This week marks 30 years since Tranmere officially opened the new-look Prenton Park.
The unveiling of the all-seater stadium was rounded off by a fine 2-0 victory against Grimsby on 11th March 1995, as John King’s side kept their place at the top of the Endsleigh Insurance Division 1, with promotion to the Premiership in their sights.
The opening took place, perhaps deliberately, close to the anniversary of the inauguration of Prenton Park, which happened on 9th March 1912. Rovers have played on the site ever since.
Tranmere had ended the 1993-94 campaign with a goalless draw against Leicester, in the first leg of the play-offs. This would be the last time fans would watch a match in the familiar surroundings of the open-air terraced Kop, or the three span Cowsheds.
By the time Swindon visited for the first home game of the following season, both the Borough Road stand and the newly all-seater Paddock in the Main Stand were ready to accommodate fans.
The rest of the ground was steadily finished off during the autumn of 1994, with the last piece of the puzzle, the imposing 5,600 capacity Kop, opened in February 1995 for the visit of Reading.
Some 15,810 fans packed out the new-look Prenton Park for the Grimsby game, which included numerous pre-game events, including a brass band and a parade of former Tranmere players.
Tranmere Rovers’ Club Archivist, Tony Coombes, said that the ground predevelopment was sorely needed: “They were told that that had to think about making Prenton Park much more safe.
“There were fences everywhere. The open Kop terrace had really dangerous fences.”
The plans to redevelop the ground were met with some opposition, mainly by local residents, which influenced the design, as Coombes explains: “The people on the other side of Borough Road said they would reject to the stadium’s design if a stand was built that blocked their houses.
“That’s the reason why the Johnny King Stand is so small.”
Since its opening, Prenton Park has witnessed numerous remarkable matches. Arguably the greatest comeback in the FA Cup’s long history happened there in 2001.
Trailing top-tier Southampton 3-0 at half time in a 5th Round replay, John Aldridge’s men roared back in the second 45. A Paul Rideout hattrick got them level, before Stuart Barlow turned in a fourth with seven minutes remaining.
Recently, there have been discussions about moving away from the current location on Prenton Road West, to a newly built stadium elsewhere on the Wirral peninsula.
For many fans, this would be akin to sacrilege. Tranmere have played at the same ground for over 100 years, and the history that is wrapped up in the stadium is greater than any economic benefits that come with a shiny new playing arena.
Others would point to the need for greater financial might.
If the club wants to kick on and compete at a higher level, the facilities that could be housed within a new stadium could go some way to doing that.
While the debate over the pros and cons of a move will continue, up until a decision to leave Prenton Park is made, Tranmere will carry on adding to the history that has been forged there over the last century.
(Featured image courtesy of Stuart Russell)
