TRANMERE Rovers' manager Micky Adams has paid tribute to Johnny King just days before a statue honouring the club's legendary former boss is unveiled.

The bronze model will be revealed at Prenton Park on Saturday ahead of the club's League Two match against Stevenage.

Last year King, 81, accompanied his family to see the maquette of the statue. It is hoped he will be able to attend Saturday's unveiling, which takes place at midday.

The club's supporters' trust and Liverool-based sculptor Tom Murphy have worked together on a monument which they have described as a truly-fitting tribute to King, who managed Rovers in two spells, from 1975 to 1980 and from 1987 to 1996.

Under him, the club won three promotions, made five trips to Wembley and hammered on the door of the Premier League for three seasons.

As well as the statue unveiling there will be a poppy appeal collection and guard of honour featuring veterans who have served abroad.

During a press conference at the club this afternoon, Adams said: "I was joking with a supporter in the club shop earlier. I said "blimey, I've only been here two games and they've got a statue of me up already.

"When it was pointed out that it was in fact Johnny King I thought it's a tribute well-deserved.

"He was a terrific servant to this football club and if I can achieve half of what he's done I'll be a happy man." 

Rovers are currently 23rd on the League Two table. Goals are desparately needed if they are to climb up.

On the performance of his squad and the fans, Adams added: "The supporters were terrific last week. They really got behind the team and even when we were losing there was encouragement there.

"It won't always go right our way. It's very much like me getting a new girlfriend. We've got to get to know eachother.

"Every club's got training ground internationals and they're, perhaps, not the kind of people we want around the place.

"The way I'd find out about them is when we go into battle on a Tuesday and Saturday and play first team wise and there's a crowd there.

"The one's who have had the shirt recently have been the lucky ones because they've had first dibs at showing me what they can do.

"So this week's been more than useful for me, watching them play reserve football and I'm working on a daily basis with them. It's been useful.

"They've gone out and done the job and they work. They're a credit to themselves and the last regime as well.

"What I'm seeing on the training ground gives me a lot of optomism that we can get out of the predicament that we're in."

Looking forward to Saturday's match, Adams hopes the unveiling of Johnny King's statue will create a celebratory atmosphere that boosts the players' confidence and enthusiasm.

He said: "You know what you're going to get with Graham Westley's side. They work hard for eachother and are well organised.

"They will come here and try to really dampen the enthusiasm from our last two games.

"It's our home game and we're going to be entertaining and creative. We don't want to leave ourselves wide open

"If we get our players on the ball, we'll be alright I'm sure." 

The bronze model, designed by Tom Murphy, was approved by Wirral planning committee in September.

Murphy is one of Merseyside's best-known sculptors, with works including some of the region's most iconic sculptures, such as John Lennon, Dixie Dean, Bill Shankly, Billy Fury, Ken Dodd and, most recently, a Hillsbrough Disaster memorial.