Preston North End
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Preston North End
FOOTBALL CLUB
B
League one high flyers,
Preston North End FC, could
be heading for a return to
Championship football as they head
towards the month of April occupying
2nd place in the third tier of English
football. The ‘Lilywhites’ currently
sit three points above Swindon, who
hold the top play-off spot, and are in
impressive form with just nine games
remaining.
Consistency, mental strength, club spirit
and positive attitudes could be the exact
ingredients required for any club to
claim automatic promotion and Preston
seem to possess every one of them right
now. But what is making Preston so
strong this term and why should we be
confident of their promotion come May
2015?
Mental Strength
Since the club was relegated from the
Championship in 2010/11 Preston
have been continuously improving
over their 4 seasons in League One,
finishing 15th, then 14th, before last
season’s hard fought 5th position saw
them face disappointment in the playoff semi-final against Rotherham United
last May. How a club responds to that
kind of disappointment is not always
positive, but to see where Preston are
now could suggest they had gained
more focus and determination by their
experiences last term.
Grayson said, speaking to the club’s
official website.
Form
With difficult upcoming games against
‘giant killing’ Bradford City; league
leaders, Bristol City; and 3rd placed
Swindon Town, there is plenty yet to do
but progress is certainly underway with
their positive, attacking football and
League One’s current joint top scorer,
Joe Garner, will be looking to build on
his tally of 20 league goals in the closing
stages of the season.
It is needless to say the Lilywhites’ form
has been impressive for the majority of
the season, but they really appear to be
getting a ‘spring in their step’ just when
it matters most. February saw them
take 18 points from a possible 18, only
losing to Manchester United in the FA
Cup Fourth Round and beating fellow
promotion candidates, Sheffield United
3-1 at Bramall Lane.
The unbeaten run continued, going
another five games without defeat in
March, taking them up to their next
fixture against Fleetwood Town on the
29th, and maximum points from two
other promotion contenders MK Dons
(4th) and Peterborough United (6th).
Club Spirit
Preston Manager, Simon Grayson, hails
the spirit in his squad and admits it is a
crucial element for their promotion bid.
“I think it’s been a real thing about the
club since I’ve been here, the group of
players that we inherited to a certain
degree, but also the ones we’ve brought
in, have always liked to have a good
spirit and a good dressing room,”
Grayson continued, “You do see them
all celebrating and trying to achieve
the goal that they all set out at the start
of pre-season. Some are disappointed
when they’re not playing, but they’ve
all contributed and they’ve all played a
part and will play a part over the next
few weeks.
“Hopefully that togetherness can really
galvanise us and keep us going.”
Fans’ Perspective
Things are looking positive for the
Lancashire club, who were the first
ever club to win the Football League
Championship in 1888/89, but how
do the fans feel about their club’s
achievements this season, and are they
confident of promotion?
Gary Iddon of Virgin Rail used to play football,
representing Preston and Chorley in the District
League. He is a lifelong Preston NE fan and still
remembers his Great Great Grandfather walking
30 miles to watch them play. Gary is full of praise
for the job the current backroom staff are doing,
in particular Manager Simon Grayson and feels
that the club, “deserves promotion” this season.
Preston North End Club Info - www.pnefc.net - Twitter : @pnefc - Founded 1863
20 Issue 54