Team of the Decade
Friday 15th January, 2010
By Alex James

A League Cup Final appearance, relegation, play off heartache, two seventh place finishes and a last day escape from the drop – the noughties has been quite a decade for Tranmere Rovers. ALEX JAMES picks his team of the decade made up of the greatest players to have graced Prenton Park during the last 10 years.

Goalkeeper: JOHN ACHTERBERG; 1998-2009; 253 apps

The stand out choice for the number one jersey. A club legend who remained the one constant throughout a decade of changes. His penalty save in the FA Cup quarter final at Millwall was probably his high point and his training and work ethic within Prenton Park is legendary. He was probably capable of playing at a higher level but all Tranmere fans are thankful that he gave such a large portion of his career to the club.

Right back: RYAN TAYLOR; 2002-2005; 98 apps, 14 goals

One of the most talented players to ever come out of Tranmere’s youth system. The full back made his debut as a teenager and soon forced his way into the first team squad. A set piece specialist with an eye for goal his stand-out performances almost resulted in a promotion in 2005, and it was no surprise to see him make the step up to the Premiership.

Left back: GARETH ROBERTS; 1999-2006; 281 apps; 12 goals

Solid and dependable full back who surprised many with his departure to Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer. Despite that somewhat acromonius exit Roberts gave his all for Rovers during his seven years and was consistently in the running for player of the year awards. Capable of playing on midfield as well as at left back and was also one of the better crossers of the ball, Roberts beats Andy Taylor into the left back slot.

Centre back: CLINT HILL; 1997-2002; 140 apps, 16 goals

Only played for two seasons of the decade but still makes it into this eleven. An absolute rock at the back, his sending off in the League Cup Final was arguably the turning point of the match. Hill stayed on after relegation from the Championship and was an inspirational leader at the back. He was certainly a player you would want to see in your side rather than the oppositions.

Centre back: IAN GOODISON; 2004-present; 231 apps; 4 goals

The only current Rovers player to make the team. Goodison has developed into such a key man over the past three seasons that the back four look almost lost when he isn’t there. Still prone to the odd mistake, red card and suicidal trick in his own penalty area, the Jamaican international has nevertheless saved Tranmere more than a few points over his six years.

Right midfield: ANDY PARKINSON; 1997-2003; 164 goals; 18 goals

Parky is the one player who had the ability to make the crowd stand up just be receiving the ball. A willing runner he was always looking to attack his full back and get a shot or cross in – as emphasised by that stunning solo goal against Middlesbrough in 2000. Fell out of favour towards the end of his stay but makes it in to the eleven on his ability to turn a game on its head in one movement.

Left midfield: JASON KOUMAS; 1998-2002; 127 apps; 25 goals

Perhaps the most skilful player of the last ten years to ever play for Tranmere, Koumas excelled in the relegation season scoring a beauty against Everton which will live long in every Rovers fan’s memory. Clearly too good for League One he left for West Brom and many expected him to comfortably hold his own in the Premiership. Some have questioned his attitude but he always gave his all at Prenton Park and would be relied upon to the pull the creative strings in this side.

Centre midfield: ANTONY KAY; 2007-2009; 82 apps; 17 goals

Without question Rovers’ stand out player of the past two seasons. Kay was almost soley-responsible for the success of last season and his departure left a gaping goalscoring chasm in the midfield which still hasn’t really been filled. After struggling to gain a foothold in the side when he first arrived, a switch to midfield saw him revitalised and was more than enough to guarantee his place in the team of the decade.

Centre midfield: GARY JONES; 1993-2000 & 2002-2005 270 apps; 45 goals

Steve Jennings, Mark Rankine and Jason McAteer all came into consideration for the second central midfield position but it’s Gary Jones who gets the nod. A versatile pl;ayer in his first seven year spell Jones enjoyed life at Prenton Park so much he came back for a second spell in 2002. Committed and robust, Jones also weighed in with his fair share of goals – something he continued after he left for Grimsby in 2005.

Striker: CHRIS GREENACRE; 2005-2009; 142 apps; 51 goals

His goals kept Rovers in so many games during his four year spell he simply has to be the first striker on the teamsheet. In a position where there was plenty of competition Greeny makes it in on his predatory instinct in the six yard box. Perhaps the only striker of the past decade who only needed one chance to find the target, the former Stoke player was also a firm fans favourite during his stay.

Striker: IAIN HUME; 1999-2005; 149 apps; 32 goals

Another talented youngster who broke through the Rovers youth setup Hume at first appeared somewhat lightweight for the rough and tumble of English football. But he was in fact far from a pushover. Capable of mixing it with the best centre halves in the division and scorer of some spectacular goals Hume’s only downside was a couple of atrocious haircuts, and it is great to see him back playing again for Barnsley.

Substitutes: Danny Coyne, Steve Yates, Steve Jennings, Stuart Barlow, Simon Haworth, Paul Hall, Wayne Allison.

Manager: Ronnie Moore

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