Preston North End F.C.

Preston North End F.C.
Clubname	Preston North End F.C.
Ground	Deepdale
Capacity	23,404
Chairman	Craig Hemmings
Manager	Ryan Lowe
League	EFL Championship
Season	2023–24
Position	10th

Preston North End F.C. is a professional football club based in Preston, Lancashire, England. Founded in 1880, the club is a founding member of both the Football League and the Premier League's predecessor. Nicknamed "The Lilywhites" due to their traditional white kit, they have played their home games at Deepdale since their formation, making it the world's oldest continuously used football league ground.

History

The club was established as a cricket and rugby football club before focusing solely on association football under the influence of William Sudell. Preston North End were a dominant force in the early years of organised football, achieving the first "The Double" in English football by winning the Football League and FA Cup in the 1888–89 season without conceding a goal in their cup run, earning them the enduring nickname "The Invincibles". The club featured early stars like John Goodall and Jimmy Ross, and were a founding member of the First Division. After a period of success, the club experienced a long decline from the top flight, with their last major honour being the FA Cup in 1938, though they were runners-up in the First Division in 1953 and 1958. The latter half of the 20th century saw fluctuating fortunes, including a famous run to the 1964 FA Cup Final and financial difficulties. Under managers like David Moyes in the early 2000s, the club challenged for promotion to the Premier League, reaching the Championship play-off final in 2005. The club currently competes in the EFL Championship.

Honours

Preston North End's honours are headlined by their early-era dominance. They have been champions of England twice, winning the Football League in the 1888–89 and 1889–90 seasons. They have lifted the FA Cup twice, in 1889 and 1938, and were runners-up in 1888, 1922, 1937, and 1964. The club has also won the Second Division title on four occasions and the Third Division title once. Other honours include the FA Charity Shield in 1938 and the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1978.

Stadium

The club's home is Deepdale, located in the Moor Park area of Preston, Lancashire. It is renowned as the oldest continuously used football league stadium in the world. The ground has undergone significant redevelopment since the 1990s, culminating in the completion of the Bill Shankly Kop in 2008, which created a complete, modern bowl stadium. Deepdale also houses the National Football Museum, which was located there from 2001 to 2010. The stadium's record attendance of 42,684 was set for an FA Cup tie against Arsenal in 1938.

Players

The club's current squad includes first-team players such as captain Alan Browne, goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, and striker Will Keane. Historically, Preston has been home to many legendary figures, including early star Tom Finney, who spent his entire career at the club and is honoured with a statue and stand name at Deepdale. Other notable former players include Bill Shankly before his legendary management career with Liverpool, Tommy Docherty, and more recent internationals like David Beckham (during a loan spell), Paul McKenna, and Graham Alexander. The club maintains an academy system that has produced talents such as Ben Davies.

Management and ownership

The first-team manager is Ryan Lowe, appointed in December 2021. The club is owned by Trevor Hemmings's family, with his son, Craig Hemmings, serving as chairman following Trevor's death in 2021. Historically, significant managers include the pioneering William Sudell, Will Scott who delivered the 1938 FA Cup, and Cliff Britton who led the side to the 1954 FA Cup final. The modern era saw transformative periods under John Beck, Gary Peters, and particularly David Moyes, who established the club in the Championship before moving to Everton.

Rivalries

Preston North End's primary and most historic rivalry is with Blackpool, known as the West Lancashire derby. This fixture dates back to the early 20th century and is one of England's oldest derbies. A strong secondary rivalry exists with Burnley, with matches between the two Lancashire clubs also carrying significant local passion. Other notable rivalries include those with fellow Lancashire sides Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.

In popular culture

The club, and particularly its greatest player, Tom Finney, are immortalised in the famous line "The great Tom Finney, the Preston Plumber" by commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme. Finney is the subject of the biography *"Tom Finney: Preston Plumber"* and is featured in the British Pathé newsreel archives. The club's early "Invincibles" team is a frequent reference point in historical documentaries about football, such as those produced by the BBC. Deepdale's National Football Museum also featured prominently in cultural coverage of the sport during its tenure at the ground.

Category:Preston North End F.C. Category:Football clubs in Lancashire Category:Football League founding members