Custom Search

Preston North End FC can trace its roots back to the local cricket club, founded in 1863. The members first played football in 1878 and two years later decided to form a football team.

In March 1881 the club played its first game against Blackburn Rovers, losing 10-0!

The Invincibles

Preston were founder members of the Football League in 1888, and in that inaugural season, they completed the first ever "Double", winning the league without losing a game, and the FA Cup without conceding a goal.

They won the League again the following season and were runners up for the three seasons after that.

Fall from Grace

However, the early success of the club could not be sustained. They were relegated in 1901, and although they returned, as champions, in 1904, they were relegated, promoted, relegated and promoted again, in the four years prior to World War 1.

After the war, Preston struggled in Division One and, despite reaching the FA Cup final in 1922 they were relegated again in 1925.

They spent nine years in the second tier before promotion in 1934.

Cup Winners Again

They were Cup finalists again in 1937 and the following year, they won the cup for a second time.

Near Misses

The period after the Second World War was dominated by local hero Tom Finney, but it was an era of near misses for Preston.

They were runners-up in the League in 1953 and 1958, and losing FA Cup finalists in 1954.

Finney retired in 1960 and the following season North End were relegated. In 1964 they narrowly missed out on promotion and lost yet another FA Cup final.

Life in The Basement

The Seventies saw Preston play in the Second and Third Divisions but in 1985 they were relegated to Division Four and the following season the one time champions of England suffered the indignity of having to apply for re-election.

They were promoted to Division Three in 1987, but dropped back into the Fourth Division in 1993.

Climbing Back up the Leagues

After missing out on promotion via consecutive playoffs, they were Division Three Champions in 1996, and Division Two winners in 2000.

In 2001, 2006 and 2009 they qualified for the promotion playoffs, but each time failed to secure promotion to the Premier League.

However, after those near misses there was a rapid decline, with the club finished 17th in 2010, and suffering relegation a year later.

Click on the icons below for more on Preston North End FC;

Return from Preston North End FC to Football League One

Return to The Football Club Home Page

or Search the site

Custom Search