Setting the scene…
Tranmere Rovers’ second home pre-season friendly ahead of the 2019/20 campaign will see Stoke City visit Prenton Park on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Rovers return to action on the Wirral after hosting UEFA Champions League winners Liverpool in a sell-out fixture last Thursday, with Micky Mellon’s side continuing their preparations for the upcoming Sky Bet League One term against the Potters.
Sky Bet Championship outfit Stoke have had a busy summer, as boss Nathan Jones looks to put his own mark on a squad that finished 16th in the second-tier last term.
New recruits include goalkeeper Adam Davies, defenders Liam Lindsay, Stephen Ward and Tommy Smith, midfielders Jordan Cousins and Nick Powell as well as forward Lee Gregory.
Having endured a frustrating 2018/19, in which Welshman Jones replaced Gary Rowett at the bet365 Stadium in January, Stoke’s supporters will be hoping a new look team can challenge for promotion.
One to Watch
Welsh international Joe Allen has become a key component in Stoke City’s midfield since arriving from Liverpool for a £13m transfer fee in July 2016.
Carmarthen-born Allen began his career at Swansea City, coming through the youth ranks at the South Wales club to earn a professional deal in 2007.
He would go on to spend five-years in Swansea’s first-team, helping the Swans to promotion up to the Premier League via the Championship Play-Off Final in 2011.
After 127 appearances for Swansea, Allen left to sign for Liverpool in a £15m switch in August 2012.
Featuring 114 times over four seasons at Anfield, Allen was on the move again to Stoke in the summer of 2016.
Allen has turned out on 123 occasions for the Staffordshire club, including all 46 Sky Bet Championship outings in 2018/19.
The 29-year-old has been capped 51 times by Wales, playing in UEFA EURO 2016 in France, and he also represented Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics.
Tickets
Fancy spending your Saturday afternoon down at Prenton Park cheering on Micky’s lads as they gear up for the new Sky Bet League One season?
Ticket prices are as follows:
Adult: £10.00
Senior (65+): £7.00
Under 12s accompanied: £2.00
U18s: £5.00
Young Persons (18-22): £7.00
You can purchase your ticket for TRFC’s match versus Stoke City by clicking here
Match Coverage
Unable to make it to TRFC’s pre-season friendly with Stoke City on Saturday afternoon? Don’t worry as you can keep up with goings on at Prenton Park.
You can now sign up to Tranmere Rovers’ iFollow, which allows access to extended highlights and interviews with manager Micky Mellon and a player, after the game.
To sign up, click here
Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.
Twitter: @tranmererovers
Facebook: @trfcofficial
Instagram: @tranmererovers