one night on gay paris” absolutely love that bad boy. Least favourite chant, well I don’t know if you could call it a chant but that thing with the clapping that the kop tried to do to copy from the Iceland fans because we had nordic roots. It was a disaster and didn’t work at all.

Favourite manager that I actually watched manage would have to be Micky Mellon for me. Least favourite John Barnes.

Favourite cult hero has to be Goody. What an absolute legend of a man he is never mind that fact he was our best cb in recent history. Least favourite cult hero is a tough one because the very definition of a cult hero is people love them and in all honesty I couldn’t pick one I dislike.

Hard man I’ll have to go with McNulty as my favorite. Took absolutely zero sh*t and gave just as many fu*ks. 

Facial hair I don’t know at all to be honest and can’t even picture any players who actually had facial hair so I’m going to have to skip that one sorry.

My favourite hard man? Steve McNulty. Took absolutely zero sh*t and gave just as many fu*ks.

Steve McNulty joined Tranmere in 2015 and left as a double promotion winner to League One from the National League in 2019.

Best and worst – Tranmere

Best and Worst – Tranmere Rovers F.C

Geoff Carrington, 56 years old – Supporter since 1975

Best Tranmere Team

1993/94 Aldo, Pat Nevin, Mogsy, John McGreal, Danny Coyne or Nico in goal… great team that almost got promoted, quality all over the pitch.  Used to love the fact that half the team would be in the Clipper after home games.

Worst Tranmere Team

2009/10 John Barnes era… enough said!

Best moment

Whilst there’s so much this is easy for me, Norwood’s goal at Wembley to get us promoted… still sends shivers down my spine when I think about it!

Worst moment

When we were relegated from the league in 2015…

Best game

FA cup win against Southampton, 3 down and came back to win 4 – 3… I remember walking down Borough Road on the way home and some Southampton fans kicking off saying Birkenhead was a shit hole… yeah it is a shit hole but we still beat you ha ha.

Worst game

Vs FGR 2017 play off final… horrible game against a horrible team.

Best Player’s haircut

Ian Goodison

Worst

Bas Savage

Best signing

John Aldridge… what a legend!

Worst Signing

Jason McAteer

Best season

1993/94 it was just amazing to be a Rovers fan and see us genuinely compete with the 2 sides from across the Mersey.

Worst Season

2016 first season in the conference – the football was just shocking

Best goal

Andy Parkinson vs Middlesbrough worthy cup 99

Worst Goal

Not sure – any goal against us…

Best Kit

I would say the current home kit

Worst Kit

Green away kit from 1995 (for some reason I used to have one and wear it all the time!)

Best Nickname

Super white army

Worst nickname

Scousers.

Best Chant

Super white army

Worst chant

“You’ll never get a job…”  Hilarious!

Cult hero

Eric Nixon – Tranmere through and through

Worst

John Barnes – awful manager who then played the race card when he got sacked.

Hard man

Steve McNulty

Worst

Vinnie Jones when he played for QPR against Rovers – horrible player to watch.

Facial hair

Danny Lloyds Beard… that’s a proper beard.

Worst

Aldo’s tash… just no! 

Worst player’s haircut? Bas Savage.

Savage was known for his extraordinary style and played for Rovers between 2008 and 2010.