Football Season Guide

National League

England

National League

2015/2016

Tranmere Rovers

In

Jay Harris (mid), Wrexham), Richard Sutton (def), Martin Riley (def), Mansfield), Liam Hogan (def), Fleetwood), Scott Davies (gk), Fleetwood), Ritchie Sutton (def), Mansfield), James Norwood (att), Forest Green), Andy Mangan (att), Shrewsbury), Lois Maynard (mid), FC Halifax), Jonathan Margetts (att), Hull), Iain Turner (gk), Sheffield United)

Out

Peter Brezovan (sp)(gk), Lee Molyneux (sp)(def), Morecambe), Josh Thompson (sp)(def), Southport), Kayode Odejayi (r)(att), Stockport), Max Power (r)(mid), Wigan), Iain Hume (sp)(att), Atletico Kolkata), Marc Laird (sp)(mid), Yeovil), Owain Fon Williams (r)(gk), Inverness), George Donnelly (sp)(att), Rob Taylor (sp)(mid), Adam Dugdale (sp)(def), Morecambe), Danny Holmes (r)(def), Newport County), Chris Shuker (sp)(mid), retired), Jason Koumas (sp)(mid), retired), Jennison Myrie-Williams (r)(att), Scunthorpe - end of loan), Rory Donnelly (r)(att), Swansea - end of loan)

Tranmere endured a miserable and deflating relegation from League Two at the end of last season and will have to rebuild and try to come back strong in what will be their first season outside of the Football League in their entire 94-year history. It is a massive setback for the Merseyside club, who were leaders in League One as soon as 2013, as they allowed the rot that set a few years ago to go too deep and eventually undo them badly. While it has been a really difficult last few years for the club, there is now genuine hope that Tranmere will get back on the right path thanks to the knowledge and contracts of current owner Mark Palios, a former Tranmere player and someone who has worked high up for the FA as well. On the other hand, a local manager with good experience in the Conference Premier in Gary Brabin was appointed to replace Micky Adams, who oversaw a dire run of form from February onwards that eventually proved terminal in the battle against survival. Bristol Rovers showed last season that bouncing straight back up from relegation is doable and the aim for Rovers this season is to replicate the feat. Brabin knows that the relatively huge fanbase that the club has for this level will mean that expectations will be very high. But Tranmere have bought well over the summer and there is certainly ground for optimism. Jay Harris may have struggled last season at Wrexham but is one of the most assured and dynamic midfielders in this league. Lois Maynard has the energy to complement him well in the middle of the park, while Richie Sutton and Martin Riley are excellent defensive additions. James Norwood is a superb player when on form and may well prove a fantastic signing in the attacking department. On the other hand, the loss if good players like Max Power, Iain Hume, Owain Fon Williams and Rory Donnelly means that the squad core will need to be rebuilt from scratch. Brabin will relish the challenge, however, and the ingredients are there to sustain a strong challenge for promotion. While the title may be a bit too much to ask for, it will be a big disappointment not to make at least the top five given the resources at hand.

Target

Have what it takes to challenge for the title.