2024/25 Prediction League Game 22 v Tranmere Rovers (away)

Div3North · 25-12-2024, 23:28

Tranmere Rovers FC

V

Accrington Stanley

2024/25 Prediction League Game 22 v Dixie Dean’s Old Boys

Since we’re in the approximate direction of ScouseLand, a Scouse Starter for Ten ………. You’ll have seen that Liverpool very recently thrashed Spurs 6-3 to remain top of the Prawn Sandwich League going into the Festive Period (which followed the Monolithic Period), and those who watched closely will have been aware that Mohamad Saleh scored two of the Reds’ six ………………. But what record did he achieve by doing so?

Tranmere were Belmont FC from formation in 1884 (by a merger of Belmont and Lyndhurst Wanderers) until 1885, when they took the name from the (by then defunct) "Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club (Association Football Section)" ……….. Tranmere is historically a large village that was subsumed within the later expansion of the town of Birkenhead.

Following the expulsion of Leeds City Reserves in 1919, Tranmere were able to enter the Central League, and their timing was excellent, as the following season, four Central League clubs – including Tranmere – were invited to join the new Division Three North. On 27 August 1921, as founder members of the division, they won their first FL match 4–1 against at Prenton Park At this time the team were managed by Bert Cooke, who held the post for 23 years in total, the club record for longest serving manager.

In 1972 Ron Yeats became player-manager; he strengthened Tranmere's connections with local rivals Liverpool by recruiting several former teammates including Ian St John, and bringing in Bill Shankly in a consultancy role. This team saw one of the most memorable Rovers results of all time when, in a League Cup tie in 1973, they beat First Division Arsenal 1–0 at their former Highbury home.

And for a change, a Christmas Starter for Ten; Northern Ireland striker David Healy’s name became synonymous with a famous turned football chant ….. It was based on a carol ….. but which carol brought him fame of an unexpected kind?

Tranmere are in their 5th consecutive season in League Two: last season they finished 16th, ahead of us in 17th on GD (-3 plays -8), beating us 2-0 at Prenton Park but losing at Ours 4-1 to end the season (Shipley, Nolan (two pens) and Henderson doing the business) ……….. They released 13 in the summer, signing eight, of whom – from our perspective – the best known is Sam Findlay, who joined up from Brizzle, plus others from Marine, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Athlone Town ………. Still managed by Nigel Adkins, they’re lying 19th on a record of P20 W5 D6 L9 GF15 GA29 with 21 points to their name, their last 11 games ending W3 D1 L7 ………… They’ve conceded 3 goals five times (I daren’t count ours) …. Home record is W3 D4 L3 ………. They have, though, beaten us twice already this season, in the EFL Cup and the Trophy Group stages ………… let’s see how accurate Valairian’s analysis proves to be, or – more importantly – whether he can remember how to predict a Stanley victory ……………

Deadline for entries is, as always, scheduled kick-off time, which is 3.00pm tomorrow (Boxing Day, or – in the case of Bromley, it would appear – All In Wrestling Day …… .. And Mo Saleh’s two goals v Spurs made him the first PL player to reach double figures for goals and assists before Christmas in a single season (13 goals, 11 assists) ……….. and David Healy’s name appeared in an adapted Christmas carol which went;

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky looked down where “Healy, Healy, Healy, Healy”

Gerrit?

Good luck to everyone! ………. Keep the Faith! ………… And thanks for playing!