Roy of the Rovers is New Goalkeeper Coach

Tranmere have today appointed former Newcastle United and Preston North End goalkeeper Roy Tunks as the new goalkeeping coach at the Club to replace long-serving player and coach John Achterberg who left in the summer to coach at Premiership side Liverpool.

 With the current lack of shot-stoppers at the Club, today was the day that many Rovers fans expected a new goalkeeper to join the Club but few would have expected that the first goalkeeper to come in through the doors of Prenton Park this summer would be a 58 year old stopper with over 850 appearances to his name...

Roy Tunks who today became Tranmere's new goalkeeping coach and replacement for the long-serving Dutch keeper John Achterberg, made over 850 appearances in England for Preston North End, York City, Ipswich Town, Rotherham United, Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic.

Roy Tunks in His Playing Days with Preston North End

Tunks ended his playing career in the early 1990's at Preston North End by which time he was already a member of the coaching staff at Deepdale but it wasn't long before Roy moved on to join the Football Association as staff coach where he worked with England players right through from the under-16 age group and up to the under-20's.

Following his spell with the FA, he has also been goalkeeper coach with both Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United before today joining the John Barnes revolution at Tranmere Rovers.

Speaking about the latest addition to his coaching staff, Manager John Barnes said...

"I'm pleased Roy has agreed to join us.  He is an experienced goalkeeper coach who will work with both our first team and youth team goalkeepers and will help them improve their games."

Roy Tunks himself added.....

"I'm looking forward to the challenge and am happy to be at Tranmere.  There is some young talent at the Club that needs some help and guidance and I hope I can provide it."