Football Season Guide

It was another season of failure for Tranmere Rovers, who missed on promotion for the second season in succession. Manager Micky Mellon made a surprise return to Prenton Park last summer following a painful play-off semi-final defeat to Morecambe and the side were looking good for promotion before a run of just two wins in a dozen matches saw Rovers miss out on a League Two play-off place by just two points and two places. The side was led by 40-year-old centre-back Peter Clarke and boasted the second best defensive record in the division. Former Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing was sorely missed after suffering a knee injury that kept him out for the second half of the season whilst winger Callum McManaman failed to make the impact many expected. The trio have all left the club this summer, with Clarke joining divisional rivals Walsall. Mellon has made several signings this signing with goalkeeper Ross Doohan making his loan move from Celtic permanent. Midfielder Paul Lewis has returned for his second spell with the club whilst centre-back Neill Byrne will strengthen the defence after an impressive season with Hartlepool United. Defenders Ben Hockenhull and Ethan Bristow and the midfield quartet of Arthur Lomax, Jack Williams, Reece McAlear and Rhys Hughes may have plenty of potential but little Football League experience and Mellon knows he will need to strengthen his squad further, especially in attack, even if they are to go one better this time around.