John Achterberg: “For me, Tranmere Rovers should be at the top of League One or even just in the Championship”

Former Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper John Achterberg believes that the club can kick on in the EFL but does think that they will need to bolster the squad ahead of the new campaign.

Achterberg thinks of the Super Whites at a much bigger stage than they currently are and praises the Chairman and Vice Chairwoman for their efforts.

Since Mark and Nicola Palios have come into the club they have lifted the club from the Training Ground, to the stadium at Prenton Park and to the coverage of the football club.

“I have no doubt that they can kick on, but they will need to get a few players through the door, and to do that you need money.” John Achterberg told ATJ Media.

“For me, Tranmere Rovers should be at the top of League One or even just in the Championship, they are a big club and Mark Palios has done a great job to get them back fighting.” He said.

“The inside of the ground has been refurbished, and it brings a positive look about the place, and to make it look a place where players want to be.” He added.

The 46-year old again praises the owners for the work that has been done behind the scenes and points out the work that Liverpool FC do to help the club.

The newly renovated Prenton Park now looks a Championship standard to most and the brand new training ground at Solar Campus also brings a professional look to the club.

“The training facilities are very good now, and players do look at that before they choose a club to play for.”

Credit: Tranmere Rovers FC

Credit: Tranmere Rovers

“Mark and Nicola Palios are important for the club and they are the first people to turn it in the positive direction, and then let the football take care of itself.”

“Liverpool can help Tranmere in many ways, whether it is paying to play on the pitch at Prenton Park for the youth teams and women’s team, or the friendly that we usually have before each season.”

Tranmere Rovers were dealt a blow earlier this week with the news that top goal scorer Andy Cook would not be returning to the club following signing for Walsall.

The striker signed a two-year deal at the League One club and was wanted by manager Dean Keates for some time.

Achterberg is confident that the club can move on without him but insists that the right replacement needs to be made.

“Cook (Andy Cook) has done a very good job for the last two years.”

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“The club needs to act and replace him but make sure that the player is able to do a job at the new level.”

The promotion back to the EFL for Tranmere Rovers could open the door for a loan agreement to be made with some of the local teams.

In the past, it has been known for loan agreements to be put in place between Tranmere Rovers and the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United.

The Liverpool goalkeeper coach, Achterberg welcomes the chance for that to happen but explains that it needs to be the right fit for both sides.

“Not every player who plays for a big club in the reserves is ready to play first-team football, and so you need to find the correct player.”

“Of course the promotion gives Tranmere Rovers more chance of getting players from Liverpool or even some of the other teams around the North West area.

“They will want to help Tranmere because they have a reputation for bringing good talent through.”

The former goalkeeper believes that Tranmere Rovers have the best facilities in League Two and possibly better than some of Sky Bet League One.

“One big thing which will help Tranmere attract the players to the club is the facilities that they have.

“They have arguably the best in League Two and maybe better than some teams in League One. Players look at that, before signing.” Achterberg said.

Achterberg believes that it is not all about getting the best players though, and thinks that Tranmere Rovers could do similar to what Accrington Stanley have done in this campaign.

Accrington Stanley were promoted as Champions of Sky Bet League Two, in the 2017/18 campaign.

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“You could look at Accrington Stanley. They have not always picked good players but they have chosen players that fit.”

“Jon Coleman has done a great job there and it has led to the promotion to League One.  It is something which Tranmere can mirror themselves on.”

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Ryan Williams: “I have grown up”

Tranmere Rovers midfielder Ryan Williams has been out of his comfort zone more than ever, after arriving back from two stints abroad.

 

Williams spent several years as a professional footballer in England before he decided to jump out of his comfort zone and take on challenges in North and South America.

 

The 27-year-old moved abroad in 2016 after leaving Scottish outfit Inverness after one season and joined Canadian side Ottawa Fury in the United Soccer League.

 

“I moved out in 2016 to Canada and played for Ottowa Fury. It was an incredible experience for myself,” Williams said.

 

“Not just on the football side of things but away from the pitch as well, and I have grown a lot out there and would probably say that I have grown up,” he said.

 

The language barrier was not much of an issue for part of Williams’ journey abroad, but he still believes that there was a different culture which he had to settle down in.

 

Williams revealed that he thinks the experience contributed to his experience in life and feels he has grown up and is now more independent.

 

“It is so different even though they speak English it is a different culture to what you are used to and I really thrived and grew up as a person.”

 

From there it was the start of a special journey for the former Morecambe midfielder, as he crossed to South America, the home of football, which was not a hard decision for Williams.

 

“It just seemed like a natural evolution to go and test myself and when the opportunity to move to Brazil came up, for me, it was a no brainer.

 

“You are going to a country where football is obsessed, it was just football, football and more football,” he said

 

The 27-year old played for North Brazilian side Pysandu, where the supporters turned up hours before matches to make noise to prepare for each match.

 

“I played for Pysandu over there which is the biggest team in Northern Brazil and we had two stadiums, a big one for the biggest games and then one for the smaller games.

 

“In the bigger stadium we got around 40,000 fans who were absolutely crazy about their team and arrived around two and a half hours before the game making an absolute racket, so for me it was incredible,” he said.

 

Perhaps not the numbers but definitely the same attitude of the supporters can be said at Prenton Park, or the away trips up and down the country.

 

Williams, due to a work permit application, sat in the stands for the away fixture at Carlisle United and had nothing but credit for the supporters!

 

“The fans were nothing short of phenomenal. All I could hear, all game was the Tranmere fans singing.

 

“It really does lift you as a player and can swing the momentum in games and the Carlisle game was a perfect example of that,” he said.

Credit: Richard Ault (Tranmere Rovers)

The Merseyside born midfielder came through the ranks at Tranmere Rovers and has been invited back several years after, for a second bite at the cherry.

 

Williams says he has settled in as well as he could have done and that is due to knowing a good portion of the group that Micky Mellon has, and he feels at home which is very important to him.

 

“For me, it has fitted like a glove. Walking into the dressing room to see a lot of lads who are very similar to me and has similar personalities to me. It has felt like coming home for me.

 

“I have played with a number of the lads, I have known Bucko (Adam Buxton) since I was young and I know Connor Jennings, and Jay Harris I know from my time at Chester,” he said.

 

After four weeks of the club’s first campaign back in the Football League (EFL), Micky Mellon definitely won’t be overly disappointed by the start that his side has made.

 

Williams is in agreement and is remaining positive and ready for when he is called upon to play for Rovers.

 

“I take it day by day and I want to be better than the day before in training, to keep improving.

 

“If you take care of the small details then when you get your opportunity you will be ready”, he stated.

 

Ben Tollitt speaks pre-season, the signings and expectations.

Tranmere Rovers midfielder Ben Tollitt has really been through the mill when it comes to injuries and bad luck.

The former Everton scholar arrived at Prenton Park, midway through the club’s second season in the Vanarama National League, and has unfortunately missed a good portion of that due to injury.

Tollitt is a week and a half into what will be his first full pre-season with Rovers and with that in mind, the midfielder just wants to show the fans exactly what he is capable once more as he tries to return to the footballer that he was when he arrived.

Credit: Tranmere Rovers

 

I caught up with the 23-year old and spoke about how the training ahead of the first friendly with Dunfermline has gone and how he sees the season panning out.

Listen below:

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lewis.Storey.Media/
Twitter: @Lewis_Storey
Instagram: lewis.storey.media

 

Mullin: “I can’t wait to get going”

Tranmere Rovers striker Paul Mullin is happy to get the deal done, and can’t wait to get going at his new club.

The 23-year old was signed for an undisclosed fee from Swindon Town and has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Prenton Park.

Mullin managed 47 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals, having played predominantly on the wing for the Wiltshire side.

“I am made up, it has been a while coming, and thankfully it is done,” Mullin said.

“I had my first day at training today and loved it and I can’t wait for the first game now,” he added.

Mullin is known for his versatility at previous clubs, but with Andy Cook leaving for Walsall, Mullin is the new man to partner up with James Norwood.

The former Huddersfield Town scholar is happy to play anywhere but reveals that he prefers the role up top.

“The gaffer has mainly seen me as a striker and that is where I like to play and score goals,” The former Swindon man said.

“Last season I only managed to get five games there, and did not have too bad of a return from those games.

“If the gaffer ever calls on me to play elsewhere to help the team, then I will happily do that as long as we get the right result, I am not really bothered where I play,” he commented.

 

You can listen to the full interview here:  Paul Mullin on signing for Rovers

 

 

 

 

 

Mullin joins Mellon’s fist pump brigade

Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon has made his third signing of the summer after Paul Mullins signs for an undisclosed fee.

After weeks of negotiations, the 23-year old has finally been able to put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Birkenhead based club.

Litherland-born, Mullin started off in the academies across the River Mersey at Everton and Liverpool respectively, but then finished off his youth career at Huddersfield Town.

After a loan at Vauxhall Motors, Mullin left Huddersfield Town and signed for Morecambe, where he made 122 appearances and scored 25 goals for the Shrimps.

Before leaving for an undisclosed fee to Swindon Town in the summer before the 2017/18 campaign.

Playing more on the flanks for Swindon, Mullin made 47 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals.

Will Vaulks is glad to see Tranmere Rovers back!

Former Tranmere Rovers youth scholar Will Vaulks reveals that he is “glad” to see the club back in the football league.

Vaulks believes that it is important for the population on the Wirral to support their local team.

The 24-year old now plays for Rotherham United who was part of the team to be promoted to the EFL Championship after winning the play-off final at Wembley, against Shrewsbury Town.

“I am glad to see them (Tranmere) doing well, and I am happy to see them get promoted.

“The club does deserve to be back in the League, I lived on the Wirral for all my life until I was released, and it deserves to have Tranmere in the Football League, and doing well.

“I think you should try and support your local team, at least go to the games and put some money into the club,” The 24-year old commented

“Because it is important for the town, you have seen that at Rotherham, we have gone up and you can see that the town and the local area is already improving.”

“I think Liverpool and Everton get too much support from the people who live on the Wirral.”

The Rotherham midfielder remembers that he always had a good relationship with the supporters when he transitioned from a youth player to a professional.

Credit: Richard Ault (Tranmere Rovers)

Vaulks, reveals that he does still see the supporters posting about the club on social media, and thinks that the fans are brilliant at the club.

“I always got on well with the fans, even though I did not have much time with the fans, because after I became a pro, it was nearly the end for my time at the club,” Vaulks said.

“I always used to read things that the fans were writing about me, and it was all positive stuff.

“Then when you look, it is the same faces and names tweeting about Tranmere, the fans have always been brilliant there.”

OLLIE BANKS IS OPTIMISTIC FOR THE NEW SEASON.

By: Aidan Jones

Twitter: @ajones_media

New Tranmere Rovers signing Ollie Banks has revealed that he is very optimistic ahead of the new season.

Banks believes that there is no maximum goal for the coming season, and states that everyone knows that there is no reason why Tranmere Rovers cannot challenge in the next campaign.

The midfielder has played in League Two and does believe that there is always a chance of success given the structure of the league.

“We are not in this league now to consolidate. We want to go again. There is no reason why this squad of players cannot go for it next season.” Ollie Banks told ATJ Media.

“There is a chance to get out of League Two.

“With the three automatic promotion places and with the good team spirit which we have here at Tranmere, there is no limit to our goal.”

On a personal level, Banks just wants to settle in as well as he did in his previous spell with the club.

The midfielder spent the last part of 2017 with Tranmere Rovers before being recalled to his parent club Oldham Athletic.

“I always aim to try and get 10 goals a season, if I can. I just want to come and make a positive impact like I did on my loan spell. He said.

“I want to help the players around me and hopefully they can help me and it can be a successful season for the team.

“It is a big club with a stadium to match, and I am hoping that it will bring the best out in me.”

Banks is a massive fan of the supporters at Prenton Park and believes that the numbers will only increase now the team are back in the EFL.

Rovers were promoted via the playoff final at Wembley with a 2-1 heroic win against Boreham Wood.

“I cannot wait to come and play my football in front of the Tranmere fans.

“In the few games which I have played in, the noise around the stadium, gets you going and pushes you on.

Credit: Richard Ault (Tranmere Rovers)

“Tranmere have a massive fan base, the support at home is brilliant and the support away, even those which might be a long trip for the fans is even better.

“I am sure that will only increase now we have been promoted to League Two.”

The former Chesterfield man believes that there is a positive atmosphere around the club which has been set over the past year.

Banks is adamant that both he and the team want to continue where they left off last season, and carry the winning mentality into the next challenge.

The Rovers are very much looking forward to League Two football next season but there will always be an element of pressure.

“Tranmere are used to winning games and are full of confidence following the season just gone, and are wanting to do big things and carry on that winning habit. I am really happy to be a part of that now.”

“You do need to deal with pressure, because Tranmere Rovers is a massive club at this level and there will be expectations that will need to be met, and it pushes us on as players.”

 

 

Scott Davies signs new deal with Rovers!

Tranmere Rovers goalkeeper Scott Davies has today signed a two-year extension with the club.

Davies was a big part of the Promotion team which got Rovers into the EFL via the playoffs in the Vanarama National League.

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The man between the sticks joined Rovers on their entry to the National League and will continue his journey with the Whites as they look to take Sky Bet League Two in their stride.

Davies becomes the fourth player to sign the dotted line since the season has ended following the arrivals of Mark Ellis from Carlisle United, Ollie Banks from Oldham Athletic.

He joins midfielder Connor Jennings in extending his deal at the Birkenhead club.

 

 

Ollie Banks signs for Tranmere Rovers

By: Aidan Jones

Twitter: @ajones_media

Ollie Banks has joined Tranmere Rovers, a team he is already familiar with following a brief loan spell during the 2017/18 campaign.

The midfielder joins on a two-year deal for the Birkenhead outfit, and is Micky Mellon’s second new signing of the summer, following the arrival of Mark Ellis from Carlisle.

Connor Jennings has also signed a two-year deal this week, to extend his stay at Prenton Park.

Banks was released by Oldham at the end of the season and was very much a fans favourite, as soon as he joined the club before Christmas.

Credit: Tranmere Rovers FC

The midfielder then went back to his parent club before being loaned to Swindon Town where he stayed for the rest of the season.

There had been reports of Swindon Town wanting to sign Banks but Micky Mellon and Tranmere Rovers won the race for the midfielder.

An interview piece with Ollie Banks can be found here: Ollie Banks on his return to Prenton Park.