Football Ground Guide: Deepdale, Preston North End FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Looking Towards The Football Museum (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Tom Finney & Bill Shankly Stands (photo) Where To Drink? How To Get There By Car & Where To Park Alan Kelly & Tom Finney Stands (photo) By Train Invincibles Stand Local Rivals Admission Prices Ground Layout Fixtures 2009-2010 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?
With the addition of the new Invincibles Pavillion Stand in 2008, it now means that Deepdale has now been completely re-built in recent years. What was a great looking stadium, is now an even a better one as the new stand completely fills the remaining side of what was the Pavilion side of the ground. Three sides of the stadium are composed of some 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. The 4th new stand, which cost in the region of Ł9m to build, is slightly different. Even though it is of the same height and has a similar roof, it has a smaller tier of seating, with 22 executive boxes sitting above. Alas I presume that there was not enough space to incorporate another player image on the seating so instead we have to make do with the letters 'PNE FC' instead. Outside the stadium is a statue of former Preston legend Tom Finney. Top Of Page
Looking Towards The Football Museum
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Kop 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, plus pies from Shire Foods including the Chicken Balti Pie. 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. Top Of Page
Tom Finney & Bill Shankly Stands
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Where To Drink?
There is not a great deal in the way of pubs in close proximity to the ground. Further up Tom Finney Way (which used to be called Deepdale Road) from the stadium, is Sumners, whilst across the road is the Royal Garrison pub. Sumners tends to be the more friendly (although some away fans do drink in the Garrison), 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. The pub does charge for parking (Ł3) 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. It should be full, but friendly. The pub welcome a mix of away and home support and are friendly towards families. It serves Theakstons on draught.' Whilst Charlie Guinan a visiting Nottingham Forest fan informs me; 'Sumners was good for away fans and apart from the beer they served an excellent pie, chips, mushy peas and gravy for only Ł3.50.' 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.' Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground. Whilst John a visiting Chelsea fan informs me; 'We went to Preston and had a great day. The Yates pub located about a 15 minute walk from the station towards the ground was fine and was okay for us away fans and family friendly. My only criticism of the ground was that it was difficult inside to get a drink as there was no proper queuing system and hence it was a mad scrum at the bar'. Top Of Page
Alan Kelly & Tom Finney Stands
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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 Ł3 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. Top Of Page
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 Preston Prison. Turn left at the Prison into Church Street, then left into Deepdale Road. Continue straight along Deepdale Road and after about a mile you will reach the ground. Thanks to Kevin Wrenn for supplying the directions and general information. Top Of Page
Invincibles Stand
Thanks to Jonathan Harmer for providing the above photo. It was taken prior to the executive boxes being installed.
Local Rivals
Blackpool, Burnley & Blackburn Rovers. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Home Fans: Tom Finney & Invincibles Stands (Premium Area): Adults Ł27, OAP's Ł20, Under 16's Ł5 Tom Finney & Invincibles Stands: Adults Ł22, OAP's/Under 21's Ł15, Under 16's Ł5, Under 8's Free Tom Finney Stand (Family Area): 1 Adult + 2 Under 16's Ł27, 2 Adults + 2 Under 16's Ł49 Town End: Adults Ł20, OAP's/Under 21's Ł12, Under 16's Ł5, Under 8's Free Town End (Family Area): 1 Adult + 2 Under 16's Ł25, 2 Adults + 2 Under 16's Ł45 Bill Shankly Kop: Adults Ł20, OAP's/Under 21's Ł12, Under 16's Ł5, Under 8's Free Away Fans: Bill Shankly Kop: Adults Ł20, OAP's/Under 21's Ł12, Under 16's Ł5, Under 8's Free Family Tickets: 1 Adult + 2 Under 16's Ł25, 2 Adults + 2 Under 16's Ł45 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Fixtures 2009-2010
For the Preston North End fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme Price
Official Programme Ł2. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 42,684 v Arsenal, Division One, April 23rd, 1938. Modern (all seated) Attendance Record: 23,119 v Chelsea FA Cup Round 4, January 23rd, 2010. Average Attendance: 2009-2010: 12,935 (Championship League) 2008-2009: 13,426 (Championship League) 2007-2008: 12,647 (Championship League) Top Of Page
National Museum Of Football
Alas the Museum has now closed at the ground in preparation for its move to a site in Manchester. It is expected to open at its new home sometime in Autumn 2010. For further information please visit their website. Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of Deepdale
David Kemp (Newcastle United) 23/11/09 James Flynn (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 20/09/08 Andrew Fleet (Portsmouth) 17/02/08 Steven Hunt (West Bromwich Albion) 29/01/08 Andrew Luscombe (Derby County) 27/11/04 Liam Somerset (Derby County) 27/11/04 Top Of Page
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. Top Of Page
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. Top Of Page
Own A Share In Preston North End
Framed Share allow you to buy a genuine share for you or someone else, which you can then either receive unframed, or in a frame of your choice. The recipients name will be on the share certificate, which shows that the person is now a shareholder in Preston North End plc. As a shareholder that person will receive the annual accounts of Preston North End plc and allow them to attend the Annual General Meeting of shareholders of the Club, where the Clubs senior officials attend and take questions. To find out more on how to purchase a share in Preston North End for yourself or someone else click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide. * The ground was opened in 1875 as an athletics, rugby and cricket ground. Football was first played later on the site in 1881.
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