Tranmere are Mersey Masters champions!

Achto still in top form!

A team of Tranmere Rovers legends tonight won the first Merseyside Masters event, held at the Echo Arena on the brilliant Liverpoo water front.

Four teams were involved in the competition, each bringing a squad of nine players of which five started each match. Substitutes were allowed to come on and off at will, whilst the matches were refereed by former Premier League referee's, including Jeff Winter.

The four teams involved in the competition were Tranmere's Merseyside neighbours, Liverpool and Everton, as well as Premier League side Wigan Athletic.

Rovers' side was captained by Stuart Barlow, with John Actherberg playing in goal. The other seven players were Prenton Park favourites Ian Nolan, Ged Brannan, George Santos, Kenny Irons, Steve Mungall, Eddie Bishop and John McGreal.

Elsewhere, the likes of Mark Wright, Ian Rush and Phil Babb lined up for Liverpool whilst Alan Kennedy played for Wigan and Everton were represented by Peter Beagrie amongst others.

Oh My Word, Barlow, He go the fourth against Everton

Tranmere played three matches, starting with a crushing 5-1 defeat over Everton. Stuart Barlow scored two goals in this fixture but was robbed of his hatrick by the PA announcer who put his third effort down as an own goal after Barlow's shot hit the post and rebounded into the net off the goalkeeper.

Next up for Rovers was a game against Liverpool, and despite going 1-0 up, Tranmere lost the match 2-1 after being caught by a Liverpool counter attack as Tranmere pushed for the win late on.

Results elsewhere though meant Rovers would qualify for the final against Liverpool as long as they avoided a three goal defeat to Wigan, and a 1-1 draw was the result of this match.

So, a re-match against Liverpool it was, and Rovers brilliantly won the game 4-2, with Eddie Bishop the hero on the night as he grabbed two goals.

Santos in his Rovers days

On the night, Tranmere were excellent. They passed the ball around at times with consumate ease, as Kenny Irons in particular controlled the midfield as he once did, as well as netting one excellent long range effort in the group match against Liverpool.

John Achterberg was terrific in goal whilst George Santos was brilliant in defence, and the only regret of the night is that he didn't score!

Tranmere's legends then qualify for the National Finals which will be held in Birmingham in September.