Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Legends: Part Three
By Matthew Tranmere
June 2 2010
Following on from our feature stories on Tranmere legends John Aldridge and Ray Mathias, who were both inducted into Rovers' hall of fame last week, Total Tranmere brings you part three of our legends series
In our third week of the Total Tranmere legends series, we bring you another feature on a player who graced the Prenton Park field on many an occasions, creating several moments of joy that the Tranmere Rovers faithful will never forget.
Winger Johnny Morrissey started his career at Everton, following in the footsteps of father, John senior, who also played for the Merseyside club.
With just one appearance for the Toffees to his name however, Morrissey moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1985, and one season later, after making just ten appearances for Wolves in Division 3, he was signed by Frank Worthington at Tranmere Rovers for £8,000.
Morrissey's Tranmere debut was against Southend United on October 4th 1985, and this would be the first of 585 appearances for the Wirral club, a record that puts him fourth on the Rovers list of all time appearance, only behind Ray Mathias, Harold Bell and Steve Mungall.
For the next fourteen seasons, Morrissey, who was affectionately nicknamed "Mogsy" by the Tranmere fans, would go onto become a crucial player for Prenton Park, mainly in the successful side managed by John King, that rose dramatically through the Football League, from Division 4 to Division 2, making him one of only a few players who've featured in three divisions for the club, whilst during his time at Prenton Park, Tranmere Rovers made Wembley their second home.
Morrissey was a hugely skillful winger, with a sudden burst of pace and his elegant trickery and guile enough to help him beat even the best full-back.
![JOHN MORRISSEY [BEHIND REFEREE] TRANMERE ROVERS IS SENT OFF v NOTTS COUNTY](https://uploadscdn.sportnetwork.net/upload/383/EMP-5769541.jpg "JOHN MORRISSEY [BEHIND REFEREE] TRANMERE ROVERS IS SENT OFF v NOTTS COUNTY")
Rarely out of the number seven shirt, Morrissey's crossing from the wing was the key for so many Rovers goals down the years, as he supplied club record goalscorer Ian Muir and second top scorer John Aldridge with crosses throughout their time at the club, and had it not been for the likes of Morrissey and Nevin, although Morrissey in particular for Muir, it is questionable whether either would have had such incredible goalscoring records and have been so effective during their time a the club.
The winger himself wasn't a poor finisher himself either, as he bagged 50 goals for the club in his fourteen seasons at Prenton Park, his best return coming in the 1990/91 season, when he netted nine times as Tranmere won promotion to Division Two through the play-offs, with Chris Malkin scoring an extra time winner against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley Stadium to send Tranmere up.
A former England youth international, Morrissey was also able to forge an excellent partnership with Pat Nevin when the minature Scot joined the club in 1992.
With both players capable of playing on either wing, they constantly swapped sides throughout matches, causing havoc for defenders, as they dribbled down the wing and put in inch perfect crosses for John Aldridge in the middle.
Bless with unbelievable skill and the innate to be able to put the ball on a pin point in the middle of the box, or drift past his man with consumate ease, Morrissey was easily one of the most feared wingers outside of the Premier League during his time at Prenton Park.
Described by former Tranmere goalkeeper Eric Nixon as "one of the best players I have ever worked with", Morrissey was a huge fan favourite at Prenton Park, as his skill, trickery and commitment to the Wirral side and his efforts at Prenton Park were recognised when he made his 500th appearance for the club, as he was presented with a special silver plate.
After fourteen years on the Wirral, Johnny Morrissey made his final appearance for the club on the final day of the 1998/99 season, when Rovers beat West Brom 3-1 at Prenton Park, with Morrissey making an appearance from the substitutes bench as he said his farewell to the fans who adored him so much.
There is no doubt that since he left the club, there have been very few, if any, wingers with anywhere near the attributes and ability of Morrissey, and none who have gone on to achieve as much at the club as he did, with Morrisey leaving Prenton Park with two promotions, one Leyland DAF winners medal and one Leyland DAF runners up medal to his name, as well as Tranmere appearing in one further play-off final, three play-off semi finals to reach the Premier League and one League Cup semi-final during his time at the club.
Since retirement, Morrissey has had little to do with football, despite many fans calling for him to play for Tranmere's Masters side, that has also featured club legends such as Steve Mungall and Ian Muir.
Last week however, the winger was voted into Tranmere Rovers Hall of Fame, as he became one of the first seven Tranmere legends to be voted into Rovers' new honours list by the clubs fans.
Don't forget to check back to Total Tranmere next Wednesday as we reveal our fourth club hero in our legends series, whilst you can also find Tranmere Legends Parts one and two at the bottom of this page.
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02/06/2010 01:03
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Oh what brilliant memories your article brought to mind!
