Imminent or Inevitable?
Tranmere Crest
By David Sindall
April 19 2026
Are we on the cusp of a dark new period? 3 games left, a point above relegation, on our worst run of form in history. Things could only be marginally worse, but that’s little comfort. There are five teams in the relegation battle. They all have won games more recently than we have. It feels like our fate is in their hands.
Then there is the on-going saga of the sale of the club. We have been advised by our owners that this is imminent. It would be a very generous consortium that would close a deal not knowing if the club were playing football in the EFL or in the National League. The two propositions are very different. Would you buy now or wait? I would wait. Even if I discover I have inherited billions, and could fulfil my lifelong wish to own Tranmere, I would wait. Business is business.
We are now in a binary situation. We either fail and go down or ‘succeed’ and escape the drop. For once I would opt for that unambitious definition of success. Yet I am concerned that next season will be similar to this. If we stay up it seems likely that another season of uncertainty will pan out and we will once again be involved watching players going through the motions, not exciting us with the possibility of greatness ahead.
If we go down and the ownership of the club remains uncertain I fear another year of struggle. We will become like Aldershot Town or Yeovil. We will keep our heads above the water but we will do little more. Look how competitive the National League is. The top 9 are all ex-EFL clubs. There is a case for three promotion places, and three relegation spots. At the same time the bottom end of the table are clubs who have limited support and are new to playing at this level. The exception is Morecambe, who dropped last season and now face a second relegation. Their experience has sent a chill of recognition to many Rovers supporters.
Many will say that we have been here before. This is true, but the circumstances feel different. Last time we played at National League level we didn’t seem to face the same level of competition, the same pedigree of teams we would be up against. And our finances were much more stable. There was a degree of optimism. That doesn’t appear to be there now. The club have extended the early bird season ticket deadline, acknowledging that fans will be reluctant to commit until our League status is settled. From my perspective our League position is only part of the explanation for the decline in early bird sales. It feels as if people have lost faith.
We will know what comes next in 2 weeks time. It’s time to find that lucky rabbits foot, the four leaf clover, the undies you wear that mean we never get beat, the heritage club shirt that you wear for the most important games. We all know in our heads none of these things make a difference and that it is down to the players to wear the shirt and play with pride. We have our part to play, but are not responsible for what comes next.
All views expressed are personal.
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For me if we get relegated that will be the end, no purchase, administration, possible ground share and sale of the land the stadium is on.
It really is in my opinion a do or die situation
I would expect if you compare 10 £600 a week players with 10 £3,000 a week players, one or maybe two would improve enough to justify £3,000 a week within 5 years, the rest would never earn that much.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
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Quote:Matt34
The NL is not the same standard; at least 50% or more of the clubs are semi-proffessional and cannot afford to pay anyone £1,000 a week.
I would expect if you compare 10 £600 a week players with 10 £3,000 a week players, one or maybe two would improve enough to justify £3,000 a week within 5 years, the rest would never earn that much.
The lower wages reflect the lower income levels. Less TV money, fewer away supporters, all quite significant revenue losses.
Rochdale have shown there is a route back without spending big, but we have the problem of several very highly paid players still being under contract. The finances dont stack up, and for us the money situation will be dire.
Quote:Matt34
The NL is not the same standard; at least 50% or more of the clubs are semi-proffessional and cannot afford to pay anyone £1,000 a week.
I would expect if you compare 10 £600 a week players with 10 £3,000 a week players, one or maybe two would improve enough to justify £3,000 a week within 5 years, the rest would never earn that much.
A lot of those part time players are better than full timers but chose the part time route for long terms financial stability in their lives.
However a guy on £400, and a full-time job wage could make more than double their club wage, so going full-time for £750 and ditching their job, wouldn't make sense for sure.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
Quote:Matt34
Perhaps, but someone earning £400 a week, with a part-time job wage on top is not going to make more than they would on £2,000 a week.
However a guy on £400, and a full-time job wage could make more than double their club wage, so going full-time for £750 and ditching their job, wouldn't make sense for sure.
I remember Les made this point when he was manager.
He was asked why we didn't sign more players from non-league and said that financially they could earn more playing part-time than they could signing for us. (Though I'm sure our budget is higher now than it was then)