2023–24 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season

The 2023–24 season is the 140th season in the history of Tranmere Rovers and their fourth consecutive season in League Two. The club are participating in League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Tranmere Rovers
2023–24 season
OwnerMark and Nicola Palios
ChairmanMark Palios
ManagerIan Dawes
(until 10 September)[1]
Nigel Adkins
(interim - since 10 September)[1]
StadiumPrenton Park
League Two21st
EFL CupSecond round
EFL TrophyGroup stage
Top goalscorerJosh Hawkes (2)

Managerial changes

On 10 September, Ian Dawes was sacked as manager after a run of six successive defeats, Nigel Adkins was appointed as interim manager.[2]

Current squad
As of 10 October 2023
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Signed from Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
1Luke McGeeGKEnglandEdgware (1995-09-02) 2 September 1995Forest Green Rovers1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
13Joe MurphyGKRepublic of IrelandDublin (1981-08-21) 21 August 1981Shrewsbury Town22 August 2020Free Transfer30 June 2024
29Conor RobsonGKEnglandLiverpool (2003-09-21) 21 September 2003Cammell Laird25 September 2023Free Transfer1 January 2024
Defenders
3Jake LeakeLBEnglandKingston upon Hull (2003-02-20) 20 February 2003Hull City18 July 2023Loan31 May 2024
5Tom DaviesCBWalesEngland Warrington (1992-04-18) 18 April 1992Bristol Rovers1 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2025
6Jordan TurnbullCBEnglandTrowbridge (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994Salford City26 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
15Ben HockenhullCBEnglandCrewe (2001-09-03) 3 September 2001Brentford1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
21Josef YarneyCBEnglandLiverpool (1997-10-08) 8 October 1997Oldham Athletic1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
24Dan PikeRBEngland (2002-01-09) 9 January 2002Blackburn Rovers28 August 2023Free Transfer31 January 2024
26James NorrisLBEnglandLiverpool (2003-04-04) 4 April 2003Liverpool1 September 2023Loan31 May 2024
27Connor WoodLBEnglandHarlow (1996-07-17) 17 July 1996Free agent8 September 2023—30 June 2024
28Mikey DaviesLBEnglandAcademy29 August 2023—30 June 2024
30Jean BelehouanCBFrance (2000-09-01) 1 September 2000Free agent25 September 2023—1 January 2024
31Joe StarbuckRBEnglandEssex (2002-08-03) 3 August 2002Free agent25 September 2023—1 January 2024
Midfielders
2Lee O'ConnorDMRepublic of IrelandWaterford (2000-07-28) 28 July 2000Scotland Celtic25 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
4Brad WalkerDMEnglandBillingham (1996-04-25) 25 April 1996Port Vale12 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
7Kieron MorrisRMEnglandHereford (1994-06-03) 3 June 1994Walsall1 July 2019Free Transfer30 June 2024
8Regan HendryCMScotlandEdinburgh (1998-01-21) 21 January 1998Forest Green Rovers1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
11Josh HawkesLMEnglandStockton-on-Tees (1999-01-28) 28 January 1999Sunderland25 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
16Chris MerrieCMEnglandLiverpool (1998-11-02) 2 November 1998Wigan Athletic1 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
17Rhys HughesCMWalesWrexham (2001-09-21) 21 September 2001Everton1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
22Paul LewisCMEnglandLiverpool (1994-12-17) 17 December 1994Northampton Town1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
23Reece McAlearCMScotlandGlasgow (2002-02-12) 12 February 2002Norwich City1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
Forwards
9Luke NorrisCFEnglandStevenage (1993-06-03) 3 June 1993Stevenage1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
12Charlie JolleyCFEnglandLiverpool (2001-01-13) 13 January 2001Wigan Athletic25 January 2021Undisclosed30 June 2024
14Kristian DennisCFEnglandManchester (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990Carlisle United1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2025
18Connor JenningsCFEnglandManchester (1991-10-29) 29 October 1991Hartlepool United1 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
19Harvey SaundersCFEnglandWolverhampton (1997-07-20) 20 July 1997Bristol Rovers27 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2024
20Samuel TaylorCFEngland (2003-12-23) 23 December 2003Academy10 January 2022—30 June 2025
25Rob ApterRWScotlandEngland Liverpool (2003-01-16) 16 January 2003Blackpool1 September 2023Loan1 January 2024

Transfers

In
Date Pos Player Transferred from Fee Ref
1 July 2023CFEngland Kristian DennisEngland Carlisle UnitedFree Transfer[3]
1 July 2023CMScotland Regan HendryEngland Forest Green RoversFree Transfer[4]
1 July 2023CFEngland Connor JenningsEngland Hartlepool UnitedFree Transfer[5]
1 July 2023GKEngland Luke McGeeEngland Forest Green RoversFree Transfer[6]
1 July 2023CFEngland Luke NorrisEngland StevenageFree Transfer[7]
21 July 2023CBEngland Josef YarneyEngland Oldham AthleticFree Transfer[8]
28 August 2023RBEngland Dan PikeEngland Blackburn RoversFree Transfer[9]
8 September 2023LBEngland Connor Wood Free agent—[10]
25 September 2023CBFrance Jean Belehouan Free agent—[11]
25 September 2023GKEngland Conor RobsonEngland Cammell LairdFree Transfer[11]
25 September 2023RBEngland Joe Starbuck Free agent—[11]

Out
Date Pos Player Transferred to Fee Ref
30 June 2023CFEngland Jake BurtonEngland ChesterReleased[12][13]
30 June 2023RBEngland Josh Dacres-CogleyEngland Bolton WanderersFree Transfer[14]
30 June 2023CMEngland Max Fisher Free agentReleased[12]
30 June 2023GKPoland Mateusz HeweltEngland RadcliffeFree Transfer[12]
30 June 2023CMKosovo Florent HotiEngland FC Halifax TownReleased[12][15]
30 June 2023CBEngland Kyle JamesonWales Newport CountyReleased[12][16]
30 June 2023AMEngland Arthur Lomax Free agentReleased[12]
30 June 2023CFSweden Joel Mumbongo Free agentReleased[12]
30 June 2023CMEngland Jon NolanEngland MacclesfieldReleased[12][17]
30 June 2023AMEngland Ryan Stratulis Free agentReleased[12]
30 June 2023RWEngland Jack Williams Free agentReleased[12]
18 July 2023LBEngland Ethan BristowUnited States Minnesota UnitedUndisclosed[18]
1 September 2023CFEngland Kane HemmingsEngland StevenageMutual Consent[19][20]

Loaned in
Date Pos Player Loaned from Until Ref
18 July 2023LBEngland Jake LeakeEngland Hull CityEnd of Season[21]
1 September 2023LBEngland James NorrisEngland LiverpoolEnd of Season[22]
1 September 2023RWScotland Rob ApterEngland Blackpool1 January 2024[23]

Loaned out
Date Pos Player Loaned to Until Ref
1 August 2023CBEngland Luis LaceyWales Flint Town United[24]
19 August 2023CBEngland Ben HockenhullEngland Chorley16 September 2023[25]

Pre-season and friendlies

On June 8, Tranmere Rovers announced their pre-season schedule, with friendlies against Vauxhall Motors, Southport, Fleetwood Town, Rochdale and Everton XI.[26] A sixth pre-season fixture was later added, against Wigan Athletic.[27]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 July 2023 Friendly Vauxhall Motors 0–0 Tranmere Rovers Ellesmere Port
14:00 BST Report Stadium: vanEupen Arena
11 July 2023 Friendly Southport 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Blowick
19:15 BST Hockenhull 83' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Haig Avenue
Attendance: 962 (380 Tranmere)
15 July 2023 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 4–1 Fleetwood Town Birkenhead
13:00 BST Hawkes 11', 16'
Davies 30'
75' (o.g.)		 Report 35' Stadium: The Campus
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)
18 July 2023 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 0–2 Rochdale Birkenhead
13:00 BST Report Sinclair 30'
Rodney 75'		 Stadium: The Campus
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
22 July 2023 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Everton XI Birkenhead
14:00 BST Jennings 47' Report Mills 83' (pen.) Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,689
25 July 2023 Friendly Blackpool 1–2 Tranmere Rovers Blackpool
13:00 BST Dale 26' Report Jennings 30' (pen.)
Walker 32'		 Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
28 July 2023 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Wigan Athletic Birkenhead
19:00 BST Saunders 52' Report Adams 71' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 1,616

Competitions

Overall record
Competition Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League Two Matchday 1 6 1 0 5 8 10 −2 016.67
FA Cup First round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
EFL Cup First round 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2 000.00
EFL Trophy Group stage 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 000.00
Total 9 1 1 7 10 16 −6 011.11

Last updated: 5 September 2023
Source: Soccerway

League Two
Main article: 2023–24 EFL League Two

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
19 Newport County 15 4 3 8 24 32 −8 15
20 Grimsby Town 15 3 5 7 20 25 −5 14
21 Colchester United 14 4 1 9 21 29 −8 13
22 Tranmere Rovers 15 3 1 11 18 27 −9 10
23 Forest Green Rovers 14 3 1 10 16 26 −10 10 Relegation to National League
24 Sutton United 15 2 1 12 20 35 −15 7
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[28]

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
15 3 1 11 18 27  −9 10 3 1 4 14 12  +2 0 0 7 4 15  −11

Last updated: 24 October 2023.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round
Round123456789101112131415
GroundHAHHAHAAHAHHAHA
ResultLLWLLLLLWLWDLLL
Position162317192121222323232222212122
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.[29]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 1 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Barrow Birkenhead
15:00 BST O'Connor Yellow card 35'
Hawkes 63' (pen.)
Hendry Yellow card 90+6'		 Report Canavan 19'
Campbell Yellow card 37'
Ray Yellow card 51'
Spence 70'		 Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,584
Referee: Ollie Yates
12 August 2023 (2023-08-12) 2 Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Eisa 7' Yellow card 37'
MacGillivray Yellow card 77'		 Report Davies Yellow card 27' Stadium: Stadium MK
Attendance: 5,831
Referee: Sunny Sukhvir Gill
15 August 2023 (2023-08-15) 3 Tranmere Rovers 3–0 Harrogate Town Birkenhead
19:45 BST Norris 24', Yellow card 53'
Taylor 26'
Leake Yellow card 70'
Morris 89'		 Report Mattock Yellow card 54' Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,278
Referee: Lee Swabey
19 August 2023 4 Tranmere Rovers 3–4 Salford City Birkenhead
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 9,594
Referee: Scott Tallis
26 August 2023 5 Notts County 2–1 Tranmere Rovers Nottingham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 10,174
Referee: Thomas Parsons
2 September 2023 6 Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Wrexham Birkenhead
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 10,614
Referee: Martin Woods
9 September 2023 7 Colchester United 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: JobServe Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,474
Referee: Declan Bourne
16 September 2023 8 Crawley Town 3–2 Tranmere Rovers Crawley
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 2,961
Referee: Alan Young
23 September 2023 9 Tranmere Rovers 2–0 Accrington Stanley Birkenhead
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,980
Referee: Sam Purkiss
30 September 2023 10 AFC Wimbledon 4–1 Tranmere Rovers Wimbledon
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Cherry Red Records Stadium
Attendance: 7,367
Referee: Daniel Middleton
3 October 2023 11 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 Bradford City Birkenhead
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,672
Referee: Scott Oldham
7 October 2023 12 Tranmere Rovers 2–2 Grimsby Town Birkenhead
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,968
Referee: Martin Coy
14 October 2023 13 Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Crewe
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Mornflake Stadium
Attendance: 5,826
Referee: Ross Joyce
20 October 2023 14 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Doncaster Rovers Birkenhead
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Referee: Ben Speedie
24 October 2023 15 Morecambe 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Morecambe
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: The Mazuma Stadium
Attendance: 3,678
Referee: Paul Howard

FA Cup
Main article: 2023–24 FA Cup

Rovers were drawn away to Stevenage in the first round.[30]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

4 November 2023 First Round Stevenage v Tranmere Rovers Stevenage
15:00 GMT
      		Stadium: Lamex Stadium

      EFL Cup
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup

      Tranmere were drawn away to Barnsley in the first round[31] and at home to Leicester City in the second round.[32]

        Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

      8 August 2023 First round Barnsley 2–2
      (6–7 p)      		 Tranmere Rovers Barnsley
      19:45 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: Oakwell
      Attendance: 4,343
      Referee: Thomas Kirk
      Penalties
      29 August 2023 Second round Tranmere Rovers 0–2 Leicester City Birkenhead
      19:45 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: Prenton Park
      Attendance: 6,610
      Referee: Ben Toner

      EFL Trophy
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy

      In the group stage, Tranmere Rovers were drawn into Northern Group D with Wigan Athletic, Fleetwood Town and Leicester City Under-21s.[33]

      Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
      1 L1 Wigan Athletic (A) 2 1 1 0 0 10 4 +6 5 Advance to Round 2
      2 L1 Fleetwood Town 2 1 0 1 0 5 3 +2 4
      3 ACA Leicester City U21 2 1 0 0 1 2 7 −5 3
      4 L2 Tranmere Rovers 2 0 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0
      Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2023. Source: EFL.com
      (A) Advances to a further round

        Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

      5 September 2023 Group stage Fleetwood Town 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Fleetwood
      19:00 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: Highbury Stadium
      Referee: Scott Simpson
      10 October 2023 Group stage Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Leicester City U21 Birkenhead
      19:00 BST
      		Report
      • Thomas 9'
      • Wilson-Brown Yellow card 90+3'
      • Pennant Yellow card 90+7'
      		 Stadium: Prenton Park
      Attendance: 678
      Referee: Adam Herczeg

      References
      1. "Tranmere sack Dawes as Adkins takes interim charge". Tranmere Rovers FC. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
      2. "Tranmere sack Dawes as Adkins takes interim charge". Tranmere Rovers FC. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
      3. "Striker Kristian Dennis signs for Rovers on two-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
      4. "Regan Hendry signs two-year deal with Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
      5. "Connor Jennings completes Rovers return". Tranmere Rovers FC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
      6. "Goalkeeper Luke McGee signs for Rovers on one-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
      7. "Striker Luke Norris signs for Rovers on one-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
      8. "Defender Joe Yarney signs one-year contract with Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
      9. "Dan Pike signs one-month deal with Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
      10. "Connor Wood signs for Rovers on season-long deal". Tranmere Rovers FC. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
      11. "Rovers sign Robson, Starbuck and Belehouan on short-term contracts". Tranmere Rovers FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
      12. "2022/23 Retained List". Tranmere Rovers FC. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
      13. "Chester FC sign Jake Burton!". Chester FC. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
      14. "Josh Dacres-Cogley to join Bolton Wanderers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      15. "Florent Finalises Deal". FC Halifax Town. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
      16. "Newport County sign Kyle Jameson". Newport County AFC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      17. "Jon Joins the Silkmen for 2023/24 Season". Macclesfield FC. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
      18. "Ethan Bristow joins Minnesota United for undisclosed fee". Tranmere Rovers FC. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
      19. "Kane Hemmings departs by mutual consent". Tranmere Rovers FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
      20. "Stevenage sign Kane Hemmings". Stevenage FC. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      21. "Left-back Jake Leake joins Rovers on season-long loan from Hull City". Tranmere Rovers FC. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
      22. "James Norris signs for Rovers on season-long loan". Tranmere Rovers FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
      23. "Rob Apter joins Rovers on loan from Blackpool". Tranmere Rovers FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      24. "Luis Lacey joins brother Paddt at Flint". Flint Town United FC. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
      25. "Ben Hockenhull makes short loan move to Chorley". Tranmere Rovers FC. 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
      26. "Tranmere Rovers Men's 2023/24 pre-season schedule confirmed". Tranmere Rovers FC. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
      27. "Rovers to host Wigan Athletic at Prenton Park as part of 2023/24 pre-season". Tranmere Rovers FC. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
      28. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      29. "Rovers' 2023/24 Sky Bet League Two fixture list confirmed". Tranmere Rovers FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      30. "Tranmere drawn away to Stevenage in Emirates FA Cup first round". Tranmere Rovers FC. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
      31. "Rovers to face Barnsley away in Carabao Cup Round One". Tranmere Rovers FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      32. "Rovers to host Leicester City in Carabao Cup second round". Tranmere Rovers FC. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
      33. "Rovers to face Wigan and Fleetwood in 2023/24 EFL Trophy group". Tranmere Rovers FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
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