Tranmere are back at Wembley for the third time in a year
Tranmere are this weekend aiming to succeed where both Liverpool and Everton have failed this season.
Rovers take on Birmingham in the Leyland Daf Cup Final faced with the somewhat unusual situation of being Merseyside’s only hope of winning a trophy this season.
The Prenton Park club’s more illustrious neighbours have both failed to get their hands on any silverware this term and Tranmere now have the full backing of Merseyside.
Striker Jim Steel admits: “We got quite a bit of coverage last season and it created a lot of interest on our side of the river.
“Hopefully we will get a bit more attention on the other side of The Mersey this time as well.”
Holders
This will be Tranmere’s third visit to Wembley in the past 12 months. They are the current holders of the Leyland Daf Cup — having beaten Bristol Rovers last year — and they also reached the final of the Third Division Play-Offs last term.
And that Play-Off Final — against Notts County — is the match which provides the worst memory of last season for Tranmere’s players.
Their elation at winning the Leyland Daf Cup the previous week drained away immediately when they lost 2–0 to County.
“Our whole season was ruined that day,” laments Steel.
“We all felt that we had achieved nothing, despite winning the Leyland Daf Cup.”
Tranmere have reached the Play-Offs again this season, but Steel believes that, but for the loss of striker Ian Muir, Tranmere would have already been celebrating promotion to Division Two.
Muir damaged knee ligaments in a match against Chester in March and is now battling to be fit for next season.
Steel says: “Losing a player of Ian’s ability and goalscoring power was a tremendous blow for us. In fact…
“At the time he was injured, Ian was playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play and I’m sure we could have claimed that third promotion spot with his help.”
Tranmere’s next task is to retain the Leyland Daf Cup, though Steel knows it won’t be easy.
“Birmingham are a strong side and they’ve sold more than 30,000 tickets so they will be well supported,” he says.
“But we like to play good football and hopefully we’ll be able to make use of the big pitch at Wembley like we did last year.
“But whatever happens this weekend, I just hope we’ve still got the Play-Off Final to look forward to. Promotion to the Second Division is our ultimate aim.”