By Patrick Lay

Preston North End v Pompey – Saturday 15^th March 2025

Nursing the wounds of our midweek Championship loss at home to bottom club Plymouth Argyle, 17^th placed Pompey made the long trip to the north west to take on 14^th place Preston North End (PNE), who were winless in their previous six leagues games, and the hope of adding to our seven-point gap above the drop zone.

Deepdale has not been a happy hunting ground though for Pompey, where aside from our FA Cup 5^th round win en route to our 2008 triumph, we haven’t won there in the league in the previous 10 attempts since our 5-0 rout in February 1973 – ironically Alan Ball senior’s last match in charge of PNE.

I arrived in Preston after making the 110 mile drive up the M6 from Birmingham.  Preston like many of its Lancastrian neighbours is a city synonymous with its numerous cotton mills dating back to the Industrial Revolution and its place in textile manufacturing history.  As the city is situated flush against the north bank of the River Ribble, what better a location to start my usual pre-match sightseeing tour as I parked up and walked along the Lime tree-lined river path towards the adjacent grade ii listed Avenham Park.

The park is a lovely oasis on the outskirts of the city for its 147k inhabitants to enjoy and there was a lot I discovered.

Owing to the slope in the park, an annual egg rolling competition has been held here every Easter Monday which is a tradition dating back to the Victorian times.  Evidence that this is imminent can be seen on the outside of the tranquil Japanese Garden. 

The rockery and water features of this enchanting spot reminded me so much of Southsea Rock Gardens.  Opened in the 1930s, this concept was very en vogue in the UK at the time.

There were other key features in this park as shown in my collage below.  Pictured clockwise: PRESTON sign/Pavillion cafe, River Ribble lds plaque, former Park keeper’s house, Swiss chalet, South African War Memorial (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment).

I then walked over the disused East Lancashire Railway embankment to get an elevated view above the river.  Pictured below and facing west is the North Union Railway Bridge that serves the West Coast Main Line into Preston railway station.

 

Between these two bridges is the neighbouring Miller Park which is equally pleasant with many typical features you see in public parks from this era.  Pictured in the collage below are the statue of the 14th Earl of Derby (former Preston MP and thrice Prime Minister), bandstand and fountain (albeit out of use). 

Overlooking the park is the former Preston Park Hotel (historically owned by the railway from the Victorian times) which was closed in 2011 after decades used as Lancashire County Council offices instead. 

There are exciting plans to refurbish and repurpose this fabulous old building back into a hotel along with neighbouring apartments.  As lovely and relaxing as these two parks are, there was plenty of the city centre I wanted to see en route to Deepdale after grabbing my lunch.

Preston is the administrative centre of Lancashire and County Hall (as pictured below) is their HQ on Fishergate around the corner from the train station that opened in 1882.

Now for some Chartism history.  Pictured below outside the Corn Exchange on Lune Street is a memorial to the massacre of the Preston Strike of 1842 and Lune Street Riots, both caused by economic depression.  Thousands of Preston workers demonstrated and sadly four were shot and killed.  The memorial is also recognised as a beacon for those in the city who have persevered for justice and democracy.  Plus a memorial to all those injured or killed across the globe due to work.

I recently discovered that filmmaker and animator Nick Park (creator of Wallace & Gromit amongst other classics) was actually born and bred in Preston.  Last month on Market Street outside the Market Hall entrance, a bronze statue and bench for the characters taken from ‘The Wrong Trousers’ film was unveiled – a photo opportunity for many Prestonians and visitors.

After wandering through to Market Place, I came to the main focal point in the city – the Flag Market and adjoining Market Square.  In the backdrop of this area are some elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings as pictured below:-

The former Preston Head Post Office was built in 1904.  Closed in 2005, there have been long running plans to refurbish this into the Shankly Hotel (more of football legend Bill’s connection to Preston later).  But the property developer behind this was declared bankrupt last year, so it remains to be seen when this luxurious hotel will reach fruition.

Opened in the same year is the courthouse called Sessions House which is grade ii listed.

Opposite Sessions House is the Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library.  Opened in 1893, this has undergone an extensive refurbishment in the past three years and this grade i listed building, which is free to the public, has a much-anticipated re-opening scheduled for this spring.

There are also memorials at each end of the Flag Market/Market Square as pictured below.  Preston Cenotaph on the left was unveiled in 1926 to commemorate the fallen soldiers from the city in WW1 and WW2.  Then at the opposite end is the Preston Obelisk.  Originally constructed in 1782 for the Preston guild celebration.

One of the many firsts that the city prides itself on is it was the first English town to be lit by gas outside of London in 1815.  Although not visible in this photo, a year later, a gas lamp was added to the top of the Obelisk in honour of this.

By contrast to these authentic old buildings, around the corner on Lancaster Road I saw the first of two fine examples of brutalist architecture – Preston Guild Hall.  Opened in 1973, this entertainment venue has hosted some famous names over the years including Bing Crosby, David Bowie and The Smiths.

Then on the neighbouring Tithebarn Street is the iconic Preston Bus Station that opened in 1969. 

With is characteristic curve design to the car park, connecting ramps and walkways, it couldn’t look more 60s if it tried.   Love it or hate it, it survived demolition plans in recent decades and in 2013 was granted grade ii listed status and was re-opened five years later after being renovated.  At first glance, it looks reminiscent of our former Tricorn shopping centre.

As I followed the football crowds to the stadium, I also passed by Preston Cathedral (AKA Syro-Malabar Cathedral of St Alphonsa) along Meadow Street.

After walking through a residential area along Deepdale Road and Sir Tom Finney Way towards a football ground that has been there since 1875, you could be forgiven for expecting to see an abode with limited room for expansion, à la our beloved Fratton Park.  But this impressive modern 23k all seater design looks more like a purpose-built out of town relocation rather than a site used for 150 years.

Preston North End FC were founded in 1880 and are one of the original 12 members of the Football League where in 1888-89 they were the first ever champions of England. 

The Lilywhites were the original ‘Invincibles’ that season where they completed the double by winning the FA Cup without conceding a goal in the competition and retained their league title the following season. 

In their early years, they had a controversial professional status where they were one of few clubs to pay their players and some tried to mock their success.  Who says money in football is only a modern-day talking point? 

Although PNE have not played in the English top flight since 1961, ‘Proud Preston’ remain a respected old club and the most decorated yet to appear in the Premier League.

Deepdale is a venue steeped in history and was also used by Dick Kerr Ladies FC one of England’s earliest known Women’s football teams that existed between 1917-65.  Born out of the locomotive and tramcar company Dick Kerr & Co who manufactured in the city, they themselves have quite an impact as they often drew crowds to rival PNE’s record of 42k.

In 1913, the ground was subject to an attempted attack by the Suffragette bombing and arson campaign.  Deepdale was also one of a handful of English clubs that installed a functional plastic pitch in 1986 and kept it for eight seasons.

Both the four single tier separate stands and distinctive diagonal shaped roofs supports for the floodlight pylons in the corners were inspired by Genoa and Sampdoria’s shared Stadio Luigi Ferraris which was reconstructed for Italia 90.

The first stand to be rebuilt was the Sir Tom Finney stand in 1996 (as pictured above), replacing the former West Stand, in honour of ‘The Preston Plumber’ as he was affectionately known due to his trade that helped support him whilst earning his footballing wage. 

The winger/striker is the club’s record goal scorer and considered by many as the greatest player to pull on a Lilywhites jersey which he did from 1940-60, amassing 76 England caps whilst at the club.

Just along from the stand and the main car park is the creative fountain and sculpture called ‘The Splash’.  Unveiled in 2004, this depicts a famous image of Sir Tom Finney sliding through a puddle to win a ball at a waterlogged Stamford Bridge in 1956.

The former Spion Kop terrace behind the goal was the next stand to be re-built and renamed the Bill Shankly Kop in 1998 which is where the away fans are housed nowadays.  So often regarded as the manager who made Liverpool the club they are, as mentioned earlier, he was also a hero as a player at PNE where he played as a right half in the 1930s and 40s, including their FA Cup triumph in 1938 – their last major honour to date.

Deepdale has been transition in my previous two visits that were both in (what is now) the Championship.  In September 2000, David Moyes’ Preston were 1-0 winners over Tony Pulis’ Pompey .  On that afternoon, we were sat up in the old Pavilion stand on the opposite side and the covered terrace at the old Town End was still just about in existence.

I also attended our 1-1 draw in March 2003 en-route to our title winning promotion to the Premier League where Yakubu’s early opener was cancelled out in the last-minute.  By then the Town End was replaced with a mirror image of the Bill Shankly Kop and renamed the Alan Kelly Town End after their former goalkeeper who has the club record for appearances as well as 47 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

The final piece in the Deepdale jigsaw came in 2008 when the new Invincibles Pavillion stand (more on that name in a minute) replaced the old Pavillion Stand.  As pictured below, this stand is noticeably smaller than the three sides due to the housing on Lowthorpe Road.

It was finally time to take my seat in the ground in time for our players doing their last minute warm ups.

Pompey fans travelled in terrific numbers with more than 3.5k making the long journey up from the South Coast and were in good voice as ever.  Credit to PNE for allocating us the entire end and proof what high demand we have for away tickets.

Preston started brightly with a couple of early half chances where Ryan Ledson was unable to get underneath his shot and Nicolas Schmid gathered comfortably.

Pompey then created the first real opening of the game on 19 minutes when Adil Aouchiche went on the counter attack from his own half before switching it diagonally out to Terry Devlin (back in the starting XI today) on the right, but he placed his first time shot just wide of keeper Freddie Woodman’s post.

As the first half progressed, it looked like Pompey who were the more likely to go in ahead at the break with the hosts offering little threat up front.  Just over half an hour in there were shots from Aouchiche and Josh Murphy.  Then from a free kick, Andre Dozzell played it to Josh Murphy and his inviting low cross saw Preston defender Liam Lindsay get there ahead of Freddie Potts, in what would almost have been a goal, and put it out for a corner.

With half time looming, Murphy pressed down the left wing and looped the ball in which fell to Aouchiche who brought it down nicely and toyed with the defence before cutting it back to Dozzell whose shot from the edge of the box curled just wide of the far post.

 

HT: Preston North End 0-0 Pompey

As the teams made their way out for the second half, North End manager Paul Heckingbottom had made a radical quadruple substitution at half time following a largely insipid first 45 minutes for his side.

PNE started brightly and a lofted ball from the half way line by Lewis Gibson was headed only half clear by Cohen Bramall as the ball broke to Sam Greenwood and from his cross Emil Riis was unable to direct his header on target.  Moments later, John Mousinho made his first substitution with Kaide Gordon replacing Aouchiche.

Both sides continued to attack and create chances and on 67 minutes Bramall almost scored one of the goals of the season for the visitors.  After collecting the ball from Dozzell by the centre circle, the left back ran forward before unleashing a shot that look destined to glide into the very top corner only to crash agonisingly back off the far corner of Woodman’s crossbar before being cleared away to safety.

Mousinho then opted to bring Mark O’Mahony on for Kusini Yengi in attack before a cross come shot by Murphy was held by Woodman, which for a split second the Pompey fans behind the goal thought he had carried over the line.

As the game looked destined for a goalless draw, North End finally broke the deadlock on 76 minutes.   A free kick was played to Ben Whiteman who hoisted the ball forward from the half way line into the box, then two headed flick ons by Andrew Hughes then Ched Evans saw Ryan Porteous force the ball home at the far post.

But Pompey continued to press and forced a series of three corners.  Then on 83 minutes we drew level when Colby Bishop flicked home a volley with the outside of his boot straight from Josh Murphy’s corner to score his seventh league goal of the season.

The Pompey fans erupted and there was a feeling that we should see the game out and return home with at least a point. 

However, our response saw us capitulate and minutes later almost went immediately behind.  When Preston brought the ball out of defence and Schmid made a crucial save with his right leg from point blank range to deny Evans following a good cross from Robbie Brady.

It was brief respite for Mousinho’s side as the hosts were in the ascendency now and Schmid again had to make a save this time from Greenwood, then on our 87 minutes our hearts sank. 

After failing to win the ball over by the left touch line in midfield from both Greenwood then Brady, the latter played a fine through ball to Stefán Thórdarson who made the most of the confusion between Connor Ogilvie and Schmid by controlling it before rounding the Pompey keeper and finishing from an acute angle to the delight of the Deepdale faithful.

Despite having three minutes of normal time and five minutes stoppage time to play, Pompey never looked like bouncing back to grab a second equaliser.  Two minutes into stoppage time, Mousinho made a double substitution with captain Marlon Pack replacing Dozzell as Devlin made way for Thomas Waddingham. 

But the game petered out and the only late drama was when Preston’s Greenwood picked up a second yellow in the final minute of stoppage time after his arm was too high and caught Bishop as the 10 men held on for all three points.

FT: Preston North End 2-1 Pompey

Att: 17,240 (3,624 Pompey fans)

So as Pompey set off on the 264-mile journey home from Central Lancashire, they did so with a fortnight international break and a chance to dissect our back-to-back defeats.  Pompey remain in 17^th place but now just four points above the relegation zone as the sides underneath us picked up some crucial wins.  Most notably Derby winning at Plymouth and Cardiff winning at Blackburn.

This Saturday evening, Pompey Women are in action away to arch-rivals Southampton Women in the Women’s Championship at St Mary’s.  Details of how to purchase tickets can be found via this link on the club’s website.

Alternatively, this season’s ‘Non League Day’ takes place this Saturday where fans of league clubs are encouraged to pop along and watch their local non-league sides duting the international break.

As I made my way back to the car, I stumbled on a final bit of sight-seeing for the day as pictured below.  The old Victorian Gatehouse for Preston prison on the left and the original Sessions House where nowadays the grade ii listed building on the right is part of the Museum of Lancashire.

As the sun was just starting to set over the River Ribble, this felt rather figurative.  In a week of real highs and lows for Pompey, time will tell if in the season’s finale we can put enough daylight between ourselves and the bottom three to go off into the Championship survival sunset.

Up next for Pompey, is the visit of ninth place Blackburn Rovers to Fratton Park on Saturday week and the hope of avenging our midweek 3-0 loss at Ewood Park in January.  Whilst the visitors, without a win in their last five Championship matches, look to stay in touch with the race for the Play Offs.  PUP PPU