Tranmere Rovers
News Round-Up
By Deadly Submarine
June 21 2014
A recap of the latest comings and goings at Prenton Park in the past week as well as the first round draw for the 2014/15 League Cup.........
It’s been two in and one out at Prenton Park in the past week as new Manager Rob Edwards continues to build his own staff and playing squad ahead of the new season in 2014/15.
Edwards has added to a much depleted defence by signing 21 year old centre back Michael Ihiekwe on a two year contract. The defender, originally from Liverpool, is a product of the continually successful youth system at Wolverhampton Wanderers and signed professionally for the Midlands side three years ago. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Cheltenham Town in League Two where he made thirteen appearances so does have first team experience going into this League Two season.
Speaking about signing for Rovers, Ihiekewe said....
“I’m very happy to be here. The Manager has told me about his plans and they made me excited to join. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Edwards himself added….
“I’m delighted to be able to bring in Michael. He’s a very quick footballer, he reads the game well and is a player with lots of potential. He’s ambitious to play at a higher level and hopefully he will achieve that aim with us. He has come through a good youth system at Wolves and can play in the middle of defence and at right back so he gives us good options."
Ikhiekewe joins Eliot Richards and Matt Gill as Rob Edward’s new acquisitions since taking the Managerial hotseat at Prenton Park and we wish him well in his time at Prenton Park.
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Another face added to the staff at Prenton Park this week is former Rovers striker Alex Hay who was yesterday appointed as the Club’s new Chief Scout to replace the outgoing Dave Philpotts who retired from the role earlier this month after almost twenty years at the Club.
Hay came through the youth system at Rovers and made fifty appearances for the first team before joining Rushden & Diamonds. Since finishing his playing career the 32-year old has been manager of Cammell Laird and chief scout at Chester FC.
After the announcement of his appointment, Hay said.....
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down. Everybody knows I’m a Tranmere fan so to have played here and now come back and be able to help the manager and players is fantastic. I’m looking forward to getting started and helping in any way I can.”
Manager Rob Edwards added....
“I’m very pleased to have Alex on board and am looking forward to working with him. He was really keen to speak to me after I became manager and I was very impressed by him. He’s young, hungry, wants to further his career in scouting and he’s got a great understanding of the game.”
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Tuesday morning’s League Cup draw saw Rovers drawn at home to Championship side Nottingham Forest now managed by their former player and England international Stuart Pearce, with the tie to be played in the week commencing August 11th. Speaking of the draw, Rob Edwards said...
"I think it's a really good draw.They're one of the biggest teams in the Championship and, with a new manager, I think they'll fancy their chances of going up to the Premier League this season. So it's a tough tie for us, but one we will be up for and hopefully we'll get a big crowd at Prenton Park for it."
Tranmere have confirmed that ticket details for the tie will be announced in due course.
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Finally, the almost inevitable and not unexpected departure of club captain James Wallace to Sheffield United has now been finalised as he joined Nigel Clough’s Blades for an undisclosed fee. Also Jason Koumas has been given a coaching role with the Rovers youth set-up whilst still playing for the first team next season.
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21/06/2014 15:01
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:20:16:15:44 by TranmereFan.
