This list contains players who have appeared in nationally organised first-team competition for Tranmere from 1921 until the Second World War. It includes first-team appearances and goals in the Football League, the FA Cup and the Third Division North Cup. Appearances and goals in other competitions or non-competitive matches are not included. Statistics from the three games in the 1939–40 Football League season abandoned because of the Second World War have been expunged from the records and are not included.[7] Players that also represented the club after the war are instead at List of post-war Tranmere Rovers F.C. players.
^Positions are listed according to the tactical formation that were employed until the 1960s.
^All statistics sourced from Upton; Wilson; Bishop (2009)[10] which does not include FA Cup appearances prior to 1921.[7]
^If a player received an international first-team cap, the country or countries he represented are shown.[11]
^Between 1926 and 1950, two competing teams represented the island of Ireland – the FAI and the IFA.[13][14] Davis was a dual international who played for both teams.[15]
Clubs are grouped by their division in the 2023–24 season. Includes the Welsh clubs where lists have been created. 'POTY' = 'Player of the Year / Season'.