Ronnie Moore

This article is about the English football manager. For the racer, see Ronnie Moore (speedway rider).

Ronald David Moore (born 29 January 1953) is an English football manager and former player. He has taken charge of several clubs, including Rotherham United, Tranmere Rovers and Hartlepool United. He is currently the chief scout at Hartlepool United.

Ronnie Moore

Moore in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Ronald David Moore
Date of birth	(1953-01-29) 29 January 1953 (age 72)
Place of birth	Liverpool, England
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s)	Striker
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1971–1979	Tranmere Rovers	249	(72)
1977	→ Chicago Sting (loan)	22	(8)
1979–1980	Cardiff City	56	(6)
1980–1983	Rotherham United	125	(52)
1983–1985	Charlton Athletic	62	(13)
1985–1986	Rochdale	43	(9)
1986–1989	Tranmere Rovers	75	(6)
Total		632	(166)
Managerial career
1987–1996	Tranmere Rovers (assistant)
1997	Southport
1997–2005	Rotherham United
2005–2006	Oldham Athletic
2006–2009	Tranmere Rovers
2009–2011	Rotherham United
2012–2014	Tranmere Rovers
2014–2016	Hartlepool United
2016	Eastleigh
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played for seven different clubs in a career spanning almost two decades, including Tranmere Rovers, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic and Rotherham United. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest Rotherham players of all time. Beginning his career in management at Southport in 1997, he went on to manage Rotherham, guiding them to two successive promotions from Division Three to Division One. He moved to Oldham Athletic in 2005, before becoming manager of former club Tranmere Rovers one year later. He returned to Rotherham for a second time in 2009, before returning to Tranmere Rovers for a second time in 2012. In February 2014 he was suspended by the club, pending the outcome of a Football Association investigation into alleged breaches of betting rules; he later admitted breaches of the rules, and was sacked by Tranmere in April 2014. In December 2014, Moore was announced as the new manager of Hartlepool United, but left in 2016.

Playing career

Moore began his playing career at Tranmere Rovers, where he was initially utilized as a defender by player-manager Ron Yeats, who he would often play alongside in defense.^[2] He was later turned into a forward by John King.^[3] In 1977, because Moore did not want to take the summer break and instead play more football, he was advised by King to play for Bill Foulkes' Chicago Sting team. After a season in the USA, he returned to Tranmere.^[4] However, Tranmere were relegated in 1979, and they were forced to sell Moore to relieve their financial problems.^[5]

Moore was sold to Cardiff City for £120,000; a club record for Cardiff at the time.^[6] He only played for the Welsh team for a year, before joining Third Division Rotherham United. He quickly made an impact, being top scorer when the club got promoted to the Second Division in the 1980-81 season.^[7]

After 52 goals in three years for the club, Moore left for Charlton Athletic in 1983, reportedly because of a 'drinking problem'.^[8] He also then played for Rochdale and returned to Tranmere in 1986, while also being John King's assistant manager. He retired from playing in 1989.^[9]

Managerial career

After several years at Rotherham, Moore joined Oldham Athletic in March 2005, helping the club to avoid relegation. In his second season, he led Oldham to a mid-table finish and won the League One Manager of the Month Award for December 2005, but later parted company with Oldham ostensibly due to poor season ticket sales.^[10]

Tranmere Rovers

Moore was immediately offered a position as manager of former club Tranmere Rovers in June 2006, which he accepted.^[11] He began his time in charge of Tranmere by bringing in nine players in the close season, including Chris Shuker and Paul McLaren. In his first year, he guided the team finish 9th in League One, although Tranmere had looked likely to achieve a play-off place for most of the year. In his second year in charge, Tranmere could only finish 11th, despite having been top of the table earlier in the season. Moore was affectionately known as "Ronnie Raw" by many Tranmere fans due to his extreme sense of humour.^[12]

Return to Rotherham United

In September 2009, Rotherham United confirmed that Moore would begin a second stint as manager, assisted by former teammate Jimmy Mullen.^[13] The following day, Ronnie was unveiled to the Millers faithful at the home game against Barnet, to a standing ovation. Rotherham went on to win the game 3–0. His return spell at Rotherham was mixed; Moore won the League Two Manager of the Month Award for November 2009,^[14] and took the club to Wembley for the League Two play-off final, although the Millers lost 3–2 to Dagenham & Redbridge.^[15] The 2010–11 season began similarly well, but after a string of indifferent results Moore left the club "by mutual consent" in the wake of a 5–0 defeat to Chesterfield in March, with Rotherham 6th in the table. His failure to secure Rotherham's place in the play-off spots for the second season in succession was largely cited as the reason for his second departure.^[16]

Return to Tranmere Rovers

On 5 March 2012, following the sacking of Les Parry, Moore made a second return to a former club, being appointed Tranmere Rovers manager until the end of the season.^[17]

On 14 February 2014, it was reported that Moore was under investigation by The Football Association, for breaching its rules against betting on competitions in which his club were involved.^[18] Three days later, the club announced that he had been suspended with immediate effect, until the conclusion of the FA investigation.^[19] On 31 March, the FA charged Moore in relation to alleged multiple breaches of rules regarding betting on matches.^[20] Moore admitted the charge on 8 April, and requested a personal hearing. He was sacked on 9 April 2014; the club said that "Tranmere Rovers will not tolerate any action that damages the integrity of this football club."^[21]

Hartlepool United

On 16 December 2014, Moore was appointed as Hartlepool United manager.^[22] Moore was appointed with the club bottom of the league, six points from safety and with a goal difference of minus-24.^[23] Hartlepool were at one stage ten points adrift at the bottom of the Football League and looked certain for relegation, but Moore inspired a revival in form, with the team having a four-match winning streak towards the latter stages of the season, which eventually ensured league survival in the penultimate game at home to Exeter City.^[24][25] This survival was dubbed the "great escape" by supporters which ironically relegated Moore's former club Tranmere Rovers from the Football League.^[25]

On 10 February 2016, Moore left Hartlepool by mutual consent with the club four points above the relegation places.^[26]

Eastleigh

In August 2016, Moore joined National League side Eastleigh.^[27] In Moore's first ten games with the Spitfires, Eastleigh remained unbeaten.^[28] In the FA Cup, Moore oversaw a 3–1 victory away at Swindon Town in a replay to reach the second round.^[29] On 30 November 2016, Moore decided to leave Eastleigh citing "personal circumstances over the past few weeks". He left the club eight points away from the play-off positions.^[28]

Post management

In January 2024, Moore was heavily linked with the vacant managerial position at former club Hartlepool United.^[30][31] On 3 April 2024, it was announced that Moore would return to Hartlepool as their chief scout.^[32] On returning to the club, Moore said: "It's fantastic to be back at Hartlepool and I'm really looking forward to it. I've never forgotten my time at Pools - I had a few promotions in my career, but that survival feeling was one of the best emotions I've ever felt. The supporters were extraordinary and I'm passionate about this Club. I want to see it back where it belongs. Often as a manager I would scout players myself, but I'm really looking forward to being able to solely focus on recruitment, giving it my full time and attention."^[32]

Personal life

His son is Ian Thomas-Moore.^[33]

Managerial statistics

As of 29 November 2016^[34][35]

Team	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Southport[36]	4 January 1997	3 May 1997	31	13	7	11	041.94
Rotherham United	24 May 1997	31 January 2005	398	143	121	134	035.93
Oldham Athletic	1 March 2005	1 June 2006	65	23	18	24	035.38
Tranmere Rovers	9 June 2006	5 June 2009	158	65	38	55	041.14
Rotherham United	26 September 2009	21 March 2011	87	36	21	30	041.38
Tranmere Rovers	4 March 2012	9 April 2014	102	38	23	41	037.25
Hartlepool United	16 December 2014	10 February 2016	59	19	11	29	032.20
Eastleigh	19 August 2016	29 November 2016	21	10	7	4	047.62
Total			922	348	246	328	037.74

Honours

Player

Tranmere Rovers

• Football League Fourth Division fourth place promotion: 1975–76^[37]

Rotherham United

• Football League Third Division: 1980–81^[38]

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 1975–76 Fourth Division^[39]

Manager

Rotherham United

• Football League Second Division runner-up: 2000–01^[8]
• Football League Third Division runner-up: 1999–2000^[8]

Individual

• Football League Second Division / Football League One Manager of the Month: October 2000,^[40] December 2005,^[40] August 2012,^[41] September 2012^[41]
• Football League Two Manager of the Month: November 2009^[14]

References

1. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 114. ISBN 0362020175.
2. Hilton, Nick (2 October 2013). "Heroes of Highbury: 40 years on, Moore memories of Tranmere beating Arsenal". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
3. Manning, Craig (9 June 2006). "Ronnie Moore new Tranmere manager". Retrieved 18 August 2024.
4. Rayner, Stuart; Wobschall, Leon (31 December 2022). "Pele memories: From Santos at Sheffield Wednesday to Rotherham United legend Ronnie Moore scoring against him in America". Retrieved 18 August 2024.
5. Ferguson, Ryan (12 August 2016). "The story of Charlie Lindsay, a most unlikely hooligan". Retrieved 18 August 2024.
6. Fletcher, Paul (26 July 2006). "Why Ronnie came back for Moore". Retrieved 18 August 2024.
7. Davis, Paul (3 April 2024). "The man known to Rotherham United fans as 'King' is back in the game". Retrieved 18 August 2024.
8. "The Big Interview: Rotherham United legend Ronnie Moore on his Millers love affair, turning 65 and why he's not ready for football's scrapheap". The Star. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
9. "Ronnie Moore". 26 December 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
10. "Sheridan replaces Moore at Oldham". BBC Sport. 1 June 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2007.
11. "Moore appointed Tranmere boss". BBC Sport. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2007.
12. "Moore 'shocked' by Tranmere axe". BBC Sport. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
13. "Moore returns as Rotherham boss". BBC Sport. 24 September 2009.
14. "Manager of the Month". LMA. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
15. Paul Fletcher (15 January 2024). "Dagenham & Redbridge 3–2 Rotherham United". BBC Sport.
16. "Club Statement – Rotherham and Moore part company". Rotherham United official website. 22 March 2011. Archived from the original on 25 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
17. "Tranmere Rovers reappoint Ronnie Moore as manager". BBC Sport. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
18. "Ronnie Moore: Tranmere boss under FA betting investigation". BBC Sport. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
19. Kay, Dan. "Tranmere suspend manager Ronnie Moore over alleged betting rule breach". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 18 June 2018. 17 February 2014
20. "Ronnie Moore: Tranmere manager to face FA betting charge". BBC Sport. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
21. "Tranmere sack Ronnie Moore for breaching contrac". The Guardian. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
22. "Ronnie Moore: Hartlepool United appoint ex-Rotherham manager". BBC Sport. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
23. "Ronnie Moore appointed as the new manager of Hartlepool". The Guardian. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
24. "Hartlepool win to secure safety". Sky Sports. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
25. "Hartlepool United: Ronnie Moore relieved after relegation escape". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
26. "Ronnie Moore: Hartlepool United part company with manager". BBC Sport. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
27. "Ronnie Moore Announced As New Manager". Eastleigh FC. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
28. "Ronnie Moore: Eastleigh manager leaves National League club". BBC Sport. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
29. "Swindon Town 1–3 Eastleigh". BBC Sport. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
30. Coates, Tom (15 January 2024). "Ex-Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers boss installed as shock favourite for non-league job". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
31. Ledwith, Gavin (16 January 2024). "Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips is the new favourite to become Hartlepool United's next manager". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
32. "Ronnie Moore appointed Chief Scout". Hartlepool United FC. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
33. "Tranmere manager Moore signs son". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
34. "Ronnie Moore". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
35. "Fixtures and results". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
36. "Ronnie Moore". Southport F.C. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
37. "Where Are They Now? Tranmere Rovers 1975–76". The Football League Paper. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
38. "Bygones: When Rotherham United fans revelled in glorious climb up the table under Emlyn Hughes". Yorkshire Post. 19 February 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
39. Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 141.
40. "League Managers Association". LMA. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
41. "Ronnie Moore". LMA. Retrieved 2 October 2022.

External links

• Ronnie Moore at Hartlepool United