Win keeps Aldo hanging on - January 29, 2001
Tranmere's incredible 3-0 hammering of neighbours Everton in the FA Cup on Saturday could be enough to keep former Irish international John Aldridge in the managerial hotseat for another while.
Frustrated Aldridge was said to be on the point of quitting a couple of weeks ago after the constant grind of a relegation struggle and the lack of funds for new players finally got to him.
But chairman Lorraine Rogers instead persuaded Aldo to take a short break with assistant manager Kevin Sheedy taking over the reins.
And Saturday's oh-so-satisfying win against the Premiership big boys and local rivals should be enough to revive Aldridge's spirits.
Last year, giant-killing runs in both the Worthington Cup and FA Cup helped lift another difficult season for the Birkenhead club - and what little money Aldridge had to spend came from the extra revenues generated by the extended cup involvement.
The fifth-round draw has robbed Tranmere of another big pay-day - Aldo's side are away to poorly-supported Southampton. But it does hold out the chance of another giant-killing act and a further cash boost in the sixth round.