Linnets prepare to play at Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers v Runcorn Linnets

Liverpool Senior Cup (Quarter-Final)

Tuesday, February 24th (ko 7.45pm)

Prenton Park, Prenton Road West, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH42 9PY

For the second successive season, we encounter Tranmere Rovers in the Liverpool County FA's Senior Cup quarter-finals.

In 2024-25, we overcame a young Tranmere side 4-0. Although we were drawn away, the tie was switcged to our APEC Taxis Stadium.

It was notable for Peter Wylie delivering a rare goal (below) - only the fifth of his long Linnets career.

Eden Gunbs, Karl Clair and Naim Arsan were also on target.

This is our fourth season in the Liverpool Senior Cup.

We reached the final at the first attempt in 2022-23, losing to Marine on penalties, and in the last two seasons have gone out in the quarter-finals to City of Liverpool and semi-finals against Lower Breck, respectively.

History trail

Tranmere have lifted the Liverpool Senior Cup 11 times - only Everton (47) and Liverpool (41) have won it on more occasions.

Rovers' most recent triumph was in 2012-13, when they defeated Bootle 2-0 with their first success having come in 1948-49 - the first of a straight hat-trick of victories.

They also claimed the Cup three times in succession in the late 1960s and early 1970s although the victories were over a five year period. The tournaments of 1970-71 and 1971-72 were not completed.

Although this is only our second meeting with Tranmere Rovers, there is a more substantial back story with Linnets' predecessors Runcorn AFC.

Aldo's double take!

The highest-profile meeting  with Rovers was in 1991-92 when Runcorn were drawn against them at home in the FA Cup first round.

On Police advice, the tie was switched from Canal Street to Prenton Park, where a goal from Kenny Irons and two by John Aldridge gave the Birkenhead side a 3-0 win.

'Keeping up appearances

Runcorn's run to Cheshire Senior Cup honours in 1964-65 culminated in final victory over Tranmere who were defeated 3-1 in the replay after a 0-0 draw.

Both matches took place at Sealand Road, home of Chester City FC.

The Linnets' victory led to Runcorn's goalkeeper Jim Cumbes moving to Prenton Park for the following season.

He played for Tranmere from 1965-69, then joining West Bromwich Albion before being transferred in 1971 to Aston Villa.

Jim stayed at the Villa until 1976, helping them to get back into the First Division and win the League Cup.

Rovers find something extra

On January 15th 2003, by then playing as Runcorn FC Halton, Linnets were beaten 4-1 after extra-time by visiting Tranmere in a last-eight Liverpool Senior Cup tie at Halton Stadium.

Substitute midfielder Lee Parle had rewarded Linnets pressure in the last 20 minutes of the 90 with an equaliser.

Matthew McNeil (father of present-day Everton winger Dwight McNeil) almost snatched a atopage-time victory for player-manager Liam Watson's team.

But late in the first extra period, Paul Robinson added to Karl Dunbar's 20th-minute headed opener forTranmere, who sealed victory by a flattering scoreline thanks to Marvin Robinson and Jamie McGuire.

How to get there

By road - From the M56, take Junction 15 onto the M53 (signposted Ellesmere Port/Birkenhead). Exit at Junction 4, and take the B5151 Mount Road from the fourth exit of the roundabout (the ground is signposted from here).

After two-and-a-half miles, when Mount Road becomes Storeton Road, turn right at the traffic lights (there is a church on the far right-hand corner) into Prenton Road West, and the ground is down this road on the right-hand side.

Perhaps an easier route to the ground is to leave the M53 at Junction 3 and take the A552 Woodchurch Road towards Birkenhead. You will pass a Sainsburys and by the Half Way House pub, turn right at the traffic lights on to the B5151 Mount Road. Take the first left for the ground.

By rail - The closest railway stations are Rock Ferry and Birkenhead Central, both served by Liverpool Lime Street. These stations are a 15-20 minute walk from the ground.

Admission

Prices are:

Adults - £6

Seniors & 18-22 - £4

U18s - £2

Only The Bebbington Stand will be open for this fixture, accommodating both home and away spectators.