Deepdale – Preston North End

With the addition of the new Invincibles Pavilion Stand in 2008, it now means that Deepdale has now been completely re-built in recent years. What was a great looking stadium, is now an even a better one as the new stand completely fills the remaining side of what was the Pavilion side of the ground.

Three sides of the stadium are composed of some excellent looking all-seater stands, complete with some spectacular looking floodlights. They are of the same height and style and are all large, covered, single tiered stands. Each has a likeness of a past player outlined on the seats and is named after that player. Tom Finney, Bill Shankly and goalkeeping legend Alan Kelly, are all honoured and this makes a welcome change from the boring letters outlined on most new stands. The first of these stands to be built was the Sir Tom Finney Stand in 1995. This was followed by the Bill Shankly Kop in 1998 and the Alan Kelly Stand in 2001. The fourth new stand, the Invincibles Stand (named after the legendary Preston team of 1888/1889 who went through the whole season unbeaten and were also the first in that season to win the League & FA Cup double), cost in the region of £9m to build. The design of this stand is slightly different from the other three. Even though it is of the same height and has a similar roof, it has a smaller tier of seating, with 22 executive boxes sitting above. Alas, I presume that there was not enough space to incorporate another player image on the seating so instead, we have to make do with the letters ‘PNE FC’ instead. Outside the stadium is a statue of former Preston legend Tom Finney. Whilst at the back of the Tom Finney Stand is a small cafe that also houses a collection of Preston North End memorabilia.

Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Kop at one end of the pitch. Normally the allocation for away fans is approximately half of this stand (3,000 seats). However for teams with a large away support, then the whole end can be allocated, raising the allocation to 6,000.

The views of the playing action and facilities within this stand are excellent. The stand is particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept relatively close to the pitch. On the concourse there are TV’s by the refreshment serving areas showing the game live and with the bars being open during the game, this is too much of a temptation for some. There is a wide range of food available including; Cheeseburgers (£3.80), Burgers (£3.50), Hot Dogs (£3.50), Meat & Potato Pie (£3), Chicken Balti Pie (£3), Steak & Kidney Pie (£3) and the Potato & Butter Pie (£3). You can also get a pie, peas and gravy for £3.80, plus the Club offers a ‘Pie & an alcoholic drink’ for £6.20. James Prentice adds; ‘I would recommend the ‘Butter Pie’, which is a bit of a local delicacy. It is just a normal pie but with a filling of very buttery mashed potato and onion. I was attracted to it by a flag at the top of the new Invincibles Stand that read ‘True Prestonians Love a Butter Pie!’ I particularly enjoyed my last visit as the fans, stewards and even police all seemed to be fairly friendly and there was a good atmosphere being generated within the ground.

When Preston North End were formed in 1880 they were able to move straight in to Deepdale with the stadium having been built a few years earlier; it makes the Preston ground the oldest stadium in the world where the ground has been in constant use. Of course, it’s been ‘under the knife’ a fair few times over that time. Before that century was up, stands were added to the ground in the form of terracing and by 1920 the capacity of Deepdale was in excess of 20k. Fast forward to the mid-thirties and a twin tier stand was in place at the ground. For 30 odds years from there, developments were limited. Roofing and vast amounts of seating were added from there on out with modernising the stadium the key in more recent years.

There is little in the pipeline for works on Deepdale itself but the club aren’t standing still; there are plans to develop the training ground. A partial demolition and rebuild is the key component of those works.

There is not a great deal in the way of pubs in close proximity to the ground. However there are a couple of nearby social clubs that welcome away fans. First there is St Gregory’s Catholic Club, which is around a five minute walk away on Blackpool Road. The Club allows entry for a charge of £1, but offers reasonably priced drinks, hot pies, plus has Sky television. You can also park at the Club at a cost of £3. Secondly, there is the Moor Park Sports and Social Club, situated around ten minutes walk away from Deepdale, at the junction of Blackpool Road and Garstang Road across from Moor Park (PR1 6AD). Parking is available at the Club at a cost of £3 per car and non-members are admitted free into the club on matchdays.

Around a 15 minute walk away on Watling Street Road is the White Hart pub, which allows in away fans. It also has the added advantage of showing televised sports. If going away from the ground past Sainsburys and where Sumners was, then you bear right onto the Watling Street and the White Hart pub is along on the left.

Paul Billington adds; ‘In all honesty visiting fans should avoid town centre pubs simply because the Police will move you on quickly if they see you and most pubs will refuse to serve away fans. If you arrive by train I would recommend the Vic and Station, not for the decor but simply convenience.’ Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground. Albeit there is no draught beer only bottles or cans; Fosters Lager (£3.80 Bottle), John Smith’s Bitter (£3.60 Can), Bulmers Cider (£3.80 Bottle) Wine (£4 Miniature Bottle).

Whilst John a visiting Chelsea fan informs me; ‘We went to Preston and had a great day. The Yates pub located about a 15 minute walk from the station towards the ground was fine and was okay for us away fans and family friendly. My only criticism of the ground was that it was difficult inside to get a drink as there was no proper queuing system and hence it was a mad scrum at the bar.’

Leave M6 at Junction 31 and take the A59 towards Preston. Go up a steep hill (there is often a police speed trap on the hill, so stick to the 30 speed limit) and follow the road down to a mini roundabout (note the speed camera by the BP garage on the left). At the roundabout with the Hesketh Arms turn right into Blackpool Road. Go straight on over three sets of lights and just before a fourth set, the ground appears set slightly back on the left. Parking is mainly in the streets surrounding the ground. There is some parking available at the ground itself, but at a cost of £12.50 per car. Nearby across Sir Tom Finney Way (behind the Main Stand) is another car park which costs £7.

Mike Holroyd adds; ‘as you turn right at the Hesketh Arms roundabout into Blackpool Road and then pass a park on the left there is now another speed camera to watch out for. The Police also sometimes set up another mobile speed trap on the forecourt of the fire station on the left, so watch your speed. Plus as you near the ground don’t be tempted to park up on the grass verges, you are likely to find after the game that you have been given a ticket for it!’ Steve Thornley informs me; ‘Parking for cars is available for £5 a car at Moorfields School. The car park is manned by volunteers from the school and all proceeds go into school funds. Just follow the directions above and at the last set of traffic lights continue straight on for about 200 yards, and you will see the school on the left near Moor Park’. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near in the local area via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Kate Abbatt suggests; ‘If you want to avoid the pre and post-match traffic, here’s a handy tip to avoid it. Instead of leaving the M6 at Junction 31, carry on to Junction 31a signposted, Preston East and Longridge. (This is a limited junction as you can only leave northbound and join southbound.) Keep in the right hand lane and go across the roundabout signposted Preston east, football ground and museum. Across the next roundabout (Anderton Arms on your right) and then left at the next one. At the next lights, go right onto Watling Street. You will go past the White Hart and a row of shops. At next lights by Fulwood Barracks, keep in the left hand lane. You can either park in Sumners, (turn left straight after the lights) or follow the road up to the big junction at Blackpool Road and the ground is on your left and take your chances with on-street parking. Sumners is better as you are the right side of the ground to get away quick after the game. Blackpool Road gets badly snarled up after games and the lights don’t help it’.

Whilst Martin Atheron informs me; ‘Fans heading south down the M6 or onto the M61 or M65 after the match will find it quicker to head down Deepdale Road instead of going down Blackpool Road. In effect, turn left out of the ground rather than right. At the end of this road, turn right then immediately left and you are on the A6. Stay on this road for three miles and you can join the M6/61/65 at the big roundabout with traffic lights. This brings you out five miles south on the motorways and avoids the appalling traffic jams on Blackpool Road;.

Post Code for SAT NAV: PR1 6RU

Preston Railway Station is around a mile and a half from the ground and takes around twenty five minutes to walk, although you will pass some good pubs on the way, so it could take you longer!

Leave the Preston railway station via the main entrance, and head right at the top of the drive. This is the main High Street. Continue along the High Street, passing all the regular big name shops. Some good pubs and eateries can be found down side streets off the High Street, so if you have time, take a look. Try the Old Black Bull, and Academy, the later being about the last place on the High Street that will allow away supporters before you get to Deepdale. Colours are not recommended around town. The High Street (or Church Street/Fishergate as it’s known) is about a mile long, and you will pass a church and a bike shop as you come to its end. Simply carry on walking along this street, and when you reach the ring road, you head straight over the large traffic lights, heading towards Preston Prison. Turn left at the Prison into Church Street, then left into Deepdale Road. Continue straight along Deepdale Road and after about a mile you will reach the ground.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Home Fans
Sir Tom Finney & Invincibles Stands (Premium Area): Adults £30, Concessions £23, Under 16’s £9*
Invincibles Stand: Adults £27, Concessions £20 Under 16’s £8*
Sir Tom Finney Stand: Adults £27, Concessions £20 Under 16’s £8*
Sir Tom Finney Stand (Family Area): Adults £27, Concessions £20 Under 16’s £6*
Alan Kelly (Town) End: Adults £24, Concessions £16 Under 16’s £8*

Away Fans
Adults £24, Concessions £16 Under 16’s £8

* Under 8’s can be admitted for just £2 with a paying adult if they join the ‘Mini Whites’ membership scheme. Concessions apply to Over 65’s, Under 19’s and Full Time Students with current NUS card.

Official Programme £3.

Preston vs Blackpool rivalry

The North West of England is dominated by some of the biggest rivalries in the world and whilst Preston vs Blackpool isn’t one of them it is still a big deal to the fans of each club. Why? Well, they are separated by just 17 miles for starters. Both have had some big names in their teams over the years too, namely Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews. In those parts it was the original Messi vs CR7 debate.

Preston vs Blackburn rivalry

With just 10 miles between these two clubs there is little surprise that their games bring some heat to matchdays.

Preston North End fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the  Level Playing Field w website.

You are only 20 minutes or so by car from Blackpool, which is Britain’s premier seaside resort, so why not make a weekend of it? If you’re feeling brave then try the UK’s largest and fastest roller coaster, ‘The Big One’ at the Pleasure Beach. I braved it, but I think I was in shock afterwards! So much so that I had to seek out the Pleasure Beach bar for medicinal purposes. Only one word of caution, look at the other fixtures being played the same day in Manchester/Bolton/Blackpool etc… as your game. Simply because other away supporters attending these games will also be probably be heading to Blackpool after the game as well. So if there is a particular group of supporters from a club who you would rather avoid, then don’t say I didn’t warn you to check first.

Record Attendance

42,684 v Arsenal
Division One, 23rd April 23rd 1938.

Modern (all seated) Attendance Record

23,119 v Chelsea
FA Cup 4th Round, 23rd January 23rd, 2010.

Average Attendance
2019-2020: 13,579 (Championship League)
2018-2019: 14,160 (Championship League)
2017-2018: 13,774 (Championship League)

Official Web Site: www.pnefc.net
Unofficial Web Sites: 
Irish Supporters Club,
Lilywhite Magic
PNEFans.net
Supporters Football Team
Vital Preston North End (Vital Football Network)

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: conta[email protected] and I’ll update the guide.