TRANMERE'S James Norwood has admitted he "would give anything" to be able to go back and celebrate this summer's promotion again.

The striker wrote himself into the club's history books by netting a late winner as they beat Boreham Wood 2-1 in the National League play-off final in May.

It secured Rovers' return to the Football League after a three year absence - and sparked wild scenes of jubilation at Wembley Stadium.

Speaking as part of a new book celebrating the club's first promotion in 27 years, Norwood has revealed how he never gave up hope of winning, despite conceding an equaliser deep into first half injury time.

The goal threatened to derail Tranmere's hopes of climbing the Wembley steps, especially as they were down to ten men after Liam Ridehalgh’s early sending off.

But Norwood says: "It's a good cross, leading up to the goal, that goes through Manny Monthe's legs.

"It's a good finish too.

"But I honestly didn’t think it was a problem. Tell me a centre forward who’s going to bully him or Steve McNulty?

"I can’t think of any. 

"After half time, we had a chance straight away. It falls to Connor Jennings and Andy Cook, and it goes out for a corner.

"That's when I started thinking that we’re in the game.

"We can counter attack. We just dug in.

"That's when the fans came into it and they were massive, absolutely massive.

"There were more of them last year, but last year they didn't get behind us as well.

"They realised that we missed them last year.

"They were groaning and everything, but I don’t hold it against them as it wasn’t a good performance.

"I've watched the whole game on television about 30 times. The volume has been on 75.

"About 60 or 61 minutes in it has to go down to 41 because I'm thinking I’m waking people up in the street!

"There was a challenge by Jay Harris, bang, welcome to the game, and the fans didn’t stop for half an hour after that.

"And then we get to my goal. Cooky then lays it off to Connor and his first touch is the best of the game.

"It goes forward and he takes it outside.

"He has a look and I point inside the defender.

"He crosses and it takes a massive deflection and spoons up in the air.

"If it had come normally, I could have glanced it, but there’s no pace on the ball. I was just waiting for it to come down.

"I'm at an angle where, with the ball coming down, there's no way the 'keeper thinks I’m going across goal.

"It shouldn't really be possible to get an angle on it.

"I just made sure I twisted everything and it came off my scar. I got a good connection. 

"On TV it looks slower than it is and people say the ‘keeper should have saved it.

"But there's one angle where you see it at full pace and it’s quick."

Penned by Radio City Talk's Matt Jones, Back Where We Belong takes the reader on a journey through Tranmere's three years in the National League.

It picks out the key moments of the promotion run in, as well as fixtures from previous seasons that left a lasting impression, such as battering Solihull 9-0, the miraculous comeback at Barrow and Andy Cook’s late winner at Chester.

Alongside Norwood, Micky Mellon, chairman Mark Palios and former boss Gary Brabin have all talked candidly about their role over the last few seasons.

It includes an honest account from Mellon on how he struggled to get over the 3-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers in the in 2017 play-off final.

Matt said: "For many Tranmere fans, myself included, this was the first time they had seen the club win something.

"It had been nearly three decades since the last promotion - it was a long time coming.

"The victory over Boreham Wood was such a brilliant reward for all those who have stuck by Rovers since 1991. 

"There had been three relegations in the intervening years, and not much to cheer.

"But when James Norwood rose to head home that ball, the scenes at Wembley were simply incredible.

"It was a moment that stood still in time and will forever be remembered by all those present.

"It brought all those years of hurt to an end and has pushed the club onto an upward curve.

"I felt like the three seasons in the National League, leading up to the win over Boreham Wood, simply had to be put down into words, and it has been so much fun to recap what have been some great memories in the division.

"I hope it is as fun for the supporters to read about as it was to write."

Available for purchase for £12, Back Where We Belong can be bought online at mattjones90.wordpress.com or in the Tranmere Rovers club shop.

It is also on sale at Literally ... bookshop in Atherton Street, Wallasey.