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Belmont FC

Tranmere Rovers FC was founded in 1884. The club was originally called Belmont FC, changing its name to the current form a year later.

Move to Prenton Park

In 1887 Rovers moved to a ground at Ravenshaws Field, which they renamed Prenton Park.

When, in 1912, they moved to a new ground they retained the name Prenton Park, and it remains their home to this day.

Rovers competed in the Liverpool & District League and then in the Lancashire Combination, before joining the Central League in 1919.

Elected to Division Three

The following season, they were invited to join the new Division Three (North).

They remained an average side although they did spend one season (1938-39) in Division Two before being relegated back to Division Three (North).

In 1958, when the regional divisions were scrapped, they were placed in Division Three, but three years later they were relegated to Division Four.

Rovers achieved promotion in 1967, and spent eight seasons at the higher level before being relegated again 1975.

Financial Woes

The following year they bounced straight back, but three years later Tranmere were relegated again and with mounting debts, faced going out of business.

The club was saved by the generosity of fans and a 200,000 pound loan from Wirral Council.

In 1981 they were forced to apply for re-election and, by 1987 another financial crisis saw the club enter administration.

Peter Johnson Buys the Club

This time disaster was averted when entrepreneur Peter Johnson bought the club.

Rovers won promotion to Division Three in 1989 and, in 1991 they beat Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final to secure promotion to Division Two.

The following season ex-Liverpool star John Aldridge arrived from Real Sociedad.

Successive Play-offs

Over the next eight years Aldridge scored 170 goals for the club as they reached the play-offs three in successive seasons (1993-1995).

Aldridge took over as manager in 1999 and led the team to the League Cup final in 2000 where they lost 2-1 to Leicester City.

Unfortunately, Cup success did not improve their league form and they were relegated to Division Two (old Division Three) in 2001.

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