Everton were top of the First Division; Clive Allen was the top goalscorer; Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister; Boy George was top of the single charts and U2’s Joshua Tree was the number one album. Wimbledon finished sixth in the top flight, which also contained Oxford United, now in the Conference.
And Tranmere Rovers had a new owner.
Twenty years ago Peter Johnson bought Tranmere Rovers and started the journey that was to see him put £6million into the club and see it go from the bottom of the old Fourth Division to the top of the old Second Division.
The journey has involved two promotions; getting to the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League three times; winning the Football League Trophy; getting to the League Cup final and three FA Cup quarter-finals.
Over this time Prenton Park has been redeveloped with three new stands, taking the capacity from 7,000 to 16,500. The number of season ticket holders has increased from just over 300 to more than 3,000 and the average attendance has increased from just over 3,000 to more than 7,000.
In short, the decision Peter took 20 years ago to buy the club has led to its complete transformation.
Big cup games and promotion are now expected by some Tranmere fans – continued progress is taken for granted. Younger supporters may not be aware of the extent of the progress we have made – and they may not care – but the history books will show that it has been radical.
This scale of transformation is rare in football. It’s hard to think of many professional clubs that have been through a similar journey over the last 20 years.
Liverpool Football Club could be about to join the small list of clubs to experience the same degree of benefactor-led transformation. We wish their new owners the best of luck and hope they enjoy their journey in English football.
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