Tranmere Rovers Football Club is proud of its history. From fantastic cup runs to the signing of international players, the Club has been witness to and taken part in many memorable events since it was founded in 1884.

When Lyndhurst Wanderers and Belmont Cricket Club came together, Belmont FC was formed and under the presidency of James McGaul, the Club won its first match against Brunswick Rovers 4-0 on November 15, 1884.

Less than one year later the Club changed its name to Tranmere Rovers Football Club and took to the pitch in blue shirts and white shorts at Steeles Field on Borough Road, Birkenhead.

By 1887 Rovers had moved ground to Ravenshaws Field, which was later renamed Prenton Park, our final home before the switch to the current Prenton Park in 1912.

Inter-war years

After competing in local leagues including the Liverpool & District League and the Lancashire Combination - a competition the side won its first silverwear from in 1908 - the Club made the step up to the Central League in 1919.

Following the expansion of the Football League in 1921 to a Third Divisions each for the north and south of England, Rovers were accepted into the Third Division (North) and played their first fixture against Crewe Alexandra at Prenton Park on August 27, 1921.

A young Birkenhead player named William Ralph "Dixie" Dean made his debut for Rovers at the age of just 16 years 355 days in 1924, a record that would stand for many decades. Dean scored 27 goals in 30 games for Tranmere, before being transferred across the River Mersey to Everton for £3,000, where he scored a British record 60 League goals in 1927-28.

In 1934 an FA Cup tie between Rovers and Liverpool was switched to Anfield where 61,036 fans packed into the ground, then a record crowd for a game involving Rovers. One year later, Robert "Bunny" Bell and Tranmere entered the record books when the striker scored nine goals - and missed a penalty - on Boxing Day in a 13-4 victory over Oldham Athletic.

Rovers claimed their first ever Championship in the Football League in 1938 when a tally of 56 points was enough to capture the Division Three (North) title and a place in Division Two for the first time.