Next up in PNE’s Championship preview is Derby County who’ll be all change by the time they kick-off the 2015/16 season.
Following Steve McClaren’s departure in May, the Rams decided to delve into foreign shores in search of their new manager, and looked no further then Spanish giants Real Madrid, in the form of Paul Clement.
Clement assisted in Real’s 10th Champions League title in 2014, and has previously worked for the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea prior to his appointment at County.
A season that promised so much ended in disappointment last time out for Derby after missing out on the Play-Offs on the final day, losing to Reading 3-0.
But after recruiting Scott Carson, Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann already, Clement’s side are a sure bet to be there or thereabouts come May.
Head to Head
Preston: 49
Draw: 20
Derby: 40
North End could make it their 50th win against Derby if they get one over Clement’s side in September, although it’ll be their first victory against the Midlands side in seven years.
Boxing Day 2008 and a home fixture a day after Christmas is enough to please any fans, but even more so if you record victory.
Before even the Christmas Turkey could settle, Sean St Ledger gave PNE the lead on the half hour mark from 12 yards, and Jon Parkin doubled the advantage mid-way through the second half after meeting a cross from Ross Wallace making it a very merry Christmas for the Lilywhites.
The Stadium
Re-named the Ipro stadium in 2013 due to sponsorship reasons, the ground is easily accessible for all transport with Derby station just a 10 minute walk from the stadium.
The arena has been the home of Derby County since 1997 after they moved from their much loved Baseball ground.
The ground boasts 30,000 seats and has hosted a variety of events in the past from music concerts to monster truck rallies, and has even hosted International friendly matches in the past.
Played for Both
Players in all shapes and sizes have played for the white of Preston and Derby, from the brute strength of Claude Davies to the forward thinking of Danny Dichio.
Even Derby’s current kit man Jon Davidson had a spell for both back in the day – the Staffordshire-born full back started out at the Rams making 12 appearances before joining PNE in 1993.
He made slightly more games for North End after leaving Derby, notching up 21 games for the club but it was in the non-leagues where Davidson spent most of his career playing for Telford, Dagenham and Ilkeston Town to remain a few.
Clement assisted in Real’s 10th Champions League title in 2014, and has previously worked for the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea prior to his appointment at County.
A season that promised so much ended in disappointment last time out for Derby after missing out on the Play-Offs on the final day, losing to Reading 3-0.
But after recruiting Scott Carson, Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann already, Clement’s side are a sure bet to be there or thereabouts come May.
Head to Head
Preston: 49
Draw: 20
Derby: 40
North End could make it their 50th win against Derby if they get one over Clement’s side in September, although it’ll be their first victory against the Midlands side in seven years.
Boxing Day 2008 and a home fixture a day after Christmas is enough to please any fans, but even more so if you record victory.
Before even the Christmas Turkey could settle, Sean St Ledger gave PNE the lead on the half hour mark from 12 yards, and Jon Parkin doubled the advantage mid-way through the second half after meeting a cross from Ross Wallace making it a very merry Christmas for the Lilywhites.
The Stadium
Re-named the Ipro stadium in 2013 due to sponsorship reasons, the ground is easily accessible for all transport with Derby station just a 10 minute walk from the stadium.
The arena has been the home of Derby County since 1997 after they moved from their much loved Baseball ground.
The ground boasts 30,000 seats and has hosted a variety of events in the past from music concerts to monster truck rallies, and has even hosted International friendly matches in the past.
Played for Both
Players in all shapes and sizes have played for the white of Preston and Derby, from the brute strength of Claude Davies to the forward thinking of Danny Dichio.
Even Derby’s current kit man Jon Davidson had a spell for both back in the day – the Staffordshire-born full back started out at the Rams making 12 appearances before joining PNE in 1993.
He made slightly more games for North End after leaving Derby, notching up 21 games for the club but it was in the non-leagues where Davidson spent most of his career playing for Telford, Dagenham and Ilkeston Town to remain a few.