Tranmere Rovers boss Les Parry given new deal as players ponder future

May 11 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

LES PARRY has been given a contract to carry on his work as manager of Tranmere into a third season.

The long serving physiotherapist who stepped out of the treatment room to take over team affairs in October 2009, signed a new one-year deal yesterday.

Chairman Peter Johnson paid tribute to Parry’s work in guiding Rovers to 18th place in League One the season -- nine points clear of the relegation places and just three points short of a top half finish.

Johnson said: “Despite the financial restrictions he works under, Les has done a really good job that I know is admired by other clubs. We have been competitive all season, even when going up against a lot of clubs with bigger squads and bigger budgets.”

Rovers, committed to keeping day-to-day operating losses to a minimum, work with one of the smallest budgets for players in the division. Parry has won widespread respect among fellow managers for his work in building a competitive team through shrewd use of home produced talent, free transfers and loan players.

Johnson added: “There have been some great moments this season, such as the home victories over Southampton, Peterborough and MK Dons, the away wins at Bournemouth, Leyton Orient and Walsall. We also had our best away record for five seasons and our fans enjoyed some excellent performances on the road.

“We have shown a lot of progress from last season and with the addition of some new blood in the summer, we have the pieces in place to move further up the table next season. Our early season-ticket sales are encouraging and we sold more before the first deadline than at the same stage last summer. It bodes well.”

Parry had made no secret of his desire to stay on in the job and also paid tribute to the work of his coaching staff. He said: “I would like to thank the chairman and the board for allowing me to continue as manager. I would like to thank the coaching staff for their support and hard work all season. It has been a team effort.

“We’ve got a better team than this time 12 months ago and ended the season in a higher position and with more points, which shows we are making progress.”

Meanwhile Tranmere released seven out of contract players yesterday, offered new deals to six and kept open dicussions with two more.