Preston North End F.C.
| Full name | Preston North End Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Lilywhites |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Ground | Deepdale, Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Capacity | 23,408 |
| Chairman | Ian Penrose |
| Manager | Paul Heckingbottom |
| League | EFL Championship |
| 2025–26 | EFL Championship, 14th |
Preston North End Football Club is an English football club from Preston, Lancashire. The club plays its home games at Deepdale. It plays in the EFL Championship, the second level of English football.[1] The club is commonly called Preston North End, North End or PNE. Its nickname is "The Lilywhites".
History
[change | change source]Preston North End was one of the 12 clubs that started the Football League in 1888.[2] Preston won the first Football League championship in the 1888–89 season. They did not lose any of their 22 league games that season.[3]
The club also won the FA Cup in 1889. Preston did not lose a game in either the league or FA Cup during that season. They also did not allow a goal in the FA Cup. Because of this, the team became known as "The Invincibles". Preston were the first English club to win the league and FA Cup in the same season.[4]
Preston won the league again in the 1889–90 season. The club has played in seven FA Cup finals and has won the competition twice. Its second FA Cup win came in 1938, when Preston beat Huddersfield Town 1–0 after extra time at Wembley Stadium.[5]
One of the club's best-known players was Tom Finney. He spent his whole English league career with Preston North End and also played for the England national team. The Sir Tom Finney Stand at Deepdale is named after him.
Recent seasons
[change | change source]Preston finished the 2025–26 Championship season in 14th place with 60 points.[6] The club continued to play in the Championship for the 2026–27 season.[7]
Paul Heckingbottom is the club's manager.[8] Ian Penrose is the club's chairman.[9]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "EFL Championship". English Football League. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Innovation". English Football League. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Football League rewind: Relive opening day of first Football League season". BBC Sport. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Deepdale prepared for meeting of two fine old clubs". The Football Association. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "The FA Cup's 50 Greatest Moments". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "EFL Championship". English Football League. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "EFL Fixture Release Day confirmed for 2026/27 season". Preston North End F.C. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Hecky Pleased With "Very Good" Transfer Business". Preston North End F.C. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- ↑ "Club Update - Response to Sky News Report". Preston North End F.C. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
