List of Tranmere Rovers F.C. players

This list is about players that have made at least 100 appearances for Tranmere. For all players that have represented the club before the Second World War, see List of Tranmere Rovers F.C. players (1921–39). For players that represented the club after the war, see List of post-war Tranmere Rovers F.C. players.
Black and white photograph of Tranmere Rovers squad
Tranmere in 1921, including Johnny Campbell, Jimmy Moreton and Tommy Stuart[1]

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 have played in the Football League ever since, with the exception of 1939–1946, when competitive football was suspended due to the Second World War. 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]

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

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 2011–12 season.

Position key
Pre-1960s 1960s–
GK Goalkeeper
FB Full back DF Defender
HB Half back MF Midfielder
FW Forward
Colour photograph of John Aldridge
Republic of Ireland international John Aldridge became player-manager in 1995.[17]
Black and white photograph of Johnny Campbell
Johnny Campbell played from 1914 to 1929 but remained an amateur player.[20]
Colour photograph of Chris Greenacre
Striker Chris Greenacre made 162 appearances before moving to Wellington Phoenix.[21]
Black and white photograph of Jimmy Moreton
Jimmy Moreton joined in 1910, and went on to manage the team.[22]
Colour photograph of Gareth Roberts
Gareth Roberts represented Tranmere in the 2000 Football League Cup Final.[23]
Black and white photograph of Tommy Stuart
Tommy Stuart was Rovers' regular left back between 1921 and 1927.[24]
Colour photograph of John Welsh
Captain John Welsh made his 100th appearance in the final game of the 2010–11 season.[25]
Colour photograph of Ron Yeats
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]
Achterberg, JohnJohn Achterberg GK 1998–2009 312 0 –
Aldridge, JohnJohn Aldridge FW 1991–1998 294 174  Republic of Ireland[29]
Allen, GrahamGraham Allen DF 1998–2004 238 11 –
Allen, RussellRussell Allen FW 1973–1978 170 46 –
Allison, WayneWayne Allison FW 1999–2002 117 32 –
Anderson, DougDoug Anderson FW 1984–1987 147 20 –
Aspinall, JohnJohn Aspinall FW 1982–1985, 1987–1988 139 30 –
Atkinson, HaroldHarold Atkinson FW 1945–1955 197 104 –
Bainbridge, BillBill Bainbridge FW 1948–1954 182 68 –
Barlow, StuartStuart Barlow FW 2000–2003 115 27 –
Barton, TeddyTeddy Barton HB 1925–1935 257 5 –
Beamish, KennyKenny Beamish FW 1965–1972, 1979–1981 278 81 –
Bell, BunnyBunny Bell FW 1930–1936 127 113 –
Bell, HaroldHarold Bell HB 1945–1960 631 12 –
Bramhall, JohnJohn Bramhall DF 1976–1982 193 8 –
Branch, GrahamGraham Branch MF 1991–1998 120 11 –
Brannan, GedGed Brannan DF 1990–1997 303 25 –
Briggs, ArthurArthur Briggs GK 1924–1932 246 0 –
Brodie, EricEric Brodie MF 1969–1972 100 6 –
Burgess, DavidDavid Burgess DF 1981–1986 260 1 –
Campbell, JohnnyJohnny Campbell[note 5] HB 1914–1929 207 11 –
Campbell, LesLes Campbell FW 1961–1964 111 9 –
Cartman, BertBert Cartman FW 1923–1930 234 33 –
Challinor, DaveDave Challinor DF 1996–2002 170 6 –
Charlton, BillyBilly Charlton FW 1925–1930 137 74 –
Charlton, WilfWilf Charlton HB 1957–1961 101 4 –
Clark, ArchieArchie Clark HB 1935–1939 108 1 –
Conroy, BobbyBobby Conroy DF 1962–1965 114 2 –
Coyne, DannyDanny Coyne GK 1992–1999, 2007–2008 221 0  Wales[30]
Craven, SteveSteve Craven MF 1977–1981 134 20 –
Crossley, PaulPaul Crossley FW 1969–1976 229 45 –
Cumbes, JimJim Cumbes GK 1966–1970 156 0 –
Curran, CraigCraig Curran[31] FW 2006–2010 112 16 –
Davies, RayRay Davies FW 1951–1958 136 29 –
Dellow, RonnieRonnie Dellow FW 1935–1939 110 31 –
Dyson, BarryBarry Dyson FW 1962–1967 183 106 –
Eastham, HarryHarry Eastham FW 1948–1953 159 12 –
Eden, BillyBilly Eden FW 1934–1939 146 31 –
Eglington, TommyTommy Eglington FW 1957–1961 181 40 Republic of Ireland Ireland (FAI)
Ireland Ireland (IFA)[note 6]
Evans, CliveClive Evans MF 1976–1981 200 30 –
Farrell, PeterPeter Farrell HB 1957–1960 120 1 Republic of Ireland Ireland (FAI)
Ireland Ireland (IFA)[note 6]
Farrimond, SydSyd Farrimond DF 1970–1974 153 0 –
Ferguson, MarkMark Ferguson FW 1981–1985 100 13 –
Finney, KenKen Finney FW 1957–1963 195 28 –
Fleming, MikeMike Fleming FW 1953–1958 122 8 –
Flood, EddieEddie Flood DF 1972–1981 350 7 –
Frith, DavidDavid Frith FB 1958–1963 188 0 –
Garnett, ShaunShaun Garnett DF 1987–1996 146 6 –
Goodison, IanIan Goodison[35] DF 2004– 399 13  Jamaica[36]
Gray, BertBert Gray GK 1931–1936 213 0  Wales[37]
Greenacre, ChrisChris Greenacre FW 2005–2009 162 53 –
Griffiths, IanIan Griffiths FW 1978–1983 135 6 –
Gubbins, RalphRalph Gubbins FW 1960–1964 115 37 –
Hamilton, BryanBryan Hamilton MF 1980–1985 129 6  Northern Ireland[38]
Harlock, DesDes Harlock FW 1946–1954 157 18 –
Harrison, DannyDanny Harrison MF 2001–2007 147 7 –
Harvey, JimmyJimmy Harvey MF 1987–1992 239 19 –
Henry, NickNick Henry MF 1999–2002 116 5 –
Higgins, DaveDave Higgins DF 1983–1985, 1987–1997 434 12 –
Hill, ClintClint Hill DF 1997–2002 170 20 –
Hill, MandyMandy Hill FW 1964–1968 142 10 –
Hughes, MarkMark Hughes DF 1985–1994 344 12 –
Hume, IainIain Hume FW 1999–2006 176 37  Canada[39]
Iceton, LloydLloyd Iceton FW 1950–1955 153 22 –
Irons, KennyKenny Irons MF 1989–1999 429 67 –
Jackson, GeorgeGeorge Jackson FB 1923–1930 114 0 –
Jackson, MikeMike Jackson DF 2002–2003, 2004–2006 102 8 –
Jennings, SteveSteve Jennings MF 2003–2009 167 10 –
Johnson, DickieDickie Johnson GK 1971–1982 397 0 –
Jones, DerekDerek Jones FB 1953–1961 165 19 –
Jones, GaryGary Jones FW 1993–2000, 2002–2005 323 55 –
Kelly, DavidDavid Kelly FW 1997–2000 112 35  Republic of Ireland[29]
Kerr, JohnJohn Kerr FW 1978–1983 178 43 –
Kieran, LenLen Kieran HB 1947–1957 359 6 –
King, AlanAlan King MF 1962–1972 385 38 –
King, JohnnyJohnny King MF 1960–1968 264 7 –
Koumas, JasonJason Koumas MF 1998–2003 150 32  Wales[40]
Lamont, BillBill Lamont FB 1951–1956 154 3 –
Lewis, GingerGinger Lewis HB 1925–1934 288 10  Wales[41]
Leyland, HarryHarry Leyland GK 1960–1967 194 0 –
Littlehales, HarryHarry Littlehales FW 1923–1932 173 52 –
Lloyd, HaroldHarold Lloyd GK 1945–1957 202 0 –
Mahon, AlanAlan Mahon[42] MF 1996–2000, 2009–2011 164 15  Republic of Ireland[29]
Malkin, ChrisChris Malkin FW 1987–1995 304 75 –
Manning, JohnJohn Manning FW 1962–1967, 1971–1972 147 77 –
Martin, BarrieBarrie Martin DF 1965–1968 113 0 –
Martindale, DaveDave Martindale MF 1987–1994 212 12 –
Mathias, RayRay Mathias DF 1967–1985 637 6 –
McCarrick, MarkMark McCarrick DF 1987–1991 157 16 –
McDevitt, KennyKenny McDevitt FW 1951–1960 249 40 –
McDonnell, CharlieCharlie McDonnell[43] FW 1957–1961, 1963–1965 112 50 –
McGreal, JohnJohn McGreal DF 1991–1999 233 1 –
McLaren, PaulPaul McLaren[44] MF 2006–2008, 2009–2011 143 6 –
McNab, NeilNeil McNab MF 1989–1993 139 8 –
Mellon, MickyMicky Mellon MF 1997–1999, 2000–2004 205 10 –
Meston, SammySammy Meston FW 1929–1932 115 31 –
Millington, RalphRalph Millington HB 1950–1961 381 3 –
Moorcroft, DaveDave Moorcroft MF 1968–1972 124 1 –
Moore, IanIan Moore[45] FW 1994–1997, 2007–2011 207 51 –
Moore, MalcolmMalcolm Moore FW 1970–1973 111 26 –
Moore, RonnieRonnie Moore FW 1971–1979, 1986–1989 372 86 –
Moreton, JimmyJimmy Moreton[note 7] FW 1910–1926 170 14 –
Morrissey, JohnJohn Morrissey FW 1985–1999 586 63 –
Muir, IanIan Muir FW 1985–1995 393 180 –
Mungall, SteveSteve Mungall DF 1979–1996 624 17 –
Nevin, PatPat Nevin FW 1991–1997 239 39  Scotland[46]
Nixon, EricEric Nixon GK 1987–1997, 1999–2003 438 0 –
Nolan, IanIan Nolan DF 1991–1994 114 2  Northern Ireland[47]
O'Brien, LiamLiam O'Brien MF 1993–1999 214 14  Republic of Ireland[29]
Palios, MarkMark Palios MF 1973–1980, 1982–1985 286 33 –
Parkinson, AndyAndy Parkinson FW 1997–2003 203 25 –
Parnell, RoyRoy Parnell DF 1964–1967 116 3 –
Parry, LesLes Parry DF 1972–1984 289 4 –
Payne, GeorgeGeorge Payne GK 1946–1961 467 0 –
Peplow, SteveSteve Peplow FW 1973–1981 272 47 –
Philpotts, DaveDave Philpotts DF 1974–1978, 1983–1985 237 12 –
Platt, DickDick Platt FB 1932–1937 189 0 –
Pritchard, JoeJoe Pritchard MF 1962–1970 206 31 –
Roberts, GarethGareth Roberts DF 1999–2006 337 14  Wales[40]
Robertson, EddieEddie Robertson DF 1964–1969 159 1 –
Rosenthal, AbeAbe Rosenthal FW 1938–1939, 1945–1947, 1949–1952, 1954–1955 130 44 –
Rowley, TonyTony Rowley FW 1957–1961 108 49  Wales[37]
Sharps, IanIan Sharps DF 1998–2006 193 7 –
Shuker, ChrisChris Shuker[48] MF 2006–2010 144 18 –
Sinclair, RoyRoy Sinclair FW 1963–1969, 1972–1973 166 18 –
Spencer, RegReg Spencer HB 1931–1939 256 3 –
Steel, JimJim Steel FW 1987–1992 226 47 –
Steele, PercyPercy Steele FB 1945–1957 338 0 –
Storton, StanStan Storton DF 1966–1970 139 2 –
Storton, TrevorTrevor Storton DF 1967–1972 135 10 –
Stuart, TommyTommy Stuart FB 1921–1927 205 13 –
Taylor, AshAsh Taylor[14] DF 2009– 110 6 –
Taylor, RyanRyan Taylor DF 2002–2005 122 19 –
Taylor, ScottScott Taylor FW 1998–2001 130 22 –
Thirkell, PercyPercy Thirkell FB 1925–1930 184 0 –
Thomas, TonyTony Thomas DF 1988–1997 314 14 –
Thompson, AndyAndy Thompson DF 1997–2000 115 4 –
Tynan, BobbyBobby Tynan MF 1972–1978 221 31 –
Urmson, FredFred Urmson FW 1927–1936 333 107 –
Vickers, SteveSteve Vickers DF 1985–1994 387 20 –
Waring, PongoPongo Waring FW 1927–1928, 1936–1939 105 67  England[49]
Watts, FarewellFarewell Watts FW 1929–1934 128 60 –
Welsh, JohnJohn Welsh[25] MF 2009– 149 11 –
Wheeler, JohnnyJohnny Wheeler HB 1948–1951 106 11  England[50]
Williams, GaryGary Williams DF 1976–1977, 1982–1989 204 18 –
Williams, JohnJohn Williams DF 1978–1985 201 13 –
Williams, KeithKeith Williams FW 1957–1961 173 97 –
Williams, RayRay Williams HB 1951–1959 214 16 –
Williamson, StewieStewie Williamson FW 1945–1953 105 23 –
Woodward, BillyBilly Woodward FW 1933–1936 110 44 –
Yardley, GeorgeGeorge Yardley FW 1966–1971 149 81 –
Yates, SteveSteve Yates DF 1999–2002 137 14 –
Yeats, RonRon Yeats DF 1971–1974 110 6  Scotland[51]
Young, TommyTommy Young FW 1972–1977 193 29 –
Zola, CalvinCalvin Zola FW 2004–2008 108 18 –

Notes

  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). Missing or empty |title= (help)[27] Statistics from 1921 to 2009 are taken from Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). 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. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Between 1926 and 1950, two competing teams represented the island of Ireland – the FAI and the IFA.[32][33] Eglington and Farrell were dual internationals who played for both teams.[34]
  7. ↑ Moreton's statistics include 11 FA Cup appearances (and 2 goals) prior to 1921.[27]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Players of Tranmere Rovers FC.
General
Specific
  1. ↑ Bishop (1998). p. 18. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Club History". Tranmere Rovers F.C. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Upton; Wilson (1997). "A Short History of Tranmere Rovers". pp. 7–10. 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. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ Felton, Paul. "Season 1992–93". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Top Appearances". p. 518. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ Bishop (1990). "Mathias, Ray". p. 29. 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.
  11. ↑ Bishop (1990). "Bell, Harold". p. 3. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ Sinnott, John (6 December 2005). "Record breaker". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Moreton, Jimmy". pp. 177–178. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Ash Taylor". Soccerbase. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Top Goalscorers". p. 519. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ "Hall Of Fame – Ian Muir". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Hall Of Fame – John Aldridge". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "John Aldridge". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "By Way of Explanation". pp. 545–546. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ Bishop (1998). p. 12. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ "Chris Greenacre". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  22. ↑ Bishop (1990). "Moreton, Jimmy". p. 30. 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. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "John Welsh". Soccerbase. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  26. ↑ Bishop (1990). "Yeats, Ron". p. 71. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Upton (1991). "Tranmere Rovers 1891–92 to 1920–21 – F A Cup Appearances & Goalscorers". pp. 111–113. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ↑ Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009). "Player Records". pp. 520–538. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 "Ireland's International Players". Football Association of Ireland Official Website. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  30. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (20 May 2004). "Wales – International Results 1990–1999 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  31. ↑ "Craig Curran". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  32. ↑ Byrne, Peter (1996). Football Association of Ireland: 75 years. Dublin: Sportsworld. p. 59. ISBN 1-900110-06-7.
  33. ↑ Ryan, Sean (1997). The Boys in Green: the FAI international story. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 1-85158-939-2.
  34. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto (15 July 2011). "Players Appearing for Two or More Countries". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  35. ↑ "Ian Goodison". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  36. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (13 January 2011). "Jamaica International Matches Details 1998–2010". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 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.
  38. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (30 November 2002). "(Northern) Ireland – International Results 1960–1969 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  39. ↑ "FIFA Player Statistics: Iain Hume". FIFA.com. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Courtney, Barrie (2 March 2005). "Wales – International Results 2000–2005 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  41. ↑ "Wales 0–3 Scotland". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  42. ↑ "Alan Mahon". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  43. ↑ Brown, Neil (10 August 2010). "Charlie McDonnell". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  44. ↑ "Paul McLaren". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  45. ↑ "Ian Thomas-Moore". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  46. ↑ Brown, Alan (29 September 2011). "Scotland – International Results 1986–1990". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  47. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (20 May 2004). "(Northern) Ireland – International Results 1990–1999 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  48. ↑ "Chris Shuker". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  49. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (4 December 2004). "England – International Results 1930–39 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  50. ↑ Courtney, Barrie (5 June 2005). "England – International Results 1950–59 – Details". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  51. ↑ Brown, Alan (10 June 2011). "Scotland – International Matches 1961–1965". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 27 February 2012.