2014–15 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season

Tranmere Rovers F.C.
2014–15 season
ChairmanPeter Johnson
(until 11 August)
Mark Palios
(from 11 August)
ManagerRob Edwards
(until 13 October)
Micky Adams
(until 19 April)
Alan Rogers
(from 19 April)
League Two24th (relegated)
FA CupThird round
Football League CupFirst round
Football League TrophyArea semi-final
Top goalscorerLeague: Max Power (7)
All: Max Power (13)
Highest home attendance7,518 vs Bury (2 May)
Lowest home attendance3,948 vs Newport County (16 September)
Average home league attendance5,192
(7th in the league)[1]
← 2013–14
2015–16 →

The 2014–15 season was the 114th season of competitive association football and the 88th season in the Football League played by Tranmere Rovers Football Club, a professional football club based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The results on the final day of the 2013–14 season meant Tranmere were relegated from League One and were to spend this season in League Two for the first time since promotion from it in 1988–89. On 11 August, former Football Association chief executive and ex-Tranmere Rovers player Mark Palios and his wife Nicola took a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson.

On 27 May 2014, Rob Edwards was appointed as the new manager replacing Ronnie Moore, who was suspended in the middle of February 2014 for breaching FA rules. The summer transfer window saw twelve players join the club, including experienced striker Kayode Odejayi while Ryan Lowe left the club shortly after being handed the Player of the Season award. Edwards was sacked after just five months following the home loss to Plymouth Argyle which saw Tranmere Rovers at the bottom of League Two. Three days later Micky Adams was announced as new manager. A brief improvement in results which saw Tranmere reach the Third Round of the FA Cup and move out of the relegation zone was followed by disastrous spring form resulting in Adams leaving Tranmere by mutual consent two games before the end of the season, with the club again bottom of the table. Assistant manager Alan Rogers took charge, but on 25 April Tranmere was defeated at Plymouth Argyle which confirmed Rovers' relegation to the National League one round prior to the end of the season. Thus, Tranmere Rovers' ninety-four-year presence in the Football League had ended.

The season saw forty-eight players make at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, including 24 players joining on loan. Max Power participated in fifty-three matches missing only one game, and he finished as leading scorer with thirteen goals.

Background and pre-season

[edit]
Former Welsh international Jason Koumas spent the second consecutive season in Tranmere Rovers after the renewal of his career in the summer of 2013. Following 2014–15 season he ended his playing career. Coincidentally, both season ended with relegation.
Main article: 2013–14 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season

Tranmere Rovers ended the previous season with John McMahon as caretaker manager after manager Ronnie Moore was suspended by the club in the middle of February 2014 for breaching FA rules against betting on competitions in which his club were involved.[2] On 6 May, 42-year old Jamaican international Ian Goodison ended his ten-year stay at Prenton Park in which he made 410 appearances and won the Player of the Season accolade three times.[3] Also, experienced forward Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro was released. On the same day, the club offered new contracts to five players, though finally only veteran Jason Koumas agreed to sign a new one-year deal,[4] while goalkeeper Jason Mooney, defender Ash Taylor and midfielders James Wallace and Steve Jennings left the club. Eleven players, including first-choice goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams and Player of the Season 2013–14 Ryan Lowe already had contracts for the upcoming season.[5] Despite that, on 19 May Lowe, whose request to sign a longer contract was refused by the club, was transferred to division rivals Bury for an undisclosed fee.[6]

On 27 May, 41-year old former Welsh international Rob Edwards was appointed new Tranmere Rovers manager[7] with John McMahon staying at the club as assistant manager. It was the first managerial experience for Edwards, who had been an assistant at Exeter City previously. The next day, the first signing was made – 22-year old Welsh striker Eliot Richards signed a two-year contract.[8] He was followed by his Bristol Rovers teammate midfielder Matthew Gill.[9] Previously Gill had spent three seasons with Exeter, winning back-to-back promotions from the Conference National and League Two together with Edwards. Further Edwards signings were young central defender Michael Ihiekwe from Wolverhampton Wanderers, ex-Rotherham United striker Kayode Odejayi, 24-year old defender Marcus Holness from Burton Albion, Scottish midfielder Marc Laird released by Southend United and 30-year old defender Danny Woodards, while Evan Horwood cancelled his contract with Tranmere Rovers by mutual consent to return to Northampton Town, where he had spent end of the previous season on loan. On 4 August, ex-Tranmere Rovers player Joe Thompson had been signed by Bury. The midfielder was sidelined since November 2013 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.[10] In June he was given the all-clear after completing a course of chemotherapy, but he had not been contacted to negotiate a new contract with Tranmere Rovers.[11]

On 30 May, new home kits in the traditional all-white design were revealed for the upcoming season, while the existing away kits were retained.[12]

Pre-season matches

[edit]
14 July 2014 Cammell Laird 1907 0–5 Tranmere Rovers Kirklands Stadium, Birkenhead
19:00 TRFC Report Power 20' (pen.)
Kirby 64'
Stockton 68', 89'
Richards 74'
15 July 2014 Vauxhall Motors 1–4 Tranmere Rovers Rivacre Park, Ellesmere Port
19:30 Herbert 29' TRFC Report Richards 13'
Power 47'
Bell-Baggie 68' (pen.), 83'
18 July 2014 Rhyl 3–1 Tranmere Rovers Belle Vue, Rhyl
19:15 Ellams 24', 45+1'
Bowen 34'		 TRFC Report Stockton 74'
19 July 2014 Marine 2–1 Tranmere Rovers Arriva Stadium, Crosby
15:00 Fowler 8'
Williams 77' (pen.)		 TRFC Report Richards 66'
22 July 2014 Tranmere Rovers 2–2 Everton Birkenhead
19:45 Stockton 63'
Rowe 87'		 TRFC Report Naismith 26'
Osman 71'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Referee: Antony Taylor
25 July 2014 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Bolton Wanderers Birkenhead
19:30 Richards 75' TRFC Report Spearing 36' Stadium: Prenton Park
Referee: Chris Foy
30 July 2014 Chester 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Chester
19:30 Boland 45' (o.g.) TRFC Report Rowe 14' Stadium: Deva Stadium

Review

[edit]

August

[edit]

Tranmere Rovers started the season at home against the previous season's play-off semi-finalists York City. A ninety-fourth minute James Rowe goal earned Rovers a draw after Keith Lowe opened the scoring in the middle of the second half. Six players earned their first competitive caps for Rovers, while ex-Tranmere goalkeeper Jason Mooney took his place in York's starting line-up.[13]

On 11 August, former Football Association chief executive and ex-Tranmere Rovers player Mark Palios and his wife Nicola took a controlling interest in the club from outgoing chairman Peter Johnson. Palios become Executive Chairman of the club, with Nicola as Vice-Chairman, and Johnson as Honorary President.[14][15] This ended Johnson's 27-year spell as an owner, which counts the most successful period in the club's history due to three consecutive First Division play-off finishes in the early 90s and the 2000 Football League Cup Final. The next day assistant manager John McMahon left the club by mutual agreement as Rob Edwards wanted to make a change in his coaching department.[16] Alex Russell, familiar to Edwards from playing at Exeter, joined Tranmere Rovers as the Club's new first team coach.[17]

On 12 August, Tranmere were knocked out of the League Cup after a home defeat to the Championship side Nottingham Forest through a single first half goal. Rovers played with a numerical advantage for almost the whole second half after Michael Mancienne was sent off.[18] In the next two games Tranmere was defeated by Shrewsbury Town 1–2 after two late goals and earned their first win and clean sheet at Wycombe Wanderers by scoring a goal either side of half-time. On 18 August, Edwards added to the squad with the first loan signing of the season, bringing young Saint Lucian defender Janoi Donacien over from Aston Villa until January 2015.[19] Tranmere were defeated at home by Cheltenham Town 2–3 despite leading 2–0 at half-time.[20] The first month of the season was concluded with a victory against 10-man Morecambe. Both goals were scored by Cole Stockton who extended his contract with Tranmere earlier that week till the summer of 2017.[21]

September

[edit]
Defender Matthew Gill was named assistant manager, though he left the club shortly after Rob Edwards was sacked.

On the final day of the summer transfer window, Tranmere Rovers signed Slovakian goalkeeper Peter Brezovan and bought ex-Rochdale striker George Donnelly for an undisclosed fee.[22] Also, defender Hill signed a permanent deal after a successful contribution on a non-contract basis,[23] though shortly after he suffered an Achilles tendon injury that ruled him out for six months.[24] Tranmere was defeated 2–3 at Accrington Stanley, for the third time in the season losing the game after taking the lead. On 8 September, 33-year old Matthew Gill was named assistant manager.[25] After goalless draws against Hartlepool United and Newport County, Tranmere was defeated by Exeter City and Carlisle United with former Rovers winger David Amoo scoring decisive goal for Carlisle.

October

[edit]
Micky Adams was a manager of the team from October to April.

Rovers' losing streak resumed in October with a loss at league leaders Bury. Tranmere finally scored a goal, which was only their second in seven games, in the League Trophy Second Round clash against Carlisle United. The game went to a shoot-out, won by Rovers 5–4 after Patrick Brough missed the sixth shot for the guests. On 11 October, after fourth consecutive league defeat at Plymouth Argyle, Tranmere Rovers reached the bottom of the League Two table with only nine points in 12 games. Two days later manager Rob Edwards had been sacked.[26] On 16 November, ex-Port Vale manager Micky Adams was announced as his replacement, though the team was to be prepared for the next game by the assistant managers.[27] Adams took charge after a fifth straight league defeat and announced the return to the club of Chris Shuker as assistant manager while Alex Russell left the club.[28] Also, a double loan signing was made in order to strengthen the attack line: Armand Gnanduillet joined from Chesterfield and Danny Johnson signed from Cardiff City, while midfielder Steve Jennings, who was signed by Adams for Port Vale last summer, rejoined him at Tranmere on loan until January.[29]

In the first game under Micky Adams Tranmere ended their losing streak after a goalless draw against Mansfield Town. It was followed by a 2–2 draw at Wimbledon, both Rovers goals were scored by Gnanduillet.

November

[edit]

November started with a third draw in a row against Stevenage, with Jennings scoring a goal in the first game after his comeback. Ahead of the game, a bronze statue of Tranmere Rovers' most successful manager Johnny King was unveiled outside Prenton Park near the entrance to the Main Stand. The statue was funded by supporters and sculpted by Liverpool artist Tom Murphy.[30][31]

On 3 November, assistant manager Matthew Gill left the club by mutual consent.[32] Rovers defeated Bristol Rovers in the First Round of FA Cup thanks to a Max Power goal on 54th minute. Three days later Tranmere upheld their good cup form in the Football League Trophy with an away victory at Bury. After narrow defeats against Luton Town and Southend United, Tranmere finally achieved their first league victory under Micky Adams on 29 November against Portsmouth. The win was clouded by the serious injury of young loanee Will Aimson, who fractured both his tibia and fibula in a collision with teammate Danny Holmes.[33] 17-year old defender Evan Gumbs made his first appearance for the senior team against Luton Town as a second-half substitute, following an injury to Josh Thompson who picked up a hamstring injury on his Tranmere debut.[34]

December

[edit]

On 6 December, Tranmere earned an FA Cup second-round home replay after a draw at Oxford United thanks to a late Jason Koumas goal. The League Trophy area semifinal ended in another 2–2 draw against League One opponents Walsall. Rovers were one shot off the victory during the penalties but Liam Ridehalgh and Marc Laird misses cost Tranmere a place in Northern section final. A Max Power strike earned Tranmere victory in the next league game at Dagenham & Redbridge to climb out of the relegation zone. FA Cup replay brought Rovers another victory and a place in the Third Round thanks to Kayode Odejayi and Max Power goals. Tranmere almost hit a third consecutive league victory versus Cambridge United, but their 10-man rivals managed to equalise in the final minutes. The unbeaten run finally came to end with an away defeat to promotion contenders Burton Albion after Liam Ridehalgh was sent off following a foul in the penalty box in the middle of the first half. The game was also notable for the second Chris Shuker debut six months after he officially ended his career.[35] The year was ended with a 2–1 home victory against relegation rivals Northampton Town. Good December form resulted in Micky Adams being nominated League Two Manager of the Month.[36]

January

[edit]

Tranmere started 2015 with the FA Cup defeat at Premier League team Swansea City in the third round, conceding six goals.

Steve Jennings became the first signing of the winter transfer window, returning to Tranmere on a permanent basis, signing a six-month deal. He was followed by Northern Irish striker Rory Donnelly who joined on loan from Swansea City until the end of the season.[37] At the same time, Adams announced five players as transfer listed – Antonie Boland, Eliot Richards, James Rowe, Abdulai Bell-Baggie and George Donnelly.[38] On the next day former Tranmere defender Alan Rogers joined the Club's coaching staff.[39] Defender Marcus Holness suffered serious knee ligament damage on 10 January that ruled him out until the end of the season.[40] On 17 January, youth midfielder Mitch Duggan made his senior debut as a late substitute for Shamir Fenelon.[41]

Rovers kept good league form at the end of January, defeating Accrington Stanley and Exeter City, hence losing only one league game in last nine. On-loan striker Rory Donnelly was nominated and then named Football League Two Player of the Month after scoring three goals in January.[42] By 31 January, Tranmere climbed to 17th place, their highest since August, though above the relegation zone by only two points. Adams continued refreshing the squad by signing Canadian international striker Iain Hume, who returned to Tranmere after ten years,[43] midfielders Rob Taylor and Lee Molyneux and defender Adam Dugdale.

February

[edit]

Tranmere started February with a home loss to Carlisle United after two Charlie Wyke second half goals. Three days later Rory Donnelly scored his fourth goal for Tranmere at Newport County, but the hosts' late goal denied Rovers victory. Tranmere were defeated by relegation rivals for the second time in three matches, this time at York City after Wes Fletcher scored a goal either side of half-time. On 21 February Tranmere unexpectedly beat league leaders Shrewsbury Town 2–1 at Prenton Park as Donnelly scored his fifth goal for Rovers. On the next matchday Tranmere conceded three late goals at Portsmouth to give away a two-goal lead and lose the game. It was followed by another 0–2 defeat against close rivals Cheltenham Town.

March

[edit]

Tranmere’s relegation worries took another turn for the worse as they suffered a fourth straight defeat to sink back into the bottom two after the home encounter against Dagenham & Redbridge that saw Rovers back in the relegation zone.[44] On 14 March Tranmere's loss at Northampton Town after a single Ryan Cresswell goal became their fifth straight defeat. Three days later Tranmere broke the losing run with an away victory at Cambridge City, thanks to Dan Gardner and Max Power goals. Later, Tranmere was outplayed 1–4 by Burton Albion at Prenton Park, in the game that marked the senior debut of 17-year old midfielder Ben Jago.[45] Young loanee George Green's goal scored in the ninety-fourth minute cancelled Adebayo Akinfenwa's first half goal to earn Tranmere Rovers one point against Wimbledon to end March in the relegation zone, one point off survival.

April and May

[edit]
Kayode Odejayi scored the last Tranmere Rovers goal of the season.

Paired Easter games saw the second 2–2 draw of the season against Stevenage and a narrow home defeat at Luton Town. Three more back-to-back defeats followed as Rovers failed to score in each of them. Finally, on 19 April, Micky Adams left Tranmere by mutual consent. [46] The team were bottom of the table but still had a chance to avoid relegation with the games against Plymouth Argyle and Bury to be played. Assistant manager Alan Rogers and Academy manager Shaun Garnett took temporary charge of the first team.[47]

Max Power conceded a penalty scored by Reuben Reid early in the penultimate game of the season against Plymouth. He himself equalised the score inside the first half, but soon after Plymouth regained the lead through Tareiq Holmes-Dennis. With ten minutes remaining, the hosts doubled the lead and though Kayode Odejayi scored in the final minutes it was another Tranmere defeat. As Hartlepool United, since December led by former Tranmere Rovers manager Ronnie Moore, won their home game against Exeter City, Tranmere lost their last chance to remain in the Football League. In the final game of the season Alan Rogers gave teenager Tolani Omotola an opportunity to make his Football League debut[48] as Bury won the game by a single Tom Soares goal, to win promotion to the League One.

League Two

[edit]
Main article: 2014–15 Football League Two

League table

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
20 Carlisle United 46 14 8 24 56 74 −18 50
21 Mansfield Town 46 13 9 24 38 62 −24 48
22 Hartlepool United 46 12 9 25 39 70 −31 45
23 Cheltenham Town (R) 46 9 14 23 40 67 −27 41 Relegation to the National League
24 Tranmere Rovers (R) 46 9 12 25 45 67 −22 39
Updated to match(es) played on 23 May 2015. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
46 9 12 25 45 67  −22 39 5 7 11 26 34  −8 4 5 14 19 33  −14

Last updated: 3 May 2015.
Source: Football League Official Site

Results by matchday

[edit]
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHHAAHHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAH
ResultDLWLWLDDLLLLLDDDLLWWDLWDWDWLDLWLLLLLWLDDLLLLLL
Position12171115111514151820222424242323232323222123222322211721202220202022232322222323232324242424
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2015. Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]
9 August 2014 1 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 York City Birkenhead
15:00 Rowe 90+4' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Lowe 67'
Penn Yellow card 84'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,287
Referee: Kevin Johnson
16 August 2014 2 Shrewsbury Town 2–1 Tranmere Rovers Shrewsbury
15:00 Knight-Percival Yellow card 40'
Mangan 90'
Demetriou 90+4'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Bell-Baggie 42'
Stockton Yellow card 65'		 Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 5,249
Referee: Stephen Martin
19 August 2014 3 Wycombe Wanderers 0–2 Tranmere Rovers High Wycombe
19:45 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Stockton 19'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 41'
Power 54'		 Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 3,005
Referee: Brendan Malone
23 August 2014 4 Tranmere Rovers 2–3 Cheltenham Town Birkenhead
15:00 Richards 12'
Laird 45+1'
Holmes Yellow card 58'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Brown Yellow card 29'
Richards 67'
Arthur 69'
Wynter 73'
Harrison Yellow card 58'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,607
Referee: Nigel Miller
30 August 2014 5 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Morecambe Birkenhead
15:00 Stockton 58', 90'
Odejayi Yellow card 64'
Power Yellow card 90+2'
Bell-Baggie Yellow card 90+4'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Hughes 39' Red card 63'
Goodall Yellow card 55'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,656
Referee: Mark Haywood
6 September 2014 6 Accrington Stanley 3–2 Tranmere Rovers Accrington
15:00 Hunt Yellow card 4'
Gray 8' (pen.), 79'
Naismith 82' Yellow card 84'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Bell-Baggie 46', 70'
Stockton Yellow card 65'		 Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 2,151
Referee: Keith Hill
13 September 2014 7 Hartlepool United 0–0 Tranmere Rovers Hartlepool
15:00 Bates Yellow card 41' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Gill Yellow card 57'
Power Yellow card 81'		 Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 3,245
Referee: Darren Handley
16 September 2014 8 Tranmere Rovers 0–0 Newport County Birkenhead
19:45 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Feely Yellow card 27'
Byrne Yellow card 45'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,948
Referee: Paul Tierney
20 September 2014 9 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Exeter City Birkenhead
15:00 Holmes 25'
Laird Yellow card 87'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Cummins 6'
Moore-Taylor 69'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,725
Referee: Mick Russell
27 September 2014 10 Carlisle United 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Carlisle
15:00 Amoo 72'
Grainger Yellow card 74'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Bell-Baggie Yellow card 69' Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 3,873
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
4 October 2014 11 Bury 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Bury
15:00 Etuhu 55'
Soares Yellow card 58'
Nardiello 87'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 G. Donnelly Yellow card 37'
Gill Yellow card 48'		 Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 4,481
Referee: Andy Haines
11 October 2014 12 Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Plymouth Argyle Birkenhead
15:00 Odejayi Yellow card 77' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Reid 29'
Hartley Yellow card 77'
O'Connor Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,952
Referee: David Coote
18 October 2014 13 Oxford United 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Oxford
15:00 Barnett 28'
Potter 73'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Donacien Yellow card 41'
G. Donnelly Yellow card 56'
Holmes Yellow card 63'		 Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 4,748
Referee: Kevin Johnson
21 October 2014 14 Tranmere Rovers 0–0 Mansfield Town Birkenhead
19:45 Gnanduillet Yellow card 14' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Sendles-White Yellow card 90+4' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,092
Referee: Tony Harrington
25 October 2014 15 AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Tranmere Rovers Kingston upon Thames
15:00 Smith 16'
Akinfenwa 44'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Gnanduillet 20', 65' Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4,195
Referee: Andy D'Urso
1 November 2014 16 Tranmere Rovers 2–2 Stevenage Birkenhead
15:00 Jennings Yellow card 45' 66'
Gnanduillet Yellow card 82'
Ihiekwe 90+6'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Ihiekwe 14' (o.g.)
Whelpdale Yellow card 19'
Barnard 64' Yellow card 90+5'
Wells Yellow card 82'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,456
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
15 November 2014 17 Luton Town 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Luton
15:00 Miller 70'
Benson Yellow card 85'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Power Yellow card 90+2' Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 9,061
Referee: Lee Collins
22 November 2014 18 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Southend United Birkenhead
15:00 Power 53' (pen.)
Aimson Yellow card 75'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Payne 16'
Aimson 23' (o.g.)
Bolger Yellow card 53'
Timlin Yellow card 62'
Corr Yellow card 75'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,621
Referee: Carl Berry
29 November 2014 19 Tranmere Rovers 3–1 Portsmouth Birkenhead
15:00 Fenelon 2'
Jennings Yellow card 53'
Rowe 68'
Power 78'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Wallace 57' Yellow card 77' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,163
Referee: Carl Boyeson
13 December 2014 20 Dagenham & Redbridge 0–1 Tranmere Rovers Dagenham
15:00 Batt Yellow card 3' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Ridehalgh Yellow card 26'
Laird Yellow card 45+1'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 51'
Power 74'
Jennings Yellow card 76'		 Stadium: Victoria Road
Attendance: 1,840
Referee: Graham Scott
19 December 2014 21 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Cambridge United Birkenhead
19:45 Donacien Yellow card 29'
Laird Yellow card 63'
Stockton 74'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Simpson Yellow card 41' Yellow-red card 76'
Nelson 89'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,578
Referee: Darren Handley
26 December 2014 22 Burton Albion 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Burton upon Trent
15:00 McCrory 23' (pen.)
Cansdell-Sherriff 38'
Blyth Yellow card 88'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Ridehalgh Red card 23' Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 4,206
Referee: Keith Hill
28 December 2014 23 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Northampton Town Birkenhead
15:00 Odejayi 32'
Kirby 63'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Richards 44'
Horwood Yellow card 83'
O'Toole Yellow card 90+5'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,394
Referee: Andy Haines
10 January 2015 24 Morecambe 0–0 Tranmere Rovers Morecambe
15:00 Devitt Yellow card 53' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Stadium: Globe Arena
Attendance: 2,232
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
17 January 2015 25 Tranmere Rovers 3–0 Accrington Stanley Birkenhead
15:00 R. Donnelly 12', 57'
Fenelon 23'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Aldred Yellow card 27' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,872
Referee: Gary Sutton
24 January 2015 26 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Hartlepool United Birkenhead
15:00 Odejayi 12'
Fenelon Yellow card 42'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Fenwick 14' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,488
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
31 January 2015 27 Exeter City 1–2 Tranmere Rovers Exeter
15:00 Nicholls 37'
Sercombe Yellow card 86'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Thompson Yellow card 9'
Myrie-Williams 29'
R. Donnelly 50' Yellow card 79'		 Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,044
Referee: Lee Collins
7 February 2015 28 Tranmere Rovers 0–2 Carlisle United Birkenhead
15:00 Myrie-Williams Yellow card 88'
Williams Yellow card 90+1'
R. Donnelly Yellow card 90+6'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Wyke 65', 69'
Sweeney Yellow card 78'
Dempsey Yellow card 90+2' Yellow-red card 90+6'
Meppen-Walter Yellow card 90+7'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,358
Referee: Scott Duncan
10 February 2015 29 Newport County 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Newport, Wales
19:45 Sandell Yellow card 53'
Byrne 83'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Jennings Yellow card 44'
R. Donnelly 45+7'
Holmes Yellow card 75'		 Stadium: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 2,327
Referee: Rob Lewis
14 February 2015 30 York City 2–0 Tranmere Rovers York
15:00 Fletcher 20' 58'
Coulson Yellow card 50'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Holmes Yellow card 28'
Dugdale Yellow card 48'		 Stadium: Bootham Crescent
Attendance: 3,714
Referee: Richard Clark
21 February 2015 31 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Shrewsbury Town Birkenhead
15:00 R. Donnelly 29'
Holmes 32'
Williams Yellow card 90+5'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Goldson 82' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,987
Referee: Mark Brown
24 February 2015 32 Portsmouth 3–2 Tranmere Rovers Portsmouth
19:45 Dunne Yellow card 32'
Westcarr 76'
Taylor 82', 85'
Tubbs Yellow card 90'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Myrie-Williams 28'
Laird Yellow card 35'
Odejayi 50'		 Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 13,660
Referee: Iain Williamson
28 February 2015 33 Cheltenham Town 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Cheltenham
15:00 Holmes 9' (o.g.)
Brown 61' Yellow card 64'
Burns Yellow card 66'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Myrie-Williams Yellow card 20'
Odejayi Yellow card 29'
Holmes Yellow card 59'		 Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 3,070
Referee: Michael Bull
3 March 2015 34 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Wycombe Wanderers Birkenhead
19:45 Dugdale Yellow card 19' 32'
Hugill Yellow card 37'
Odejayi Yellow card 70'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 90'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Hayes 26' (pen.)
Onyedinma 40'
McClure Red card 69'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,161
Referee: Mark Heywood
7 March 2015 35 Tranmere Rovers 2–3 Dagenham & Redbridge Birkenhead
15:00 Gardner 43'
Power 87'
Odejayi Yellow card 90'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Widdowson Yellow card 36'
Cureton 40'
Hemmings 50'
Bingham 54'
Batt Yellow card 90'
Obileye Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,762
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
14 March 2015 36 Northampton Town 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Northampton
15:00 Carter Yellow card 61'
Cresswell 62'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Ihiekwe Yellow card 61'
Myrie-Williams Yellow card 61'		 Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 4,428
Referee: Graham Salisbury
17 March 2015 37 Cambridge United 1–2 Tranmere Rovers Cambridge
19:45 Kaikai 63' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Jennings Yellow card 29' Yellow-red card 79'
Power 45'
Laird Yellow card 50'
Gardner 58' Yellow card 59'
Myrie-Williams Yellow card 83'		 Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 4,202
Referee: Keith Stroud
21 March 2015 38 Tranmere Rovers 1–4 Burton Albion Birkenhead
15:00 Odejayi 35'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 76'
Molyneux Yellow card 79'
Dugdale Yellow card 90'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 McCrory 18'
Akins 22'
Mousinho Yellow card 57'
El Khayati 72'
Dugdale 89' (o.g.)		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,390
Referee: Tim Robinson
28 March 2015 39 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 AFC Wimbledon Birkenhead
15:00 R. Donnelly Yellow card 63'
Green 90+4' Yellow card 90+5'
Hume Yellow card 90+6'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Akinfenwa 29' Yellow card 71'
Rigg Yellow card 52'
Goodman Yellow card 76'
Moore Yellow card 89'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,592
Referee: Andy Woolmer
3 April 2015 40 Stevenage 2–2 Tranmere Rovers Stevenage
15:00 Dembélé 4'
Keane Yellow card 72'
Lee 78'
Conlon Yellow card 87'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Myrie-Williams 37'
Odejayi 45+1' Yellow card 90+2'
Dugdale Yellow card 47'
Molyneux Yellow card 75'
Power Yellow card 90+5'		 Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 3,344
Referee: Trevor Kettle
6 April 2015 41 Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Luton Town Birkenhead
15:00 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 McNulty Yellow card 58'
McGeehan Yellow card 76' 81'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,035
Referee: Dean Whitestone
11 April 2015 42 Southend United 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Southend-on-Sea
15:00 Corr 38'
Bolger Yellow card 60'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Jennings Yellow card 42'
Donacien Yellow card 76'
R. Donnelly Yellow card 84'		 Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 5,846
Referee: Graham Horwood
14 April 2015 43 Mansfield Town 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Mansfield
19:45 Lambe 44' Yellow card 86' Yellow-red card
Tafazolli Yellow card 66'
Oliver Yellow card 90+8'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Green Yellow card 20'
Hill Yellow card 90+5'
Power Yellow card 90+5'
Williams Yellow card 90+7'		 Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 3,051
Referee: Darren Drysdale
18 April 2015 44 Tranmere Rovers 0–3 Oxford United Birkenhead
15:00 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Roofe 51' 68'
Rose 52'
Skarz Yellow card 83'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,777
Referee: Andy Madley
25 April 2015 45 Plymouth Argyle 3–2 Tranmere Rovers Plymouth
15:00 Reid 7' (pen.)
Holmes-Dennis 37'
O'Connor Yellow card 75'
Alessandra 81'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Dugdale Yellow card 18'
Power 34' Yellow card 85'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 83'
Odejayi 89'		 Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 9,769
Referee: Gavin Ward
2 May 2015 46 Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Bury Birkenhead
15:00 Power Yellow card 15'
Koumas Yellow card 45+2'
Jennings Yellow card 80'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 El-Abd Yellow card 34'
Soares 61'
Nardiello Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 7,518
Referee: Simon Hooper

FA Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2014–15 FA Cup
8 November 2014 First round Tranmere Rovers 1–0 Bristol Rovers (5) Birkenhead
15:00 Jennings Yellow card 40'
Power 54' (pen.)
G. Donnelly Red card 62'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,559
Referee: Darren England
6 December 2014 Second round Oxford United (4) 2–2 Tranmere Rovers Oxford
15:00 Barnett 59', 64' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Stockton 33'
Koumas 76'		 Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 4,681
Referee: Mark Haywood
16 December 2014 Replay Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Oxford United (4) Birkenhead
19:45 Odejayi 36'
Power 76'
Ihiekwe Yellow card 80'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Potter 29'
Collins Yellow card 32'
Wright Yellow card 62'
Hylton Yellow card 83'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,296
Referee: Mick Russell
3 January 2015 Third round Tranmere Rovers 2–6 Swansea City (1) Birkenhead
15:00 Holmes Yellow card 16'
Power Yellow card 64' 70'
Stockton 83'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Dyer 34'
Fulton Yellow card 45'
Carroll 49'
Barrow 58' Yellow card 72'
Gomis 77', 90+4'
Bartley Yellow card 82'
Routledge 85'
Tiendalli Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 10,007
Referee: Paul Tierney

Football League Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2014–15 Football League Cup
12 August 2014 First round Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Nottingham Forest (2) Birkenhead
19:45 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Antonio 12'
Mancienne Yellow card 44' Yellow-red card 51'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 4,374
Referee: David Webb

Football League Trophy

[edit]
Main article: 2014–15 Football League Trophy
7 October 2014 Second round Tranmere Rovers 1–1
(5–4 p)		 Carlisle United (4) Birkenhead
19:45 Power 40' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 White Yellow card 13'
Potts 76'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 2,056
Referee: Richard Clark
Penalties
11 November 2014 Third round Bury (4) 1–2 Tranmere Rovers Bury
19:45 Cameron 35' TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Power 43'
Johnson 45'		 Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 1,842
Referee: Oliver Langford
10 December 2014 Area semi-final Tranmere Rovers 2–2
(4–5 p)		 Walsall (3) Birkenhead
19:45 Power 37'
Odejayi 43'		 TRFC Report
BBC Report		 Forde 63'
Cain 80'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 2,355
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Penalties

Players

[edit]

Transfers, contract extensions and loans are listed from the last day of the previous season till the final day of this season

Transfers

[edit]

Contract extensions

[edit]
Date Player Age Ends
16 May 2014 England Sam Ramsbottom 18 1 July 2015[71]
16 May 2014 England Liam Davies 17 1 July 2015[71]
23 May 2014 Wales Jason Koumas 34 1 July 2015[4]
26 May 2014 England Jake Kirby 20 1 July 2017[72]
26 August 2014 England Cole Stockton 20 1 July 2017[21]
1 September 2014 England Matt Hill 33 1 July 2015[23]

Loans

[edit]

Season statistics

[edit]
No. Nat Player Total League
Two 		FA
Cup 		League
Cup 		League
Trophy 		Discipline Signed†
A G A G A G A G A G Yellow card Red card Status Joined Left
Goalkeepers
1 Wales Owain Fôn Williams 44+0 – 38+0 – 4+0 – 1+0 – 1+0 – 3 – – – –
13 England Luke Pilling – – – – – – – – – – – – youth – –
20 England Sam Ramsbottom – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
26 Slovakia Peter Brezovan 10+0 – 8+0 – – – – – 2+0 – – – – 01.09[22] –
Defenders
2 England Danny Holmes 40+3 2 33+3 2 3+0 – 1+0 – 3+0 – 6 – – – –
3 England Liam Ridehalgh 18+5 – 13+5 – 3+0 – – – 2+0 – 1 1 – – –
5 England Michael Ihiekwe 45+1 1 37+1 1 4+0 – 1+0 – 3+0 – 7 – – – –
6 England Marcus Holness 22+2 – 15+2 – 4+0 – – – 3+0 – – – – – –
17 England Danny Woodards 5+1 – 4+1 – – – 1+0 – – – – – – – 08.01[37]
18 England Adam Dugdale 15+1 1 15+1 1 – – – – – – 5 – – 28.01[58] –
18 England Antonie Boland – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 23.01[67]
19 England Clayton McDonald 0+1 – 0+1 – – – – – – – – – non-contract – 18.08[19]
19
12		 Saint Lucia Janoi Donacien 37+0 – 31+0 – 4+0 – – – 2+0 – 3 – loan
loan		 18.08[19]
07.03[98]		 10.01[73]
–
24 England Evan Gumbs 0+1 – 0+1 – – – – – – – – – youth – –
25 England Matt Hill 10+2 – 9+2 – – – 1+0 – – – 1 – – – –
28 England Ben Davies 3+1 – 3+0 – – – – – 0+1 – – – loan 19.09[76] 22.10[77]
28 England Harrison McGahey 2+2 – 2+2 – – – – – – – – – loan 13.02[92] 16.03[93]
29 England Will Aimson 2+0 – 2+0 – – – – – – – 1 – loan 20.11[85] 01.12[86]
32 England Josh Thompson 18+0 – 15+0 – 2+0 – – – 1+0 – 1 – loan / – 24.10[83] –
Midfielders
4 England Max Power 52+1 13 45+0 7 4+0 3 0+1 – 3+0 3 8 – – – –
8 Wales Jason Koumas 10+13 1 8+12 – 0+1 1 1+0 – 1+0 – 1 – – – –
10 England George Green 5+1 1 5+1 1 – – – – – – 2 – loan 26.03[100] –
11 Sierra Leone Abdulai Bell-Baggie 11+5 3 8+4 3 0+1 – 1+0 – 2+0 – 2 – – – 02.02[70]
11 England Dan Gardner 2+2 2 2+2 2 – – – – – – 1 – loan 03.03[96] 03.04[97]
12 England James Rowe 7+5 2 3+4 2 1+1 – 1+0 – 2+0 – – – – – 02.02[69]
14 Scotland Marc Laird 29+10 1 27+7 1 2+1 – – – 0+2 – 5 – – – –
15 England Jake Kirby 7+13 1 7+10 1 0+1 – – – 0+2 – – – – – –
17 England Rob Taylor 15+0 – 15+0 – – – – – – – – – – 13.01[57] –
19 England Lee Molyneux 7+4 – 7+4 – – – – – – – 2 – – 13.01[57] –
22 Spain Gerardo Bruna 0+1 – – – – – 0+1 – – – – – – – 04.09[66]
22 England Matthias Fanimo 0+1 – 0+1 – – – – – – – – – loan 11.09[74] 06.10[75]
22 England Steve Jennings 36+0 1 30+0 1 4+0 – – – 2+0 – 9 1 loan / – 27.10[29] –
23 England Matthew Gill 10+0 – 8+0 – – – 1+0 – 1+0 – 2 – – – 03.11[32]
23 England Chris Shuker 1+2 – 1+2 – – – – – – – – – – 18.12[104] –
27 England Mitch Duggan 0+1 – 0+1 – – – – – – – – – youth – –
30 England Ben Jago 0+2 – 0+2 – – – – – – – – – youth – –
31 England Jennison Myrie-Williams 16+2 3 16+2 3 – – – – – – 4 – loan 20.01[91] –
Forwards
7 England George Donnelly 5+8 – 4+7 – 1+0 – – – 0+1 – 2 1 – 01.09[22]
9 Nigeria Kayode Odejayi 31+16 8 27+13 6 1+2 1 1+0 – 2+1 1 6 – – – –
10 Wales Eliot Richards 12+4 1 9+4 1 1+0 – 1+0 – 1+0 – – – – – 02.02[68]
10 England Jordan Hugill 4+2 – 4+2 – – – – – – – 1 – loan 26.02[94] 25.03[95]
16 England Cole Stockton 19+8 6 15+7 4 3+0 2 0+1 – 1+0 – 2 – – – –
21 England Liam Davies – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
28 England Shamir Fenelon 11+2 2 9+1 2 2+1 – – – – – 1 – loan 21.11[88] 03.02[90]
29