Preston North End will host Everton at Deepdale during pre-season, as well as facing Salford City away from home. In preparation for the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign, North End will take on Premier League side Everton on home turf for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 3rd August. The two sides previously met in September 2020 at Goodison Park in a pre-season friendly, with the last competitive fixture against the Toffees coming 20 years ago. Before Sean Dyche's side come to PR1, the Lilywhites will head to the Peninsula Stadium to take on Sky Bet League Two outfit Salford City. Kicking off at 7.30pm on Tuesday 30th July, it’ll be the second time in 12 months that the teams have met, following the first competitive fixture between the two in the Carabao Cup last August. Ticket details for both fixtures will be confirmed in due course. PNE’s confirmed pre-season fixtures: Lincoln City (N), Pinatar Arena, Friday 12th July, 11am (CEST) Bamber Bridge (A), SFC Stadium, Wednesday 17th July, 7pm Salford City (A), Peninsula Stadium, Tuesday 30th July, 7.30pm Everton (H), Deepdale, Saturday 3rd August, 3pm
Preston North End will face Southport in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday 16th July. The clash will get underway at 7.30pm at the Big Help Stadium, better known to most as Haig Avenue. Southport will be preparing for another season in the National League North following their 17th-placed finish in the 2023/24 campaign. The upcoming term will be their first full season with experienced manager Jim Bentley at the helm, following his appointment last August. Ticket details for this fixture will be confirmed in due course. PNE’s confirmed pre-season fixtures: Lincoln City (N), Pinatar Arena, Friday 12th July, 11am (CEST) Southport (A), The Big Help Stadium, Tuesday 16th July, 7.30pm Bamber Bridge (A), SFC Stadium, Wednesday 17th July, 7pm Salford City (A), Peninsula Stadium, Tuesday 30th July, 7.30pm Everton (H), Deepdale, Saturday 3rd August, 3pm
LINCOLN CITY 12/7/2024 10.00am PINATAR ARENA WHO ARE THEY https://www.weareimps.com/ @LincolnCity_FC please log in to view this image Manager Michael Skubala (born 31 October 1982) is an English football coach who is the head coach for EFL League One club Lincoln City. Leeds United In July 2022, he was appointed head coach of Leeds United U21's.[5] In February 2023, Skubala was appointed interim head coach of English Premier League side Leeds United, alongside coaches Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas, after the sacking of head coach Jesse Marsch.[6][7][8] After Leeds drew their first game away under Skubala 2–2 at Manchester United, it was announced that he would remain in charge for a second match four days later: the home tie against Manchester United.[9] The club also announced that Skubala would remain in the role while the search for a permanent manager continued,[10] and Skubala said he did not see the temporary role as an 'opportunity' for him.[11] After the appointment of Javi Gracia as head coach, Skubala was promoted to first-team coach at Leeds[12] Lincoln City On 13 November 2023, he was appointed the head coach of League One club Lincoln City.[13] His first game ended in a 1–0 defeat to Stevenage.[14] His first Lincoln City win came the next game, beating Leyton Orient 1–0.[15] He was nominated for the February 2024 Manager of the Month, picking up 16 points from 6 unbeaten games.[16] His unbeaten run would continue into March, taking 13 points from the next 5 games, including a 5–1, 6–0 and 5–0 win, getting him another manager of the month nomination.[17] Lincoln City missed out on a play-off place following a 2–0 defeat to League One champions Portsmouth on the final day of the season.[18] SQUAD please log in to view this image Bayliss was oonce of this parish, criminally underuesed by the then management also got a nasty injury which put him out for months VENUE please log in to view this image PREVIOUS please log in to view this image Remember the 5-0 we were excellent that night THE VIEW OF MAC But for a missed penalty on the last day City would probably have ended up in the play offs also they were flying before the last International break scoring goals a plenty they never quite recovered but suspect they will go well this season
Preston North End will play their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Friday, against Lincoln City at Pinatar Arena. Once again, a huge number of North End fans have come out to Spain for the third year running to watch Ryan Lowe’s side take on the Imps at 11am CEST (10am UK time). please log in to view this image This fixture will be the first opportunity for the PNE faithful to see the two new signings in action, with Sam Greenwood and Stefán Teitur Thórdarson both expected to feature. There may also be gametime for some of the younger players on the trip, including the likes of Kacper Pasiek and Theo Mawene, who turns 17 on Friday. In Lincoln City, the Lilywhites are facing a side who lost just twice in their last 20 matches of the 2023/24 season, and they only missed out on the League One Play-Off spots by two points. Managed by Michael Skubala, Lincoln have already been busy in the transfer market. Former PNE midfielder Tom Bayliss, who featured 21 times in a North End shirt, is one of their new arrivals. You have to go back to 1999 to find the last time these two sides met competitively and what a night at Deepdale that was. Doubles from Steve Basham and Kurt Nogan, and a late goal from Jon Macken secured an emphatic 5-0 victory, and the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign was a cracker, too. 3-1 down in the 71st minute, the game looked over, but late goals from Macken and Nogan again turned it around for a 4-3 win.
And we still can't score PNE 0 LINCOLN 1 Preston North End got a good workout in the Spanish heat in the first game of pre-season as Lincoln City came out 1-0 winners. Jovon Makama opened the scoring within just two minutes as he found Freddie Woodman’s far corner and that proved to be the only goal of the game. PNE had chances to equalise through the likes of Sam Greenwood and Milutin Osmajić, but the League One outfit kept North End at bay. Playing at Pinatar Arena in scorching conditions and in front of hundreds of travelling supporters in fine voice, Ryan Lowe fielded two different XIs for the two halves. The game had hardly got going before the Imps took the lead as Makama, on the edge of the araea, cut inside and curled low into the far corner. Greenwood – playing for North End for the first time – pressed high in the 17th minute and nicked the ball back, and he’d have drawn his side level if it wasn't for a great stop by Jamie Pardington. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Soon after, an overhit cross from a Sean Roughan free-kick had Woodman backtracking, but it came off the top of his crossbar. At the other end, PNE were looking dangerous from Greenwood’s set pieces, with Liam Lindsay firstly heading over and then seeing another one tipped wide a few minutes later. Tendayi Darikwa could have given his side a greater lead with the last action of the first half, but he sent his effort wide from close range. After wholesale outfield changes were made at the break, North End were fortunate not to go two down just before the hour mark, with Ben House unable to capitalise on a defensive mistake. The best chance of the day for the Lilywhites then came five minutes later as Duane Holmes did extremely well to carry the ball forward and play it wide for Brad Potts, whose cutback towards Osmajić wasn’t quite connected with from six yards. Lewis Montsma soon probably should have scored for the Imps when he headed over the bar from close range, and that’s where the goalmouth action ended. Following full-time, the North End squad and management went over to thank the following fans for their incredible support, and captured a photo together as has become tradition for the previous few years. First half XI: Woodman; Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes; Seary (T.Mawene, 25), Frøkjær, Whiteman, Greenwood, Pasiek; Stewart, Riis. Second half XI: Woodman (Pradic, 64); Storey, Bauer, Taylor; Potts, Ledson, Thórdarson, Holmes, Brady; Osmajić, Keane.
Fantastic view Speaking after the pre-season friendly against Lincoln City in Spain, manager Ryan Lowe said it’s been a productive week of hard work for the team. North End have completed the seven-day training camp in Campoamor, where the lads have been put through their paces in double sessions almost every day under the Spanish sun. The week was rounded off with a match at Pinatar Arena against the Imps, who came out 1-0 winners thanks to a second-minute strike from Jovon Makama. The result is no concern to the gaffer, though, and he’s been really pleased with what he’s seen from his squad this week. Ryan said: “The footage is already out there; we’ve slogged the lads this week. They’ve covered maybe 30% more than they’ve covered in past pre-seasons which was important for them. “There were a few tired bodies but we had some good patterns of play and we worked the ball tremendously well, especially in the second half. I don’t think they had a kick for a while. “We were a little bit sloppy in between where they scored the goal. The result’s irrelevant for us. We’ve created some good chances with Milly [Milutin Osmajić] and Emil [Riis]. Some great set plays from Sam Greenwood and the ‘keeper’s made a save on the line. “We had some good opportunities but the good thing for us is to see them all in there with no ice on their legs or on their ankles. They’ve all come through it. “We’ll get back, we’ll rest and recover, and we’ll get home tomorrow and start the week again on Monday. “It’s been a fantastic week for the lads; they’ve been excellent. The work they’ve put in has been different class. We’ve had a good game against a good team in Lincoln who sat back in two blocks – a mid-block and a deep block – and they want to try and counter you, so there’s some good stuff we can take from it.” North End have spent the past two pre-seasons in Spain and hundreds of supporters have come over each time to support their team, and it was no different this time round. please log in to view this image The PNE faithful once again showed up in their numbers and were superb all game long, and after full-time – as has become tradition – the squad and management took a picture in front of those who travelled. Ryan said: “It’s class. We’ve got that picture that we’ve had for many years with them at the end of the game. “I think one man’s lost his voice, he kept shouting all game which is brilliant. It’s good for them, isn’t it? It’s like a pre-season tour for them with half of them staying in Benidorm and having a few drinks. “Some are here with their families and a couple of the players’ families are here. It’s brilliant, nice to see them, and hopefully they enjoy a good night in Benidorm.”
SOUTHPORT Haig Avenue 16/7/2024 19.45 hrs Bamber Bridge 17/7/2024 19.00 hrs please log in to view this image SOUTHPORT please log in to view this image BAMBER BRIDGE SOUTHPORT https://southportfc.net/ Southport Football Club is an association football club based in Southport, Merseyside.[1] The club compete in the National League North, the sixth level of the English football league system. They play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008. They are known by their nickname "the Sandgrounders". Founded in 1888 as Southport Central, the club were members of regional leagues such as the Lancashire League, the Lancashire Combination and The Central League for many years until 1921 when they were invited to become a founding member of the newly formed Football League Third Division North. Southport held membership of The Football League from 1921 to 1978. The club's main honour whilst in the Football League was winning the 1972–73 Football League Fourth Division championship. They failed to gain re-election in 1978 and since then have been members of the Northern Premier League (1978 to 1993), the Football Conference (1993 to 2003) and then the Northern Premier League Premier Division (2003–04). Southport were transferred to the new National League North in 2004 and, since then, have played in either that division (tier 6) or the tier 5 National League. In 2017, Southport were relegated to their current division, the National League North. Southport's best performance in the FA Cup came in the 1930–31 tournament when they reached the quarter-finals (last eight) but were then beaten 9–1 by Everton at Goodison Park. Southport had another good FA Cup run in 1965–66 when they reached the fifth round (last sixteen) and were beaten 2–0 by Hull City at Boothferry Park. Southport took part in the Football League Cup from 1960 to 1978 but never progressed beyond the first two rounds. The team reached the final of the FA Trophy in 1997–98, played at the old Wembley Stadium, but lost 1–0 to Cheltenham Town. MANAGER JIM BENTLEY please log in to view this image BAMBER BRIDGE https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge/ Bamber Bridge Football Club is a football club based in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire, England. They are currently members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The club is fully owned by a community organisation that represents supporters of the club.[3] JAIME MILLIGAN please log in to view this image MACS VIEW Double non league days all squad who are fit will get a run out, last played Southport when Westley was manager usually play Brig every season Great for fitness and hopefully finding the back of the net
Back in England after a week’s training camp in Spain, PNE’s pre-season schedule continues on Tuesday night away to Southport. North End will head to the Big Help Stadium to take on Jim Bentley’s side for a 7.30pm kick-off. The Lilywhites played their first pre-season fixture last Friday at Pinatar Arena against Sky Bet League One side Lincoln City, where Ryan Lowe gave most of his players 45 minutes each. please log in to view this image It’s expected that minutes will again be split on Tuesday night, especially given North End will then take on Bamber Bridge the following evening. Sam Greenwood and Stefán Teitur Thórdarson both got their first outings in Spain and will be in contention to feature again. Southport finished 17th in the National League North in the 2023/24 season and this match is their first of six friendlies. They’ve had a busy summer so far, welcoming nine new faces to the club – most recently former Blackpool and AFC Fylde forward Danny Philliskirk.
Southport 2 PNE 1 Mads Frøkjær was on the scoresheet for North End as Ryan Lowe’s side were beaten 2-1 by Southport. The hosts went ahead in the 19th minute thanks to a Marcus Carver header, before Frøkjær levelled matters after half an hour with a tidy finish. PNE had chances to take the lead after that through the likes of Stefán Thórdarson and Will Keane, but it was a Southport trialist who scored the decisive goal in the 73rd minute. Carver had the first opportunity of the game inside the opening four minutes as he tested Freddie Woodman, while Brad Potts soon sent an effort wide on the end of a Robbie Brady cross. PNE were seeing all of the ball but they fell behind in the 19th minute when Nathaniel Knight-Percival’s ball into the box was headed into the far corner by Carver. North End were level on the half-hour mark as Brady got on the end of a clever pass from Thórdarson and the Irishman pulled it back for Frøkjær, whose effort took a nick off a defender to help it over the goal-line. Sam Greenwood called Southport’s trialist goalkeeper into making a good save in the 42nd minute and he made an even better stop on the stroke of half-time to prevent Thórdarson expertly finding the top corner. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image After the break, Potts fired a powerful strike over the crossbar, and just after the hour mark the lively Frøkjær picked the ball up on the half turn, ran towards goal and saw a low strike saved. That was his last action as nine changes were made in the 64th minute. One of those, Kacper Pasiek looked promising straight away as he put in a dangerous cross, and when he did the same a few minutes later, Jack Whatmough’s header back towards Keane was nodded over from just a few yards out. In the 73rd minute, a defensive slip allowed a Southport trialist to cross for another, and he cushioned a volley home from inside the area. With nine minutes left on the clock, Duane Holmes sent an excellently drilled pass through for Keane, and after receiving it back he couldn’t quite find the target with a first-time effort. Keane was needed at the other end in the last meaningful action of the game two minutes from time to block a header on his goal-line, meaning the hosts took a 2-1 victory. PNE starting XI: Woodman; Storey (Whatmough, 64), Lindsay (Bauer, 64), Hughes (Taylor, 64); Potts (Seary, 64), Whiteman (Ledson, 45), Thórdarson (Holmes, 64), Brady (Pasiek, 64); Greenwood (T.Mawene, 64), Frøkjær (Stewart, 64); Riis (Keane, 64). Attendance: 1,142 (420 PNE fans). After two games of pre-season, Ryan Lowe knows his side have work to do but he’s also seen positive results of “new principles” given to the team. Following the opening friendly out in Spain against Lincoln City, PNE went to Southport on Tuesday and were beaten 2-1 by Jim Bentley’s side. Mads Frøkjær was on the scoresheet for North End at The Big Help Stadium where 21 PNE players were given a runout, and they’ll build up more minutes on Wednesday night against Bamber Bridge. Ryan said: “We’re early stages, aren’t we? We’ve given them some principles in and out of possession. It’s principles of what we want to do going forward and I’ve seen that in possession and out of possession. “The goals are scruffy, we know that. It’s something to work on. Jack [Whatmough] slips and the kid just crosses it and he scores, but there’s some good moments in there in terms of moving the ball. “We played Mads and Sam [Greenwood] in the two tens today, and Whitey [Ben Whiteman] and Stefán [Thórdarson] as two fours, and I thought that looked exciting at times with the interchange and the runs forward. “Listen, I’ve been a non-league player myself and you’re right up for these games. You don’t want to lose but there’s no points gained at this moment in time. “It’s more for us to get the fitness into the lads, hence why it was 60-30 [minutes] and tomorrow at Bamber Bridge the lads who finished will play 60 and the lads who started will play 30. It’s getting the minutes in. “We’re disappointed with the two goals, of course we are. We’ve just had a word with the lads in there. We’ve got to ramp it up, keep the back door shut and score more goals.” While the majority of the squad are working on building match fitness, Ali McCann, Dai Cornell and Kian Best are yet to feature in pre-season. The gaffer said there’s nothing to worry about with that trio, although midfielder Ali is still at least a couple of weeks away from returning, having suffered a setback since the end of last season. For the rest of the squad, they’ll make the traditional short trip to Bamber Bridge on Wednesday, before playing a couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies. Ryan said: “We’ve got the opportunity to go to a Premier League training ground on Friday and pit our wits against a top, top, top Premier League team and we’re privileged to do that. “We’ve got today, tomorrow, and we’ll do some stuff at the training ground on Thursday and then play a game against a Premier League team and pit our wits against them. That’ll be good because we probably won’t have large parts of the ball. Again, it’s good for us out of possession and in certain games there’ll be loads of good stuff for in possession. We’re looking forward to it. “We’ve also got a training game next Tuesday and then we follow it up with the Fiorentina game which, again, is a top game. "We’re two weeks in now and we’ve had two games. I’ve seen some good things and I’ve seen some things that are not good. I’m not going to lie. We’ve got to work on them and be a little bit better.”
North End are straight back into action after Tuesday night’s friendly against Southport as they make the short journey to Bamber Bridge on Wednesday. The fixture – a staple in PNE’s pre-season preparations – will get underway at 7pm at the SFC Stadium, and the teams will once again compete for the Gerry Lawson Memorial Trophy. Tickets will be available to buy on the gate, with both cash and card payments accepted, although cash is preferred to ease congestion. Prices for the match are £10 for adults and £5 for over 65s and U16s, while children under the age of 11 will go free. Please note, ID may be required when purchasing concessionary tickets. There will be no parking available at the ground and supporters parking in the nearby areas are kindly asked to consider residents. please log in to view this image After one half-time change against Southport, nine further subs were made just after the hour mark by Ryan Lowe, and those who finished the game at The Big Help Stadium are expected to start against Brig. Bamber Bridge finished 16th in the Northern Premier League during the 2023/24 season and their manager Jamie Milligan signed a new contract at the club in May, amid speculation surrounding his future. This fixture is their fourth of pre-season, having come out on top against Charnock Richard and Longridge Town, while they were beaten 2-0 by Fleetwood Town earlier in the month. There may be a familiar face lining up in central midfield for Brig on the night in the form of North End Academy graduate Jack Baxter, who left PNE in 2022.
