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Preston Never Ever

Moving away for once from their obsession with Wrexham, The Athletic (New York Times) has named the the three clubs hardest to support in England: Preston North End, Bristol Rovers and Darlington.

Remember that when Preston were first formed they dominated the Football League as 'the Invincibles'.  When I started watching football, Tom Finney was a leading England star (he later went to work in his plumbing business!)

Given there has been no PNE Championship play-off since 2009 and the last five season finishes have been 20th, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 13th, there is not huge expectation PNE will be anywhere other than mid-table come May and facing another season in the Championship. In the league, Preston haven’t played Arsenal since 1960, Man United since 1961, Liverpool since 1962. When QPR arrive in April, it will be a 38th league meeting of the clubs since 2000.

The club relies financially on the Hemmings family, who invest around £12million ($16.2m) a year. Preston are estimated to be 18th of 24 in terms of wage bill, so there is admiration for manager Paul Heckingbottom steering the squad to the play-off positions. But fans know Preston are unlikely to spend the necessary money to turn them into genuine promotion contenders. Uncertain takeover talk hangs around the club.

The Preston fans interviewed seem rather sanguine about their fate, noting that promotion would probably see them beaten every week whereas they can enjoy one of the most competitive and high quality leagues in Europe.


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