Preston North End Football Club is an English football club located in Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the second tier of English league football, The Championship. They were a foundation member of the English Football League in 1888 and were the first English football champions. Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Preston is a city and local government district in North West England. ... Lancashire is a county in North West England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea. ... The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short, the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League. ... The English football champions are the winners of the highest league in English football, which is currently the FA Premier League. ...

In the past Preston were famously successful, being the first winners of "The Double" in English football. In 1888–89 Preston became the first, and only, team to go throughout an entire season unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup — only Arsenal F.C., in 2003–04, have managed to have an unbeaten season in the top division since. They were league champions again the following season, but have not won the title since. Their last major trophy was an FA Cup triumph in 1938. The Double is a term in football, meaning to win a countrys top division and its main cup competition in the same season. ... Note: for the full results of all FA Cup finals, see FA Cup Final The FA Cup - this is the fourth trophy, in use since 1992, and identical in design to the third trophy introduced in 1911. ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ... Note: for the full results of all FA Cup finals, see FA Cup Final The FA Cup - this is the fourth trophy, in use since 1992, and identical in design to the third trophy introduced in 1911. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Origins

Preston North End were founded as a cricket club in 1862, although it would take nearly twenty years after the formation of the club in its original form before their first football match. For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

The cricket team played their first game in the summer of 1862 at ‘The Marsh’, a strip of land next to the River Ribble in Ashton; they were known for a short period of time as Preston Nelson, but soon adopting the suffix ‘North End' as they were based in the north end of Preston. The River Ribble at Ribchester The River Ribble is a river that runs through North Yorkshire and Lancashire, in the North of England. ...

The club’s move to the Deepdale area of the town dates back to 1875, when land at Deepdale Farm was used. At this point, North End adopted rugby as a second sport in an attempt to attract enough spectators to offset the heavy costs of the cricketers. Deepdale is a stadium in Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and Englands National Football Museum. ... A rugby union scrum. ...

Unfortunately for the side, this proved a failed experiment. By this time, rival side Preston Grasshoppers had been in existence for a number of years, and it proved impossible to compete with the two or three thousand spectators they managed to attract each week. Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team from Preston, Lancashire. ...

However, prompted by the success of the sport in East Lancashire, the club gradually adopted association football, and on 5 October 1878 they played their first match, losing 1-0 to Eagley F.C.. In 1881 they made the decision to permanently adopt the association code. The Decision was made before a friendly game, against Blackburn Rovers on 26th March 1881. It is reported that Preston were beaten 17-0, so it was lucky the decision was made before the game. Although many believe that the Club became a football club before this date. This was the actual date they officially signed to the Football Association Code and became officially a football club and withdrew participation in other sports. October 5 is the 278th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (279th in leap years). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Eagley F.C. is an association football club based in the village of Eagley, near Bolton in Greater Manchester. ...

Rise of the Invincibles (1880-1890)

Over the next few years, North End’s ground at Deepdale gradually improved its facilities and increased in size. Association football had become a major attraction in the town, and the man at the helm of the club, Major William Sudell, had a clear vision of how to make Preston North End the supreme side of the entire country.

In a nutshell, Sudell’s plan was to ‘import’ top players from other areas, primarily Scotland, rather than rely on local talent like other clubs. They were to be rewarded by being paid match fees and being ‘accommodated’ with highly paid work in the Preston area. Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots3 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  -  First Minister Jack McConnell...

This led to accusations of professionalism from Preston’s rivals. In 1884 for instance, Upton Park, who arrived at Deepdale for an FA Cup tie, complained to the Football Association that their opponents had fielded a team packed with Scottish professionals. The FA expelled North End from the tournament, but a threat from thirty-six northern teams to break away and form a rival football association forced the FA to legalise professionalism in 1885. A profession is a specialized work function within society, generally performed by a professional. ... Upton Park Football Club were an amateur football club from Upton Park, London in the late 19th and early 20th century, now defunct. ... Note: for the full results of all FA Cup finals, see FA Cup Final The FA Cup - this is the fourth trophy, in use since 1992, and identical in design to the third trophy introduced in 1911. ... The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England (and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man). ... The British Football Association was a short lived ruling body for the game of football. ...

And so arrived ‘The Invincibles’; mostly recruited from north of the border as was the case with Nick Ross, his younger brother Jimmy Ross, David Russell, John Goodall and Geordie Drummond. There were some local players, such as full back Bob Holmes and winger Fred Dewhurst, but it was Sudell’s revolutionary tactics^[specify] and emphasis on teamwork as much as the talent available to him that turned Preston into the unbeatable unit they became (see below). The Invincibles in football (soccer) has recently been adopted to describe the Arsenal F.C. team of the 2003-2004 Premiership season for the feat of winning the league without suffering a single defeat. ... Jimmy Ross (born 28th March 1866, died 12th June 1902) was a footballer who played for Liverpool Football Club in the late 19th century. ... John Goodall (born June 19, 1863 (Westminster, London) – died May 20, 1942 (Watford, Hertfordshire) was a footballer who rose to fame as a centre-forward for Preston North End F.C. and the England national team at the time of the development of the Football League. ...

During this time, North End beat Hyde 26-0 in the first round of the FA Cup in 1887-88 – which to this day remains an English first-class football record.^[1] Hyde Football Club are a now-defunct football club from Hyde, Greater Manchester, founded in 1885. ... The 1887-1888 season was the seventeenth season of competitive football (soccer) in England. ...

The Football League was founded in 1888; North End were one of the founder members and went on to make history. In the League's first season (1888-89), North End were inaugural league champions, achieving the feat without losing a match. On top of this, they completed the league and cup ‘Double’, winning the FA Cup without conceding a single goal, defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 in the final. The Football League is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales, and is the oldest such competition in world football. ... The 1888-1889 season was the 18th season of competitive football (soccer) in England. ... The Double is a term in football, meaning to win a countrys top division and its main cup competition in the same season. ... Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. are an English football club playing at Molineux. ...

In 1889-90 Sudell’s team repeated the feat in the League, but it wasn't long before rival teams improved. Despite many close calls, North End would never match The Invincibles’ feat by winning the Football League Championship again. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Pre-War problems (1891-1915)

Despite the Invincibles team being gradually dismantled, Preston continued to perform well in the league, finishing runners-up first to Everton and then twice in succession to Sunderland. In 1892-93 a second division was initiated, along with the first ever promotion/relegation 'play-off' system. This meant that the top three in Division Two would each play a one-off 'test match' against a team finishing in the bottom three in the top flight. Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ... Sunderland Association Football Club is a professional football club, based at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, in North-East England. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

In 1893-94 Preston plummeted down the league to finish third from bottom (14th), requiring them to beat Notts County in the end-of-season test match to retain their top-flight status. This they did, defeating the Magpies 4-0 at Deepdale. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Notts County Football Club are a football club based in Nottingham, England and is the oldest professional football team in the world. ...

One suggestion for this decline is that Preston's players desired to earn more money and play for so-called 'bigger' clubs, often in more affluent areas of the country.^{[citation needed]} To this end, Nick Ross had signed for Everton, John Goodall went to Derby County and Thomson to Wolves. Derby County Football Club are a football club based in Derby, currently playing in the Football League Championship. ... Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. are an English football club playing at Molineux. ...

However, three more significant events were rather more tragic for the club. First, in 1893 William Sudell lost his control of the club and it was established as a limited liability company. Soon after, he was found guilty of embezzling £5,000 of his employers, John Goodairs', money.^{[citation needed]} This money was apparently used in the provision of hospitality at Preston North End. He was handed a three-year prison sentence and later emigrated to South Africa.^{[citation needed]}

Then two of the legendary Invincibles died tragically at early ages. Firstly, Nick Ross, who had returned to Deepdale from Everton after only one year, succumbed to Tuberculosis. Then, soon after Sudell's imprisonment, Fred Dewhurst died. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for Tubercle Bacillus) is a common and deadly infectious disease that is caused by mycobacteria, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ...

North End were finally relegated in 1901. They bounced back in 1904 however, finishing as runners-up to Liverpool in 1906. This yo-yo journey continued however, with them being relegated again in 1912, bouncing straight back up as champions, being relegated in 1914 and promoted again in 1915. Liverpool skyline. ...

The club's Deepdale ground continued to prosper, and attendances increased several times over.^[specify] Some of the players who entertained these crowds included centre-half Joe McCall, Peter McBride (who is second only to Alan Kelly Sr. in the list of North End's record league appearance makers with 443) and winger Dickie Bond. Goalkeeper/Manager - Preston North End and Republic of Ireland Born 5th July 1936 in Dublin, Alan Kelly arrived at Deepdale in April 1958 from Drumcondra, with whom he had won a FAI Cup winners medal in 1957. ...

The onset of 'The Great War' in 1914 brought a temporary halt to football in the country, with many players enlisting to aid the war effort. Indeed, a Footballers' Battalion was formed in December 1914 and grounds were used as volunteering points.

Between the Wars (1919-1939)

Despite the fact that several regional competitions ran during the First World War, it was not until September 1919 that English league football returned.

North End struggled for the most part of the inter-war period, with the club finishing first 19th and then 16th for three consecutive seasons before finally being relegated in 1924-25. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Relegation coincided with the man who had been at the helm of the club, James Isherwood Taylor, being banned from the club by the FA after he had made illegal approaches for players, although he returned in 1925.

Taylor arrived on the board in 1912, and became an increasingly inflential figurehead at Deepdale, at a time when many other clubs were beginning to employ specialist team managers. Indeed, Taylor considered it within his remit to pick the team and select the club's transfer targets!^{[citation needed]}

However, it was widely believed^{[attribution needed]} that he had an extremely good eye for a player, and this was proven when he secured the signature of Alex James from Raith Rovers for £3,250 in 1925. Although enjoying little success at Deepdale, he certainly entertained the fans^[specify] until his departure to Arsenal in 1929. Alexander Wilson James (September 14, 1901 — June 1, 1953) was a Scottish footballer, and is most noted for being one of Arsenal F.C.s greatest players of all time. ... Raith Rovers F.C. are a professional football club who currently play in the Scottish Football League (Division 2). ... Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) are an English professional football club based in Holloway, north London. ...

Despite lean times in the league, North End very nearly experienced glory in the FA Cup. After reaching the semi-finals in 1921, they went one better a year later by qualifying to face Huddersfield Town in the final at Stamford Bridge - the last one before the opening of Wembley Stadium. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, currently playing in Coca-Cola League One, and are managed by Andy Ritchie. ... Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham that is home to Chelsea Football Club. ... Wembley Stadium (often called Wembley) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. ...

Unfortunately, as is often the case for Preston North End in showpiece matches, they lost - albeit in controversial circumstances.^{[citation needed]} In a poor game, Billy Smith was felled on the edge of the North End box, and despite fierce protests, the referee signalled for a spot-kick.

Smith converted, despite the best efforts of bespectacled goalkeeper J.F. Mitchell to put him off by jumping up and down on his line. The cup was lost.

Unlike before the war, North End found it extremely difficult to bounce back to the top flight. In their first season in League Division Two they finished 12th, followed by 6th, 4th, 13th, 16th, 7th, 13th and 9th, before they finally returned to Division One, finishing runners-up behind Grimsby Town in 1933/34. Grimsby Town F.C. are an English football League Two team. ...

At many points during the club's nine seasons in Division Two, relegation seemed quite likely. However, Taylor averted this potential disaster by signing two forwards from Tottenham Hotspur in the shape of Ted Harper and Arthur Rowley in the winter of 1931. In 1932-33, Harper scored 37 goals, a club record which still stands.^{[citation needed]} Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club, who play in the Premier League. ... Arthur Rowley (April 21, 1926 - December 19, 2002) was an English association footballer, holding the record for the greatest number of career goals in the Football League, 434. ...

During this period, Taylor also made some notable improvements to the ground. The Pavilion Stand was opened in 1934, housing offices, dressing rooms, boardroom and guest rooms.

On the pitch, the policy of signing players from north of the border continued - Jimmy Milne and Bill Shankly would both prove great servants to the club. With this new injection of talent, Preston once again began to prosper - performing admirably in the First Division and reaching the FA Cup final in 1938. Only three of the team were English.^{[citation needed]} William Bill Shankly, OBE (September 2, 1913 – September 29, 1981) was one of Britains most successful and respected football managers. ...

Again, the opponents were Huddersfield Town, and it was quite ironic that the outcome should again decided by a penalty, George Mutch firing into the roof of the net after being unfairly challenged by Terriers defender Alf Young in the last minute of extra time. George Mutch, (born November 21, 1912 in Aberdeen - March 30, 2001), was an Scottish football player. ...

Cue delirious celebrations in Preston, and the last time North End would win a major domestic trophy. Much optimism surrounded the club,^{[attribution needed]} with the cup winning team and the emergence of a plethora of talent through their two junior sides. One of those talents was Tom Finney. Sir Thomas Finney, OBE (born 5 April 1922, Preston) is a former English footballer, famous for his loyalty to his league club, Preston North End, and for his performances in the English national side. ...

Unfortunately, we will never know how North End would have fared had the league not been abandoned due to World War Two, but their record in matches in the forties and their success in the War Cup in 1941 would suggest that they may have added further honours to their two league titles and two FA Cup wins.

Finney era (1946-1960)

Although football continued through the war, Tom Finney was 24 years old when he made his official league debut for North End. However, many of the older Lilywhites' players had retired, having been deprived of eight years of their careers. Two North End players, Jack Owen and Tommy Thompson, were killed during the war. Sir Thomas Finney, OBE (born 5 April 1922, Preston) is a former English footballer, famous for his loyalty to his league club, Preston North End, and for his performances in the English national side. ...

Despite the setback of relegation in 1949, they bounced back within two seasons, setting themselves up for a prosperous time in the 1950s. Amazingly, they failed to win any further major domestic honours despite coming close on several occasions.

Much is made of Finney’s unstinting loyalty to the club and town, but in 1952 North End came agonisingly close to losing their greatest-ever player. English players moving to play abroad had hitherto been unheard of, but the decision of England international Neil Franklin to sign for Bogotá in Colombia in 1950 suggested that First Division stars were indeed attainable. Cornelius Neil Franklin (born January 24, 1922, Shelton, Stoke-On-Trent, died February 9, 1996) was an English footballer. ...

With this in mind, the Italian club Palermo offered Finney a signing on fee of £10,000, a basic salary of £130 per month, bonuses, a villa and a car. The signing on fee alone represented around ten years of earnings in English football. Finney urged the board to consider allowing him to speak to them, but his request was rejected. Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football team which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. ...

Despite this, Finney continued to give his all to the cause, and the following year he almost reaped his reward. With two games remaining of the 1952/53 season, North End were locked in a three-way title battle with Arsenal and Wolves. As Wolves lost form at the crucial moment, Preston defeated the Gunners 2-0 in an incredibly intense Deepdale clash. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

After another win over Derby County in midweek, it all came down to Arsenal’s match against Burnley on the Friday. Unfortunately, Arsenal won 3-2, pipping the Lilywhites to the First Division championship by a slender 0.1 of a goal. Burnley Football Club are a professional football club based in Burnley, in north-east Lancashire, England. ...

A devastated North End managed to bounce back the following season, however. Despite finishing eleventh in the league, they reached the FA Cup final, where they would face West Bromwich Albion. Naturally, everyone expected^{[attribution needed]} this to be when Finney showed off his mercurial talents to the nation, but the expectation was much too great as he struggled in a 3-2 loss. West Bromwich Albion Football Club is an English football club that play in the Football League Championship. ...

At one stage in the Wembley showpiece, North End led 2-1 thanks to goals from Angus Morrison and Charlie Wayman. A disputed penalty conceded by Tommy Docherty and an error by goalkeeper George Thompson turned the game, and for the second time in two seasons Preston were English football’s nearly men. Angus Morrison Source: Library and Archives Canada Angus Morrison (January 20, 1822 – June 10, 1882) was an Ontario lawyer and political figure. ... Charles Wayman (16 May 1922 - 25 February 2006) was an English footballer. ... Thomas Henderson Docherty (born Gorbals, Glasgow on 24 August 1928), usually known as Tommy Docherty or the Doc, is a Scottish former footballer and football manager. ... George Thompson was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ...

For the rest of the decade the team never managed to quite aspire to these heights, but the Tom Finney-inspired outfit entertained crowds up and down the country with fast, attacking football.

In 1960, with injuries beginning to get the better of him, Finney made the decision to retire. Naturally, the occasion was an emotional one in front of almost 30,000 supporters after a 2-0 victory over Luton Town, with the ‘Preston Plumber’ making a speech on the pitch and those present belting out a rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’!^{[citation needed]} Luton Town Football Club are an English football team based in the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. ...

Fears that the end of Finney’s playing career would prompt a downturn in the club’s fortunes proved justified when they were relegated the following season. Preston North End have not returned to the top flight of English football since.

Beginning of the decline (1961-1981)

As Dave Russell points out in his book Preston North End: 100 Years in the Football League, one event took place in this period which would make it virtually impossible for North End to find the wages to compete with the elite in attracting top players.

In 1960, the PFA, led by Jimmy Hill voted overwhelmingly to go on strike in an attempt to see the abolition of the maximum wage. In essence, this was inevitable. After all, no other workforce would have accepted such a system of labour relations. The Professional Footballers Association is the association for professional footballers in the United Kingdom. ... Jimmy Hill Jimmy Hill OBE (born July 22, 1928 in Balham, London) is an English football personality. ...

When the Football League finally relented, it brought hardship to many clubs outside of the top flight.^{[citation needed]} Wages increased greatly, and young players developed by the smaller clubs as a way around this difficulty were lured away or sold in order to reduce debts.

At the same time, football crowds began to decrease as Britain entered a period of social change where men were expected to perform domestic tasks over the weekend as well as pursue their own leisure interests!^{[citation needed]}

However, North End still performed admirably in the early part of sixties, reaching the FA Cup Final against all the odds in 1964. Their opponents this time were to be West Ham United, who contained future World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst. Considering the Lilywhites’ Second Division status, they started the game as clear underdogs. West Ham United Football Club are based in Upton Park, Newham, East London and play their home matches at The Boleyn Ground, informally known as Upton Park. ... The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which has been awarded to the world champions since 1974. ... Robert Frederick Chelsea Bobby Moore, OBE (born Barking, England, April 12, 1941 - died London, February 24, 1993) was an English footballer. ... Sir Geoffrey Charles Hurst, MBE (born December 8, 1941 in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire) is a footballer enshrined in the games history as the only player to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final. ...

Despite this, and containing the youngest player in FA Cup Final history in seventeen-year-old Howard Kendall, Jimmy Milne’s side looked the likely winners for long periods, taking the lead twice through Doug Holden and Alex Dawson. Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. ... Alexander Dawson 1988 - 2006 Alexander Dawson or Harold the Dancing Banana as he liked to be known was a brave, brave man. ...

Unfortunately, West Ham proved too strong in the end and a calamitous blunder^{[citation needed]} by goalkeeper Alan Kelly coupled with a last-minute winner by Ronnie Boyce saw the Londoners home 3-2. Goalkeeper/Manager - Preston North End and Republic of Ireland Born 5th July 1936 in Dublin, Alan Kelly arrived at Deepdale in April 1958 from Drumcondra, with whom he had won a FAI Cup winners medal in 1957. ... Ronnie Boyce (born January 6, 1943 East London) was a football player. ...

Such promise convinced the North End faithful^{[attribution needed]} that promotion and a return to the top tier was just around the corner, but this never happened. Instead, partly due to a period spent balancing the books and the sales of Kendall, Dawson and Dave Wilson, the club was relegated to the Third Division for the first time in its history in 1970. Gallingly, the final nail in the coffin was hammered home by rivals Blackpool, who in the process confirmed their own promotion. Dave Wilson (ca. ... From the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. ... Blackpool Football Club is an English football club currently playing in League One, the third tier of professional football in England. ...

New manager Alan Ball ensured that North End bounced straight back up as champions. Despite several sticky patches during the season, a final push after Easter ensured promotion, a Ricky Heppolette goal in a 1-0 victory over the then-leaders Fulham sparking the celebrations. Alan Ball is the name of more than one prominent individual: For the former England footballer, see: Alan Ball (football player) For the screenwriter, see: Alan Ball (screenwriter) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Fulham Football Club (FFC) are an English football team based in Fulham, London. ...

The rest of the 1970s saw a period of yo-yoing between the Second and Third Divisions, seeing relegation under Bobby Charlton in 1973/74 (he later resigned, protesting over top players being sold^{[citation needed]} – a familiar story!) and promotion under Nobby Stiles in 1977/78, inspired by the likes of goalkeeper Roy Tunks, defender Mick Baxter, midfielder Gordon Coleman and the dynamic strikeforce of Alex Bruce and Mike Elwiss. Sir Robert Bobby Charlton, CBE (born 11 October 1937 in Ashington, Northumberland) is a former English professional football player who won the World Cup and was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1966. ... The 1973-74 season the 94th season of competitive football in England. ... Norbert Nobby Peter Stiles MBE (born Collyhurst, Manchester, 18 May 1942) was the toothless midfield ballwinner of Englands 1966 World Cup winning side. ... The 1977-1978 season was the 98th season of competitive football (soccer) in England, from August 1977 to July 1978: // Overview Wimbledon play their first season in the Football League, replacing Workington. ... Alexander Bruce (born September 28, 1984 in Manchester) is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town. ... Michael Elwiss (born in Doncaster on 2nd May 1954) is an English former footballer. ...

With things looking promising once more, sadly the club’s policy of selling its top players proved its undoing. The emerging Michael Robinson was sold for a club record fee of £765,000 to Manchester City, whilst Alan Spavin retired and was never really replaced. Michael Robinson (born July 12, 1958 in Leicester, England) was a footballer who later became a top television pundit and presenter in Spain. ... Manchester City Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Manchester. ... Alan Spavin (born in Lancaster on 20th February 1942) is an English former footballer. ...

In 1980/81, North End were relegated back to the Third Division in 20th place (on goal difference). Many players left the club along with manager Stiles at this time, with new boss Tommy Docherty making wholesale changes. Unfortunately, they were not for the better and the events of the early 1980s would take the club perilously close to disintegration. To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it more accessible to a general audience, this article may require cleanup. ... Thomas Henderson Docherty (born Gorbals, Glasgow on 24 August 1928), usually known as Tommy Docherty or the Doc, is a Scottish former footballer and football manager. ...

Hard times (1981-1995)

Tommy Docherty’s short spell in charge of Preston North End, the club he served so staunchly as a player, was nothing short of a farce – he was sacked in early December of 1981 after leading his side to just three wins in 17 league games.

Docherty had brought in a clutch of players including Tommy Booth and Gary Buckley from Manchester City, Jonathan Clark from Derby County and John Kelly from Tranmere Rovers. However, the new men struggled to settle and crowds dropped.^{[citation needed]} An embarrassing 4-1 FA Cup defeat^[specify] and the board had had enough, replacing 'The Doc' with Alan Kelly (on a caretaker basis), before former Everton boss Gordon Lee joined in December 1981. Tommy Booth was an English footballer who was born in Manchester in 1949 and played in the centre of defence and in midfield, winning FA Cup, European Cup Winners Cup and two League Cup winners medals. ... Manchester City Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Manchester. ... Jonathan Charles Douglas Clark (born 28 February, 1951) is a British historian of British history and American history. ... Derby County Football Club are a football club based in Derby, currently playing in the Football League Championship. ... John Kelly (b. ... Tranmere Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at Prenton Park, Prenton, Birkenhead, Merseyside. ... Everton Football Club is an English football club located in the city of Liverpool. ... Gordon Lee was an English association footballer and football manager. ...

Lee temporarily stopped the rot, avoiding a catastrophic drop to the basement division by a considerable margin. Amongst the players the manager brought in was loan goalkeeper Martin Hodge, who performed superbly to shore up the previously leaky defence.^{[citation needed]} Martin Hodge is a former professional football player. ...

The next season, 1982-83, started superbly with a Steve Elliott hat-trick defeating Millwall 3-2. However, North End’s form soon collapsed, leaving them in danger of relegation, until a run of 9 wins from their last 13 games catapulted them into 16th position. To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it more accessible to a general audience, this article may require cleanup. ... Steve Stevie Elliott (born 29 October 1978) is a football (soccer) player he plays as centre back for Bristol Rovers. ... Millwall Football Club are an English professional football team based at the New Den Stadium in Bermondsey, South East London. ...

By now, the writing was on the wall. Lee’s departure and another close call with relegation left North End badly in the red^{[citation needed]} with crowds regularly well below the 5,000 mark.^{[citation needed]} Alan Kelly again took charge, but the sale of star striker Elliott left the side woefully short of goals, whilst the defence were conceding for fun. 1984-85 saw North End relegated, shipping exactly 100 goals. The side’s top league goalscorer was John Kelly with a paltry seven. Alan Kelly (born. ... // First Division Howard Kendalls world class Everton side beat neighbours Liverpool to the league championship, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United followed closely behind. ...

North End’s first ever season in Division Four was the stuff of nightmares. Tommy Booth had taken over from Kelly during the latter stages of the previous season, bringing Manchester United legend Brian Kidd in as his assistant. Despite an impressive 4-0 win over Torquay United in September, things gradually degenerated, culminating in an horrific 7-3 cup defeat at the hands of Walsall. Manchester United Football Club are a world-famous English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and are one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, with over 50 million supporters worldwide. ... Brian Kidd, (born 29 May 1949, Collyhurst, Manchester), is an English former professional footballer, who since his retirement has worked as both a coach and manager. ... Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the seaside resort town of Torquay, Devon. ... Walsall Football Club are an English football club based in Walsall, West Midlands, currently competing in the 2006/07 season in Football League Two. ...

Booth soon resigned and Kidd took the reins, but things failed to improve. His record was one win in 17 matches when he too resigned, leaving midfielder Jonathan Clark in charge. He won five games on the trot in March 1986, but by then it was too late. North End had hit the depths, finishing 23rd and being forced to apply for re-election.

After a successful re-election hearing it was all change at Deepdale the following year, with a new synthetic surface being laid in an attempt to bring extra revenue into the club.

The plan seemed to work, as North End, under charismatic new manager John McGrath, stormed to promotion in 1986-87 - finishing second in Division Four behind Northampton Town. The team’s home form was superb as the opposition appeared to find it difficult to adapt to the new pitch, and McGrath’s new recruits, journeymen such as Sam Allardyce, Oshor Williams, Gary Swann, Ronnie Hildersley and Les Chapman made them an extremely hard team to beat. For the former Kidderminster Harriers, Weymouth & current Tamworth player see John McGrath (footballer born 1980). ... // First Division The 1986-87 First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Atletico Bilbao. ... Northampton Town Football Club are a football team based in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England. ... Samuel Allardyce (born October 19, 1954 in Dudley, West Midlands) is an English former professional football player and the current manager of Bolton Wanderers of the FA Premier League. ... Gary Swann (b. ... Born in Royton, Oldham on September 27th, 1948 Les Chapman is a former football player and manager who played in the English football league. ...

In addition, the club enjoyed a magical cup run, defeating Bury, Chorley and Middlesbrough before succumbing to the might of Newcastle United in the fourth round. Bury Football Club are an English association football team based in Bury, Lancashire. ... Chorley F.C. was founded as a rugby club in 1875 but switched to association football in 1883. ... Middlesbrough Football Club are an English football club, commonly known as The Boro, that currently plays in the FA Premier League. ... Newcastle United Football Club (also known as The Magpies or The Toon) are an English professional football team based in Newcastle upon Tyne. ...

Promotion was achieved with four matches to spare, Chapman's winning goal at Orient securing a return to Division Three. John Thomas finished as top scorer with 21 league goals, aided superbly by Gary Brazil. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English football team promoted at the end of the 2005/6 season to League One of the Football League. ... People named John Thomas include: John Thomas (filmmaker): American cinematographer John Thomas (general) (1725-1886): American general in the American Revolutionary War John Thomas (harpist) (1826-1913): Welsh composer and musician John Thomas (trombonist) (1902-1971): trombone player who worked with Louis Armstrong John Thomas (NFL player): lineman for San... Gary Brazil b. ...

The next season, 1987-88, was one of consolidation, McGrath bringing in new boys Tony Ellis and Brian Mooney, who would excite the fans for several seasons. // First Division Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season. ... Anthony Tony Ellis (b. ... Brian Mooney, ( b. ...

1988-89 almost saw a return to Division Two, as North End finished 6th, only to lose 4-2 to Port Vale in the two-legged play-off semi-final. This proved to be McGrath’s last hurrah, as the manager who had resuscitated the club began to struggle, and the notorious 2-0 FA Cup reverse at Whitley Bay pretty much proved to be the final straw. // First Division Arsenal won the league title on goal difference with the last kick of the season, as they beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield to claim the championship trophy and deny Kenny Dalglishs men a unique second double. ... Port Vale is an English association football club who currently play in Football League One. ... Whitley Bay Football Club is an English football club in the Northern League Division One. ...

His successor Les Chapman, not helped by the perennial problems of a lack of funds and the sale of more top players including Ellis, Mooney and Ian Bogie, struggled to build up a head of steam almost from day one, and North End's mediocre league form eventually led to his sacking in September 1992. Despite decent form under caretaker boss Sam Allardyce,^[specify] the board chose to appoint the maverick John Beck as manager on 7 December 1992. Born in Royton, Oldham on September 27th, 1948 Les Chapman is a former football player and manager who played in the English football league. ... Samuel Allardyce (born October 19, 1954 in Dudley, West Midlands) is an English former professional football player and the current manager of Bolton Wanderers of the FA Premier League. ... John Beck was a Reform Party candidate in the 1993 Canadian election who was forced to abandon his candidacy after making a series of anti-immigrant remarks. ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The controversial Londoner made wholesale changes; including laying generous amounts of sand onto the flanks of the plastic pitch. Despite at one stage looking safe, a disastrous run of five successive defeats saw Preston relegated back to the basement.

Despite Beck’s long-ball reputation, he certainly contributed to attendances increasing at Deepdale,^{[citation needed]} and in his first full season at the club he led the club to Wembley, where they lost 4-2 to Martin O'Neill’s Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final. Wembley Stadium (often called Wembley) is a football stadium in Wembley, London. ... Martin Hugh Michael ONeill, OBE, (born March 1, 1952 in Kilrea, Northern Ireland) is a former Northern Ireland national football team captain who has previously managed Leicester City and Celtic and is currently manager of Aston Villa. ... Wycombe Wanderers Football Club are an English football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, currently playing in Football League Two. ...

The following year, the plastic pitch was removed and in North End’s first game back on grass Lincoln City were defeated 4-0. Despite early promise, a run of seven successive league losses saw the fans turn against the manager and in December 1994, Beck stepped down to make way for his assistant, Gary Peters. Lincoln City F.C. are an English football team currently playing in Football League Two (the fourth tier of the English football league system). ...

1994-95 once again brought play-off disappointment, as a mid-season recovery under Peters, aided by a young David Beckham, who joined the club on a month-long loan spell, ended when Bury prevailed 2-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals. The 1994-1995 season was the 115th season of competitive football in England. ... David Beckham David Robert Joseph Beckham OBE (born May 2, 1975) is an English footballer born in Leytonstone, London. ... Bury Football Club are an English association football team based in Bury, Lancashire. ...

Preston had, by the skin of their teeth, avoiding going under in a climate of financial uncertainty,^{[citation needed]} but they were still rooted in the bottom division. The takeover by local heating firm BAXI brought with it some optimism, but what the club was really crying out^{[attribution needed]} for was some continuity on the management side of things, and some inspirational players. Over the next ten years of resurgence, the supporters would see all of these elements come together to bring a long-overdue period of sustained success.

Leaving the lower leagues (1995-2000)

With the extra funds made available by the BAXI takeover and subsequent share issue, North End began the redevelopment of their Deepdale stadium and invested in two players who would play major roles in them regaining their Division Two (as it had by now been rebranded) status.^{[citation needed]}

Andy Saville, a much-travelled striker, was signed from Birmingham City for £100,000, whilst Steve Wilkinson was acquired for £80,000 from Mansfield Town to partner him. Despite losing their first game of the season 2-1 at home to Lincoln City, North End then embarked on a 21-match unbeaten run, which included the 6-0 drubbing of Mansfield, in which Saville and Wilkinson each bagged a hat-trick. Birmingham City Football Club are an English football club based in [[Birmingham].The west midlands. ... Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club who currently play in League Two of the Football League. ...

In all, Saville finished the 1995/96 season with 29 league goals with Wilkinson and midfielder Simon Davey notching ten apiece. The Third Division championship was secured in late April with a 2-0 win at Hartlepool. The brand new 8,000 seater Tom Finney Stand was opened for the visit of Darlington on 16 March 1996. The 1995-1996 season was the 116th season of competitive football in England. ... Simon Davey (born 1 October 1970 in Swansea) is the caretaker manager of Barnsley. ... Hartlepool United Football Club are an English football team currently playing in League Two. ... Darlington F.C. are an English football team based in the English town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. ...

Gary Peters kept faith with the majority of his promotion winning outfit, reinforcing his squad at various stages of the following season with players who would be crucial to the club’s success in subsequent campaigns. Mark Rankine joined from Wolves, Sean Gregan from Darlington for £350,000 and Michael Jackson from Bury. Slowly the team that had got North End promoted were moved on, as the club looked to build for the future. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. are an English football club playing at Molineux. ... Sean Gregan is a Leeds United football player. ...

In 1997-98, a very inconsistent period of form saw the club move Peters to a new position as Director as the Centre of Excellence and replace him with assistant manager David Moyes. Moyes, who had been an excellent servant at centre-half for the previous few seasons, immediately injected a new zest into his side and the club eventually finished in 15th position, nine points above the relegation zone. // Premier League Arsenal overhauled Manchester Uniteds lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title. ... David William Moyes (b. ...

The following year, North End came close to promotion but injuries to key players towards the end of the campaign saw them defeated in the play-offs by a determined Gillingham side. 1998/99 also saw the club lose out in an epic Deepdale FA Cup tie at home to Arsenal in the third round. Kurt Nogan had send the fans into delirium with two first-half goals, until the Gunners fought back (aided by a sending-off for David Eyres) to win 4-2. For the team based in Dorset, see Gillingham Town F.C. Gillingham Football Club is a football team based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. ... The 1998-1999 season was the 119th season of competitive football in England. ... David Eyres (born February 26, 1964 in Liverpool, England) is an English footballer. ...

In 2000, Preston North End finally made their return to the second tier of the Football League, after an absence of almost twenty years. Jonathan Macken, whom Gary Peters had signed from Manchester United two years previously, had a storming season scoring 22 league goals, his flair being reinforced by the team’s solid spine of Teuvo Moilanen in goal, defenders Graham Alexander, Colin Murdock, Michael Jackson and Rob Edwards and a central midfield made up of workhorses Gregan and Rankine. Jonathan Macken (born September 7, 1977 in Manchester, England) is an Irish footballer with one international cap and plays as a striker. ... Graham Alexander (born 10 October 1971 in Coventry, England) is a professional footballer currently playing for Preston North End. ... Colin Mudock born 2 July 1975 in Ballymena Colin Murdock is a footballer who plays for Rotherham in English League 1. ... Rob Edwards (born 25/12/1982 in Telford) is a Welsh footballer. ...

The championship was confirmed at Cambridge on 24 April, a game which brought North End’s seventh, and last, defeat of the season. Cambridge United Football Club are a professional football club from Cambridge, England. ...

Waiting for the Premiership (Since 2000)

Despite many good judges^{[attribution needed]} predicting a tough time for the club in Division One, they continued to make strong progress, having a storming season to finish fourth, again falling foul of the play-offs in a 3-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers after beating Birmingham City in an epic semi-final shoot-out at Deepdale. During the 2000-01 season, North End smashed their transfer record in paying £1.5 million for David Healy. The National Football Museum also opened under the Bill Shankly Kop and the Sir Tom Finney Stand. Please sign the Sir Nat Lofthouse Petition : http://petitions. ... The 2000-2001 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England. ... People called David Healy include: A Northern Irish football player: David Healy (footballer). ... The National Football Museum is a museum in Preston, England, founded to preserve, conserve and interpret several important collections of Association Football memorabilia. ...

With Preston beginning to look like strong candidates for promotion to the Premiership, it was no surprise that their talented young manager was beginning to turn heads. In March 2002, both star striker Jon Macken (to Manchester City for £5 million) and Moyes (to Everton), left the club – but it cannot be denied^{[attribution needed]} that Preston North End FC was in a more prosperous position than it had been in for years.^{[citation needed]}

Moyes’s successor Craig Brown endured a difficult two seasons in charge, never really winning over the fans^{[attribution needed]} with his 3-5-2 formation^{[citation needed]} and suffering badly with injuries. When his side went down 1-0 at Brighton thanks to a Marlon Broomes own goal in September 2004, Brown was sacked and replaced with his assistant Billy Davies. Craig Brown is the name of several people: Craig Brown, football player and manager Craig Brown, satirist This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. are an English football team based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. ... Marlon Broomes (born November 28, 1977 in Birmingham) is an English footballer, currently playing for Stoke City in the English Championship. ... William McIntosh Billy Davies (born 31 May 1964 in Glasgow) is a former Scottish professional football player and is currently the team manager of Derby County having been appointed on 2nd June, 2006 after departure from Preston North End. ...

For two consecutive seasons under Davies, North End lost in the play-offs, at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to West Ham in the 2004-05 final to a Bobby Zamora winner, and the following season in the semi-finals in a highly-charged two-legged affair against Leeds United. The 2004-2005 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Leeds United F.C. is the only professional association football club in Leeds. ...

Soon after this latest close call, the highly-rated Davies left the club to join Derby County, accusing Preston chairman Derek Shaw of not matching his ambitions and of lying.^{[citation needed]} In his place came the Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson, who immediately replaced the recently-departed defenders Claude Davis and Tyrone Mears with Sean St. Ledger and Liam Chilvers. Derby County Football Club are a football club based in Derby, currently playing in the Football League Championship. ... Derek Shaw, Chairman of Preston North End Football Club (2001-Present). ... Carlisle United F.C. are an English football team based in Carlisle, Cumbria, play in the Football League One this season, after gaining promotion from the Football League Two last season. ... Paul Simpson is a musician, vocalist, lyricist and writer from Liverpool, England. ... Claude Davis (born March 6, 1979 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a footballer, who plays for Sheffield United in the F.A. Premier League // Davis is a towering center-half who is a good reader of the game and a stabilizing force in central defence. ... Tyrone Mears (born February 18, 1983 in Stockport, England) is a professional English football player who currently plays as a defender for West Ham United F.C. Mears came through the ranks at Manchester City, however upon Man Citys promotion to the FA Premier League in 2002, Mears first... Sean St Ledger-Hall (born 28 December 1984 in Birmingham) is a footballer for Football League Championship Side Preston North End. ... Liam Chilvers, born Chelmsford, November 6th, 1981, is a professional footballer with Colchester United. ...