Tranmere are hoping to attract a bumper crowd with their ‘Football for a Fiver’ offer for this weekend’s match against Yeovil Town

Feb 23 2011 by Nick Hilton, Heswall News

MANAGER Les Parry is hoping the Wirral public will turn out in force to back Tranmere's "football for a fiver" initiative at Prenton Park this weekend.

Entrance to all areas of the ground will be just £5 for the League One encounter with Yeovil, as Rovers encourage people to sample the match day experience at a knockdown price.

Parry reckons the team will be the first to benefit from a bigger than average crowd.

"It can have an absolutely massive impact," Parry said.

"A big crowd certainly gives the lads a lift. They will be up from the start of the game. A five figure crowd would be wonderful.

"Teams don't need the help of the crowd when they are 4-0 up. But you need the support of the crowd when you are in a tight game. That's when the supporters come into their own."

Tranmere officials, anxious to reverse a slow decline in gates over recent years, want to coax back lapsed supporters and give newcomers a taste of the match day experience that has earned them Football League Family Friendly awards over the last four years.

Chief executive Mick Horton said: We are trying to encourage people to come back and give us a try. Thats the ultimate aim of the offer. We think we provide a good match day experience at Prenton Park.

"The £5 price is a way of making the game as accessible as possible for all. We offer good honest football at low prices and we hope the fans will spread the word.

Parry believes skipper John Welsh is playing an influential role on and off the field in making Tranmere a stronger side this season.

The Liverpool born midfielder's non-stop workrate and commitment to the cause make him an inspirational figure in games.

But manager Parry reckons Welsh is having an important impact away from the action, in creating a harmonious dressing room and a positive spirit among the players.

Parry said: "We have become stronger as a unit. I don't think any player has improved individually but as a collective group they are playing for each other more and sticking with each other more. A lot of that is down to John Welsh's captaincy.

"On match days there should be 11 captains on the field with different ways of helping the team out. But it's off the field where captains have a massive job. They are the link between the players, the manager and the staff.

"If a player has a little problem the captain can get it sorted rather than having the manager sort it out all of the time. Welshy has done that for us."

Parry turned to the 27-year-old former Liverpool and Hull midfielder after relieving the now departed Ian Thomas-Moore of the captaincy at the start of the season, when the striker put in a transfer request.