Former Tranmere Rovers FC captains Eric Nixon and Steve Mungall welcome news of the plans for a Johnny King statue

Mar 5 2013 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

FORMER Tranmere captains Eric Nixon and Steve Mungall gave a warm welcome to news of plans to commission a statue of Johnny King.

Goalkeeper Nixon, who played more than 450 games for Tranmere after signing for King in 1988 said: “I think the idea of a statue is wonderful. Johnny King fully deserves such a tribute. He was a manager who transformed Tranmere and put the club on the map.

“In my time under Kingy we knew little other than success. He was a character who really knew his football. He studied Bill Shankly and worked with him and you could see the influence. A lot of us who played for him have great memories of his time as manager.”

Versatile Scotsman Mungall was signed by King towards the end of his first spell as manager at Prenton Park in 1979. Mungall was still a mainstay of the team 15 years and 600 games later, deep into King’s second spell.

Mungall said: “I’m thrilled. Johnny King did a fantastic job at Tranmere. The club may never have a period of success to match the one when he was in charge in that second spell. To get to Wembley five times, win two promotions and be in the play-offs to get into the Premier League three times was incredible when you think about where the club was when he arrived in 1987.

“He was a great character but it was a very thoughtful manager as well. He was always prepared to listen to opinion about the decisions he was making. This is an accolade he deserves.”