Preston North End are the very definition of a mid-table Championship club and that's where they are ahead of tomorrow's fixture, just above us in the table: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/12/preston-need-to-do-better-but-few-signs.html
When I first started supporting Charlton in the 1950s, a visit by Preston was the cause of some excitement as one of their players was Tom Finney, the so-called 'Preston Plumber' because of the plumbing business he ran on the side and eventually retired to.
I'm not sure that I ever saw Finney as in my first year of support we played on a Thursday and the following year he was in an England v. Scotland game. Finney was a versatile attacking player who could operate as centre forward or on either wing.
Preston were once known as the 'Invincibles' as they dominated the Football League when it was first founded, becoming the first team to win the 'double'. I visited the football museum when it was originally located there before it moved to Manchester.
At the beginning of the season I forecast this game as a 2-2 and I will stick to that prediction. They are the away draw specialists of the Championship, having drawn nine games on the road.
Preston had a strong start to the season but one win in 12
league matches between mid-January and mid-March derailed their play-off
prospects. They are now third from bottom
in the form table.
They head to the Valley unbeaten in three, taking five
points from a possible nine. It will be their first visit to SE7 since November
2019, Paul Gallagher scoring in a 1-0 win.
“They have been a Championship side for as long as my memory
goes back,” Nathan Jones told Richard Cawley. “They are a really good
Championship side. They recruit well and are very structured in what they do.
They have been able to build on a solid foundation for years and years - I
remember Alex Neil’s Preston with the players they had like Gallagher, Ben Pearson
and Daniel Johnson.
“They either nearly, or did, get to the play-offs. They have
been that type of side that has been a really good Championship side for years
and they continue to do that.
Getting his excuses in early, Jones said: “They are a very
tough test, are very experienced and have threats in certain areas. It is
another difficult Championship test.”
The Preston supremo is also expecting a 'tough contest in SE7: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2026/april/09/-long-may-it-continue----hecky-previews-gentry-day-at-charlton/
Charlton fans should be aware that 'Gentry Day' is when Preston fans commemorate fellow fans who have passed away.
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