Our first trip to Preston in the league since November 2008 in the bad old days as administration beckoned, a lot of water has gone under both bridges since then, but here we are again back in the Championship together, so here is all the info for Deepdale.
The Stadium
Deepdale is one of those grounds that has been completely rebuilt over the years and there are those that have been there in the past who could not really say they have been there now as it might be in the same but nothing now remains from the past, the rebuild having started in 1995 and ended in 2008.
Outside the stadium is a statue of Preston legend Tom Finney and if you don't know who he is then you should google him.
It's current capacity is around 23,400, although attendances this season have varied depending on the opposition and the numbers they bring and have been between 15-19,000.
Getting There
By Car
Leave M6 at Junction 31 and take the A59 towards Preston. Go up a steep hill and follow the road down to a mini roundabout (note the 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. There is some parking available at the ground itself, but at a cost of £12.50 per car.
Nearby across Sir Tom Finney Way (behind the Main Stand) is another car park which costs £7.
Post Code for SAT NAV: PR1 6RU
By Train
With it being a night game I would guess that there will be few going by this method, but Preston Railway Station is around a mile and a half from the ground and takes around twenty five minutes to walk.
The Away Section
Away fans are housed in the Bill Shankly Kop, Preston are not one of those clubs who restrict away numbers, so although half this end at 3,000 tickets is the norm, sometimes this is increased to the whole end and 6,000, with this being an evening game we have taken only 2,000 tickets and have sold around 1.400-500.
The view from the stand is superb and it has a steep camber, underneath the concourses are spacious and serve the usual fare at cheaper prices than stadiums in the South or indeed the Premier League.
The speciality is the Butter Pie, a normal pie but with a filling of very buttery mashed potato and onion. apparently there is a flag at the top of the Invincibles Stand that reads ‘True Prestonians Love a Butter Pie!’
Pubs Etc
Being a stadium that is a fair walk from the town centre there is not a great deal in the way of pubs near the ground, but there is St Gregory’s Catholic Club, which is around a five minute walk away on Blackpool Road. The Club allows entry for a charge of £1, but offers reasonably priced drinks, hot pies, plus has Sky television. You can also park at the Club at a cost of £3.
Secondly, there is the Moor Park Sports and Social Club, situated around ten minutes walk away from Deepdale, at the junction of Blackpool Road and Garstang Road across from Moor Park (PR1 6AD). Parking is available at the Club at a cost of £3 per car and non-members are admitted free into the club on matchdays.
Around a 15 minute walk away on Watling Street Road is the White Hart pub, which allows in away fans.
Deepdale
Capacity: 23,404 (all seated)
Address: Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6RU
Telephone: 0344 856 1964
Ticket Office: 0344 856 1966
Pitch Size: 110 x 77 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: The Lilywhites
Year Ground Opened: 1875*