Tranmere's greatest manager dies aged 77
Tranmere's greatest manager Johnny King has died at the age of 77 following a long illness.
Tranmere's greatest manager Johnny King has died at the age of 77 following a long illness.
He passed away last night (Wednesday 30th March) surrounded by family.
He was in charge of the club during their most successful era earning him a legendary status among supporters.
Fans gathered at Prenton Park this morning to pay tribute to him;
A statement from Chairman Mark Palios on the club's website reads;
Tranmere Rovers is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Club legend Johnny King at the age of 77.
We extend our sympathies to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Johnny will forever have a huge place in Rovers' history.
Though undeniably successful at the Club as a player, it's his time as manager that has earned him legendary status among supporters.
King joined Tranmere from Bournemouth in January 1961 after beginning his career at Everton. Signed by Walter Galbraith, King went on to make 264 appearances for Tranmere, captain the Club for seven seasons and play a significant role in promotion to Division Three in 1961.
After leaving the Club a season later, King returned to Prenton Park as a coach in 1973 before taking over as manager two years later. Having led Tranmere to promotion, his first spell in charge lasted 5 seasons, but Johnny would be back.
In 1987 he was re-appointed as manager, a move that heralded the most successful era in the Club's history.
King added a handful of signings to the local talent already at Prenton Park and quickly oversaw an upturn in results and attendances. In his first season in charge he guided the Club to their first ever appearance at Wembley Stadium, as Rovers gained national fame for their wins over top-flight sides Wimbledon and Newcastle United in the Mercantile Credit Football League Centenary Festival.
Twelve months later King led the Club to promotion to Division Three. Two seasons and a remarkable four appearances at Wembley later (two Leyland Daf Trophy Finals and two play off finals) Tranmere were again promoted to Division Two. In 1994 Rovers reached the League Cup semi finals for the first time ever and three years in a row they were in the play offs for a place in the top flight of English football. Signings such as John Aldridge, Pat Nevin, Liam O'Brien, Gary Stevens and Paul Cook added to the home grown talent of Kenny Irons, Ged Brannan and Tony Thomas saw King’s Rovers play attractive attacking football and enjoy a fantastic home record season after season.
King's pre and post-match press conferences also endeared him to the Rovers faithful, with a mixture of sailing references thrown in with unusual descriptions of players - John Aldridge once being described as being like El Cid, a Castillian military leader.
He remained as manager until 1996 since when the Borough Road Stand has been renamed the Johnny King Stand in tribute to his time at the Club.
In November 2014 King returned to Prenton Park with his family for the unveiling of a statue - funded by fan donations - in his honour.
He will be greatly missed by all those who worked with him, played for him and knew him at Tranmere Rovers.
Details will follow of arrangements for the Club to mark his passing.