By Deadly Submarine
June 2 2005

With all eyes looking towards next season already and with just 21 days left until the new fixtures are released, Tranmere yesterday announced that they will play nine pre-season friendlies. Opposition will range from the English Premiership to the Welsh Premier League and everything in between.

Only two of the nine pre-season games are at home as the squad travel far and wide as their preparations for the new campaign get under way.

The pre-season campaign begins in just over a month’s time on Saturday July 9th as Rovers travel once again to Vauxhall Motors for what seems to have become an annual trip in recent years.  Three days later (Tuesday July 12^th) the squad will be on their travels again but will be even more locally based as they take on Cammell Lairds, another almost annual pre-season game for Rovers. 

The following day, Rovers travel to my local League of Wales side Connah’s Quay Nomads before they then face opposition from the English Premiership at home on Saturday July 15^th as July as Manchester City return to Prenton Park three years after a 7-1 pre-season victory that was part of Eric Nixon’s testimonial.

Three more consecutive away games see Rovers travel to non-league Marine and Morecambe followed by League Two Shrewsbury on Saturday July 23^rd.  Crewe Alexandra visit Prenton Park for the second time in three seasons on Tuesday July 26^th but Rovers will be hoping that Crewe’s 5-0 win is not repeated this time around.

Rovers final friendly, sees their longest away trip as they take on newly promoted League Two side Carlisle United at Brunton Park on Saturday July 30^th.

Overall an excellent mixed bag of opposition as Rovers look to prepare for hopefully a second successive promotion push.  Total Tranmere will bring you any further ticket news as and when it is available.

Full Friendly Programme in Detail:

Sat July 9th	Vauxhall Motors	A	3.00pm
Tues July 12th	Cammell Laird	A	7.45pm
Weds July 13th	Connah's Quay	A	7.45pm
Fri July 15th	Manchester City	H	7.45pm
Tues July 19th	Marine	A	7.45pm
Weds July 20th	Morecambe	A	7.45pm
Sat July 23rd	Shrewsbury Town	A	3.00pm
Tues July 26th	Crewe Alexandra	H	7.45pm
Sat July 30th	Carlisle United	A	3.00pm

Talk about the pre-season fixtures on the Message Board.