Recalling our happier days in the Football League, you’d know most of the opposition players and would certainly notice when we came across a familiar face.
However, over the last few years, we’ve had that many random players arrive on loan, trial and short-term contracts, that remembering who we had on loan in any given season is a challenge.
So, it may surprise you to know that we’ve already come across six former Tranmere players this season, most of whom were instantly forgettable. But we’re going to remind you anyway.
Sean McGinty – Torquay United
On the opening day of the season, Rovers travelled to play out a 0-0 draw at Torquay. Lining up for the opposition was Irish defender Sean McGinty. Does the name ring a bell? Probably not.
Well he’s indicative of many of the players we had on loan between 2013 and 2015. Arriving with a reputation as a decent young player on loan from Manchester United no less, he made three appearances for Tranmere before being sent back to Old Trafford early due to a breach of discipline. Allegedly/according to Wikipedia, he failed to show up for training.
Kayode Odejayi – Guiseley
Of the players on this list, Kayode Odejayi is possibly the most recognisable to Tranmere fans. The big striker stumbled his way through 40 appearances for Tranmere, scoring five goals along the way as Rovers meekly gave up their Football League status. His most memorable moment was undoubtedly his stunning volley against Burton Albion at Prenton Park – quite apt that Tranmere were on the end of a 4-1 smashing that day.
Odejayi joined Guiseley this summer, replacing former Tranmere loanee Jake Cassidy at the Yorkshire club after Cassidy joined Hartlepool.
Danny Woodards – Boreham Wood
Tranmere’s 2-2 draw with Boreham Wood at Prenton Park saw two players with Rovers links line-up for the opposition. Most notable is full-back Danny Woodards who has been with Boreham Wood since 2015.
Woodards actually spent several months at Tranmere, signing for the start of the 2015/16 League Two campaign under Rob Edwards. The former Bristol Rovers and MK Dons man had impressed during a pre-season trial at Tranmere, and with Liam Ridehalgh set to miss the start of the season with injury, it looked a good bit of business.
However, Woodards struggled with injury throughout his time at the club and managed only five first team appearances. Typically, since leaving in 2015, Woodards has been in great shape, making in excess of 70 appearances for Boreham Wood. He played the full 90 minutes of the game at Prenton Park earlier this season, as seen in the photo above.
Shaun Jeffers – Boreham Wood
If the lad playing upfront for Boreham Wood looked vaguely familiar to you, it’s because he spent pre-season on trial at Tranmere under Ronnie Moore in July 2013. He actually did really well, scored at least one goal during pre-season and was offered a contract. It was at that point he decided that Tranmere wasn’t for him and turned down the contract.
He later joined Peterborough and had a bright start to life at London Road before soon finding his way in to non-league. He played against Tranmere for Chelmsford City last season before joining Boreham Wood in the summer.
Jack Mackreth – Wrexham
Winger Jack Mackreth had two spells at Tranmere, the most recent one coming under Gary Brabin during the 2015/16 season. He joined Wrexham on a free transfer and came on as a sub during the recent game between the teams at Prenton Park.
Adam Mekki – Bromley
Bromley signed Adam Mekki from Tranmere in the summer following the winger’s two year spell at Prenton Park. During that time, he was a popular figure and had some memorable performances. Thankfully, he did little to influence the game between the sides recently as Rovers ran out 1-0 victors.
