Tranmere midfielder Connor Jennings has signed a new two-year contract with the club following promotion to the Football League.
Jennings has become a hugely popular figure at Prenton Park during his first two seasons with the club, giving 100% and adding both goals and assists from midfield. Even when pushed on to the left wing this season, Jennings continued to turn in performances and create goals for team mates.
If the SWA didn’t love him enough, Jennings epitomised the character and commitment he has been known for during the course of the last month.
As the regular season finished, he was laid-up in hospital with suspected meningitis. He spent five days in hospital with genuine concerns about his long-term health.
Within two weeks, however, he was fighting fit and came off the bench as a first half substitute to help inspire the heroic win at Wembley in the play-off final. He also provided the cross for James Norwood’s winning goal that sent Tranmere back to the EFL.
A genuine desire to achieve
Jennings was brought to Prenton Park by previous manager Gary Brabin. He scored within minutes of his first Prenton Park appearance, a header in a pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers. While he started the season in the team, his progress was interrupted by injury, and by the time Micky Mellon had taken over as manager, Connor was still sidelined.
Upon his return to fitness, he was loaned out to National League rivals Macclesfield Town in the New Year. He played upfront for the Silkmen and impressed for them in five games, but crucially, also built up his fitness. The player returned to Prenton Park ready to battle for his place in early March, and he did so spectacularly.
He forced his way in to a three-man strike force alongside James Norwood and Cole Stockton and the goals soon followed. He’d get in nine goals by the end of the season and was an integral part of the team that went so close to promotion. His goal at Wembley in the play-off defeat against Forest Green will never be forgotten, despite the circumstances.
Going in to the 17/18 season, Micky Mellon changed formation, and Jennings found himself in and out of the team. Again, he didn’t throw the towel in. Every time he did get minutes, he’d give it 100%.
As winter approached, Jennings had forced his way back in, and the goals flowed again. He scored seven in five games through December and became a mainstay despite playing out of position on the left wing. He looked tired as the season ran in to the final few games, but the commitment remained.
His illness looked to have spelt the end to his season, and indeed the play-off semi-final came too early for him. Remarkably, he was back among the subs at Wembley and was introduced before half-time. His looping cross turned out to be the catalyst for Norwood to leap, head and return Tranmere to the promised land.
Good to have you, Connor.
