Ethan Hoijord

Ahead of Tuesday night’s game against Morecambe, I spoke to Dave Salmon.

Hi Dave, you do the commentary for Morecambe on their iFollow channel and talk on the Shrimps Live Podcast. Could you tell us how and when you started both of these roles? 

This is my second spell covering Morecambe. I originally did so between 2007 and 2013, and came back to front the commentary coverage at the start of the 2021/22 season. We launched the Shrimps Verdict podcast at the same time. 

What have been some of your best and worst memories following the club?

Promotion into the Football League in 2007, and then into League One for the first time in the club’s history in 2021 will never be beaten. There have been some great away days too, going to superb stadiums such as Hillsborough, Pride Park and Portman Road, it’s the stuff that fans could only dream about a few years ago. 

There have been low points too. Relegation struggles to stay in the league, and being relegated away from home back onto League Two on the final day of last season, when a win would have kept us up.

Could you start us off by giving us a random fact about Morecambe? (The place/The area).

The Beatles played a gig in Morecambe just a few weeks before they had their first number one single in 1962.

Morecambe were relegated from League One last season and currently stand 10th after twelve games, winning six this league season. What were the key factors behind the relegation? 

Budget, simply. It was just as big an achievement to stay up for a second season in League One, but lack of investment simply meant that despite best efforts, the squad just fell short. A little more investment in the January transfer window may have made the difference.

This summer saw a lot of change. Two of the many that were recruited included striker Charlie Brown from Cheltenham and midfielder Yann Songo’o from Bradford City. How impressed were you with the club’s business?

The club signed 16 players in the summer after our financial issues meant we had to release everyone under contract and couldn’t offer new deals to existing players. We have trusted in youth, with many new players aged between 19 and 22, in the form of permanent signings and loans. Many have already caught the eye. 

The Shrimps are managed by Derek Adams. The 48-year-old who was a midfielder in his playing days, spending all but one year up in Scotland for clubs such as Motherwell and Ross County, was re-appointed in February 2022 after a short spell at Valley Parade with Bradford City. How happy were you with the appointment? How good would you say his relationship is with the fans and how exciting is his style of play to watch?

Derek is the perfect manager for us and is pretty much universally admired by the fan base. He took us into League One for the first time in out history and is arguably the only person who could deal with the turmoil behind the scenes, while building a quality, exciting side on a shoestring on the pitch.

Our playing style is soak up pressure, keep our shape, and hit on the counter with pace, and on our game, is superb to watch.

How do you believe he will set up his side for the game on Tuesday night? (Tactics/Formation/Starting eleven).

We’re usually 4-2-3-1. We have a few injury doubts from the weekend, a suspension and a longer term injury. Our first choice keeper is the most likely absentee. So I’d imagine it will be: Smith; Senior, Rawson, Bedeau, Tutonda; Love, McKiernan; Bloxham, Major, Slew; Mellon

Adams’ bosses are Co-Chairmen Graham House and Rod Taylor. They joined in November 2018 as the club were taken over by Bond Group investments, a company that operate primarily in the venture capital and private equity sectors. How well are they running the club? What are the current exciting projects, if any?

That’s not quite correct. Graham and Rod have been on the board for many years, they weren’t bought in by the current owner. The situation is unusual in that the owner of the club isn’t on the board, and those who run the club excellently on a day to day basis have little say in financial aspects. The club is run on the lowest budget in the league, and has been up for sale for around a year.

Rovers legend Micky Mellon has his son playing for Morecambe, he – Michael – is the side’s top scorer with seven goals and an assist in twelve outings. The 19-year-old is on loan from Burnley. How good is he and who are the other ones to watch?

He’s going to be an excellent player and play at a very high level. He’s already one of the best strikers in the division and will only continue to improve. He has an all round game. A number of other players have also impressed. These include midfielder JJ McKiernan, fresh from a hat trick two games ago, academy graduate Adam Mayor, and right winger Tom Bloxham. All of these will cause Tranmere big problems at the back.

Focusing on another link, striker Cole Stockton had an excellent time at Morecambe between 2019 and 2023 netting 52 goals in 153. How good was he and was it the right time for him to leave?

Cole was instrumental in our promotion season, and then his 26 goals were a major reason we stayed up in our first season. He was undoubtedly one of the best forwards we’ve had in our history. He wanted to leave before the start of last season, but for various reasons stayed, and was always going to leave in the summer. We wish him all the best.

Rovers, according to 11v11.com, have faced Morecambe on ten occasions. Tranmere have won half of the meetings, Morecambe have won three. The last time the two clubs came head to head was in 2021 as Adam’s men progressed through to the League Two Play-Off Final where they would go on to win. How special was that period of time and what do you believe the score prediction will be this time round?

The play offs were a special time for us and the semi final had particular importance as it was when fans were just being allowed back into stadiums post lockdown. 

This time out, it’s two completely different teams and set ups. We’re unbeaten in six and unbeaten at home in the league all season. If we play anywhere near our level, we should comfortably get all three points.

Finally, what are your thoughts on Tranmere? The Whites, being guided by interim Nigel Adkins, are evidently struggling as they find themselves near the bottom of the division.

I get the impression you are an underperforming side, perhaps in a false position. You desperately need clarity on the managerial situation and I would want Adkins on a permanent basis after perhaps a mistake following Micky Mellon’s departure. I think you have plenty to be fine this season but we’ll be looking to take full advantage tomorrow. 

Tranmere host Doncaster Rovers on Friday night looking for their first win since their resilient performance against Bradford City just over two weeks ago. 

Nigel Adkins’ men conceded a goal from an Andy Cook header, equalising the scoreline for The Bantams that evening. Josh Hawkes would go on to miss a very tamely taken penalty before substitute Kieron Morris netted a late winner, sending great scenes around Prenton Park.

Last time out, an issue which has been the case since February, The Whites were again beaten on the road. Goalkeeper Luke McGee was sent off for dealing with the ball out of his box, Tom Davies was also dismissed late. 

Doncaster sit 19th in the League Two table having won four of their thirteen games. 

Ahead of the contest I spoke to supporter Daniel Nice, who informed me about Scunthorpe United’s 2009 Play-Off Final in which Doncaster manager Grant McCann featured in midfield and Adkins managed. 

Hi Daniel, how long have you been following Doncaster Rovers? What was your first game like?

My first game was at Walsall on Halloween in 1992, we weren’t very good and lost 3-1 yet here we are nearly 31 years later! We lost the final game of a torrid last season 2-1 at Walsall in May and it felt like the whole thing had gone full circle somehow. I don’t recall many details of the game itself but my early memories of Doncaster Rovers were of a ground falling to bits, and a team that had some good individual players in those early years like Darren Moore, Russ Wilcox, Graeme Jones and Colin Cramb but with no real hope or ambition of being anything other than a struggling bottom division side. Yes, it’s hard to see what appealed looking back! That’s football, I guess; it somehow gets hold of you and never leaves.

What would you say are the best and worst moments for the club during your time as a fan? 

There have been the super highs of a play-off final win against Leeds, and then getting close to the Championship play-offs in those amazing Sean O’Driscoll days to the lows of a worst ever Football League season and a horrible period in non-league. The story is well-documented and too painful to revisit, but ultimately I’m grateful there’s still a club to support here because we could easily be not having this conversation.

Could you tell us a fun fact/story about the club/the area?

Probably the most famous fact about Donny in recent years is that One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson grew up working in one of the kiosks at Belle Vue and is still a fan of the club. He was very nearly part of a takeover at one stage. I’ve met Louis at a game, he didn’t come across as someone who had entered a world of fame through music. He’s a real down to earth lad who loves his football, especially Donny. The amount of photos, autographs and attention he had in the space of a couple of hours was a real insight into the scrutiny that goes with the celebrity lifestyle. Another fact is that Steve Beaglehole, who was manager when I first watched the Rovers, now works at Leicester City and I often see him running around on the streets as I live in Leicester. Steve’s another good man with Donny still a result he looks for!

Doncaster are run by Chairman David Blunt, a man who started his role in 2014, following the club’s relegation from The Championship, after being a successful CEO at Keepmoat. What are your thoughts on him and his current plans? Is he steering the club towards a brighter future?

There have been a lot of opinions on the way the club has operated over the recent challenging period, for me I am grateful that the club has been relatively stable on and off the field since those Conference days. I don’t know enough detail or facts about the situation to be able to comment with any insight, but I know it must be hard to invest into a football club – you do it for the love, not the money – and we seem to have now learnt (painfully, admittedly) from appointing a few inexperienced managers and not bringing in players that suited their style, and are back on track. Had Terry Bramall not invested the way he did in the summer, who knows where we’d be now, for it’s been tough despite having a proven manager and funds available.

43-year-old Grant McCann, formerly of Peterborough and Hull, is gaffer. The Belfast-born Northern Irish international made over 500 appearances for various EFL clubs as a midfielder in his playing days and was appointed earlier this year for the second time. What are your thoughts on him and his playing style?

To put it simply, Grant McCann is just the right person to have in charge of the football club. McCann worked wonders in his previous season at the club, culminating in a play-off semi-final defeat on penalties at Charlton which was as glorious as it was gutting. It was arguably my favourite night of supporting Donny despite the fact we couldn’t quite get to Wembley. That McCann saw it as an overall failure shows the standards he sets. He plays the right way but understands the challenges of the bottom division and is flexible to adapt his gameplans & tactics. Nobody who has followed Rovers closely over the last few years was questioning a return of 2 points from 7 games earlier this term; we knew it was as a result of trying to steer a large, heavy ship into safer waters and not a reflection on his management style or skills. Any early struggles may have had us asking those existential type of questions about whether our Football League time might be at threat of being up again but none of it was on the manager.

How do you see him setting up his side for the clash on Friday night? (Tactics, formation and starting eleven).

McCann’s hands are tied currently with 14 players missing the win against Sutton, and another 3 key players in Ben Close, Tommy Rowe and Mo Faal all hobbling in the latter stages of that game. There are a few key players said to be close to returning, such as Richard Wood, Jack Senior, James Maxwell and Kyle Hurst, but the game may come too soon for them and besides, I don’t expect McCann to deviate too far from what we’ve seen in the last few games. If everyone from Saturday is fit, it’ll be a 3-5-2 that can flick to a back 4 with fluidity given the flexibility of players like Owen Bailey, Tom Nixon, Zain Westbrooke and Luke Molyneux, who have all caught the eye this term.

Doncaster struggled and ultimately finished 18^th last season. This season, at the time of writing, their struggle continues as their placed 20^th after twelve games. Why is the poor form carrying on? 

They say the league table doesn’t lie but it doesn’t always tell the whole truth. Yes, we look like a struggling side on paper, and we haven’t got as many points as we’d like, but we’re on the up. We’ve won 4 of the last 6, and were only edged out late at Stockport in that run too. Effectively we had a succession of inexperienced managers and a whole host of signings that generally didn’t work out, and poor performances and results are a hard habit to change, particularly at our level. McCann has had to battle with the weight of that recent history, great expectations upon his return, and an ever-increasing queue for the physio room. It was inevitable that time would be needed and thankfully there’s calm at Donny, not panic. Having said that, we are closer to the bottom 2 than we’d like and we have to continue to play with what I’d call a measured desperation to get points on the board, if that’s not a contradiction in terms. In essence we need to place a high price on every point and work our way towards 45 to 50 in the first instance.

The side’s top scorer is 29-year-old Joe Ironside, a summer signing from Cambridge United. Ironside has hit four whilst his teammate Ben Close has also been prolific in front of goal, netting three. How great have they both been and as Ironside was signed in the summer, how well do you think the club operated in the transfer window?

Joe Ironside has 7 goals in all competitions and is a real throwback centre forward, I’ve been so impressed with him. He is a focal point but knows where the net is with decent service too, and he’s a good mentor for Faal, who is a special talent. Close is critical to the way the team sets up with cultured central midfield play, and the goals have been a bonus to be honest. We had a very promising transfer window but any club at this level will struggle when the injury list is in excess of 10 players so it’s hard to judge exactly how good it was. My gut feeling is McCann will ultimately have us challenging at the right end of the table but we’re having to take our medicine for 2-and-a-half dire seasons. The good thing is that McCann and us as fans recognise that. It’s a step or two forward, then a step or two back kind of situation as we try to build some foundations. There’s a genuine connection between McCann and supporters, which is something our previous managers failed to develop for one reason or another.

The first meeting between Tranmere and Doncaster was contested in 1924 as Tranmere won 3-0. However, it is Doncaster that have won most of the encounters with a total of 38 from 78. Doncaster won the last meeting 2-0 in early Feb, Ben Close and Kyle Hurst scored in quick succession in the second half. What is your score prediction this time ’round?

The 3-0 defeat on Boxing Day stands out more than the 2-0 home win to be honest, I think that was the start of the end for Danny Schofield at the club because for all the will in the world – and he was a genuinely nice guy with a decent coaching pedigree – the style, tactics and gameplans just weren’t working at this level. That game encapsulated everything bad about it; a lack of intensity and aggression, gifting goals, not being commanding in either box and not landing on the second balls. It culminated in unsavoury scenes at the end and it couldn’t go on for long. In some senses it was surprising that it lasted until the end of the season. To the outside world this will be a 6-pointer between 2 struggling sides but it’s an intriguing looking game to me because it’s 2 clubs that, in my opinion, really shouldn’t find themselves in the bottom 6 of the Football League. McCann comes up against his mentor in Nigel Adkins, our away form hasn’t been good on paper but we’ve run Wrexham and Stockport close and were also unfortunate at MK Dons when they were flying. It doesn’t feel like we’re far away and did land an important win at Forest Green. I always expect Tranmere to be decent at home but that might be the age old cliche of Prenton Park seemingly being a difficult place to go to, especially under lights. If it was at the Eco Power Stadium I’d be confident of three points but given how we’re travelling and the injury list, I can see it being a tight game. It’s not a must win by any stretch but we could do with leaving Birkenhead with something. I’d have taken 4 points from Sutton and Tranmere so I’ll go for 1-1.

Finally, as we all know, it hasn’t been the start that Rovers fans were expecting. What are your thoughts on Tranmere? 

Looking in from afar, there seems to be lots of similarities between the 2 clubs. Last season I felt we both might be in the mix, but were both well off the pace and have now slipped further down the league, and are now close together at the wrong end of the table for now. I genuinely hope that there are better times ahead for Tranmere as I have family who live on the Wirral but naturally hope any improvement in form and position doesn’t come at our expense! I suspect Adkins is the right sort of character to lead the club forward if he takes it on full time but he cut a fairly downbeat and frustrated figure at the end of your last game at Crewe. It goes to show that life at the bottom of the Football League tests you to deep levels and there’s no easy way out – you need lots of hard work, battling qualities, hope for a change of luck generally, and have a decision or 2 to go in your favour. Either that or hope someone pumps some money in to get some established players like Gillingham did last season. If you asked me which of the 2 clubs is likely to climb the table significantly then I’d say us, but that’s only my opinion and no feeling is final.

Tranmere have won all of their League Two games this campaign at Prenton Park. On a personal note, I’ve been to all three and will again be there tomorrow night… Time for a fourth victory? It’d be nice… 

On Tuesday night, Tranmere face Leicester City U21s in Papa John’s Trophy action. 

The game comes a few days after The Whites drew 2-2 at home against Grimsby Town, creative midfielder Connor Jennings and goalkeeper Luke McGee were fantastic that day.

Tranmere started their PJT campaign off with a 2-0 defeat away at Fleetwood Town in early September. 

Leicester also started with a defeat, a 7-1 thrashing on the road at Wigan Athletic. 

The Foxes’ U21’s have also been struggling in their respective league games recently. However, there are still a few bright sparks to watch out for such as forward Amani Richards.

Ahead of the game I spoke to life-long supporter and LJMU sports journalist Zoe McGrady. 

Hi Zoe, how long have you been following Leicester? What was your first game?

Hello! I’ve been following Leicester my whole life, my family are all huge supporters of the club so as soon as I was old enough to be at the games I was there. There’s no way I’m remembering my first game. I would have been so young, I wish I could!

What have been some of the best and worst moments during your time watching The Foxes?

This question just sums Leicester up because we really have been through the best and the worst of it! Obviously winning the league, you’re never ever gonna beat that. Also winning the FA Cup was such a special one. However, I can’t not mention the European away days we’ve had, especially last time round flying out to places like Randers and Rennes was just unbelievable. Worst moments obviously recently getting relegated last season, heartbreaking. Personally though the day of the helicopter crash at the club was definitely one of the darkest days at the club.

Could you tell us a little bit about the work that you have done around the club?

Yeah, so I actually used to work for the club as a Sports Turf Operative based on the King Power, so I was the one there every day maintaining the pitch. I got to watch all our games live still during Covid so that was a huge perk!

Rovers will be facing Leicester City U21s on Tuesday night in The Papa John’s Trophy after recently being defeated 2-0 by the first team in The Carabao Cup. Did you go to that game? What were your thoughts on it?

Yes I was at that game! I thought we played consistently throughout, and I was happy with the performance. If i’m honest I think Tranmere gave us more of a game than some Championship sides we’ve played recently, it wasn’t easy. Jamie Vardy got his goal which always means it’s a good game.

Leicester U21s are managed by 46-year-old Ben Petty who was a defender in his playing days for clubs such as Stoke and Hull. Petty plays a 3-4-3 formation and has been at the club since 2016. What are your thoughts on him?

Yeah so, he’s been at the club a while now, the Academy stands by him which I think is a positive. The U21s have struggled in recent times however so many factors when it comes to that squad are out of the managers control, I think it would be unfair to lay the blame on him! When I watch them play all the lads look like they are giving 110% effort and for Petty to get that out of these young lads I think he’s doing well.

The side were relegated from the PL2 this summer after losing 4-1 against Everton. They have won two of their opening six games this campaign. What do you think has been going wrong recently?

I often felt last season that the score line wasn’t an accurate representation of the game, the results just weren’t coming in. Last season was also a weird one. I do think the state of the men’s first team at the time had an effect on the whole club. There was no stability across the board, some of the Under 21s were being brought up to the first team and playing well and then we would never see them again. That can’t have had a positive effect on them. They’ve also had some injuries to key players. Sammy Braybrooke is out who I think will be crucial for them. I’m confident with these lads back and the confidence around the club right now they will turn the results around!

They started their PJT campaign off with a 7-1 defeat against Wigan in mid-September. How important do you believe it is for an academy side to test themselves against a professional outfit?

I think it’s incredibly important. These are players that ultimately want to break out of their academy side. There’s no better way to showcase your good enough for that than against a professional team.

Leicester U21s key players… Zach Booth and Silko Thomas have netted twice this season whilst Amani Richards has four assists. Who are you most excited about? Why?

Amani Richards is one to watch! But seriously those three you’ve mentioned and quite a few more I have high hopes for. They really do have a good squad. Of course, I’m excited to see the lads who are out injured getting back out there, I think they have high potential.

Leicester City Football Club has been owned by King Power since August 2010. How great have they been?

Before last season I would have had no negatives for you on this. The things that family have done for the club are incredible. They really did create a family unit around the club and looking at our trophy cabinet it paid off! We will always owe them for that. Vichai before he died would always be around the club on a match-day meeting everyone and handing out free shirts. Things like that I just don’t think you get in many other clubs. And of course, financially they have really backed us. Last season was a struggle, a lot of fans were turning against the owners. I’m not saying this was right or wrong, but we got relegated and the blame had to lie with someone. I’m confident they have backed us enough though to go straight back up.

How has First team manager Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola’s treble winning assistant, been with the academy and do you believe that due to the side being relegated it will be harder for him to give a look in to some?

I think the academy will be extremely happy with the way Enzo has come in. Kasey Mcateer, a former academy player, has been incredible under Enzo and in the starting line up before he got injured against Blackburn. Marcal as well has been getting in the squad, he actually scored the winner against Cardiff and I thought he was fantastic! It’s still all very new though and there is a huge focus on promotion. I think with time the academy will definitely feel the benefits of Enzo’s leadership.

Let’s finish off by hearing your score prediction for Tuesday night…

After I’ve kept saying they are gonna turn results around I hope tonight’s the night however Tranmere are a tough team so i’m going to go 2-2.

The Whites are at Prenton Park on Tuesday night, the ground that all of their competitive victories have come at this campaign. They will be looking to get revenge on Leicester City after being knocked out of The Carabao Cup here in August against the club’s first team. 

Tranmere Rovers host Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon looking to continue their fine run of home form after wins against Accrington Stanley and Bradford City. 

It has certainly not been a great start to the season for The Rovers but a positive whilst looking ahead to this weekend’s tie is that all of their three league wins have came at home. 

The performance against Bradford will bring confidence as a resilient ninety minutes resulted in a late winning strike by substitute Kieron Morris after Josh Hawkes saw his penalty being saved.

Grimsby Town beat Barrow in midweek, to end a winless run of five, and will thus look to use their feel good factor in their aim of claiming all three points. 

Ahead of the game against Grimsby Town I spoke to lifelong Mariners supporter Aaron Rattray.

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How long have you been a Grimsby supporter? What was your first game?

I have been supporting The Mariners since I was 2 or 3 years old, my parents are supporters so I guess it runs in the family!

What are your best and worst moments whilst supporting The Mariners?

Well aside from the two promotions, I would have to say the FA cup run last season where we made the quarter finals for the first time in 84 years and becoming the first team in history to beat clubs from a higher league in every round, Plymouth Argyle, Cambridge United,  Burton Albion, Luton Town and Southampton before finally bowing out in the quarter finals at Brighton. To be there at all those games and watch history being made was very special, something we won’t see again in our lifetime I’m sure.

Grimsby are managed by someone who has guided the club to two special promotions from The National League, in 2016 and 2022. 49-year-old Paul Hurst, who has a left back for Rotherham for 15 years in his playing career, was re-appointed by the club in 2020 when COVID struck. What are your thoughts on him? His tactics and the way he communicates with fans?

Paul Hurst is like Marmite, you either love him or you don’t! His tactics and style can often be seen as being dull and negative which can rub fans up the wrong way, and some fans would like to see a more attacking style of play and being more brave with team selections, substitutions and tactics. Personally, I don’t mind him but having said that, that doesn’t mean I think he should be immune from any criticism and we do need to start moving up the table.

How do you expect Hurst to set his side up on the weekend? (Tactics, formation, starting eleven)

Hurst is somewhat unpredictable at times with his team selections and formations, partly due to his love of playing players out of position so it can be hard to predict, but I expect the following  4-3-3 with Eastwood in goal and the back 4 consisting of Mullarkey Maher, Rodgers and Efete with a midfield of Conteh, Andrews and Holoan with Eisa, Rose and Wilson in the forward three. Please note this is not necessarily what I would do, more of what I think Hurst may do.

Grimsby ended a winless run of five with a 2-1 victory over Barrow on Tuesday night. What have you made to the team’s start to the season? Was it what was expected?

Tuesday night was poor, and we have played a lot better and lost this season! I don’t know how we escaped Tuesday night with a win but we did! There is absolutely no doubt we need to improve from that and Hurst even said so himself but hopefully it boosts confidence within the ranks.

The start of the season has been disappointing, we were all expecting better, there are concerns about game management, we have dropped 14 points from winning positions this season already! So they may be justifiable concerns! We don’t seem to be able to take our chances or create enough of chances in the first place, all too often we have the ball in a good position only to mess it up with a poor touch or poor final pass/cross, this has been noted by Hurst, and there does seem to be a reliance on Eisa and Rose to provide the attacking talent and if any of them aren’t playing for some reason or not playing well, then we seem to have little else, we need to try and stop this reliance on them and start creating quality chances as team! Donovan Wilson since coming back from injury has come off the bench in the last two games and scored twice so hopefully can do something! We need to start picking up the points and moving up the table soon, hopefully on Saturday we can get another win!

Summer signing Abo Eisa, from Bradford, has hit five goals in eleven games this season. How great has the 27-year-old Sudan born winger been? Who are the other key players? 

Always expect the unexpected with Eisa, he has that ability to score from range! He certainly doesn’t lack self confidence in himself, missed a penalty on Tuesday night so hopefully he can make up for that on Saturday! Other key players include Danny Rose who provides a focal point up front and occupies defenders well so fingers crossed he can ruffle a few feathers, Donovan Wilson has come off the bench last few games for his first action of the season following injury and scored! I would start him based on “fitness provided” and see what he can do from the start!

Grimsby are owned by lifelong supporter Jason Stockwood, a (provide link to interview we did), businessman who had previously held various roles in the travel and dating industries. How great has he been for the club? What has he brought and what are the current exciting plans? 

There is no doubting Jason is a fan and he wants what is best for the club and will always strive for that, there are a few minor concerns from some however that some interviews he does he seems to contradict himself on what he previously said. Just one example, he said in an interview last season and I quote “Every single penny gained from this cup run will be used to strengthen the squad” and then just a few short weeks later in another interview he said that a good portion of it will be used for some ground repairs! Nobody is doubting Blundell Park due to his age requires ongoing remedial work to keep it compliant with health and safety regulations but maybe to say every penny of the cup run will go on the first team squad wasn’t the right thing to say! Having said that he is a marked improvement on John Fenty and I do believe we are in safe hands currently and we should progress given time, which we never did under Fenty.

The last meeting between the two sides saw Tranmere win 2-0 in late April, Josh Hawkes and Rhys Hughes the goalscorers. What’s your score prediction for the tie this time ‘round and what are your thoughts on The Rovers?

Well you must all be disappointed with the start Tranmere have had, however a good win on Tuesday night which saw Bradford City dispense of Mark Hughes should have boosted confidence amongst your ranks so it could be a close game which could go either way, but hopefully it goes our way, I’ll be bold and I’ll predict 2-1 to the Mariners! (Probably jinxed it now).

Let’s finish off with some talk about a forward who used to grace the turf of Prenton Park in Otis Khan, how’s he been doing? 

I like Otis, he can be inconsistent like most wingers at this level are and he can be prone to knocks and niggles but on his day he has proved he can be a goal threat, he is now a Pakistan international also.

All of Tranmere’s three league wins this season have come at Prenton Park. This Saturday, is it time for a fourth?

A struggling Tranmere Rovers side face a struggling Bradford City side on Tuesday night, at Prenton Park, in League Two action. 

On Saturday, The Whites travelled to AFC Wimbledon and were beaten 4-1. Defender Jordan Turnbull got sent off for a late tackle whereas Tom Davies somehow found himself get into the league’s team of the week… a selection that many fans had a laugh at.

A win is thus important for Nigel Adkins’ men who, before the ninety minutes start, are placed inside the relegation zone. 

Mark Hughes’ Bradford have also been struggling, coming into the tie on the back of a 3-1 defeat at home to Walsall and placed 14th.

To find out more about The Bantams and their various issues, I spoke to supporter Adam Sopf. 

How long have you been a Bradford City fan? 

I’ve been going week in week out with my dad since around 2014. It’s been downhill ever since really. 

What was that first experience? 

My first home game was a 2-1 win against Leeds United. It’ll take something special to beat that day. 

Best and worst moments during your time supporting The Bantams? 

The best moment was probably the FA Cup run in the 2014/15 season where we beat Chelsea and Sunderland on the way to the quarter-finals where we eventually got knocked out in a replay at Reading. The 2016/17 season under Stuart McCall is another highlight as we played exciting attacking football which is virtually unheard of at City these days. However, it didn’t end well as we lost to Millwall in the League One play-off final, 1-0. 

The worst moment, for me, was the disconnect between the club and the fans after the sacking of Derek Adams. Harrogate beat us at home straight after whilst Mark Trueman was caretaker and it just felt like there was no hope for us whatsoever. Sadly, it seems to be going that way again this season. 

Greatly experienced manager Mark Hughes was appointed in 2022. His win percentage at the club stands at 38%. How would you describe his playing style and relationship with supporters? 

He aims to dominate possession in every game but unfortunately, it’s far too slow and we don’t have the players capable of playing that sort of way. We accepted it last season because we saw us win a few games, but supporters are starting to get frustrated now with the way we’re playing. We’ve gone back to playing a 4-2-3-1 after starting the season off playing a 5-3-2 which just proved how tactically inept Mark Hughes is as a manager. Sadly, our poor start to the season has tarnished Hughes’s relationship with the fans after reaching the playoffs last season. We were hoping we’d kick on as a club and push for automatics, but we’ve just gone backwards. Fans have been voicing their frustration with boo’s ringing out after every half-time and full-time whistle. 

How will he set up his side for Tuesday’s tie? (Tactics, starting eleven and formation) He’s likely to stick with his 4-2-3-1 with Harry Lewis in goal, Brad Halliday, Matty Platt, Sam Stubbs and Liam Ridehalgh at the back. Midfield is a tough one to pick with Alex Pattison back available. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing a midfield diamond with McDonald sitting deep, with Gilliead and Pattison ahead of him, Walker in the 10 with Smith and Andy Cook up top. The diamond was used sometimes last season and worked from time to time. 

Former Rovers man Andy Cook is Bradford’s top scorer with four goals in nine games whilst also assisting one. How would you describe his importance to the team and who are the other ones to watch? 

Andy Cook is our most important player by far. He proved that himself with the hat trick against Newport after a month out injured. Without him, the team looked lost and toothless. Yet again, we’re relying on him to score all our goals. 

Not many have stood out so far this season but I’m sure I’m speaking for every Bradford City fan when I say how impressed I’ve been with academy graduate, Bobby Pointon. He’s only started a couple of games for us so far but he seems to be a step ahead of everyone else with his quick decision-making. Pointon started his first home game live on Sky against Grimsby Town and after a shocking first half all round, he stepped up and took the second half by the scruff of its neck. I haven’t seen many players do that for us. I’ve also been impressed with Pattison, Tulloch, Stubbs and Halliday this season. 

Touching on a former Rovers man, how has full-back Liam Ridehalgh been doing? 

God knows how he got a contract extension in the summer. He’s far too slow for this level and he’s constantly getting beat down his side. To be fair to him, he put in a decent cross. 

Bradford have been owned by German investor Stefan Rupp since 2016. Whilst there are talks of him looking for a successor, what are your thoughts on the way that he has ran the club? 

It came out in the summer that he’s never invested a penny into the football club during his time here. He initially bought the club with business partner, Edin Rahic who overlooked the football side of things but after he let his ego intervene too much leading to our relegation, Rupp took over the rest of the club. He doesn’t seem interested in the club in the slightest, I don’t think he even likes football! For me, if he stays then we’re never going to get out of this division. A lot of fans keep saying that it could be a lot worse. I agree, it could be, but it could also be a lot better. 

The last time Bradford and Tranmere faced each other was in mid-February, the game finished 2-0 to the hosts at Valley Parade. The Bantams won both league games against The Whites last season. Now, what are your thoughts on Nigel Adkins’ side and what’s your score prediction for the upcoming outing? 

Adkins seems like a decent bloke, and he’ll know the club well. I hope he can get you winning a few games and fire you up the table. I’m going for a 1-1. 

How well do you believe Bradford have started the season? 

Poorly. We had high expectations after last season but recruitment was poor in the summer even though everyone from the club kept saying ‘Our aim is to go one better this year and get in those automatic spots’. Now the tunes suddenly changed. 

How well do you believe the club operated in the Summer bringing in players such as former Rovers centre back Ash Taylor on a free from Kilmarnock? 

We kept Andy Cook and Harry Lewis, our two best players last season which is always a positive. However, the incomings (apart from Pattison) have been underwhelming. We’ve also struggled to replace loan players Scott Banks and Romoney Crichlow who were vital at times last season. 

As we’re still in the early stages of 2023-24, what are you most excited about? 

Sounds very dull but our start has kind of killed any excitement we had for the season, unfortunately. 

What are your ambitions? 

Our aim is always to be promoted. Would be a miracle if we went up this season due to how strong the league is this season.

Tranmere are back at Prenton Park this Tuesday night against a struggling Bradford City side. The Whites have won two games this league season, both coming at home!

Tranmere Rovers start their 2023-24 League Two season on Saturday afternoon at home to Pete Wild’s Barrow AFC. 

It has been a great summer for The Whites, that may be down to opinion, as players of a high calibre have been recruited in the likes of goalkeeper Luke McGee and strikers Luke Norrris alongside Kristian Dennis. 

Dennis was a right handful when he played against Tranmere last year, netting a brace thus The SWA are undoubtedly very excited to see what he can do at Prenton Park. 

There is still more to be done, for me, as I’d quite like Ian Dawes, backed by technical director Nigel Adkins, to add a couple of defenders, midfielders and attackers to the squad but having Charlie Jolley and Kieron Morris back fit feels like signings in itself. 

Barrow AFC, managed by Pete Wild, finished ninth in May and will provide a strong test on the weekend. To hear more about The Bluebirds, I spoke to Lewis Haigh ahead of the ninety minutes. 

How long have you been a Barrow fan? What was your first experience of the club? 

I’ve been a Barrow supporter since 2015, being 11 at the time and part of a family who dislike football for some very odd reason. I didn’t go to a whole bunch of games that season… but I did actually get to watch us bottle a 3 – 1 lead against the Rovers! 

Best and worst moments during your time supporting The Bluebirds? 

Best moment undeniably has to be getting promotion back into the football league. Special moment for all the fans and we’ve done well to keep ourselves in it and hopefully this season we can have our best finish yet! I would have to say that I haven’t really witnessed a ‘worst moment’ as I started watching the club properly at a point where things were on the up! Perhaps looking over our shoulders the first two seasons we got back into the EFL knowing relegation was a real possibility! 

Pete Wild is Barrow’s manager as the former Halifax and Oldham boss was appointed in late May 2022. What is his playing style like as well as his relationship with supporters? 

Pete Wild is a brilliant manager, the fans adore him and we trust he will always do the right thing for the team and for the club. His playing style is very much trying to maintain a good shape on the pitch, having the lads work hard out of possession and utilising wide players to create problems that we can score from! 

Josh Gordon scored 15 goals last season but moved to Burton Albion in the summer. How big of a miss will he be? Who are the players to keep an eye out for now? 

I’d say Josh is going to be a miss for us! Not only was he a massive fan favourite, he was tricky, had an incredible leap on him and as you say scored 15 important goals for us last season. I would hope the signings we have made can make up for the loss of his goals, not only up front but from midfield as well as we didn’t score many goals from there last term. 

My suggestions on the players to watch this season would be Jamie Proctor, Dean Campbell, Ben Whitfield. I personally think Jamie is where we will see the loss of Josh Gordon’s goals made up, I predict him to be our top goal scorer. Dean Campbell I think is one of our best signings this summer, from watching him in preseason he is good on the ball, technical and creative hence why I think he will be up there providing goals to the team come the end of the season! Ben Whitfield is here for similar reasons, had the most assists for us last season, incredibly creative and hard working and I think we can see something similar from him this season.

Paul Hornby became the Owner of Barrow quite recently, how well has he been doing in this role? What does the club look like away from the pitch? 

I think it is very, very easy to see the impact Paul has had on the club since his arrival. We are moving forward constantly, securing tenancy of improved club facilities in Manchester, the progress of the stadium has been immense, with two new semi-permanent stands being built and the away end being reformed to now hold over 900. That in itself will allow us to capitalise financially on the bigger away followings some teams bring. Moreover, himself and Iain Wood have backed Pete in the market to bring in the kind of players he has been after and again, they have looked to secure deals for players who can become footballing and financial assets to the club. It has very much become about progressing the club constantly and I hope we continue to see it on and off the pitch. 

Tranmere and Barrow last faced each other in late December 2022 as a late goal from Striker Kane Hemmings won the game for the visitors. What are your thoughts on The 

Rovers?

I was at that game and I was not happy with watching that goal go in! Despite that, I have to say I think the Rovers have done some decent business particularly with the addition of Luke Norris. I expect the Rovers to finish in a similar position as last term if not better!  

This Summer Barrow have signed: Right Winger David Worrall, Striker Jamie Proctor and Midfielder Dean Campbell amongst others. With the window still open, where else do you think needs strengthening? 

First of all I am incredibly pleased with most of the business we have done as a club this summer. I still expect perhaps another player to come through the door especially with the mutual contract termination between the club and Richie Bennett. I believe we need another CB to make up for the injury to Mazeed Ogungbo primarily.

How excited are you for this season to start? Who are you looking forward to coming up against and what are your expectations? 

This season is the most excited I have been for a season of football in my entire life. The competition this term is immense and I fully expect us to solidify a mid table spot once again. I am excited to play Morecambe obviously with it being our actual local rivals, I particularly enjoyed my trip to Bradford last season. I think Gillingham, Wrexham and Stockport will be good fixtures to watch as well. 

Saturday afternoon sees Tranmere return to Prenton Park for competitive football for the first time in three months. It has been a great summer for The Rovers as players such as Luke McGee, Kristian Dennis and Luke Norris have been recruited. It feels nice to be back! 

Tranmere Rovers face an Everton XI on Saturday afternoon at Prenton Park as both clubs continue their preparations for the 2023-24 season. 

The Rovers come into the fixture, which will be their first at home since the season ended in early May against Northampton Town, on the back of two behind closed doors friendlies. 

Ian Dawes’ side beat Fleetwood before losing against Rochdale at The Campus.

Josh Hawkes and Charlie Jolley both impressed as they had a great afternoon in front of goal in the first game. However, Jordan Turnbull was sent off against recently relegated Rochdale as he gave a penalty away.

Everton stayed up on the final day of their Premier League campaign with a narrow victory against AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park. 

The Blues also have a game against Wigan on Saturday thus it will be interesting to see who they field. 

I spoke to freelancer Tactically Matt ahead of the ninety minutes. 

How long have you been an Everton fan? What was your first experience of the club?

Since the day I was born. With a day from Liverpool and a full family of Evertonians, I had zero choice in who I supported. I went to my first game at Goodison Park at the age of six and I will never forget it. Manchester City at home, we drew 2-2 with a last minute equaliser and I’ve been in love with the club ever since, unfortunately.

Best and worst moments in your time following The Blues?

There’s not been many good times as an Evertonian, but I’d do anything to go back to the David Moyes days. Limited money, but the players that came in always had a point to prove. They worked for each other and played for the badge. Goes back to the old saying ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’. I wanted a big investment but I’d do anything to go back. Worst times? These last two seasons. The stress of a relegation battle is like no other. Genuine sleepless nights and anger. Especially when some of my work is based around talking about Everton, it was a horrible time and I hope it never happens again.

You’re well known for your great tactical analysis as you write pieces for The Bullens View and other well respected outlets in your role as a freelancer. When did your love for analysing the game deeply start and when did you start getting your work published?

Around four years ago, I ruptured my ACL and consequently was unable to play football. Two years later, when I thought I was fully recovered, I did it again. In those four years, I’ve spent time coaching football and decided that if I can’t play, I need to be involved in some way. I started learning the game from an analytical perspective and made this Twitter account in August of 2021. Nearly two years later, I’m writing full-time with multiple freelance opportunities and have had an amazing experience so far.

Everton survived relegation with a narrow victory from an Abdoulaye Doucoure volley against Bournemouth at Goodison Park on the final day of last season. What are your thoughts on the campaign when you take a look back on it? 

Terrible. A club the size of Everton can’t be involved in relegation battles, it’s as simple as that. The club has been run into the ground and we’re paying the price now. Things are looking rosier under Sean Dyche, but with our financial problems, there’s still a lot of problems at the club.

How have the club attempted to address their issues in the summer and how well do you believe they have done with Ashley Young being the sole signing so far?

It’s been a slow start, but it’s not easy with our limited budget. Also, it’s not an attractive club for players at the moment, with the off the pitch issues and on the pitch struggles. Ashley Young is probably a smart signing, considering his experience and versatility, but it’s hardly exciting for Evertonians.

Manager Sean Dyche was appointed in late January as Frank Lampard made a poor start to the season. What are your thoughts on his playing style and relationship with the fans so far? 

I think fans are slowly buying into it all. At the start, there were a lot of people who were sceptical, but you can see he’s implementing a structure from top to bottom and is demanding a lot from the players. Hard work and commitment is all Everton fans want, and he gets that out of every single player.

How do you think Lampard did as boss? Was it the correct time to part ways?

Unfortunately for him, he’s simply not good enough. A nice guy and he connected with the fans, but tactically, we were all over the place. It wasn’t the correct time, really, it should have been done a few months before.

It all got a bit messy last season with Owner Farhad Moshiri and other board members staying away from the club in reported fear of being hurt by fans. What are your thoughts on those at the top and what would they need to do to get themselves back on the side of the fans? 

There’s no turning back, in my opinion. The board all has to go. The evidence shows that they’re massively underachieving on the pitch and have caused financial mess off it. The fans thank Moshiri for sorting a state of the art stadium, but it’s time for him and the rest of the board to depart.

Winger Dwight Mcneil netted 7 last season. How important is he to the team and how would you describe his playing style? Who would you say are Everton’s other one’s to watch? 

He’s extremely important. His work rate and crossing ability are so suited to Sean Dyche’s system. He started slowly under Frank Lampard, but you can see that Dyche gets the best out of him. Expecting a big season from him. Nathan Patterson and James Garner are ones to watch next season, for me. Both have struggled with injuries, but with a full season under their belt, hopefully we see what they can do. 

Tranmere last played Everton competitively in 2001 as The Whites won 3-0 at Goodison Park. What are your thoughts on The Whites?

I think most Everton fans want to see Tranmere doing well. Over the years we’ve had players join the club on loan, former youth players often make the move there. Maybe it would be a little different if they were competing in the same league, but it’s a club I’ve always checked the results of, especially when the likes of Lewis Warrington were there on loan.

What type of team can we expect Everton to field at Prenton Park?

I think it could be a lot of youth players. Everton also have a friendly against Wigan Athletic, where I imagine more of the first-team will go.

What are your thoughts ahead of the 2023-24 season? How confident are you that the club can again avoid the drop? 

If we get a few more players in, I’ll be excited for a full season under Dyche. With a pre-season learning his methods, hopefully we can start well and show a bit of consistency, especially with the manager. I believe we will stay up, but that rests on Everton signing a striker, a couple of wingers, and a centre-back.

Rovers are back in action at Prenton Park for the first time since the League Two season ended in early May as they face an Everton XI this Saturday. 

Tranmere Rovers will face the recently relegated Rochdale on Tuesday afternoon as Ian Dawes’ men continue their preparations for the 2023-24 season.

The game comes a few days on from a 4-1 win at The Campus as The Whites came head to head against Fleetwood. 

Charlie Jolley and Josh Hawkes stood out with fantastic attacking performances, the former forcing an own goal with a powerful cross and the latter netting twice. 

It has been fantastic to watch Jolley so far this Summer after he spent the entirety of the last campaign on the treatment table. It will be great to see what he can do in the upcoming year, the forward line is certainly looking stronger.

Ahead of the friendly tie against Rochdale I spoke to the club’s her game ambassador Charlotte Cromarty who told me all about what is happening at The Dale as they prepare for life in the fifth tier.

How long have you been a Rochdale supporter and how did your first experience of the club come about?

I have been a Rochdale supporter all of my life! My mum and dad are big Dale fans so it was always going to be the case for me, I had baby grows and the kits when I was little then my love for the club and going to football grew as I got older and I went more! Unfortunately I can’t remember the exact game and score line but I remember being a 4 year old girl that was obsessed and in awe of our mascot Desmond the Dragon. When I was this age, Desmond and the pies were the only reason I wanted to go to the football with my dad haha. Then as I started going more and I got older, that’s when it was just for football and enjoying the game! 

My first match as a season ticket holder was the 1998/1999 season and we lost 2-0 at home to Torquay United. Even though we lost, I absolutely loved everything about it. The football, atmosphere, the buzz around the stadium and just being part of something. It honestly felt like home and I was excited to go to football every weekend. When my mum and dad split up, I was really young and it was mine and my dads thing to go home and away matches, that’s when I really did become passionate about the sport. 

You’re the host of HerGameToo Twitter spaces and have featured in the Absolute Football Podcast, could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

I’m Rochdale’s #HerGameToo club ambassador, so I work with the football club to help match day’s safe and enjoyable for females. If any reports of sexism do occur whether it be aimed at a home supporter, member of staff or away supporter that’s been linked to a Rochdale game then I help solve the issue and with the help of the campaign and club find a solution to the offence. I also work with the community to help promote the message that ‘Football is for all genders’. The Twitter spaces are a way to help spread messages, educate about the campaign and also highlight topics! We recently did one about diabetes in football which was a real eye opener! 

Podcasting has honestly changed my life for the better, I struggle with my anxiety and depression. I’ve always been open about my struggles and podcasting has helped me massively with my confidence. I work full time and have my two boys but I used to struggle at night when the kids were in bed because I then never really had anything to do. The pair of them and work are my life, but then podcasting really did help me and still does. It’s a social life for me, gives me the chance to talk about football but also gives me opportunities to make friends and speak to people that also have the same passions. It really is an amazing thing to be involved in.

I’m involved in two podcasts, my own which is ‘The Dale Way’ which is all things Rochdale and match analysis but from a female’s point of view. The second one is ‘The Absolute Football Podcast’ which consists of myself, Sam, Josh, Lucas and Keira. Each week the team rotates and we analyse the weekend’s Premier League football, recap the table, speak about the EFL Leagues and briefly the European leagues too but it’s honestly so much fun. We have started doing guest episodes too, I am starting my own ‘Lower League’ spin off show and we are introducing a WSL show so it’s going really well and growing each day. The refreshing thing about it too is that we are getting the same familiar faces that tune in every week and interact in the live chat. These people really do make our days and it makes theirs also, their lonely nights are now tuning in to us talking football and we all keep each other company and have discussions and share our views on football. It’s brilliant! ‘The Absolute Football Podcast’ is live at 8pm on Monday and Thursdays on YouTube and twitch, but all previous episodes are available to watch on YouTube too. We are also on all social media platforms and audio listeners can listen to it on Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music.

Last season’s relegation to the National League will most probably be the worst moment of your time following The Dale. However, what are the other best and worst moments?  

There’s so many amazing memories supporting Rochdale. Most people laugh at me when I tell them who I support, but I’ve been extremely lucky as a Dale fan. I’ve seen two promotions, a play off final, play off semi finals, several games that took us on cup runs against big teams. My first favourite cup memory was in 2003, I was absolutely besotted with a striker called Paul Connor, he was the first football player I really did enjoy watching and took a liking to, we played Coventry in the FA Cup and beat them 2-0. Connor scored and then a club legend Gareth Griffiths, that was a memory I will always remember. There was a newspaper article which Paul Connor featured in and I still have it saved now haha! 

In 2014 we beat Leeds in the FA Cup which was one of my all time favourite games, goals from Scott Hogan and a brilliant chip over the keeper from Ian Henderson secured us a fourth round tie. 

A Stephen Davies equaliser in injury time to get us a replay against Tottenham at Wembley was absolute limbs. I ended up falling over rows of seats in front of us that day and a lot of cuts and bruises! 

The Play Off Semi Final against Darlington in 2008 was exactly the same too, absolute limbs. We won on penalties and that secured us a play off final spot against Stockport and a trip to Wembley which was just surreal. We unfortunately lost the final but the memory of that semi final was just fantastic! I remember my dad accidentally elbowing me in the nose celebrating and I ended up having a nosebleed ????????.

My all time favourite memory though has to be our first season in league one, it was just so surreal and different to league two! Walking out at St Mary’s and beating them twice in that season. We just missed out on the playoffs too. It really was my favourite season watching us!

My worst memory would have to be relegation seasons, it’s always hard but the covid season we went down. Watching it on tv and not being able to support the lads was awful! Also last season as you said was really tough, we unfortunately finished bottom of League Two and will be playing national league football this next season. I’m really worried as we have never seen us in this position before and listening to other fans that have been in the same position, it’s really difficult to come back up.

Why did it all go so wrong during the 2022-23 campaign? 

I think it’s been a downward special for a few seasons now, relegation from league one under Brian Barry Murphy was the start of a real bad few years for the football club. We then lost him and some big players unfortunately, he went to Manchester City’s academy, we lost big names such as Ollie Rathbone, Matty Lund and many more. Then an attempted hostile took place and unsettled the club, the employment of Robbie Stockdale happened during that specific time. We gave Stockdale one of the biggest budgets the club have given a manager in a long time, but unfortunately some of the signings made just weren’t good enough! Even though we struggled during the 21/22 season, the board put their trust in Stockdale and gave him another transfer window which again unfortunately didn’t really help us, the players we signed didn’t really perform then a few games into the 22/23 season the board made the decision to sack Robbie Stockdale, Jim McNulty was interim for a couple of games and then they appointed Jim Bentley! The fans were unsure about that appointment but backed it, performances and results seemed to improve for a few games but then unfortunately the same cycle happened again. Bentley brought in some decent players, Scott Quigley who performed well until he picked up an injury then he didn’t really perform the same, Danny Lloyd who was a fans favourite was the small glimmer of hope in an awful season, Owen Dodgson a loanee from Burnley helped settle the back line a little bit too and performed well but unfortunately it just wasn’t to be and the bad run continued! It really was diabolical! The board then made the decision again that season to part ways with Bentley and McNulty again finished the season as interim manager before being given the job permanently! He brought some positivity to the end of the season, although we were adrift at the bottom of the league, we did get some good results and picked up points under him!

How have the club attempted to address their issues in the summer and what more needs to be done? 

Something needed to happen, recently there’s been a really big divide between the fans, the club and the fans but also some uncertainty towards the board and chairman, which is understandable as it really has been a downward spiral of negative seasons that have progressively got worse! It really isn’t good enough! The appointment of Jim McNulty happened, he came out and addressed some issues in an interview and explained what he wanted to do and what he expects the players to do and be. That was a positive for us fans! We haven’t got a big budget so we have sold players in the summer, Ethan Brierley to Brentford, Toby Mullarkey going to Grimsby, Richard O’Donnell to Blackpool and Abraham Odoh moving to Harrogate. We have also cut wages by moving on the likes of Liam Kelly and other people who were reported to be high earners at the club. We have also been asking for outside investment to try and help the club as well, we are fan owned so we rely on player sales and cup runs which we haven’t managed the last few seasons, so that and the covid season has really taken its toll financially on not just Rochdale but many football clubs as a whole! 

Player wise I feel like we have strengthened well in areas that we needed to. Jim McNulty plays possession based and likes to play football, so we have got goalkeeper Louie Moulden on loan from Wolves, he has national league experience from his season loan at Solihull Moors last season. Midfield was also a struggle for us last season as has been since selling Ollie Rathbone in my opinion, we signed Adam Clayton from Bradford who I feel is somebody we have been crying out for, a tough CDM that will protect the backline and also put tackles in. The permanent signing of Harvey Gilmour from Halifax and loan of Cody McDonald from Stockport I think will compliment Clayton well, they are more attacking and will be the legs of midfield and hopefully create chances we have struggled to in previous seasons. The attacking addition of Kairo Mitchell I think will help, we really struggled attacking wise last season and didn’t really have many options in that department so he will be another choice as well as Ian Henderson, Devante Rodney and Tyrese Sinclair! 

I think these additions are well established players in the National League, have experience in this division already so hopefully it will help! 

Jimmy McNulty was appointed Rochdale manager on a two-year deal in May, he had been at the club for eight years as a player and a caretaker. What are your thoughts on him getting the role permanently? 

I am going to be honest here, at first I wasn’t happy with the appointment of Jim. No disrespect to him whatsoever but I personally thought we needed somebody well established in the National League and has the experience that could help us stabilise and then get us back into the football league. When I heard Jim’s interview and what he wanted to do at the club, how honest and open he was but also how passionate he was about Rochdale, it changed my opinion on the appointment! Keith Hill didn’t have the experience when he took on the job at Rochdale but he had ties to the club and genuinely cared, McNulty is exactly the same, he cares about the club at a personal level as he’s been here for so long and that’s something I feel we haven’t had properly. So that to me brings me hope that his decisions will be at the club and fans best interests! He knows Rochdale inside out and will have the best intentions! I also can’t fault his efforts previously as interim manager, it was the clubs worst performing squads and he managed to get results and performances from that group of players both Stockdale and Bentley couldn’t! So now I sit back, think logically and take it all in, I’m actually very happy with the appointment! 

Rochdale’s Chairman is Simon Gauge. What are your thoughts on him and how the club is being run away from the pitch? 

I will forever be thankful for Simon Gauge and the rest of the board of directors because those particular people and The Dale Trust, all worked extremely hard and took the club on while we were going through the difficulties off the pitch with the attempted hostile takeover! They are part of the reason we still are fan owned and have a football club today because it could’ve gone a completely different way! Fortunately it didn’t! I think the frustrations of the fans are completely valid because of the troubled seasons on the pitch we have been having and some of the decisions previously to do with keeping Stockdale and Bentley a bit too long when they were underperforming! Fans think if they acted sooner, it could’ve possibly changed the outcome of last season or we would’ve at least had more of a fighting chance! 

I think fans just want transparency and honesty of what’s happening at the club, regular updates too! He came out and told the fans that we need outside investment to be able to compete with the club competitively now, we can’t just run on being fan owned because we can’t financially compete! It’s really quiet on that note so the fans are again getting frustrated! I think we just need transparency and communication so we know what’s happening!

Devante Rodney bagged eleven goals last season as he finished as the club’s top scorer. How important is he to the team and how would you describe his playing style? 

Devante Rodney is vital to our team and was last season, we unfortunately lost him for a few weeks due to injury towards the end of the season and it really did show how much we missed him! Not only is he experienced and somebody we need in the dressing room, but he’s somebody that communicates with the younger lads on the pitch and helps them. He has shown that in the previous two friendlies! He links up very well with Ian Henderson too! He’s been used more in a front three and I personally think that will continue, whether it be with Sinclair and Mitchell or Henderson (he doesn’t play every game due to his age), I think he will be extremely vital again to the team! 

Who would you say are Rochdale’s other one’s to watch? 

Ian Henderson, Rochdale’s highest ever goal scorer! It says it all really, he’s somebody that you can never write off in a game! Creative but also a goalscorer, he struggles pace wise with him being older now but he’s a proven goalscorer! 

Tyrese Sinclair had a very tough last season, he was scoring and creating chances but when Jim Bentley came in, he was sent on loan to Altrincham! He got assists and scored chances there too, so I think he will also be one to watch this season!

Harvey Gilmour was at Halifax last season and bossed their midfield. They won the FA Trophy too. I think he will be a steady midfielder who will play most games alongside Clayton and McDonald.

The last time Rochdale and Tranmere came head to head was in mid-April in a game that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons by Tranmere fans. What are your thoughts on The Whites?

I’ve always liked playing Tranmere and they are a club I’ve always checked for the results. I have a lot of Twitter followers that are Tranmere fans and they have always been very complimentary of Rochdale and spoke highly of us, apart from Keith Hill haha!

I was very surprised you struggled last season as you were one of my favourites to get to the playoffs! But I’m really hoping you guys have a good season and someday soon regain a higher league status! 

Next season Rochdale will play in the National League, you probably don’t need a reminder of that. Are you looking forward to any aspect of it? 

I’m actually really looking forward to it! I personally think it’s going to be a massive challenge for us and I don’t think it’s going to be easy by any means! I would take a top/middle half finish now! I think we need to stabilise and find our feet in the National League, I’ve been warned it’s extremely difficult to get out of! There’s some really good teams that are challenging, but I’m looking forward to it! So many new grounds to visit, old friends like Halifax that we haven’t played competitively for a good few years and the return of the local derby games with Oldham! 

It’s going to be a very new experience but I’m looking forward to it! (I don’t know if I will in a few months time though, I may take that back)

Rochdale will play in The National League last season after finishing rock bottom of League Two in May. 

The last game between The Dale and Tranmere resulted in a 2-2 draw, which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as Richard O’Donnell scored a spectacular own goal in the first half before a 2-0 Rovers lead was surrendered in the 93rd minute. 

Southport FC meeting the opposition. 

Tranmere Rovers continue their preparations for the 2023-24 season with an away trip to Southport FC’s Haig Avenue on Tuesday night. 

They started their friendly schedule off with a goalless draw against Vauxhall Motors on Saturday afternoon, The Motormen shone that day but recently signed Rovers keeper Luke McGee showed what he can do as he produced a fantastic acrobatic save just before half time. 

It has been a busy summer and it will continue to be one, Nigel Adkins has come in to oversee the work the coaches do as technical director and all the recruited players have won promotion from the division in recent times. Club legend Connor Jennings has returned too!

Sandgrounders fan Warwick Monk spoke to me in depth ahead of the midweek match about all things Southport including the times the two sides faced each other in The National League. 

How long have you been supporting Southport for and how did your first experience of the club come about? 

I’ve supported The Sandgrounders since 1981. Southport had been in non league for 3 years since losing their football league status to Wigan Athletic in the re-election vote 1978. Unfortunately our board at the time decided to decline the invitation to join the newly formed Alliance league (now the National League) in 1979 possibly due to travel costs and our crowds plummeted. By 1981 the local paper asked the local population to rally around to save the club from possible disaster and boost numbers through the turnstiles. Hence as a schoolboy I turned up and was totally hooked!

What have some of the best and worst moments been?

The best time undoubtedly for me was seeing Southport at the old Wembley Stadium in the Final of the FA Trophy in 1998 vs Cheltenham Town. 

The worst time for me was the unbelievable 2002/03 season. In November we were 4th in the league and had appeared on Match of the Day as we knocked Notts County out of the FA Cup 4-2 at Haig Avenue. Then we witnessed one of the biggest spirals down the league, Phil Wilson left in February and we brought in Mick Walsh who was an unmitigated disaster. We lost at Stevenage on the last day of the season with a massive away following knowing we had to win to stay up. We didn’t!

Southport finished 18th in the National League North last season, surviving relegation by a point and ten goals. What are your thoughts on the campaign when you take a look back at it?

Last season was one of those years all clubs have with horrendous injuries. We lost our new striker Nyal Bell in a pre-season friendly for the whole season and to be honest never replaced him adequately. We had a decent defence but just couldn’t score goals and with other injuries and such a small squad and a limited budget we scraped to survival on the last day of the season at Leamington after losing our last 8 league matches. We did at least win the Lancashire Challenge Trophy for some silverware thankfully. 

How have the club attempted to address their issues in the summer and how well do you believe they have done?

Since May the club have released around 8 players and brought in 5 so far with a few more expected in the next month before the season starts in August. The big signing so far is striker Marcus Carver on a season long loan from Scunthorpe United. He was our leading scorer a couple of seasons ago before we sold him to Hartlepool who were then still in the football league and was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down. The Port fans are ecstatic to have him back.

We’ve also brought in two excellent experienced signings in goalkeeper Chris Renshaw from Curzon Ashton and Harry Flowers, a 6ft 5in central defender from AFC Telford, plus two talented highly rated young full backs in Freddie Sass from Mossley and Matty Thomson from Bamber Bridge. I think we need an experienced head in midfield and a couple of wingers, we had 5 trialists in our first friendly with a strong Blackpool team, lost 3-0, and one in particular looked decent. Hopefully we pick up a few more lads and then we can make a push for the playoffs touch wood this season. 

53-year-old Liam Watson is manager of Southport, he was appointed on a permanent basis in 2018 after his time as caretaker and had been at the club two times before that. What are your thoughts on him and his playing style? 

Liam Watson. Hmmm! ????

He splits opinions at the club amongst our fans, you only have to read the fans forum, Port Chat, to see that! I personally like the guy and he has given us some great times over the years. Yes his style of play isn’t for everyone, direct and robust but people seem to forget some of the flair players he’s had in his teams over the years and progressed their careers, whilst making the club over a million in transfer fees/resale bonuses.

He’s obviously realised we needed big changes from last year’s squad and is in the process of sorting that. We shall see how it works out but he is under pressure after last season’s end of season results. Good luck Liam!

Ian Kyle is Southport’s Chairman. How well are Southport run away from the pitch? 

Ian Kyle and his wife Clare have been amazing especially through COVID-19 and after we lost our previous big investor Phil Hodgkinson who left to take over at Huddersfield Town, his boyhood club he had supported all his life. 

Ian had to  make some very difficult and cost cutting decisions to keep the club afloat and become more sustainable with the great work by Clare in our fabulous clubhouse with our corporate and social events, birthdays, weddings etcetera. I have to mention that Ian and the board are ably assisted by the most incredible bunch of volunteers that keep the club ticking over day by day. Legends, a lot of them and so important in non league football. 

Jordan Archer netted ten league goals in 28 appearances in the 2022-23 season, how important is he to the team and how would you describe his playing style?

Jordan Archer is a great lad and loves Southport FC. Totally committed to us travelling from the Midlands, his brother is the highly talented England under 21 Aston Villa player Cameron Archer by the way!

Last season he gave his all but I think even he will admit he missed having a foil next to him, but he’s now got his foil back in Marcus Carver! The double act is back and they will both flourish, of that I am 100% convinced as long as we finally get some luck with fitness and injuries. 

Who are Southport’s other one’s to watch?

We have a few young lads who will go onto the football league for sure but I’ll just mention two in centre back Adam Anson first who is a classy footballer who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Then midfielder Josh Hmani who works tirelessly and has a shot on him, he needs to shoot more. He stood out a couple of seasons ago when he was playing for Marine in their televised FA Cup tie versus Tottenham Hotspurs.

Tranmere and Southport competed against each other on a regular basis when The Rovers were in The National League, what are your thoughts on The Whites? 

I always enjoyed our recent tussles with Tranmere especially with Steve McNulty at the back for you guys. What a player, a Colossus and a complete pain in the butt! ????

I was surprised to see Micky Melon leave last season and it will be interesting to see how Ian Dawes gets on. He did well in his first caretaker role before Keth Hill and I thought he might have got the job then. 

How much are you looking forward to the new season? What are your goals and expectations? 

I’m very much looking forward to the new season and hopefully seeing some much needed goals and entertainment after last season. Hopefully we will make the Playoffs and get promotion but we would dearly love a good run in the FA Cup and pluck a massive money making tie. You never know another trip to Wembley would be nice too in the Trophy. A man can dream!

I’m particularly looking forward to our friendly versus FC Isle of Man, something a bit different for our supporters.

Anyway, all the best to Tranmere for the season and your loyal supporters. 

Southport FC play their home matches at Haig Avenue. Tranmere travelled here last summer and won 4-1, trialist Joel Mumbongo shone up front but went off injured.