It all started five and a half years ago in April 2000. The new boy Hume became the youngest player to play for Tranmere against Swindon Town. The firey red-faced teenager was only 16 years and 167 days old, beating the record heald by the great Dixie Dean. Then, when Hume became 17, he signed his first professional contract and in Octorber 2001, John Aldridge handed Hume his first start for Tranmere at Ninian Park, Cardiff.
Hume didn't become a first team regular until Ray Mathias' season as manager - the 2002/03 season. The Tranmere faithfull could see that another good younster had come through the Youth team, as Hume went on to score six league goals in 22 starts and 13 substitute appearences in his first season as a first team regular.
Hume also won his first cap for Canada in the 2002/03 season, coming in February 2003. To this day, Hume remains a Canada regular, playing for them in pre-season.
In the 2003/04 season under at first Ray Mathias, and then Brian Little, Hume, still only 19 had his best season quite possibly as a Tranmere player. Hume scored 10 league goals in 40 appearences and three F.A. Cup goals in seven games. Rovers fans will fondly remember his blistering F.A. Cup goals against Bolton Wanderers and Swansea City.
Firstly, the Bolton goal, in an F.A. Cup Third Round replay at the Reebok stadium. It was 1-1 after about one minute of injury time, when Hume picked the ball up barely inside the Bolton half of the field. Hume ran with the ball until he was about 30-35 yards out and curled a beautiful, low, hard shot which nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the Bolton goal.
Then the Swansea goal, in the F.A. Cup Fifth Round. Hume hit another fantastic shot from about 30 yards out into the top corner of the Cowshed end goal.
Hume had other great F.A. Cup moments in that season too. One too be remembered is his wonderful run down the right against Millwall in an F.A. Cup Quater Final Replay at Prenton Park. Hume carried the ball down the line and never gave up, eventually squeezing in a cross from the edge of the penalty area by the goal line. The cross was inch perfect, straight to Big Gary Jones' head, who brought Rovers back into the game at 2-1 down.
Last season was Hume's best for goals scored to date. Hume scored 15 goals in 44 games. Another memorable goal for him from this campaign was a cheeky back-heal at Hillsborough against promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday, a game which Tranmere eventually won 2-1. This goal was Hume's penultamate goal for Rovers, coming on the 2nd of April 2005.
This season, Hume managed just one more goal for Tranmere, yet it was another stunner to be proud of. Hume collected the ball 30 yards out and after controlling the ball, Hume let go from 25 yards, and the Blackpool keeper never had a chance. This proved to be Hume's final goal for Tranmere, and this game was quite possibly his best of what has so far been a poor season for Hume.
I'm sure every Tranmere fan will join me in saying a huge thank-you to Iain Hume. You brought us many moments which made us proud to be Tranmere fans, and we wish you all the best for the future.