Wembley 2000 Remembered - Who Would You Have Back?
By Matthew Jones
February 26 2010
As our Wembley Tenth Anniversary week draws to a conclusion following special articles from Matthew Jones and Deadly Submarine, Total Tranmere now asks you the question, which of the players who appeared at Wembley for Tranmere Rovers would you love to see back in the White shirt?
Ten years ago this Saturday, Tranmere Rovers enjoyed possible the most famous moment in their history, as they walked out at Wembley stadium to take on Leicester City in the Worthington Cup final.
Rovers put in a valiant and battling display and took the Premier League side all the way, but ultimately they were left wondering "what if" after they had a goal ruled out for offside, had Clint Hill sent off for two yellow cards and hit the bar in the last minute.
Of the twelve players who featured for Rovers at Wembley, only one remains at the club today, that player being midfielder Alan Mahon, who returned to Prenton Park in the summer on a three-year deal after being released by Burnley.
Several players though returned to club last night for a special Wembley Tenth Anniverary question and answer session, with goalscoring hero David "Ned" Kelly in attendance, along with the man who set up his goal, Gary Jones, defenders Dave Challinor, Alan Morgan and Gareth Roberts, current assistant manager Wayne Allison (who was cup tied during that famous fun), Alan Mahon and coaches Eric Nixon and Kevin Sheedy.
After such a nostalgic evening, and having spent the week looking back at that brilliant day in February 2000, we at Total Tranmere are asking you take part in our new poll which asks you which player from that Wembley side you would love to see back at Prenton Park in the white shirt today?
In goal for Tranmere Rovers on that day was goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who was contentiously picked ahead of John Achterberg in net that day due to the on-going contract disputes with the Dutchman.
Murphy didn't have the best games that day, with the first goal hitting the bar and going in off his back, but after leaving Rovers on a free-transfer in 2002, Murphy joined West Brom but has since gone on to establish himself as a good goalkeeper League One and Championship level, where he currently plays with Scunthorpe United.
Rovers' back four that day consisted of Reuben Hazell, Clint Hill, Dave Challinor and Gareth Roberts. Starting with the centre-backs, and Clint Hill, who you may argue is now in his prime, is currently playing every game at left-back in the Championship with Crystal Palace, whilst Challinor is nearing retirement age and is a player/coach with non-League side Colwyn Bay. In his prime though, he was a valuable player who enjoyed his time with Stockport and Bury after leaving Prenton Park.
Left-back Gareth Roberts is also playing in the Championship this season, with Doncaster Rovers, who are beginning to establish themselves as a second division outfit. "Robbo" was a hugely influential and well liked player in his days at Prenton Park, spending seven years with the club and is always welcomed back.
At right-back that day was Reuben Hazell, who is now playing with Oldham Athletic in League One. Hazell struggled initially after leaving Tranmere due to injury, and spent some time in non-League with Kidderminster, but since joining Oldham he's once again established himself as a strong lower league defender.
After Clint Hill was sent off at Wembley, Steve Yates replaced Andy Parkinson to play in defence. What Yates did later in his Tranmere career is well documented, with the versatile defender scoring twice in a 3-0 win at Goodison against Everton a season later. After leaving Rovers, Yates spent time at Huddersfield before retiring in 2006, but in his peak, he was a very valuable and committed defender.
Central midfield that day for Tranmere saw Gary Jones, Nicky Henry and Alan Mahon feature in Rovers' customary 4-5-1 formation. Three very different types of midfielder, Mahon is still at the club today, though to have him in his prime would be something no club outside of the Premier League would say no to!
Nicky Henry was hugely influential in that cup run, scoring the first and perhaps most important goal in the second-leg of the semi-final against Bolton Wanderers. A battling and tidy midfielder, Henry, now a chef, was a valuable asset to the club in his prime and weighed in with some superb goals.
Gary Jones, who could also play in attack and defence, set up Dave Kelly's goal on that day in London, his knock-down from Gareth Roberts' free-kick falling to Kelly to smash home. At the end of the 99/00 season he left for Nottingham Forest, though he returned to Prenton Park just over a year later, initially on loan before signing permanently. A strong player, Jones always gave his all for Tranmere and was valuable wherever he played.
On the wings for Tranmere were the lightning quick Andy Parkinson and the dynamic Scott Taylor. "Parky" saw his career go down hill after several nasty injuries a couple of years after the final and you could argue he never reached his peak. On his day though, the former Liverpool man could beat anybody for pace and could hit a brilliant, fierce shot. He was the catylist for many Rovers attacks and goal.
His wing parner Scott Taylor was equally as valuable. Not quite as quick perhaps, but very hard working, a good football brain and a player who also weighed in with some important goals.
Taylor hit the bar at Wembley in the closing minutes, and had a good chance in the first half, so it' very much a case of "what if" for the well liked striker. Taylor enjoyed a succesful career with Blackpool after his time with Tranmere, as well as featuring for the likes of Stockport, Plymouth and MK Dons.
Up front for Tranmere was the man who scored THAT goal and the person who was the leading the scoring in the competition overall that season, David Kelly.
An evergreen striker who is now a successful assistant-manager, Kelly player for the likes of Motherwell, Newcastle, Walsall and Sunderland in his career, as well as representing the Republic of Ireland several times, and was always a good goalscorer.
A player who was always missed after he left in the summer, Kelly grabbed important goals and was the spearhead of John Aldridge's team.
That then is the twelve plaers who featured for Rovers that day, with only one of them at the club on the tenth anniversary of that Wembley appearance.
Which of them would you like to see back at Prenton Park, if they were in their prime? Please join in the vote which can be located on the side of the main page of the Total Tranmere site and on all other pages either at the side of the page or at the bottom depending on which page you are visiting.
Results of this poll will be published within the next two weeks.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:26:16:51:43 by Deadly Submarine.
As they were in their day I'd have Gary Jones back for sure!!
If I was gonna pick someone to come back now though it'd be Kelly.
He's been at Tranmere, Forest, Derby and Preston who were all very close to promotion when he was their.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:27:11:14:42 by bigmart.