Oldham Athletic’s fixture against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday represented far more than just another League Two match, writes Lanz Sieverts.
The two clubs share one of the fiercest rivalries in English lower league football.
A 2019 survey revealed Tranmere supporters consider Oldham one of their biggest rivals, alongside Bolton Wanderers. The animosity was forged during the 1990s when both clubs competed regularly in Division One, football’s second tier.
Matches between them during this period were intense, passionate affairs with both clubs harbouring ambitions of reaching the top flight. It would be Oldham who got the bragging rights this time as they won 3-1.
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The rivalry has endured despite both sides falling into the lower divisions since.
On Boxing Day 1935, Tranmere thrashed Oldham 13-4 at Prenton Park in what remains one of English football’s most extraordinary scorelines.
Bunny Bell scored nine goals that afternoon. The aggregate of 17 goals in one game remains a Football League record. Remarkably, Oldham had beaten Tranmere 4-1 the previous day.
The clubs last met regularly during the 2021-22 season when both competed in League Two.
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Tranmere completed a league double, winning both fixtures 2-0 without conceding. That April 2022 meeting at Boundary Park effectively confirmed Oldham’s relegation to non-league football.
Last season’s FA Cup first-round meeting added fresh fuel to the fire. Oldham, playing in the National League, travelled to Prenton Park and secured a stunning 2-1 victory.
James Norwood equalised Connor Jennings’ early opener before Jeshurun Uchegbulam’s deflected strike won it.
The final whistle was met with a crescendo of boos from Tranmere supporters.
The latest fixture carried extra spice given Micky Mellon’s connections to both clubs.
Mellon enjoyed two spells as Tranmere manager and played for Rovers during his career.
Now he leads Oldham with former Tranmere boss Gary Brabin as his assistant.
Several Oldham players previously represented Tranmere.
Josh Hawkes left Prenton Park last summer and has scored four goals for the Latics this season.
Jake Caprice made 61 league appearances for Tranmere before joining Oldham.
Donervon Daniels, Dynel Simeu and Manny Monthe all have connections to both clubs.
Kieron Morris, currently injured, is another who wore both colours.
In the last 30 meetings since 2004, Tranmere hold a slight edge with 12 victories to Oldham’s 10, with eight draws.
The fixture consistently attracts large crowds and passionate atmospheres at both venues.
Saturday’s match sees a large Tranmere following expected at Boundary Park despite a restricted allocation.
For supporters of both clubs, this represents the most eagerly anticipated fixture in the calendar.
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