Preston North End - The Invincibles Mark II

[Dan]

In the past Preston were famously successful, being the first winners of "The Double" in English football. In 1888-89 Preston became the first, and only, team to go throughout an entire season unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup — only Arsenal F.C., in 2003-04, have managed to have an unbeaten season in the top division since. PNE were league champions again the following season, but have not won the title since. Their last major trophy was an FA Cup triumph in 1938.


Stadium: Deepdale


Club Honours
Football League First Division/Premier League winners:
1888-89, 1889-90

Championship winners:
1903-04, 1912-13, 1950-51, 2008-09

League One winners:
1970-71, 1999-00

League Two winners:
1995-96

FA Cup winners:
1888-89, 1937-38, 2010-11

Community Shield winners:

2011-12

Club Records
Most Career Goals: Tom Finney, 210
Most Career Appearances: Paul McKenna, 573
Transfer Record (Received): £9,200,000 for John Fleck to Everton, January 2011
Transfer Record (Paid): £3,900,000 for John Bostock from Tottenham Hotspur, August 2011
Most League Goals in a Season: Ted Harper, 37 (1932-33)
Record Victory: 26-0 v Hyde, FA Cup, 15 October 1887
Record Defeat: 0-7 v Blackpool, Football League Division One, 1 May 1948

Current Squad
Goalkeepers Appearances Goals
Kasper Schmeichel... 129 1
Bum-Kun Yoon... 45 0

Defenders Appearances Goals
Gabriel Paletta... 157 1
Eduardo... 84 0
Chris Gunter... 66 3
Awushi Nkansah 52 2
Jonathan Salinas 28 0
Danny Kart 18 1
Thiago Heleno 1 0

Midfielders Appearances Goals
Paul McKenna (c) 573 40
Henri Lansbury 109 11
Levan Kenia 109 24
Giles Barnes 119 25
Kleberson 95 4
Joe MacPherson 12 1 (on loan at Darlington for the current season)
Lucas Trecarichi 16 0
Saturnino Sanchez Diaz 10 0
Federico Insua 21 6
John Bostock 18 0

Forwards Appearances Goals
Park Chu Young 107 51
Martin Galvan 41 13
Daniel Marquez 11 2 (season long loan from America)
Johan Vonlanthen 25 8


Managerial Staff
Manager: Billy Davies
Assistant Manager: Rob Kelly
Coach: Graham Alexander
Defensive Coach: Chris Lucketti
Goalkeeping Coach: Mike Stowell
Chief Scout: Jim McCluskie
Reserve Team Manager: Dean Holdsworth
Youth Team Manager: Billy Barr

[Dan]

Alan Irvine leaves Preston

Preston North End Chairman Derek Shaw has announced that manager Alan Irvine has left the club by mutual consent. Irvine had ben at the club since the start of the 2007-08 season, and led them to a 15th place finish last season.

Shaw said "Both the Preston board and Alan agreed that he would step down, Alan had offers from other clubs, and wanted to leave. We could not refuse him this oppourtunity and we wish him the best of luck in his next job". Shaw however refused to answer specualtion on who the next Preston manager would be. "We will start looking for potential targets right away, but we will not be dragged into any talk of specualtion".

Irvine is rumoured to be in negotiations with Blackburn Rovers, over becoming the Assistant Manager to Paul Ince.

[J3529Tal]

Good start. I have a feeling this is going to be a good one.

[Dan]

Thanks mate.. I'm looking forward to this, as I've never done a MM before..

[Dan]

Odds on the next Preston Manager will be released later today.

[Mercurial]

Nice start mate, your presentation is very tidy.

Keep up the good work.

[Dan]

Thanks mate..

Odds on next Preston Manager:

Billy Davies 3/1


The favourite for the job. Would be a successful appointment with the fans. Has already managed the club, and even took them to a play-off final. Alreadya fan's favourite.

Lawrie Sanchez 7/4


Had avery successful spell as both Wycombe manager and manager of the Northern Ireland national team, a team which rose almost 100 places in the world rankings under his management. Would be a popular choice.


Peter Taylor 12/5


Currently manager of Wycombe Wanderers. He has managed many clubs in his career, and has even had experience as England caretaker. He has the CV for the job, but he's not managed the best of teams recently.

Bryan Robson 5/1


Currently the Global Ambassador at Manchester United, but could be tempted back into management. He's managed in the Premiership and was quitesuccessful during his last spell in the Championship with Sheffield United.

Steve Staunton 10/1


Is the current Assistant Manager at Leeds United. His only other managerial job was the Republic of Ireland job, which was fairly unsuccessful. Could be a stange choice from the board, if he were to be approached.

Chris Coleman 30/1


Has only recently become the Coventry City manager. He had a very successful 4-year spell as Fulham manager before moving to Spain to manage Real Sociedad. He is unlikely to want the job.

[Dan]

Anyone following this?..

[Fifa360]

Yeah

[Mercurial]

Get Cookie Coleman, he is a good manager.

[Dan]

Robson rejects Deepdale talk

Bryan Robson has denied any specualtion linking him to the vacant Preston North End job. Robson is currently the Golbal Ambassador at Manchester United and told press he is not willing to leave his current post.

"I have heard the specualtion linking me to the Prestong job in recent days, but I am not interested. I am flattered to be linked with the club, as they have a lot of history and spoke to Derek (Shaw) yesterday to tell him I'm not interested. I wish them all the luck in their search for a new manager".

There has been no word from Preston since the announcement was made.

[Reece]

dont get robson he is such a rubbish manager

[J3529Tal]

One person I would like to see back in management is Peter Reid. I think he's a good manager so I wouldn't mind putting money on him.

[Fifa360]

get The Keegan

[Dan]

Originally Posted by J3529Tal

One person I would like to see back in management is Peter Reid. I think he's a good manager so I wouldn't mind putting money on him.

He's only just become the Thailand manager in the last couple of days I think..

Originally Posted by Fifa360

get The Keegan

A little unrealistic isn't it?..

[Dan]

Shortlist shortens as two say No

Preston's hopes of getting a high-profile manager seem to be shortening by the second. Earlier today, Bryan Robson ruled himself out of the running to fill the vacant position, and in the last few minutes, two targets have also said no.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman has ruled himself out, stating that "I have only recently come into the Coventry City job, and I feel that it would be unfair to the Coventry fans if I leave the club, when I have so much to do".

The other target that has rejected any talk of becoming the manager of Preston is Lawrie Sanchez. The former Northern Ireland manager has said, "I feel that I need a little more time off before a jump back into management. It was a tempting offer, but I don't want to manage any club at this moment in time".

Better news has emerged however, as Preston favourite Billy Davies has said he would be willing to take the job again. More news when we get it.

[Dan]

Martinez set for Lilywhites post

It has been confirmed today that Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez is the prefered choice to take the Preston North End job. The Spaniard, who has had a very successful playing and managerial career at Swansea, has already been approached by the Preston board.

A Preston spokesperson has told us "It is correct that we have approached Swansea City and enquired about making Roberto (Martinez) our new manager. We have not had any official confirmation from Swansea, but we understand that he is interested in taking charge".


The Fans view
"I'd prefer Billy Davies, Martinez isn't experienced at this level" Sam, Preston

"Terrible choice from the board, Billy Davies and Steve Staunton would have been better choices" Alan, Manchester

"He is a very good young manager, and he is perfect if we want to complete our long term goals" Danny, Newquay

[VillaTillIDie]

Billy Davies would be realistic mate.

[Dan]

Swansea slam Preston for Martinez approach

Just as it seemed that Roberto Martinez would be taking the Preston job, the Lilywhites are back to square one. Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has slammed Preston for what they consider an illegal approach for their young manager. "We feel that Preston have not acted fairly by going to the media before we had even agreed to anything. We consider this an illegal move, and are considering reporting them to the FA".

This is a major set-back for Preston, as other targets have already ruled themselves out. Chris Coleman, Bryan Robson and Lawrie Sanchez have all ruled themselves out of the running, and now Swansea have denied Preston the permission to talk to Martinez. Billy Davies has now returned as the bookies favourite to take the post.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by VillaTillIDie

Billy Davies would be realistic mate.

Well, as you can see, it could still be a possibility..

[Dan]

Davies returnd to Deepdale as two friendlies announced

Preston have announced that Billy Davies will return to Deepdale as manager on a two year deal. The deal was completed a couple hours after Swansea had accused Preston of making an illegal approach for Roberto Martinez.

Chairman Derek Shaw confirmed that Martinez was just a smokescreen for Billy Davies, "We never really wanted to bring Roberto (Martinez) to the club, it was always Billy (Davies). Roberto would have been our second choice, had Billy rejected us. But that was not a road we had to cross".

The appointment has thrilled fans, who have now got two friendlies to look forward to. Shaw announced that Preston will play Accrington Stanley at the Fraser Eagle Stadium, before welcoming Tottenham to Deepdale a couple of days later.

[Reece]

nice good new manager mate

nice freindlies hope you beat Spurs!

[Mercurial]

Very good update mate, well written up.

Keep it up.

[Dan]

Thanks guys.. Nice to know people are reading it..

Update soon.

[Dan]

Billy Davies: We will win Promotion

During his first press interview after returning as Preston manager, Billy Davies revealed that his aim is to get Preston North End into the Premiership. He managed to take Derby to the big time, and had one footin the Premiership last time he was Preston manager, losing to West Ham in the play-off final.

"I think that we have a squad of players who can challenge for promotion this season, we have some fantastic players, many of whom could cut it at a higher level. I will look to add to the squad too, and I really believe that we will be celebrating in May".

Davies also revealed an interest in taking Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge on loan, "I feel that he could form a great partnership with the strikers we have at the club, and I think Manchester City would be happy for Daniel to get some first team experience at a high level".