John Green

Tranmere Rovers

John Green was born and grew up near Warrington, like his lifelong friend Roger Hunt; both played as amateurs for Mid-Cheshire League club Stockton Heath before becoming professional footballers. Green scored on his debut in a win over I.C.I. Alkali and went on to score 22 goals in 25 league and cup games for Stockton Heath. He began his professional career with Tranmere Rovers, signing in February 1958, with the club in the Third Division North. At the end of the 1957–58 season, the Third Division North and South were dissolved and replaced by the Third Division and the Fourth Division. Tranmere were allowed to join the new Third Division, having finished in the top twelve in 1957–58 – they finished ahead of 13th place York City on goal average.

Blackpool

National service from August 1959 to August 1961 limited his appearances as a Blackpool player in his first few seasons. Green made his debut for Ron Suart's Blackpool on 5 March 1960, in a 4–2 victory at Leeds United. Green went on to make a further six appearances in the 1959–60 campaign. The following season, 1960–61, Green made just one league appearance, on 8 October 1960, as Suart rang the changes following a single-goal defeat at Preston North End in the West Lancashire derby in the previous outing. In 1961–62, Green made nine league appearances. He also scored his first goals for the club. The first came on 14 April 1962, in a 3–2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. A second followed…

Individual

Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year: 1969–70 Football League Fourth Division promotion: 1969–70