Were you there?

David Kelly celebrates the third Tranmere goal which secured them their place at Wembley

Henry celebrates the first Tranmere goa, his screamer from 20 yards

Seven years ago today, Tranmere Rovers secured their place in their first ever major cup final, beating Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at Prenton Park and we are now going to review what was such a good night for Rovers fans.

Date: January 26th, 2000
Venue: Prenton Park
Competition: Worthington Cup Semi-Final Second Leg
Result: Tranmere Rovers 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

The 26^th January 2000 was one of the best nights ever as a Tranmere fan. Prenton Park was full to the rafters, with away funs stuck in the Cowshed stand for the first time in years and full of Bolton fans, but the Kop and every other stand packed with Rovers fans.

After Rovers had defeated high-profiled teams Coventry, Barnsley and Middlesbrough on their way their way to the semi-final, expectations were high, especially with Rovers leading the two-legged tie 1-0, with the all important away goal, thanks to Clint Hill netting in the first half at the Reebok stadium from a trademark Dave Challinor long throw.

Rovers were missing several key players for the game, with Wayne Allison cup-tied, Clint Hill suspended and Steve Yates and Gareth Roberts missing through injury, Rovers had to pick Scott Taylor and Andy Thompson in their line-ups along with the experience of Phil Babb, on loan from Liverpool.

The game simply couldn't have started any better for Rovers, with the Super White Army scoring after just five minutes thanks to Nicky Henry.

Another trademark long throw-in from Dave Challinor was only partially cleared by the head of Gudni Bergsson to the edge of the dee where Nicky Henry volleyed the ball into the top corner past Banks who had no chance.

Rovers were now on top and pushed forward looking for a second with Alan Mahon smashing a 40 yard effort from just off the left-touchline against the cross bar with Banks well beaten whilst John Achterberg had to clear from Jensen outside his penalty area after Holdsworth had had a penalty appeal turned down by Premiership referee Graham Poll.

On 20-minutes, Tranmere were sent into dream land. Dave Challinor's through ball was collected by Scott Taylor who got passed Whitlow before going down easily under the challange from the Bolton defender, with Poll awarding Rovers a penalty in front of the Kop.

Alan Mahon stepped up to take the penalty and sent Banks the wrong way with his spot kick aswell and sending Tranmere 2-0 up on the night and 3-0 up an aggregate.

Achterberg had to make a finger tip save from Elliot, Hazell an awesome goal-line clearance from a Bolton shot and Alan Mahon was also forced into making an excellent defensive clearance with his head as at half-time the two sides went in at 0-0.

In the second half, Tranmere just passed the ball around and enjoyed the cheers of the fans, who were growing more and more confident that their team was going to return to Wembley after a nine year absense.

Kelly shot wide early on for Rovers before Jensen hit a free-kick well over the bar into the Rovers fans behind the goal from just outside the area.

On 70-minutes, Tranmere won a free-kick mid way inside the Bolton half. Spotting an early run from captain David Kelly, Scott Taylor played a neat through ball to the striker who scuffed his shot past Banks into the corner of the net off the post, making him the leading scorer in the competition and securing Tranmere's place at Wembley.

After Kelly's goal, Prenton Park just erupted with noise. Chants of “Que Sara, Sara, Whatever will be will be, We're going to Wem-ber-ley” and “Wemb-er-ley, Wemb-er-ley, We're the famous Tranmere Rovers and we're off to Wemb-er-ley” rang round the stadium, accompanied by the famous “Super White Army”, “Tranmere Tranmere Tranmere” and “Walking in an Aldridge wonderland”.

It is an atmosphere that has been seldom witnessed or heard on the Wirral since, only for games like Millwall, Southampton, Newcastle and Liverpool, but with Ronnie Moore looking to guide Tranmere back into the Championship and beyond, hopefully the glory days aren't too far away.

The final whistle was greeted by a huge wave of noise around the ground, as many Rovers fans invaded the pitch to congratulate their team.

Once the outfield had been cleared, John Aldridge, his coaching staff and his squad did a lap of honor round the Prenton Park pitch and were congratulated by three of the four stands. The only quiet stand was the Cowshed stand now, in which just two Bolton fans had remained until the final whistle.

Tranmere 3-0 Bolton

Henry (5)
Mahon (20, penalty)
Kelly (70)

Tranmere: Achterberg, Hazell, Babb, Challinor, Thompson (Allen 88), Parkinson, Jones, Henry, Mahon (Koumas 86), Taylor, Kelly (Black 84)

Bolton: Banks, Holden, Bergsson, Whitlow (Johansen 68), Phillips, Jensen, Passi (Warhurst 53), Elliot, Gardner, Gudjohnsen, Holdsworth (Taylor 77)

Attendance: 15,834

Referee: Graham Poll

Fans Thoughts:

Myles Faulker: What A Night, one of the best of my life, the atmosphere was electric, il never forget it for as long as i shall live, SUPER WHITE ARMY

Mart Boulton: After going 1-0 up in the tie, we needed an early goal to take a bit of the pressure of us. When Nicky Henry scored that goal we were all delirious. Rarely has the Kop shaken as much as it did when that goal went in! From then on it was a great game for Tranmere fans. We just piled on the agony for them and the 'Que-serrah serrah' chants were great!

Sean Stokes: Up there with the best nights I've had at Prenton Park. Atmosphere that night will live with me forever, I still watch the video occasionally, we tore them apart. Would love to see a video of the kop that night.

The match is I am sure one no Tranmere fan will ever forget, especially if they were there and I am sure the memories will be treasured for ever.

Look out for more famous matches coming soon!