Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies retires from football

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who has been at Prenton Park since 2015, made over 260 appearances for the club and was a key member of the core nucleus of players who brought Rovers back from the oblivion in the National League to achieve a two successive promotions straight up to League One in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

Davies, who was made captain by manager Micky Mellon in 2019, released an emotional statement on the club's website this afternoon.

He said: "Sadly I have been told I need to make the decision to retire from professional football - a day I never thought would actually come. While I am still a player at Tranmere Rovers I will do everything I can behind the scenes to help the Club achieve its aims.

Davies was part of the Tranmere team that won two successive promotion play-off finals at Webmley Stadium. Photo: Tony Coombes

"I’ve been lucky enough to live the dream, from jumpers for goalposts when I was a kid to leading my team out at Wembley. A journey full of the highest highs and lowest lows. But I’m truly thankful for all of it.

"I have to say a huge thank you to my wife Claire and children Sonny and Rudy for understanding the sacrifices. And all of my family and friends who supported me in good times and bad. Especially my mum, you gave me everything I needed to chase my dream as a child. Without you it wouldn’t have been possible.

"A special thank you to the gaffer, Micky Mellon, who has trusted me to be his goalie for many years. Always had faith and trust in me and taught me a lot about life and what it is to be a man as well as a goalkeeper. For that I’m forever grateful.

To the chairman and Nicola, thank you. Great people who love their club and gave me the opportunity to play for this amazing football club.

"To the SWA (Super White Army). Nearly 7 years on from when I walked through the door. I can honestly say they have been the best days of my life. The emotions we’ve been through. The Wembley trips. The promotions. I have a heart full of memories to last me a lifetime.

"It’s a football club I will always love and one I now support. The gaffer once told me ‘Tranmere grabs a hold of you’ and he was not wrong. It’s an amazing club that I’m truly blessed to have represented as many times as I have."

Scott Davies was a popular figure with the Super White Army. Photo: Tony Coombes

Davies has not played for Rovers since he was forced off injured against Accrington Stanley in December 2019.

In November 2021, he told the Globe that he was eyeing a return to action this month, but has since been told by medical experts that his time in the professional game is sadly over.

Club Chairman Mark Palios took to Tranmere's website to pay tribute to Davies.

He said: "Scotty has been one of the most influential players in and around the club for most of my time here.

"He not only contributed on the pitch through two promotions and four trips to Wembley but also bridged the gap between the dressing room and the boardroom over a period which saw the club through the non league period and into League One, as well as through the impact of the pandemic.

"Whilst I understand how hard it is for a player to accept that the day has come to decide to retire, I am pleased to say that Scotty will remain a Tranmere player until the end of his contract and will continue to contribute to the club's promotion push in every way that he can."