2025–26 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season

Tranmere Rovers
2025–26 season
OwnerMark and Nicola Palios
ChairmanMark Palios
ManagerAndy Crosby
StadiumPrenton Park

The 2025–26 season is the 142nd season in the history of Tranmere Rovers Football Club and their sixth consecutive season in League Two. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Prior to the season starting, Andy Crosby was appointed manager after acting as interim manager for the latter parts of the 2024–25 season.[1]

Current squad

As of 22 July 2025
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Previous club Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
1 Luke McGee GK England Edgware (1995-09-02) 2 September 1995 Forest Green Rovers 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2027
13 Joe Murphy GK Republic of Ireland Dublin (1981-08-21) 21 August 1981 Shrewsbury Town 22 August 2020 Free 30 June 2026
Defenders
2 Cameron Norman RB England Norwich (1995-10-12) 12 October 1995 Milton Keynes Dons 1 July 2024 Free 30 June 2026
3 Patrick Brough LB England Carlisle (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 Northampton Town 1 July 2025 Free 30 June 2027
4 Jordan Turnbull CB England Trowbridge (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 Salford City 26 July 2022 Free 30 June 2027
5 Nathan Smith CB England Madeley (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 Port Vale 1 July 2025 Free 30 June 2027
22 Lee O'Connor CB Republic of Ireland Waterford (2000-07-28) 28 July 2000 Celtic 25 January 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2027
23 Ethan Bristow LB Saint Kitts and Nevis Maidenhead (2001-11-27) 27 November 2001 Unattached 1 July 2025 Free 30 June 2026
Midfielders
6 Richard Smallwood DM England Redcar (1990-12-29) 29 December 1990 Bradford City 14 July 2025 Free 30 June 2026
7 Charlie Whitaker AM England Leeds (2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 Notts County 1 July 2025 Free 30 June 2027
8 Sam Finley CM England Liverpool (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 Bristol Rovers 1 July 2024 Free 30 June 2026
11 Omari Patrick LM England Slough (1996-05-24) 24 May 1996 Sutton United 2 August 2024 Free 30 June 2026
16 Jason Lowe CM England Wigan (1991-09-02) 2 September 1991 Port Vale 1 July 2025 Free 30 June 2026
21 Josh Williams CM Wales (2004-07-13) 13 July 2004 Connah's Quay Nomads 1 July 2024 Free 30 June 2026
24 Billy Blacker AM England Calderdale (2006-05-25) 25 May 2006 Sheffield United 22 July 2025 Loan 31 May 2026
42 Nohan Kenneh DM Liberia Zwerdu (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 Hibernian 2 July 2025 Free 30 June 2027
Forwards
9 Kristian Dennis CF England Manchester (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 Carlisle United 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2025
10 Josh Davison CF England Enfield (1999-09-26) 26 September 1999 AFC Wimbledon 1 July 2024 Undisclosed 30 June 2026
17 Sol Solomon CF Jersey Jersey (2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 Marine 1 July 2024 Free 30 June 2026
18 Connor Jennings CF England Manchester (1991-10-29) 29 October 1991 Hartlepool United 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2025
19 Harvey Saunders CF England Wolverhampton (1997-07-20) 20 July 1997 Bristol Rovers 27 January 2023 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
20 Samuel Taylor RW England (2003-12-23) 23 December 2003 Academy 10 January 2022 Trainee 30 June 2026
25 Taylan Harris CF England Hounslow (2005-10-30) 30 October 2005 Luton Town 23 July 2024 Loan 31 May 2026
Out on Loan

Transfers and contracts

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
3 June 2025 LB Saint Kitts and Nevis Ethan Bristow Free agent [2]
1 July 2025[a] England Patrick Brough England Northampton Town Bosman [3]
1 July 2025[b] CB England Nathan Smith England Port Vale [4]
1 July 2025[c] AM England Charlie Whitaker England Notts County [5]
1 July 2025 CM England Jason Lowe England Port Vale [6]
2 July 2025 DM Liberia Nohan Kenneh Scotland Hibernian [7]
14 July 2025 DM England Richard Smallwood England Bradford City [8]
  1. ^ The transfer was announced on 6 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Northampton had ended
  2. ^ The transfer was announced on 23 May, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Port Vale had ended
  3. ^ The transfer was announced on 23 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Notts County had ended

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date until Ref.
21 July 2025 AM England Billy Blacker England Sheffield United 31 May 2026 [9]
23 July 2025 CF England Taylan Harris England Luton Town 1 January 2026 [10]
19 August 2025 RB England Jayden Joseph England Leicester City [11]

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
15 August 2025 CF England Sam Taylor Northern Ireland Linfield 31 May 2026 [12]

Released / out of contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Joined date Ref.
30 June 2025 LM England Josh Hawkes England Oldham Athletic 1 July 2025 [13][14]
CM Scotland Regan Hendry England Mansfield Town [15][16]
RM England Kieron Morris England Oldham Athletic [17][18]
CM England Brad Walker England Hartlepool United [19]
CB England Tom Davies [18]
England Declan Drysdale [18]
GK Republic of Ireland Reuben Egan [18]
CM England Chris Merrie [18]
CF England Luke Norris [18]
LB England Connor Wood [18]

New Contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
2 June 2025 CB England Jordan Turnbull 30 June 2027 [20]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 4 June, Tranmere Rovers announced their first pre-season fixture, against Wigan Athletic.[21]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 July 2025 Friendly Bolton Wanderers 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Lostock
15:00 BST
  • McAtee 12'
Report
Stadium: Eddie Davies Academy
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
12 July 2025 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 6–0 Southport Wallasey
13:00 BST Report Stadium: Solar Campus
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)
Note: 2x90 minute matches
15 July 2025 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 9–0 Bootle Wallasey
19:00 BST Report Stadium: Solar Campus
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)
19 July 2025 Friendly Blackburn Rovers U21 1–3 Tranmere Rovers Langho
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Brockhall Village
Attendance: 0 (behind-closed-doors)
22 July 2025 Friendly Preston North End 0–2 Tranmere Rovers Euxton
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Preston North End Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
26 July 2025 Friendly Tranmere Rovers 0–1 Wigan Athletic Birkenhead
15:00 BST Report Stadium: Prenton Park

Competitions

League Two

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 Walsall 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 6
12 Swindon Town 4 2 0 2 6 7 −1 6
13 Tranmere Rovers 3 1 2 0 6 2 +4 5
14 Colchester United 4 1 2 1 5 4 +1 5
15 Notts County 4 1 1 2 7 6 +1 4
Updated to match(es) played on 20 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[22]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
3 1 2 0 6 2  +4 5 1 1 0 5 1  +4 0 1 0 1 1  0

Last updated: 16 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round12341
GroundAHHA
ResultDWDP
Position1349
Points145
Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Notes:

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 August 2025 1 Colchester United 1–1 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 5,981
Referee: David Rock
9 August 2025 2 Tranmere Rovers 4–0 Shrewsbury Town Birkenhead
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 7,620
Referee: Jamie O'Connor
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[23]
16 August 2025 3 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Gillingham Birkenhead
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 6,981 (421 away)
Referee: Declan Bourne
19 August 2025 4 Accrington Stanley Postponed Tranmere Rovers Accrington
19:45 BST Stadium: Crown Ground
Note: Fixture was postponed due to the EFL Cup first round tie being rescheduled.[24]
23 August 2025 5 Crawley Town v Tranmere Rovers Crawley
15:00 BST Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
30 August 2025 6 Tranmere Rovers v Notts County Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
6 September 2025 7 Salford City v Tranmere Rovers Salford
15:00 BST Stadium: Peninsula Stadium
13 September 2025 8 Tranmere Rovers v Newport County Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
20 September 2025 9 Walsall v Tranmere Rovers Walsall
15:00 BST Stadium: Bescot Stadium
27 September 2025 10 Tranmere Rovers v Cambridge United Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
4 October 2025 11 Bromley v Tranmere Rovers Bromley
15:00 BST Stadium: Hayes Lane
11 October 2025 12 Tranmere Rovers v Barnet Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
18 October 2025 13 Bristol Rovers v Tranmere Rovers Bristol
15:00 BST Stadium: Memorial Stadium
25 October 2025 14 Tranmere Rovers v Chesterfield Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
8 November 2025 15 Swindon Town v Tranmere Rovers Swindon
15:00 GMT Stadium: County Ground
15 November 2025 16 Tranmere Rovers v Cheltenham Town Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
22 November 2025 17 Tranmere Rovers v Milton Keynes Dons Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
27 November 2025 18 Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers Cleethorpes
20:00 GMT Stadium: Blundell Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 29 November, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[25]
9 December 2025 19 Barrow v Tranmere Rovers Barrow-in-Furness
19:45 GMT Stadium: Holker Street
13 December 2025 20 Tranmere Rovers v Crewe Alexandra Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
20 December 2025 21 Oldham Athletic v Tranmere Rovers Oldham
15:00 GMT Stadium: Boundary Park
26 December 2025 22 Tranmere Rovers v Fleetwood Town Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
29 December 2025 23 Tranmere Rovers v Barrow Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
1 January 2026 24 Harrogate Town v Tranmere Rovers Harrogate
15:00 GMT Stadium: Wetherby Road
4 January 2026 25 Newport County v Tranmere Rovers Newport
15:00 GMT Stadium: Rodney Parade
10 January 2026 26 Tranmere Rovers v Bromley Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
17 January 2026 27 Tranmere Rovers v Walsall Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
24 January 2026 28 Cambridge United v Tranmere Rovers Cambridge
15:00 GMT Stadium: Abbey Stadium
27 January 2026 29 Barnet v Tranmere Rovers London
19:45 GMT Stadium: The Hive Stadium
31 January 2026 30 Tranmere Rovers v Salford City Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
7 February 2026 31 Gillingham v Tranmere Rovers Gillingham
15:00 GMT Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
14 February 2026 32 Tranmere Rovers v Crawley Town Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
17 February 2026 33 Tranmere Rovers v Accrington Stanley Birkenhead
19:45 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
21 February 2026 34 Notts County v Tranmere Rovers Nottingham
15:00 GMT Stadium: Meadow Lane
28 February 2026 35 Crewe Alexandra v Tranmere Rovers Crewe
15:00 GMT Stadium: Mornflake Stadium
7 March 2026 36 Tranmere Rovers v Oldham Athletic Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
14 March 2026 37 Fleetwood Town v Tranmere Rovers Fleetwood
15:00 GMT Stadium: Highbury Stadium
17 March 2026 38 Tranmere Rovers v Harrogate Town Birkenhead
19:45 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
21 March 2026 39 Tranmere Rovers v Swindon Town Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
28 March 2026 40 Cheltenham Town v Tranmere Rovers Cheltenham
15:00 GMT Stadium: Completely-Suzuki Stadium
3 April 2026 41 Shrewsbury Town v Tranmere Rovers Shrewsbury
15:00 GMT Stadium: New Meadow
6 April 2026 42 Tranmere Rovers v Colchester United Birkenhead
15:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park
11 April 2026 43 Chesterfield v Tranmere Rovers Chesterfield
15:00 BST Stadium: Technique Stadium
18 April 2026 44 Tranmere Rovers v Bristol Rovers Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
25 April 2026 45 Milton Keynes Dons v Tranmere Rovers Milton Keynes
15:00 BST Stadium: Stadium MK
2 May 2026 46 Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town Birkenhead
15:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park

FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup

Tranmere were drawn at home to Burton Albion in the first round.[26][27]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

19 August 2025 First round Tranmere Rovers 1–1
(4–5 p)
Burton Albion Birkenhead
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,524
Referee: Simon Mather
Penalties
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 12 August, but was postponed due to a major power outage.[28][24]

EFL Trophy

Tranmere were drawn against Barrow, Blackpool and Nottingham Forest U21 in the group stage.[29]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L2 Barrow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Blackpool 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 L2 Tranmere Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 ACA Nottingham Forest U21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: EFL

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

9 September 2025 North Group B Tranmere Rovers v Nottingham Forest U21 Birkenhead
19:00 BST Stadium: Prenton Park
7 October 2025 North Group B Barrow v Tranmere Rovers Barrow-in-Furness
19:30 BST Stadium: Holker Street
11 November 2025 North Group B Tranmere Rovers v Blackpool Birkenhead
19:00 GMT Stadium: Prenton Park

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of match played 19 August 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Luke McGee 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF England ENG Cameron Norman 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
3 DF England ENG Patrick Brough 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
4 DF England ENG Jordan Turnbull 3 0 1+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
5 DF England ENG Nathan Smith 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
6 MF England ENG Richard Smallwood 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
7 MF England ENG Charlie Whitaker 3 1 2+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 1 0+0 0
9 FW England ENG Kristian Dennis 3 1 0+3 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
10 FW England ENG Josh Davison 4 1 3+0 1 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
11 FW England ENG Omari Patrick 4 2 3+0 2 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
16 MF England ENG Jason Lowe 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
17 FW Jersey Jersey Sol Solomon 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
18 FW England ENG Connor Jennings 4 1 1+2 1 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
19 FW England ENG Harvey Saunders 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
22 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Lee O'Connor 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
23 DF Saint Kitts and Nevis SKN Ethan Bristow 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
24 MF England ENG Billy Blacker 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
25 FW England ENG Taylan Harris 4 1 2+1 1 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
42 MF Liberia LBR Nohan Kenneh 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0

References

  1. ^ "Tranmere Rovers announce Andy Crosby as First Team Manager". Tranmere Rovers FC. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Ethan Bristow returns to Rovers on one-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Patrick Brough signs for Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Nathan Smith joins Tranmere Rovers on a 2-year deal". Tranmere Rovers FC. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Charlie Whitaker joins Tranmere Rovers on a 2-year deal". Tranmere Rovers FC. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Jason Lowe joins Tranmere Rovers on one-year deal". Tranmere Rovers FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Nohan Kenneh joins Tranmere Rovers on two-year contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Richie Smallwood signs a one-year contract with Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Billy Blacker joins Tranmere Rovers on loan from Sheffield United". Tranmere Rovers FC. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Taylan Harris joins Tranmere Rovers on loan from Luton Town". Tranmere Rovers FC. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Jayden Joseph joins Tranmere Rovers on loan from Leicester City". Tranmere Rovers FC. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Sam Taylor joins Linfield Football Club on loan". Tranmere Rovers FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Josh Hawkes to depart Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Latics Complete Hawkes Capture". Oldham Athletic AFC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Tranmere Rovers Football Club can confirm that Regan Hendry will be leaving the Club to pursue opportunities elsewhere". X. Tranmere Rovers FC. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Mansfield Town strengthen squad with new midfielder signing". Mansfield Town FC. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Morris pens Latics deal". Oldham Athletic AFC. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g "2024/25 retained list". Tranmere Rovers FC. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Walker signs for Pools". Hartlepool United Official Website. Hartlepool United FC. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Jordan Turnbull signs new two-year Rovers contract". Tranmere Rovers FC. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Rovers to host Wigan in pre-season friendly at Prenton Park". Tranmere Rovers FC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  22. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  23. ^ "Tranmere v Shrewsbury Town moved to 12.30pm kick-off". Tranmere Rovers FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  24. ^ a b "Burton Albion Carabao Cup rearranged date confirmed". Tranmere Rovers FC. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Tranmere Rovers' Sky Sports broadcast selections confirmed until start of January". Tranmere Rovers FC. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Date confirmed for Rovers v Burton Albion in Carabao Cup Round One". Tranmere Rovers FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  28. ^ @TranmereRovers (12 August 2025). "This game has been postponed because of a major power outage from Scottish Power that cannot be rectified" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 August 2025 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.