STEVE HUNTER reports from Prenton Park

TRANMERE supporters get the chance to bid a fond farewell to a true Rovers legend on Saturday, when popular winger John Morrissey stages his testimonial - an attractive pre-season 'friendly' which sees Tranmere lining up against Premiership club Everton at Prenton Park (kick-off 3pm).

Morrissey, released during the Summer by Rovers manager John Aldridge, joined the Prenton Park club for a bargain £8,000 from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1985.

He was signed by Frank Worthington and became a part of the Rovers side during the late 1980s, early 1990s which featured in numerous Wembley trips, and promotions from Division Four to the current standing in Division One, plus the play-off heartbreak of missing out on promotion to the promised land of the Premiership.

Mr Aldridge is treating the occasion as a serious competitive game - it is the last pre-season 'friendly' before the big kick-off, on Saturday week, when Rovers entertain Bolton on the opening day of the new Nationwide League Division One season.

He confirmed, though, that Morrissey will feature in the match, which also has the added scenario of Wirral multi-millionaire Peter Johnson owning both Tranmere and Everton. Mr Johnson is not expected to attend the match.

Supporters should note that the Prenton Park turnstiles open on Saturday at 1.30pm. A match between a Tranmere Star Select XI and a Liverpool Select X1 kicks off at 2pm. Admission is £12 adults, £6 children.

Morrissey himself can't wait for the big day: "It's going to be quite an emotional day walking out on the Prenton Park pitch to say goodbye to the fans, who have been great to me, and wearing the number 7 jersey for the last time. It's a great honour to be awarded a testimonial by the club."

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