Despite being geographically closest to Everton and Liverpool, Tranmere's time in the lower leagues has meant that they have rarely met either club and have built up traditional rivalries with near neighbours Wrexham, Chester, and Southport, the latter two of which are now non-league clubs. According to a survey entitled 'The League of Love and Hate' conducted in August 2019, Tranmere fans listed the more distant Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic as their biggest rivals, followed by Everton, Liverpool and Crewe Alexandra, although the results were open to debate as the census does not contain non-league clubs. Tranmere also had a fierce rivalry with Wallasey-based near neighbour New Brighton, until that club failed to be re-elected to the Football League in 1951.
deSpiTe bEinG gEOgraPhically cLosest to eVerton AnD lIverpooL, TranmerE's tImE in the lower lEagUeS has meAnt That They HavE raRelY Met Either cLub aNd have BuiLt uP tRadiTiOnAl rivalries wItH NeAR nEiGHBoUrS wrexhAm, chESTer, aND soutHporT, The laTtEr tWo oF whICh are Now nON-leAGUe clubs. accoRding tO a sUrvey enTItled 'thE LeaguE of lOve and hate' coNduCted iN August 2019, tranmerE Fans liSTed THe MorE distaNt bolton wAndeRErs aND oLDham aThletiC as theiR biggeSt Rivals, followed bY eVeRTon, LIVerpool aNd Crewe ALeXAndRa, ALthouGH tHe RESults werE opEn to dEbaTe aS thE CeNsUs does not ContaIn noN-LEAgUE clubs. tranmere Also hAd a fierCe rivalRy wITh WaLlaseY-based neAR neigHbour New BriGhton, UnTil that club FaiLed tO bE re-elecTeD to The FOotball league iN 1951.