List of Tranmere Rovers F.C. players

Tranmere Rovers Football Club is an English association football club based in Birkenhead, Wirral. Founded in 1884, they played their first games under the name Belmont F.C.; in 1885, before the start of their second season, they adopted the name Tranmere Rovers.[2] In 1889, Tranmere entered the West Lancashire League, and progressed through the Combination, the Lancashire Combination and the Central League.[3] On 27 August 1921, as founder members of Division Three North,[4] they won their first Football League match 4–1 against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park.[2] Tranmere played in the Football League ever since then, with the exception of the war years 1939–1946, and right up until 2015 at which time they were relegated from the Football League down to the National League. Their highest league finish was fourth in the First Division which, at the time, was the second tier of the league pyramid, in the 1992–93 season.[5][6]

Black and white photograph of Tranmere Rovers squad
Tranmere in 1921, including Johnny Campbell, Jimmy Moreton and Tommy Stuart[1]

Ray Mathias spent his entire playing career from 1964 to 1984 at Tranmere, making a record 637 appearances in all competitions.[7][8] Mathias went on to manage the team in 2002.[9][10] Harold Bell made a record 595 league appearances for Tranmere.[7][11] Bell also holds the record for the most consecutive league appearances for a British team; he was picked for the first game after the Second World War in the 1946–47 season and did not miss a match until 30 August 1955, a total of 401 consecutive matches in the Third Division North.[12]

Jimmy Moreton made 148 Football League and 22 FA Cup appearances, as well numerous first-team outings in the lower Lancashire Combination and Central Leagues.[13] Upon his retirement in 1926, Moreton became first trainer, then manager of Rovers.[13] As of the end of the 2011–12 season, the most recent player to amass 100 appearances is Ash Taylor.[14]

Ian Muir's tally of 180 goals in 393 appearances makes him Tranmere's leading scorer.[15][16] John Aldridge scored 174 goals in 294 games,[15] and became player-manager in 1995.[17][18]

Players

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This list contains players who have made 100 or more appearances in nationally organised first-team competition for Tranmere. It includes first-team appearances and goals in the Football League and play-offs, the FA Cup, the Football League Cup, the Third Division North Cup, the Football League Trophy, the Full Members Cup and the Anglo-Italian Cup. Appearances and goals in other competitions or non-competitive matches are not included. Statistics from the three games in the 1939–40 Football League season abandoned because of the Second World War, and the two games against Accrington Stanley in 1961–62, prior to Accrington's resignation from the Football League, have been expunged from the records and are not included.[19] Between 1939 and 1946, Tranmere played 277 games in wartime regional league and cup competitions, but these results are considered friendly matches and are also omitted.[19] Statistics for current players are correct to the end of the 2023-24 season.

Position key
Pre-1960s 1960s–
GK Goalkeeper
FB Full back DF Defender
HB Half back MF Midfielder
FW Forward
 
Republic of Ireland international John Aldridge became player-manager in 1995.[17]
 
Johnny Campbell played from 1914 to 1929 but remained an amateur player.[20]
 
Striker Chris Greenacre made 162 appearances before moving to Wellington Phoenix.[21]
 
Jimmy Moreton joined in 1910, and went on to manage the team.[22]
 
Gareth Roberts represented Tranmere in the 2000 Football League Cup Final.[23]
 
Tommy Stuart was Rovers' regular left back between 1921 and 1927.[24]
 
Captain John Welsh made his 100th appearance in the final game of the 2010–11 season.[25]
 
Scotland international Ron Yeats became player-manager in 1972.[26]
List of players with 100 or more appearances
Name Position[note 1] Years[note 2] Appearances[note 3] Goals International[note 4]
John Achterberg GK 1998–2009 312 0
John Aldridge FW 1991–1998 294 174   Republic of Ireland[29]
Graham Allen DF 1998–2004 238 11
Russell Allen FW 1973–1978 170 46
Wayne Allison FW 1999–2002 117 32
Doug Anderson FW 1984–1987 147 20
John Aspinall FW 1982–1985, 1987–1988 139 30
Harold Atkinson FW 1945–1955 197 104
Bill Bainbridge FW 1948–1954 182 68
Zoumana Bakayogo[30] DF 2009–2013 122 6
Stuart Barlow FW 2000–2003 115 27
Teddy Barton HB 1925–1935 257 5
Kenny Beamish FW 1965–1972, 1979–1981 278 81
Bunny Bell FW 1930–1936 127 113
Harold Bell HB 1945–1960 631 12
John Bramhall DF 1976–1982 193 8
Graham Branch MF 1991–1998 120 11
Ged Brannan DF 1990–1997 303 25
Arthur Briggs GK 1924–1932 246 0
Eric Brodie MF 1969–1972 100 6
David Burgess DF 1981–1986 260 1
Johnny Campbell[note 5] HB 1914–1929 207 11
Les Campbell FW 1961–1964 111 9
Bert Cartman FW 1923–1930 234 33
Dave Challinor DF 1996–2002 170 6
Billy Charlton FW 1925–1930 137 74
Wilf Charlton HB 1957–1961 101 4
Archie Clark HB 1935–1939 108 1
Bobby Conroy DF 1962–1965 114 2
Danny Coyne GK 1992–1999, 2007–2008 221 0   Wales[31]
Steve Craven MF 1977–1981 134 20
Paul Crossley FW 1969–1976 229 45
Jim Cumbes GK 1966–1970 156 0
Craig Curran[32] FW 2006–2010 112 16
Ray Davies FW 1951–1958 136 29
Ronnie Dellow FW 1935–1939 110 31
Barry Dyson FW 1962–1967 183 106
Harry Eastham FW 1948–1953 159 12
Billy Eden FW 1934–1939 146 31
Tommy Eglington FW 1957–1961 181 40   Ireland (FAI)
  Ireland (IFA)[note 6]
Clive Evans MF 1976–1981 200 30
Peter Farrell HB 1957–1960 120 1   Ireland (FAI)
  Ireland (IFA)[note 6]
Syd Farrimond DF 1970–1974 153 0
Mark Ferguson FW 1981–1985 100 13
Ken Finney FW 1957–1963 195 28
Mike Fleming FW 1953–1958 122 8
Eddie Flood DF 1972–1981 350 7
David Frith FB 1958–1963 188 0
Shaun Garnett DF 1987–1996 146 6
Ian Goodison[36] DF 2004–2014 410 13   Jamaica[37]
Bert Gray GK 1931–1936 213 0   Wales[38]
Chris Greenacre FW 2005–2009 162 53
Ian Griffiths FW 1978–1983 135 6
Ralph Gubbins FW 1960–1964 115 37
Bryan Hamilton MF 1980–1985 129 6   Northern Ireland[39]
Des Harlock FW 1946–1954 157 18
Danny Harrison MF 2001–2007 147 7
Jimmy Harvey MF 1987–1992 239 19
Nick Henry MF 1999–2002 116 5
Dave Higgins DF 1983–1985, 1987–1997 434 12
Clint Hill DF 1997–2002 170 20
Mandy Hill FW 1964–1968 142 10
Mark Hughes DF 1985–1994 344 12
Iain Hume FW 1999–2006 176 37   Canada[40]
Lloyd Iceton FW 1950–1955 153 22
Kenny Irons MF 1989–1999 429 67
George Jackson FB 1923–1930 114 0
Mike Jackson DF 2002–2003, 2004–2006 102 8
Steve Jennings MF 2003–2009 167 10
Dickie Johnson GK 1971–1982 397 0
Derek Jones FB 1953–1961 165 19
Gary Jones FW 1993–2000, 2002–2005 323 55
David Kelly FW 1997–2000 112 35   Republic of Ireland[29]
John Kerr FW 1978–1983 178 43
Len Kieran HB 1947–1957 359 6
Alan King MF 1962–1972 385 38
Johnny King MF 1960–1968 264 7
Jason Koumas MF 1998–2003; 2013–2015 207 5   Wales[41]
Bill Lamont FB 1951–1956 154 3
Ginger Lewis HB 1925–1934 288 10   Wales[42]
Harry Leyland GK 1960–1967 194 0
Harry Littlehales FW 1923–1932 173 52
Harold Lloyd GK 1945–1957 202 0
Alan Mahon[43] MF 1996–2000, 2009–2011 164 15   Republic of Ireland[29]
Chris Malkin FW 1987–1995 304 75
John Manning FW 1962–1967, 1971–1972 147 77
Barrie Martin DF 1965–1968 113 0
Dave Martindale MF 1987–1994 212 12
Ray Mathias DF 1967–1985 637 6
Mark McCarrick DF 1987–1991 157 16
Kenny McDevitt FW 1951–1960 249 40
Charlie McDonnell[44] FW 1957–1961, 1963–1965 112 50
John McGreal DF 1991–1999 233 1
Paul McLaren[45] MF 2006–2008, 2009–2011 143 6
Neil McNab MF 1989–1993 139 8
Micky Mellon MF 1997–1999, 2000–2004 205 10
Sammy Meston FW 1929–1932 115 31
Ralph Millington HB 1950–1961 381 3
Dave Moorcroft MF 1968–1972 124 1
Ian Moore[46] FW 1994–1997, 2007–2011 207 51
Malcolm Moore FW 1970–1973 111 26
Ronnie Moore FW 1971–1979, 1986–1989 372 86
Jimmy Moreton[note 7] FW 1910–1926 170 14
John Morrissey FW 1985–1999 586 63
Ian Muir FW 1985–1995 393 180
Steve Mungall DF 1979–1996 624 17
Pat Nevin FW 1991–1997 239 39   Scotland[47]
Eric Nixon GK 1987–1997, 1999–2003 438 0
Ian Nolan DF 1991–1994 114 2   Northern Ireland[48]
Liam O'Brien MF 1993–1999 214 14   Republic of Ireland[29]
Mark Palios MF 1973–1980, 1982–1985 286 33
Andy Parkinson FW 1997–2003 203 25
Roy Parnell DF 1964–1967 116 3
Les Parry DF 1972–1984 289 4
George Payne GK 1946–1961 467 0
Steve Peplow FW 1973–1981 272 47
Dave Philpotts DF 1974–1978, 1983–1985 237 12
Dick Platt FB 1932–1937 189 0
Joe Pritchard MF 1962–1970 206 31
Gareth Roberts DF 1999–2006 337 14   Wales[41]
Eddie Robertson DF 1964–1969 159 1
Abe Rosenthal FW 1938–1939, 1945–1947, 1949–1952, 1954–1955 130 44
Tony Rowley FW 1957–1961 108 49   Wales[38]
Ian Sharps DF 1998–2006 193 7
Chris Shuker[49] MF 2006–2010 144 18
Roy Sinclair FW 1963–1969, 1972–1973 166 18
Reg Spencer HB 1931–1939 256 3
Jim Steel FW 1987–1992 226 47
Percy Steele FB 1945–1957 338 0
Cole Stockton FW 2011–2017; 2018–2019 139 30 -
Stan Storton DF 1966–1970 139 2
Trevor Storton DF 1967–1972 135 10
Tommy Stuart FB 1921–1927 205 13
Ash Taylor[14] DF 2009–2014 204 11
Ryan Taylor DF 2002–2005 122 19
Scott Taylor FW 1998–2001 130 22
Percy Thirkell FB 1925–1930 184 0
Tony Thomas DF 1988–1997 314 14
Andy Thompson DF 1997–2000 115 4
Bobby Tynan MF 1972–1978 221 31
Fred Urmson FW 1927–1936 333 107
Steve Vickers DF 1985–1994 387 20
Pongo Waring FW 1927–1928, 1936–1939 105 67   England[50]
Farewell Watts FW 1929–1934 128 60
John Welsh[25] MF 2009–2012 149 11
Johnny Wheeler HB 1948–1951 106 11   England[51]
Gary Williams DF 1976–1977, 1982–1989 204 18
John Williams DF 1978–1985 201 13
Keith Williams FW 1957–1961 173 97
Ray Williams HB 1951–1959 214 16
Stewie Williamson FW 1945–1953 105 23
Billy Woodward FW 1933–1936 110 44
George Yardley FW 1966–1971 149 81
Steve Yates DF 1999–2002 137 14
Ron Yeats DF 1971–1974 110 6   Scotland[52]
Tommy Young FW 1972–1977 193 29
Calvin Zola FW 2004–2008 108 18

Notes

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  1. ^ Positions are listed according to the tactical formations that were employed at the time. Thus the change in the names of defenders and midfielders reflects the tactical evolution that occurred from the 1960s onwards.
  2. ^ Years given denote the span between a player's first and last competitive appearance. Where a player spent multiple periods at the club, these periods are denoted as multiple ranges of years.
  3. ^ FA Cup appearances prior to 1921 are sourced from Upton (1991). {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[27] Statistics from 1921 to 2009 are taken from Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[28] For more recent players, Soccerbase is used.
  4. ^ If a player received an international first-team cap, the country or countries he represented are shown.
  5. ^ Campbell's statistics include 3 FA Cup appearances prior to 1921.[27]
  6. ^ a b Between 1926 and 1950, two competing teams represented the island of Ireland – the FAI and the IFA.[33][34] Eglington and Farrell were dual internationals who played for both teams.[35]
  7. ^ Moreton's statistics include 11 FA Cup appearances (and 2 goals) prior to 1921.[27]

References

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General
  • Bishop, Peter (1 November 1998). Tranmere Rovers Football Club. Images of England. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 978-0-7524-1505-5.
  • Upton, Gilbert; Wilson, Steve; Bishop, Peter (24 July 2009). Tranmere Rovers: The Complete Record. Breedon. ISBN 978-1-85983-711-5.
Specific
  1. ^ Bishop (1998). p. 18. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Club History". Tranmere Rovers F.C. Retrieved 10 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Upton; Wilson (1997). "A Short History of Tranmere Rovers". pp. 7–10. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ Felton, Paul; Spencer, Barry (14 June 2000). "England 1921–22". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  5. ^ Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Key Data". pp. 492–496. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ Felton, Paul. "Season 1992–93". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  7. ^ a b Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Top Appearances". p. 518. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Bishop (1990). "Mathias, Ray". p. 29. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "Ray Mathias". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Hall of Fame – Ray Mathias". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ Bishop (1990). "Bell, Harold". p. 3. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ Sinnott, John (6 December 2005). "Record breaker". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  13. ^ a b Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Moreton, Jimmy". pp. 177–178. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Ash Taylor". Soccerbase. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  15. ^ a b Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Top Goalscorers". p. 519. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ "Hall of Fame – Ian Muir". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ a b "Hall of Fame – John Aldridge". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "John Aldridge". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  19. ^ a b Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "By Way of Explanation". pp. 545–546. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ Bishop (1998). p. 12. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ "Chris Greenacre". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  22. ^ Bishop (1990). "Moreton, Jimmy". p. 30. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ Exenberger, Andreas (27 February 2000). "England League Cup 1999/2000". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  24. ^ Bishop (1998). p. 20. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ a b "John Welsh". Soccerbase. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  26. ^ Bishop (1990). "Yeats, Ron". p. 71. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ a b c Upton (1991). "Tranmere Rovers 1891–92 to 1920–21 – F A Cup Appearances & Goalscorers". pp. 111–113. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Player Records". pp. 520–538. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ^ a b c d "Ireland's International Players". Football Association of Ireland Official Website. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  30. ^ "Zoumana Bakayogo". Soccerbase.
  31. ^ Courtney, Barrie (20 May 2004). "Wales – International Results 1990–1999 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  32. ^ "Craig Curran". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  33. ^ Byrne, Peter (1996). Football Association of Ireland: 75 years. Dublin: Sportsworld. p. 59. ISBN 1-900110-06-7.
  34. ^ Ryan, Sean (1997). The Boys in Green: the FAI international story. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 1-85158-939-2.
  35. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (15 July 2011). "Players Appearing for Two or More Countries". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  36. ^ "Ian Goodison". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  37. ^ Courtney, Barrie (13 January 2011). "Jamaica International Matches Details 1998–2010". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  38. ^ a b Upton, Gilbert; Wilson, Steve (November 1997). "Tranmere Rovers 1921–1997 International Players". Tranmere Rovers 1921–1997: A Complete Record. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-9518648-2-1.
  39. ^ Courtney, Barrie (30 November 2002). "(Northern) Ireland – International Results 1960–1969 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  40. ^ "FIFA Player Statistics: Iain Hume". FIFA. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  41. ^ a b Courtney, Barrie (2 March 2005). "Wales – International Results 2000–2005 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  42. ^ "Wales 0–3 Scotland". Welsh Football Data Archive. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  43. ^ "Alan Mahon". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  44. ^ Brown, Neil (10 August 2010). "Charlie McDonnell". Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  45. ^ "Paul McLaren". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  46. ^ "Ian Thomas-Moore". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  47. ^ Brown, Alan (29 September 2011). "Scotland – International Results 1986–1990". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  48. ^ Courtney, Barrie (20 May 2004). "(Northern) Ireland – International Results 1990–1999 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  49. ^ "Chris Shuker". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  50. ^ Courtney, Barrie (4 December 2004). "England – International Results 1930–39 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  51. ^ Courtney, Barrie (5 June 2005). "England – International Results 1950–59 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  52. ^ Brown, Alan (10 June 2011). "Scotland – International Matches 1961–1965". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 27 February 2012.