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Tranmere

Ground: Prenton Park

Visits: 1

Date: 29th March 2013

Match: Tranmere  - Sheffield U  0-1  (League 1)

Attendance: 9 145

 

2012 was the first time in seven years I didn't go to England during the Easter weekend. With my Easter holidays being the week before Easter I decided for Italy (more matches) instead back then. This year it was back to normal though and at 17.35 on Thursday evening my flight left Copenhagen airport. Two hours later I was in Manchester and by 8pm I could check in at my hotel. Being based in Manchester for the first five days I decided to stay at the Days Hotel, close to Manchester Piccadilly station. First up on this trip was Tranmere vs Sheffield U at Prenton Park in Birkenhead on Good Friday. Before I left for Liverpool I met up with my Swedish friends Stefan and Jocke for a coffee at Piccadilly. They were going to Rotherham (vs AFC Wimbledon) this day but I would join them at matches later on this trip. It has been the coldest March for 55 years in England but by 11 am on Good Friday it was actually quite nice weather, 5-6 degrees with a glorious sunshine. Around noon I arrived at Liverpool Lime Street and once there I went to Stanley Street where I eventually found "The JR bar". At the bar I met up with Blades fan Si and his friends. We know each other from the FGG messageboard and it is always nice to put a face to a (user)name. We then went back to Lime Street for the Merseyrail train taking us to Wirral/Birkenhead where Tranmere Rovers are based. Si's friends didn't want to walk from Rock Ferry station to Prenton Park so we ordered a taxi instead.


Prenton Park is a ground I like. It has a big Kop with 6 000 seats and in total the all-seated capacity is 16 300. As I passed the turnstile I could notice the pitch had suffered during the cold weather this season. The pitch looked more like a mud-field than a grass pitch. For some reason the pitch was watered before kick-off, it made it even worse (see picture below). Sheffield U and Tranmere are both in the play-off zone so this was an important match for both teams. 2 300 Blades fans packed the Cowshed Stand to my right and a full away end is of course a guarantee for a decent atmosphere. The first half was almost as poor as the pitch but in the 44th minute a Tranmere defender completely mis-hit the ball. An own-goal and 1-0 to Sheffield U. With exception of the last five minutes the 2nd half was poor as well. The travelling supporters from Sheffield could celebrate a crucial victory though. They now have a really good chance of automatic promotion back to the Championship. After the match I walked back to Rock Ferry before meeting up with Si and his friends on the train. Once back in central Liverpool we went back to the JR bar for a drink before I left Liverpool. At 8pm I was back in Manchester, the first day on this trip came to an end. This was a great day out though and I now have every reason looking forward to the rest of the trip.

 

prenton park, outside

Outside Prenton Park

 

prenton park, outside2

Outside Prenton Park

 

prenton park, outside3

Away entrance

 

tranmere rovers fc

Tranmere Rovers FC

 

match!

Match(es)!

 

kop stand

Kop Stand

 

main stand

Main Stand

 

cowshed stand1

Cowshed Stand

 

johnny king stand

Johnny King (Borough Road) Stand

 

mascots

Mascots

 

bad pitch

Poor pitch!

 

kop stand3

Kop Stand

 

prenton park, vy

View of Prenton Park

 

avspark

Kick-off

 

main stand2

Main Stand

 

spelbild

View of play

 

cowshed stand2

Away fans

 

0-1

0-1

 

pano, prenton park1

Pano

 

pano, prenton park5

Pano