Johnny King, former Tranmere Rovers manager, dies aged 77

Johnny King, pictured celebrating Tranmere’s promotion to the old Second Division in 1991, won three promotions between 1987-96. Photograph: Action Images

Johnny King, the man who led Tranmere Rovers from the old Fourth Division to the brink of the Premier League, has died aged 77.

King started his playing career at Everton in 1957 but it was as the manager of Tranmere that he enjoyed most success and became a revered figure at Prenton Park. During two spells in charge he won three promotions and in the second, from 1987-96, almost took the Wirral club into the top flight.

Tranmere were fighting to avoid relegation out of the Football League when King returned as manager in 1987. Under the charismatic coach, who vowed to take supporters on “a rocket ride to the moon”, Rovers went on to reach the First Division play-offs three times between 1993-95. There was also progress to the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1994 when Tranmere lost out to the eventual winners, Aston Villa, in a penalty shootout. They were remarkable achievements for a club of Tranmere’s financial resources.

A highly-respected figure on Merseyside and beyond, King had a stand at Prenton Park named in his honour in 2002. In 2014, a statue of Tranmere’s most successful manager was unveiled outside the stadium which was paid for by the supporters.

The current chairman, Mark Palios, said: “It is with enormous sadness I have learned that Johnny King has passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a long illness. A great manager, a great man and a true Tranmere legend. Our thoughts are with his family.”