Yates Tribute

By Quayle
February 21 2005

Before Tranmere Rovers hero returns to Prenton Park with his current club Huddersfield, the current Tranmere fullbacks praise and admire him. All fans remember Yates for his heroics infront of goal against huge rivals Everton in the FA Cup. A day that will never be forgotten.

Before the legend that is Steve Yates returns to Prenton Park with Huddersfield on Tuesday, Tranmere's current full backs pay a warming tribute to the Rovers hero.

Speaking in the local newspaper, both Gareth Roberts and youngster Ryan Taylor speak out on their admiration of the versatile defender.

Ryan Taylor spoke of how he aimed to master that talents of Steve :

"I would watch Steve Yates and wonder why he was always getting up into forward positions then, when I looked again, he would be back where he should be. He had tremendous energy levels and he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

"I was at Goodison and watched him in the Everton cup tie. I have never seen a performance like that from a right-back."

Although Ryan was still a apprentice while Steve Yates was earning his 137 appearances for Rovers, clearly the Everton games stuck in his heart, like all Tranmere fans and also his full back partner for that magic game, Gareth Roberts :

"Steve was a brilliant professional to play with. You knew you would get 100% from him every week, whatever position he played.

"I don't think he scored many goals before he came here but he was given the freedom to get forward and he was a real handful for opponents at set-pieces. The fans really took to him and after that day at Goodison, he became a Tranmere legend."

Everyone at Total Tranmere wish Steve the warmest of welcomes, and know he will recieve the reception the legend deserves.