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Preston North End
Ground Name: Deepdale
Capacity: 19.525 (all seated)
Address:
Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6RU
Main Telephone No: 0870-442-1964
Main Fax No: 01772-693-366
Ticket Office: 0870-442-1966
Ticket Office Fax No: 01772-693-365
Team Nickname: The Lilywhites
Pitch Size: 110 x 77 yards
Shirt Sponsors: Enterprise
Home Kit Colours: White & Navy
Away Kit Colours: All Yellow
Kit Manufacturers: Diadora
Official Web Site:
www.pnefc.netUnofficial Web Sites:
Irish Supporters Club,
Who's That Jumping Off The Pier? (Rivals),
Lilywhite Magic
PNEFans.net
Supporters Football Team
Map
Contents
What's The Ground Like?
Looking Towards The Football Museum (photo)
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Where To Drink?
Tom Finney & Bill Shankly Stands (photo)
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
By Train
Alan Kelly & Tom Finney Stands (photo)
Local Rivals
Admission Prices
Ground Layout
Fixtures 2007-2008
Programme Price
Disabled Facilities
Record & Average Attendance
Fans Ground Reviews
Hotel Accommodation
Other Places Of Interest
Own A Share In Preston North End
Feedback
Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
Three quarters of the ground have now been redeveloped in recent years, with three new stands being put in place. Work has now begun in re-developing the final stand the Pavilion side. The Pavilion Stand that has stood since 1935 has now been demolished to make way for a new 4,500 capacity stand. The single tiered stand which will cost in the region of £6m to build, will include 21 executive boxes and a new Police Control Box. It is hoped that the new stand will be open in early 2008 and will increase the overall capacity of Deepdale to around 24,000. The new stand will really boost the overall look and feel of the stadium and will be a welcome addition.
The three existing stands are 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. I wonder which past player will feature with the new stand? Outside the stadium near to the entrance to the National Museum of Football is a statue of former Preston legend Tom Finney.
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Looking Towards The Football Museum
Deepdale
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Stand at one end of the pitch. Normally the allocation for away fans is approximately half of this stand (3,000 seats) and it is shared with home supporters. 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 bacon rolls, roll over hot dogs, burgers and even vegetarian 'butter' pies. 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.
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Where To Drink?
The favoured pub for away fans, the 'Toy Soldier' on the nearby Deepdale retail park, has now been closed for sometime. The closest pubs to the ground are 'Sumners' and 'The Garrison' both up Tom Finney Way
(used to be called Deepdale Road) from the ground. The pubs sit opposite one another and are both okay for away fans, although the Garrison, seems to be the preferred choice with away supporters.
The atmosphere in Sumners is friendly, with both home and away supporters mixing freely (although note that away fans are not admitted when there is a local derby). There is a good sized beer garden & car park at the pub. Sometimes the pub does charge for parking but this can be redeemed against a purchase at the bar. Good food is available and children are allowed in. James Pritchett adds to get to the Sumners; 'Make sure you go towards Sainsburys and away from the Town Centre and it should take five minutes. As you go past Sainsburys turn right at the lights and it is half way up the hill, opposite another pub called the Garrison. It should be full, but friendly. The Garrison is on the opposite side of the road and has recently been refurbished. The pub welcome a mix of away and home support and are friendly towards families. It serves Theakstons on draught.'
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. Another pub worth considering is The White Hart on Watling Road (approx. 500 yards east of Sumner's and the Garrison, up past Fulwood Barracks). It is another Scottish & Newcastle pub with "Sizzling Platters" and other such delights of an inexpensive and good quality menu. A good alternative if the others prove too busy. Ample car parking and children welcome'. Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.
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Tom Finney & Bill Shankly Stands
Deepdale
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How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave M6 at Junction 31 and follow signs Left for Preston. Go up a steep hill (often a police speed trap on the hill, so stick to 30) and follow the road down to a mini roundabout (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.
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 £3 a car at Moorfields Special 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'.
For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website).
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'.
To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here.
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By Train
Preston 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. 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 a pub called the County Arms opposite the prison. Turn left along the road here passing the County Arms (which is not recommended for away supporters) and continue along Deepdale road. On the left is Tom Finney sports bar, a home fans only pub, but if you have no colours you may get in. The ground is now another half mile in a straight line along this road. Thanks to Kevin Wrenn for supplying the directions and general information.
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Alan Kelly & Tom Finney Stands
Alan Kelly Stand
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Local Rivals
Blackpool, Burnley & Blackburn Rovers.
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Admission Prices
Home Fans*:
Sir Tom Finney Stand (Premium Area): Adults £25, No Concessions
Sir Tom Finney Stand: Adults £23, Students/OAP's £14, Under 16's £8
Sir Tom Finney Stand (Family Area): Adults £23, OAP's £14, Under 16's £6
Alan Kelly Town End: Adults £22, OAP's £14, Under 16's £8
Bill Shankly Stand: Adults £22, OAP's £14, Under 16's £8
Away Fans*:
Bill Shankly Stand: Adults £22, OAP's £14, Under 16's £8
* The prices shown are the matchday admission prices. Discounts of up to £2 are available on these prices if the ticket is purchased prior to matchday.
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Ground Layout
Layout
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Fixtures 2007-2008
For the Preston North End fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website).
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Programme Price
Official Programme £3.
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Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website.
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Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance:
42,684 v Arsenal,
Division One, April 23rd, 1938.
Modern Attendance Record:
20,383 v Leeds United
Championship League Play Off Semi Final, May 8th, 2006.
Average Attendance:
2006-2007: 13,862 (Championship League)
2005-2006: 14,619 (Championship League)
2004-2005: 13,889 (Championship League)
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National Museum Of Football
John Messner informs me; 'The Museum is located within the two new stands of Deepdale. The exhibits include a gallery on the history and development of the game in England, along with how it has played a role in the social history of the nation over the years. This gallery runs the length of the Tom Finney Stand. The Museum also features an interactive gallery, where visitors can explore elements of the game, including tactics, rules, equipment, and grounds. There is an Special Exhibitions Gallery, whose first exhibition will be on Wembley Stadium. A gallery charting the history of Deepdale, and a gallery to feature art and other visual items from the Museum's vast collection'.
For visiting supporters attending a match, then please note that the Museum will be open until 2.30pm on Saturday matchdays and 7.30pm on evening matchdays. The museum is free to enter. To check out other opening times and gain more information about the museum, then please visit their website.
Richard Johnson a visiting Sheffield Wednesday fan adds; 'Just to say that we visited the National Football Museum and it is brilliant! An excellent assortment of the history of the game, shirts, trophies, match balls, video clips, interactive displays, how football was/is portrayed in the media, etc etc. Well worth a visit by all football fans, young and old - and, it's free!'
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Fans Reviews Of Deepdale
Andrew Luscombe (Derby County) 27/11/04
Liam Somerset (Derby County) 27/11/04
Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 24/11/01
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Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Preston page click here.
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Other Places Of Interest
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.
