Editing Tranmere Rovers F.C. (section)

==History==
===Formative years===

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Tranmere Rovers were, initially, formed as Belmont Football Club when the football arms of two [[cricket]] clubs&nbsp;– Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont&nbsp;– came together in 1884.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'When Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont Cricket Club came together, Belmont FC was formed'}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> On 15 November 1884, they won their first game 4–0 against Brunswick Rovers. This was a [[friendly match]], as there were no leagues until 1888.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Under the presidency of [[James McGaul]],{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'under the presidency of James McGaul'}} the team had a successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name "Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association football section)" in 1881–82. On 16 September 1885, before their second season began, Belmont F.C. adopted this name Tranmere Rovers.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source at end mentions first match. nothing about a 'successful inaugural season, losing only one of their fifteen matches'. nothing about an 'unrelated, disbanded side'. name change is mentioned, but 'before season began' and date given is not verified by source.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=1 source is the club website. other source is 'By the fans', and written by 'club historian'. use of words like 'successful' here, based on a primary source?}}<ref name="official site history" /> [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] is historically a large village that was subsumed within the later expansion of the town of [[Birkenhead]].{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='a large village'? source says 'civil parish'.}}<ref name=GENUKI>{{cite web|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CHS/Tranmere|title=Tranmere|publisher=GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025200940/https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CHS/Tranmere|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tranmere played their first matches at Steeles Field in Birkenhead.<ref name="official site history" /> In 1887, they bought Ravenshaws Field from Tranmere Rugby Club. In 1895, their ground was renamed [[Prenton Park]], although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=source says 'moved to Ravenshaws Field' in 1887. does not mention buying it. or Tranmere Rugby Club. or 'although it was 25 years later that the team moved into the current stadium of the same name'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere first wore a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks. In 1889 they adopted orange and maroon shirts, but in 1904 returned to wearing their original kit.<ref name="historicalkits" />

In 1886, Tranmere entered their first competition: the Liverpool and District Challenge Cup; in 1889, they entered the [[West Lancashire Football League|West Lancashire League]]. They joined [[the Combination]], a much stronger league, in 1897,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of the previous ('In 1886' onwards) is mentioned in the source at the end. nothing about a cup or West Lancashire League or joining the Combination.}} and won the championship in 1908.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=source says Everton Liverpool II won in both 1907-1908 and 1908-1909. Tranmere Rovers appears to be listed as separate club.}}<ref name="combination" /> In 1910, continuing their movement through the leagues, they entered the [[Lancashire Combination]] and in 1912 they showed their ambition by moving to the present Prenton Park site, with an 800-seat stand.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason='showed their ambition' is sourced to primary. it does not say this anyway. is it impartial tone? is it needed here?}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> Tranmere won the Lancashire Combination Championship in 1914,<ref name="Lancashire combination" /> and [[Stan Rowlands]] became the first Tranmere player to receive an international cap when he was selected to play for [[Wales national football team|Wales]].{{when|date=February 2024|reason=source 1 does not say when? source 2 gives 1914 but only Wales team, not England. this can be any game. no connection proven between the 2.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /><ref name="Wales 0-2 England" />

Rovers continued to play throughout the [[World War I|First World War]], although their players were criticised for avoiding military service, despite being employed in the local shipyards.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'Rovers continued to play throughout the 1914-18 War, although many footballers were, unjustly, criticised for avoiding military service... being employed in the local shipyards.'}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

===Inter-war years===

[[File:Tranmere Rovers 27 August 1921.jpg|left|thumb|alt=First Football League match in 1921|First Football League match in 1921<ref name="bishop 98" />]]

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Following the expulsion of [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]] Reserves in 1919, Tranmere were able to enter [[Central League (England)|the Central League]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|not mentioned in next source.}} Their timing was excellent as the following season, four Central League clubs&nbsp;– including Tranmere&nbsp;– were invited to join the new [[Football League Third Division North|Division Three North]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|not mentioned in next source. even if it was, 'Their timing was excellent' is not impartial.}} On 27 August 1921, as founder members of the division,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=does not mention 'founder members', or show that this was the first year it happened.}}<ref name="1921-22" /> they won their first [[The Football League|Football League]] match 4–1 against [[Crewe Alexandra]] at Prenton Park.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention result of game. or that Tranmere Rovers won.}}<ref name="official site history" /> At this time the team were managed by [[Bert Cooke]], who did so for 23 years in total, the club record for longest serving manager.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=ideally with confirmation that this is 'the club record for longest serving manager'. the club does not even say that. and source only goes as far as 2012.}}<ref name="managers" />

In 1924, local boy [[Dixie Dean]] made his debut aged 16 years 355 days. He played 30 games for Rovers, scoring 27 goals, before being transferred to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] for £3,000.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'before being transferred... to Everton for £3,000...'}}<ref name="official site history" /> In the 1927–28 season, Dean scored a [[English football records|record]] 60 League goals for Everton.<ref name="goal records" /> After Dean's departure, several talented young players also left for [[Football League First Division|Division One]] clubs, leading to Cooke's reputation as a shrewd businessman.<ref name="bishop 98" /> Among those sold was [[Tom Waring|Pongo Waring]] who&nbsp;– having scored six goals in the 11–1 victory over [[Durham City F.C.|Durham City]]&nbsp;– went to [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] for £4,700. As of 2010, Waring retains the record of scoring most goals for Villa in a single season.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

In 1934, an FA Cup tie between Rovers and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] was watched at [[Anfield]] by 61,036 fans, then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'In 1934 an FA Cup tie between Rovers and Liverpool was switched to Anfield where 61,036 fans..., then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers. One year later, Robert Bunny Bell (next sentence here).}}<ref name="official site history" /> One year later, [[Robert Bell (footballer)|Bunny Bell]] netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season, and nine goals in the 13–4 Boxing Day 1935 victory over Oldham Athletic.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is for the '13–4' game, and does not mention 'netted 57 goals during the 1933–34 season'.}}<ref name="indy festive feats" /> As of 2011, the aggregate of 17 goals in one game remained a league record.<ref name="goal records" />

During this same period, Tranmere made several appearances in the Welsh Cup, reaching the final on two occasions.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 1934, they lost 3–0 to Bristol City in a replay, after a 1–1 draw.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The following season, they went one better by beating local rivals Chester 1–0 to win their first silverware since joining the Football League.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this paragraph is in the next source.}}

Rovers won their first championship in the Football League in 1938, with victory in Division Three North, and, hence, [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] for the first time.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'Rovers claimed their first ever Championship in the Football League in 1938... and a place in Division Two for the first time'.}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="1937-38" /> It is still Rovers's only championship in the Football League.{{when|date=February 2024|reason=insert 'As of' and year here, because this can become outdated.}} However, they were [[Promotion and relegation|relegated]] the next season, winning six matches&nbsp;– the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='the record for the worst performance of any team in Division Two' not in source.}}<ref name="1938-39" />

===Creation of the Superwhites===

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Prenton Park emerged from the [[World War II|Second World War]] largely unscathed.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=next source just leads to club website's list of managers.}} Tranmere rejoined the peacetime Football League in Division Three North, and stayed there until the 1958 restructuring of the football league's lower divisions.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=next source just leads to club website's list of managers.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=some of this appears to be taken directly from 'The CowSheds' fan site/club historian primary source? e.g. 'the club was able to re-join the peacetime Football League in Division Three (North)'.}} Manager [[Peter Farrell (Irish footballer)|Peter Farrell]]<ref name="managers" /> led Tranmere to finish 11th in the final season of the Northern Section, securing a place in the new national [[Football League Third Division|Division Three]], where they were, again, founder members.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source shows finishing 11th in 1958. 'final season' is unverified. 'securing a place in the new national Division Three, where they were, again, founder members' is unverified by this source.}}<ref name="1957-58" /> The final match against [[Wrexham F.C.|Wrexham]], also fighting for a place in the higher league, attracted a crowd of 19,615, which, as of 2010, remained the highest ever attendance at a Prenton Park league match.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='Wrexham, also fighting for a place in the higher league' is not mentioned in source.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

In 1961, Tranmere's inspirational captain [[Harold Bell (footballer)|Harold Bell]] left the club. Bell had been picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season, and did not miss a match until he was dropped on 30 August 1955, a total of 459 consecutive appearances for a British team, a record which held until 2011.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source is dated 2005. so cannot verify 2011. also does not verify 'picked in the first game after the Second World War in the 1946 season'. or 'dropped on 30 August 1955'. or leaving the club in 1961. or being a captain. 'inspirational' is not used by a source (and is it impartial anyway?)}}<ref name="appearances" /> Rovers certainly missed their captain,{{tone inline|date=February 2024|reason=this opinion is not in the next source.}}{{according to whom|date=February 2024}} and were relegated to [[Football League Fourth Division|Division Four]] for the first time in 1961.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='for the first time' is not in source.}}<ref name="1960-61" />

[[File:Tranmere Rovers FC League Performance.svg|thumb|left|250px|Chart of yearly table positions of Tranmere Rovers in the Football League.]]The club brought in [[Dave Russell (footballer)|Dave Russell]] as manager,<ref name="managers" /> and Russell made some changes. Tranmere had worn a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904&nbsp;– the same colours as local rivals, [[Football League First Division|Division One]] club [[Everton F.C.|Everton]]. Russell introduced an all-white strip to set the teams apart; these have been Tranmere's usual colours since.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=they have not been the 'usual colours since'. 1981 to 1987, for a start? and, also, they did not wear 'a kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks since 1904'. white is on the socks for most of that time. there is even some sort of... black(?) for only 25 years.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Russell introduced an all-white kit that set Rovers apart from their illustrious Mersey neighbours, Everton'.}}<ref name="historicalkits" /> Russell also developed a successful youth policy which included England international [[Roy McFarland]] among its graduates.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=does not even mention Roy McFarland. or any graduates. also, 'highly successful' is not impartial when taken directly from a primary source (a fan site and club historian).}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Russell... also introduced a highly successful youth policy'.}}<ref name="official site history" /> Russell guided Rovers back to Division Three in 1967,<ref name="1966-67" /> a year before a new 4,000-seater main stand was opened, and Rovers reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not verify 'for the first time', only that they played Everton in the Fifth Round in 1968. or 'a new 4,000-seater main stand was opened'.}}<ref name="FA Cup Archive" /> Three years later the club's record attendance at Prenton Park was established as 24,424 supporters witnessed Rovers draw 2–2 with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in the FA Cup.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason='close paraphrasing' does not even describe this one. compare: 'Three years later the Club's record attendance at Prenton Park was established as 24,424 supporters witnessed Rovers draw 2-2 with Stoke City in the FA Cup'.}}<ref name="official site history" />

In 1972, [[Ron Yeats]] was installed as [[Player-coach|player-manager]].<ref name="managers" /> He strengthened Tranmere's connections with local rivals Liverpool by recruiting several former teammates such as [[Ian St John]], and bringing in [[Bill Shankly]] in a consultancy role.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'install Yeats as player/manager... Liverpool connections were particularly strong with Yeats recruiting several of his former team-mates, including Ian St John... Bill Shankly came over... in a consultancy role'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" /> This team saw one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time when, in a League Cup tie in 1973, Tranmere beat First Division [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] 1–0 at their former [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] home.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason='Tranmere beat First Division Arsenal 1–0' is verified by the source. not verified is 'their former Highbury home' and 'one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time'.}}<ref name="league cup" /> However, Tranmere returned to the Fourth Division in 1975.<ref name="1974-75" /> The following decade was among the bleakest times in the club's history, with the team usually in the lower reaches of the Fourth Division, beset by financial problems, and attaining crowds of less than 2,000.{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=especially for the claim 'among the bleakest times in the club's history'. the source is a fan site and written by a 'club historian'.}}<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

In 1979, [[Steve Mungall]] joined Tranmere from [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} He went on to make more than 500 league appearances for Rovers in a 17-year period.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source gives 'played 624 times'. nothing about total league appearances, or 'a 17-year period'.}} This spell saw Rovers rise up the league and make several appearances at Wembley.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about 'Rovers rise up the league' in the next source.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason='My Wembley appearances' says club's player, is not secondary, not independent.}} He remained with the club, on the coaching staff, until October 2000, when he left to pursue business interests.<ref name="mungall ends era" />

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Another relegation to Division Four in 1979<ref name="1978-79" /> put the club in financial difficulties.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Debts mounted throughout the 1980s, with insolvency forestalled through a series of friendly fixtures, contributions from fans and a £200,000 loan from [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral Council]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source mentions a 2011 sponsorship deal. no '£200,000 loan from Wirral Council'. nothing about friendly fixtures, 'contributions from fans', 'insolvency forestalled', 'Debts mounted throughout the 1980s'.}} This partnership proved an enduring one, as Wirral's logo still appeared on the shirts until 2011.{{synthesis inline|date=February 2024|reason=Wirral Council mentioning sponsorship since 1989 does not refer to previous sentence ('This partnership proved an enduring one', Debts mounted throughout the 1980s', 'a £200,000 loan').}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about the logo on shirts. source is from 2011, announcing a renewed sponsorship deal, so does not verify what happened after 2011.}}<ref name="wirral" /> In July 1984, the club was sold to a Californian attorney, making Tranmere one of the first English clubs to be bought by a foreign owner.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=remove if the source says 'July', but cannot see it.}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|title=How a soccer-mad Californian kicked off today's megarich global sports machine|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2019-08-06|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806112119/https://www.cnet.com/news/how-soccer-mad-californian-bruce-osterman-kicked-off-todays-megarich-global-sports-machine/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nonetheless, in 1987, the club went into [[Administration (law)|administration]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

===Johnny King era===
Local businessman [[Peter Johnson (businessman)|Peter Johnson]] took over control and ownership.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare 'local businessman Peter Johnson took over control and ownership'.}}<ref name="official site history" /> This proved to be a turning point in Tranmere's history, the club under his ownership experiencing by far the most successful period in its history, in which manager [[John King (footballer born 1938)|John King]] took the team from the bottom of Division Four to the brink of English football's top league.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source only shows that John King managed the club between 1975 and 1980, and again from 1987 until 1996.}}{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=claims like 'proved to be a turning point' and 'by far the most successful period' sourced to club website. and club website does not even mention any of this?}}<ref name="managers" /> King's first task was to avoid the team finishing bottom of Division Four, which would have resulted in their relegation from the football league. Safety was guaranteed in the last game of the season, with a 1–0 home win over [[Exeter City]] on the last day of the season.<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

The first full season (1987–88) of King's second managerial spell in charge saw Tranmere make their first appearance at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], when a good mid-season run of form saw them qualify for the [[Football League Centenary Tournament]]. Tranmere defeated Division One clubs [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] and [[Newcastle United]], before losing on penalties to eventual winner [[Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="wembley" /> The following season, King guided Tranmere to promotion as Division Four runner-up.<ref name="1988-89" /> Their final game played to secure promotion was against Crewe Alexandra, with both teams needing a point to gain promotion.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The first half was contested as usual, but, in the second half, with the score at 1–1, neither team targeted the goal of the other, leading to combined celebrations when the game had concluded.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Earlier that season, they had won several games in the League Cup, including against Division One [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], in between wins against fellow Division Four club Stockport County and Division 3 club Blackpool, ultimately losing to Bristol City of Division 3.<ref name="league cup" />

At the end their first season in Division Three, Tranmere almost secured promotion to Division 2, losing 2–0 in the play-off final to [[Notts County]],<ref name="1989-90" /> a week after Tranmere's 2–1 victory over [[Bristol Rovers]] at Wembley Stadium in the [[1990 Football League Trophy final|final]] of the [[EFL Trophy|Leyland DAF Trophy]] had secured the club's first trophy.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not verify 'a week after' or 'club's first trophy'.}}<ref name="football league trophy" /> The form of striker [[Ian Muir (English footballer)|Ian Muir]] was key to Tranmere's success during this period. He joined the club in 1985, and scored 180 goals in eleven seasons. He became the club's record scorer, and, in 2012, the first inductee to their [[hall of fame]].<ref name="Ian Muir" /> Fellow hall of fame member [[John Morrissey (footballer)|John Morrissey]] joined the club in 1986.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=year does not match source.}} The winger spent 14 seasons at the club, making 585 appearances.<ref name="John Morrissey" />

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In the 1990–91 season, Tranmere won promotion to Division Two for the first time since the 1930s, with a 1–0 play-off win over local rivals [[Bolton Wanderers]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'first time since the 1930s'.}}<ref name="1990-91" /> Once again, Rovers made an appearance in the Leyland DAF Trophy [[1991 Football League Trophy final|final]], this time losing 3–2 to [[Birmingham City]].<ref name="football league trophy" /> This made the play-off victory over [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] Tranmere's fourth appearance in a Wembley Stadium final in just over a year.{{citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source for all the games being at Wembley Stadium?}}

In summer 1991, former Liverpool player [[John Aldridge]] joined Tranmere Rovers, signing from Spanish club [[Real Sociedad]] for a fee of £250,000; he would remain on the club's payroll for the next 10 years, scoring 170 times to put him behind only Ian Muir in the all-time scoring charts.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='official site history' is dead link. archive link does not work from 1980s onwards. 'John Aldridge' link gives 'career scoring record', and does not verify 'scoring 170 times to put him behind only Ian Muir in the all-time scoring charts' claim. goal totals given for 'first six seasons' add up to 169?}}<ref name="official site history" /><ref name="John Aldridge" /> Aldridge also received 30 caps for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]], and was the first Tranmere player to score at a [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref name="John Aldridge" /> In 1993, Scotland international [[Pat Nevin]] joined the team, forming a four-man attack alongside Aldridge, [[Chris Malkin|Malkin]] and Morrissey.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=year not in source. but 1992 is mentioned. this is earlier than 1993.}}{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'formed part of a four man attack alongside John Morrissey, John Aldridge and Chris Malkin'.}}<ref name="Pat Nevin" /> In three successive seasons, Tranmere reached the play-off semi-finals, missing out on promotion to the newly formed [[Premier League]] through defeat to [[Swindon Town]] in 1993,<ref name="1992-93" /> [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] in 1994,<ref name="1993-94" /> and [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] in 1995.<ref name="1994-95" /> 1994 also saw Tranmere progress to the League Cup semi-final, where they faced Aston Villa over two legs. The home leg was won 3–1 by Tranmere, with Villa scoring their only goal in the 94th minute. The score in the away leg was 2–1 in favour of Villa until the 88th minute when Villa scored again to win the game 3–1, so the match went to extra-time and penalties. With Tranmere one kick away from the final, Mark Bosnich saved Liam O'Brien's sudden death penalty, and Tranmere eventually lost 5–4.

A reconstructed Prenton Park was opened in March 1995, with the all-seater stadium then holding just under 17,000 supporters. In April 1996, with Rovers struggling for form in the league, chairman Frank Corfe appointed [[John Aldridge]] as [[Player-coach|player-manager]], and King was "moved upstairs" to become [[Director of football]]. They finished the [[1995–96 Football League|1995–96]] campaign in 13th position.

===2000 and beyond===

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}}

In the 1999–2000 season, despite severe financial constraints,{{failed verification|reason=nothing on this in FA Cup database.|date=February 2024}} victories over two Premiership sides (West Ham United, Sunderland, followed by First Division club Fulham) led, not only to a place in the sixth round of the FA Cup,<ref name="FA Cup Archive" /> but also, to a place in the [[2000 Football League Cup final]] against [[Leicester City]]&nbsp;– the first time in the club's history that Rovers had reached a major final.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=League Cup database does not state 'first time in the club's history that Rovers had reached a major final'.}} [[Matt Elliott (footballer)|Matt Elliott]] scored Leicester's opening goal, before Tranmere's [[Clint Hill (footballer)|Clint Hill]] was sent off for a second bookable offence. Despite being reduced to ten men, [[David Kelly (association footballer)|David Kelly]] equalised; however, Elliot scored Leicester's second goal three minutes later, and Tranmere lost the match 2–1.<ref name="league cup 2000" /> This was the last League Cup game held at the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley stadium]].<ref name="TheCowsheds History" />

In 2000, the all-white kit was reintroduced and is still used in 2014.{{relevance inline|date=January 2024|reason='is'? 2014 was 10 years ago.}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=misleading. kit appears to have had blue in it until 2002? and after that (2009?) nearly as much blue as 1997.}}<ref name="historicalkits" /> That season, Tranmere Rovers had another cup competition run, beating local Premier League rival [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] 3–0 at [[Goodison Park]],<ref name="Tranmere shame Everton" /> then [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] 4–3 (after being 0–3 down),<ref name="Tranmere comeback stuns Saints" /> before exiting after a loss to another local rival, Premier League club [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref name="Liverpool cling on to beat Tranmere" /> However, Tranmere Rovers struggled during league matches that season; Aldridge quit as manager before Tranmere's relegation to Division Two ended a spell of ten years in Division One.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source is for Aldridge quitting. if it happened later then Tranmere's relegation and that it 'ended a spell of ten years in Division 1' needs separate verification.}}<ref name="Aldridge walks out on Rovers" />
[[File:Trfc v sufc 2013 IJA 02.png|thumb|left|350px|Tranmere Rovers v [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the [[2012–13 Football League One|2012–13 season]]]]
The club hired [[Brian Little (footballer)|Brian Little]] as manager in 2003.<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Tranmere appoint Little" /> He took Rovers to a play-off semi-final in 2004–05, and a best ever 6th round replay in the 2004 FA Cup, where they lost to eventual finalists, [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=nothing about any of this in the 2 sources at the end. 2004 FA Cup as 'best ever', Millwall as 'eventual finalists', etc.}} At the end of the 2005–06 season, Little left the club and was replaced by former player [[Ronnie Moore]].<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Moore appointed as Tranmere boss" /> In Moore's three seasons in charge, the club finished 9th, 11th and 7th, narrowly missing out on qualification for in the play-offs in his final season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=dead link. archive link does not appear to work.}}<ref name="football league" /> Moore was sacked in 2009, with former England winger [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]], whose only previous domestic managerial experience was with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] 10 years earlier, replacing him.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=misleading. if anything, joining direct from coaching Jamaica needs explaining. 'only previous domestic managerial experience' is not in this source.}}<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Barnes confirmed as Tranmere boss" /> It was during Barnes's time as manager that long-serving kitman, Mark Trevor, ended his 12-year "Labour of Love", washing the kit of his local team. Having been at the club since 1997, he washed his last kit in August 2009, ahead of the club's home game against [[Charlton Athletic]].<ref name="Trevors final wash" /> Barnes's term as manager lasted considerably less time, and it was a five months before long-serving club [[physiotherapist]] [[Les Parry]] was given temporary charge.<ref name="managers" /><ref name="Tranmere sack Barnes and McAteer" /><ref name="Les Parry Extends Contract as Manager" /> Rovers finished the season in 19th place in League One, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, thanks to a 3–0 victory at Stockport County.<ref name="Stockport 0 - 3 Tranmere" /> In June 2010, Parry was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.<ref name="Les Parry Extends Contract as Manager" /> He was sacked on 4 March 2012, after a 1–0 defeat by Chesterfield left the club only one point above the relegation zone,<ref name="Tranmere Rovers sack manager Les Parry"/> and replaced by Ronnie Moore for the remainder of the season.<ref name="Club Statement" /> Moore won six of his thirteen games in charge at the end of the season, guiding Tranmere to a mid-table position, as they finished the season in the top half for the first time in several{{quantify|date=February 2024}} years.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=league table does not verify statements like 'won six of his thirteen games in charge at the end of the season' and 'finished the season in the top half for the first time in several years'.}}<ref name="Tranmere 2011/12 Results"/> In April 2012, Moore signed a new one-year deal with Tranmere, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012–13 season.<ref name="Moore extends contract" />

Towards the end of the 2013–14 season, Moore admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules, and Tranmere sacked him when the club were just clear of the relegation zone.{{close paraphrasing inline|date=February 2024|reason=compare: 'Tranmere have sacked manager Ronnie Moore after he admitted breaking the Football Association's betting rules'.}}<ref name="Tranmere Rovers sack manager after betting breach" /> Assistant John McMahon took over as caretaker manager,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in next source.}} but Tranmere were relegated to League Two in the final gameof the season on the final day of the season.<ref name="Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Bradford City" /> [[Robert Edwards (footballer born 1973)|Rob Edwards]] was subsequently appointed as new manager.<ref name="Rob Edwards appointed as new manager" />

On 11 August 2014, it was announced that former player and [[Football Association]] chief executive [[Mark Palios]] and his wife Nicola were taking a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson. Mark Palios would become executive chairman of the club, with Johnson becoming its honorary president.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28738487  "Mark Palios: Tranmere taken over by ex-FA chief and wife", BBC News, 11 August 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108000406/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28738487 |date=8 January 2015 }}. retrieved 11 August 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/new-owners-110814-1818957.aspx  "Tranmere Rovers Football Club Delighted To Announce New Owners", TRFC, 11 August 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205336/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/new-owners-110814-1818957.aspx |date=12 August 2014 }}. Retrieved 11 August 2014</ref>

After a poor start to the season, the home loss to [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] on 11 October 2014 saw Tranmere in last place in the Football League for the first time since 27 August 1987 after they had lost their first two matches of that season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=the only part of this verified is that Tranmere Rovers were in last place on 27 August 1987. does not show it was the first time since then. does not mention the game with Plymouth Argyle. or 'poor start to the season'. or anything else from 2014.}}<ref>[http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88  "Football League Division Four /1987/88 /points table", ESPN.co.uk ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022174212/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/tournament/points.html?date=1987-08-27;event=12;season=1987%2F88 |date=22 October 2014 }}. retrieved 18 October 2014</ref> Edwards was sacked as manager on 13 October.<ref name="edwards sacked">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|title=Rob Edwards: Tranmere Rovers sack manager after five months|date=13 October 2014|access-date=29 December 2016|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201055820/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29599237|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mickey Adams]] took over a week later, with the aim of saving the club from relegation to the [[Football Conference|Conference]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} However, on 25 April 2015, after another defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the reverse fixture, Tranmere were relegated, ending their 94-year stay in the [[English Football League|Football League]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32362789  "Plymouth 3–2 Tranmere", BBC Sport, 25 April 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616123739/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32362789 |date=16 June 2015 }}. Retrieved 25 April 2015</ref>

===Non-League years===

[[Gary Brabin]] was appointed as manager on 5 May 2015.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905  "Gary Brabin: Tranmere Rovers appoint new manager", BBC Sport, 5 May 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508060140/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32589905 |date=8 May 2015 }}. Retrieved 6 May 2015</ref> It was a season of ups and downs,{{tone inline|date=February 2024}} with poorer home form than away form.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} It took a while{{vague|date=February 2024}} for Rovers to adjust to life in the non-league, with erratic form during the season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=a fixture list for pre-season friendlies!? before they were even played?}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/|title=Tranmere Rovers FC Fixture List|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229203024/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tranmere finished sixth, one place outside the play-off zone, in Gary Brabin's first season.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Tranmere started the [[2016–17 National League|2016–17]] season well, ranking at the top of the non-league table at the end of August, after which Brabin received an award for manager of the month.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gary-brabin-named-manager-of-the-month-3288234.aspx|title=Gary Brabin Named Manager Of The Month|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=2 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002005447/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/gary-brabin-named-manager-of-the-month-3288234.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Form later dipped which resulted in one goal scored in the next four games, with a 1–0 defeat to [[Sutton United]] resulting in Brabin being sacked on 18 September 2016.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention 'being sacked'. they appear to have 'agreed'. no mention of 'Form later dipped which resulted in one goal scored in the next four games, with a 1–0 defeat' to club sponsored by BT Sport.}}<ref name="tranmererovers.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3314214.aspx|title=Club Statement|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007063149/http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3314214.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Assistant manager, ex-Southport boss Paul Carden took over on an interim basis.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} On 6 October 2016, former Tranmere player [[Micky Mellon]] was appointed permanent manager.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35217334 "Micky Mellon named Tranmere Rovers manager after Shrewsbury Town departure", BBC Sport, 7 October 2016.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905001933/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35217334 |date=5 September 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> His first game in charge was against cross-border rivals [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]], and ended with a 2–0 victory for Tranmere.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37527514 "Tranmere Rovers 2–0 Wrexham", BBC Sport, 8 October 2016.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226211915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37527514 |date=26 December 2018 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Despite a 2nd-place finish and a club record 95-point haul, this still was not enough to gain automatic promotion back to the league.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'club record 95-point haul'.}}<ref>[https://www.flashscores.co.uk/football/england/vanarama-national-league-2016-2017/standings/ "Vanarama National League 2016/17 Standings", Flash Scores, 29 April 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034247/https://www.flashscores.co.uk/football/england/vanarama-national-league-2016-2017/standings/ |date=1 December 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Tranmere faced [[Aldershot Town]] in the play-offs. A goal from [[James Norwood]] and a brace from [[Cole Stockton]] in the first leg away at the [[Recreation Ground (Aldershot)|Recreation Ground]] saw Rovers take a 3–0 lead back to [[Prenton Park]] for the second leg, which ended in a 2–2 draw, Norwood and Stockton once again on the scoresheet. This gave Tranmere a 5–2 aggregate win and their first [[Wembley]] appearance in 17 years.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='first Wembley appearance in 17 years' not mentioned in source.}}<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758997 "Tranmere Rovers 2–2 Aldershot Town (agg: 5–2)", BBC Sport, 6 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816052513/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758997 |date=16 August 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758998 "Aldershot Town 0–3 Tranmere Rovers", BBC Sport, 3 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830173917/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39758998 |date=30 August 2017 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref> Tranmere lost 3–1 in the [[2017 National League play-off final]] the 3–1 to [[Forest Green Rovers]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'first goal at Wembley since the 2000 League Cup final'.}}<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39850996 "Tranmere Rovers 1–3 Forest Green Rovers", BBC Sport, 14 May 2017.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211011529/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39850996 |date=11 February 2018 }} Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB5PsGSWS_E "GOAL! Connor Jennings With A Superb Strike At Wembley", YouTube, 17 May 2017.] Retrieved 23 November 2017</ref>

Tranmere's 2017–18 season got off to a poor start, with 3 wins from the first 12 games.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Tranmere slipped to 18th in the table, their lowest ever league position.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'lowest ever league position'.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41290751|title=Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Wrexham|date=23 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805074220/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41290751|url-status=live}}</ref> A spectacular winter turnaround saw Tranmere move into the play-off spots, where they remained for the rest of the season. This turnaround included a record-breaking run of 9 consecutive home league wins. This record-breaking stint was ended in February by a 4–1 defeat to eventual title winner [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='eventual title winner'. this is not known when source was published. source mentions nothing about Macclesfield ending any Tranmere record. all the 'record breaking', 'spectacular' stuff is unverified. play-offs for 'rest of the season'? unverified.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43040145|title=Tranmere Rovers 1-4 Macclesfield Town|date=20 February 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311104541/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43040145|url-status=live}}</ref> Tranmere responded to this defeat by winning 8 out of their next 9 games, finishing the season as [[National League (English football)|National League]] runners-up for the second time in as many years, qualifying for the play-offs.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} In the play-off semi-final, Tranmere met [[Ebbsfleet United F.C.|Ebbsfleet United]] at home. Tranmere came from behind twice to take the game to extra time before prevailing 4–2 after extra time, a result which sent Tranmere to Wembley Stadium for the National League play-off final.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43990503|title=Tranmere Rovers 4-2 Ebbsfleet United (aet)|date=5 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805123559/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43990503|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 May 2018, a crowd of 16,306 were at Wembley for the final against [[Boreham Wood F.C.|Boreham Wood]]. Tranmere were [[2018 National League play-off final|2–1]] victors, their first trophy in 27 years, and were promoted back to the [[English Football League|Football League]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'their first trophy in 27 years'.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44029571|title=Boreham Wood 1-2 Tranmere Rovers|date=12 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 May 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001231319/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44029571|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Return to the Football League===
Under the chairmanship of [[Mark Palios]] and the management of [[Micky Mellon]], Tranmere played in [[EFL League Two|League Two]] for the [[2018–19 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season|2018–19]] season, finishing 6th and thereby reaching the play-offs. On 25 May 2019, Tranmere secured back-to-back promotions, beating [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. They did so with a goal from [[Connor Jennings]] in the 119th minute, thus securing their spot in [[EFL League One|League One]] for the [[2019-20 EFL League One|2019–20 season]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318580 League Two Playoff Final: Newport 0, Tranmere 1, ''BBC Sport'', 25 May 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004064334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318580 |date=4 October 2020 }}. Retrieved 25 May 2019</ref>

By March 2020, the team were within the relegation zone, but with a game in hand on their nearest rivals and on a run of three successive victories. The cancellation of fixtures due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] meant that the season could not be completed, and a vote was taken by League One clubs on 9 June to resolve promotion and relegation issues on a [[points per game]] (PPG) basis. This meant that Tranmere would be demoted to League Two for the 2020–21 season. Club chairman Mark Palios said that the decision was unfair and that he was considering legal action as a result. He also announced that 20 members of staff would have to be made redundant.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/10/tranmere-consider-legal-action-against-efl-relegation-results/  Mike McGrath and James Ducker, "Tranmere consider legal action against EFL after relegation results in 20 redundancies", ''Telegraph'', 10 June 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611015911/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/10/tranmere-consider-legal-action-against-efl-relegation-results/ |date=11 June 2020 }}. Retrieved 12 June 2020</ref><ref>[https://talksport.com/football/efl/715612/tranmere-mark-palios-decision-grossly-unfair-charlton/ Josh Fordham, "Tranmere owner Mark Palios 'white hot with anger' as League One season ends in relegation, questions why Charlton can fight for survival but they can't", ''TalkSport'', 10 June 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612080114/https://talksport.com/football/efl/715612/tranmere-mark-palios-decision-grossly-unfair-charlton/ |date=12 June 2020 }}. Retrieved 12 June 2020</ref>

With the team back in League Two, [[Mike Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Mike Jackson]] was named as manager of Tranmere on 18 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Jackson appointed first team manager|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|access-date=18 July 2020|website=www.tranmererovers.co.uk|language=en-gb|archive-date=19 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719115239/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/july/mike-jackson-appointed-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 31 October 2020.<ref>[https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/  TRFC Club Statement, 31 October 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305092003/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/october/club-statement2/ |date=5 March 2021 }}. Retrieved 31 October 2020</ref> [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] succeeded temporary manager [[Ian Dawes (footballer, born 1984)|Ian Dawes]] on 21 November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|title=Tranmere Rovers appoint Keith Hill as first team manager|access-date=11 May 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083353/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2020/november/tranmere-rovers-appoint-keith-hill-as-first-team-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was sacked on 11 May 2021, after the side reached the play-offs, but before the play-off matches had started.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |title="Club Statement - Keith Hill", ''Tranmere Rovers FC'', 11 May 2021 |access-date=11 May 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511083034/https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/club-statement---keith-hill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] defeated Tranmere in the play-off semi-final.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57132083  "Morecambe booked a first EFL play-off final as they held Tranmere to a 1-1 draw to complete a 3-2 aggregate win.", ''BBC News'', 23 May 2021] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602160643/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57132083 |date=2 June 2021 }}. Retrieved 24 May 2021</ref> At the end of May 2021, Tranmere announced that Micky Mellon was returning to the club as manager, having spent the season apart in charge of [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Micky Mellon returns to Tranmere as manager for second time|url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/19339882.micky-mellon-returns-tranmere-rovers-manager/|access-date=2021-06-02|website=Wirral Globe|date=31 May 2021 |language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602221538/https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/19339882.micky-mellon-returns-tranmere-rovers-manager/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tranmere re-appoint Mellon as boss|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57307327|access-date=2021-06-02|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603005818/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57307327|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a strong start to the season,{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in source.}} Tranmere sacked Mellon on 19 March 2023, following results that included a total of six wins since mid-October 2022.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65008611 | title=Tranmere sack Mellon after second spell as boss | work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Dawes oversaw seven games as caretaker manager before being appointed the permanent manager, but Tranmere sacked him in early September 2023 after six consecutive defeats; Tranmere appointed their technical director [[Nigel Adkins]] as interim manager.<ref name="BBC-10Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Ian Dawes: Tranmere Rovers sack boss as Nigel Adkins takes interim charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66768196 |access-date=11 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2023}}</ref> Adkins was appointed permanent manager on 2 November 2023, signing a contract until the end of 2025–26 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-02 |title=Nigel Adkins: Tranmere Rovers appoint interim manager on two-and-a-half-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67300762 |access-date=2025-03-12 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 26 February 2025, Adkins left Tranmere by mutual agreement following a ten-game winless run in the league which culminated in a home defeat to [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]] which left Tranmere two points above the relegation zone. He was replaced by assistant manager [[Andy Crosby]] until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2025/march/10/club-update--andy-crosby/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.tranmererovers.co.uk|title=Club Update: Andy Crosby}}</ref>