Find out all the details you need to know ahead of tonight's Sky Bet League Two fixture between The Bluebirds and Tranmere Rovers.
Barrow vs Tranmere Rovers
Thursday 29th December 2022, kick-off 7:45pm
SO Legal Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
Opposition
Founded in 1884, Tranmere has been a prominent name within the English football pyramid achieving the 3rd Division Title (Equivalent Current EFL League 1) in 1937/38, FA Cup quarter-finalists on 3 occasions between 1999-2004, and League Cup runners-up in 1999-00.
Rovers signed a certain John Aldridge from Real Sociedad for a fee worth around £250,000 in the summer 91’. The former Liverpool striker is widely considered to be the greatest signing in the club’s history. He would lead them through a successful and memorable period in the club’s history, even reaching their first major cup final in the Worthington Cup in 1999/00 season, although would lose out 2-1 to Leicester City.
The 21st century has been a rocky road for Tranmere, falling out of the Football League for the first time in 94 years in 14/15 season. They would return via a Wembley trip in 2017/18, winning the play off final 2-1 thanks to goals from James Norwood and Andy Cook, and then achieved back-to-back promotions with a season back in League One before relegation back to League Two.
Micky Melon’s side currently finds themselves in 14th place, Last time out in Sky Bet League Two they managed a 3-0 victory against Doncaster on boxing day, With Tranmere opening the scoring in the 45th minute before adding another two in the second half to bounce back after defeat to Grimsby earlier in December.
Head To Head
Earlier in the season, only one goal could separate the two sides, Bluebirds were defeated on that day 1-0 with Josh Hawkes well-executed finish in the 26th minute the only thing between the two sides.
A total of 83 fixtures have been played between the 2 sides dating back to March 1922. Tranmere edge the head-head with 37 victories to Barrow’s 25.
Referee
The man with the notebook this evening will be Tom Reeves, who is joined by Nik Barnard and Chris Isherwood with the flags. A familiar face in Darren Handley will be on Fourth Official duties at the SO Legal Stadium tonight.
Reeves has already officiated The Bluebirds this season, when he oversaw September’s 3-1 away defeat at Northampton Town. On that day, the man in the middle dished out 8 yellow cards.
Reeves’s last refereeing appointment came between Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe; Plymouth walking away with a 2-1 victory, a match which produced 2 late goals on either end as The Shrimps couldn’t quite salvage a point.
Tickets
Barrow fans can still buy tickets for the game on our ticketing website and gain admission through the turnstiles via our e-ticket option.
Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket at the Ticket Office this afternoon, up until kick-off.
Click here for more information.
Visiting With Families
If you're visiting the SO Legal Stadium this evening with your family, check out our handy Family Guide on how to make the most of your visit.
Click here to check out our Family Guide.
Live Streaming
Domestic live streaming will be allowed for the fixture, which means that Barrow v Tranmere Rovers will be available on iFollow in the UK and abroad.
You can buy a video match pass HERE.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our link-up with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to Chris Stott and John Goodwin at the SO Legal Stadium to describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.