Here is the lowdown on a number of the key staff members within our development centre...

Darren Finch
DOB: 06/07/64



Heading up the development centre is the Club's youth development officer, Darren Finch. He holds two A Licences - a UEFA A Licence and a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma - and has now earned a FA Academy Managers Licence. A vastly qualified coach, he has in excess of a dozen football qualifications to his name and is a regular attendee of a wide range of development courses.

On a day-to-day basis, Darren is the man responsible for overseeing our schools programme, after-school coaching, development centres and advanced development centres, whilst also working closely with the youth team and coaching the Club's U15s and U16s on day release from school.

Darren's role also combines responsibility as Centre of Excellence U12 to U16 development manager where he develops the technical coaching plan for players in these age groups and the position of Centre of Excellence U14 team manager.

Extensively experienced in youth development, Darren spent five years coaching in the USA with Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club and Team Cincinnati Soccer Club - enjoying numerous trophy successes with their development squads and helping numerous youngsters to secure professional or prized college contracts - whilst also working as head coach of Dayton Gems in the PDL (Professional Development League).

Prior to joining PNE, he worked at Burnley as the community manager, helping to oversee the club's regional coaching programme within schools, and also as a Centre of Excellence coach in two separate spells either side of his stint in the USA. Finch also coached with Manchester United's acclaimed Soccer Scheme.

As a youngster, he enjoyed a taste of life within the Football League as a player, having represented Blackburn Rovers at youth and reserve levels in the early 1980s and captaining the club at 'A', 'B' and youth level before going on to represent Chesterfield, Accrington Stanley, Darwen and Padiham during a 15-year career.

Simon Hampson
DOB: 28/10/83



Represented Blackburn Rovers at Centre of Excellence level before his career was hampered by injury, later turning out for his renowned local amateur side, Euxton Villa.

Simon is an FA Level Two qualified coach, currently working towards attaining his UEFA B Licence, which he hopes to achieve before the end of 2009.

Spent a year coaching in New York, working with a number of different clubs to improve their junior sides from U9 to U16 levels. Joined Preston North End upon his return in 2005 to become a development coach - a role that keeps expanding continually.

Predominantly involved in the Club's schools programme during the day, delivering coaching sessions and after-school clubs for skills development. Also involved at the youngest age levels within the Centre of Excellence, coaching the U8s in 2007/08 and moving up with them to work with the U9s in 2008/09.

Ash Higgins
DOB: 24/10/89



Switching straight from a PNE scholarship to a role on the coaching staff, Higgins made the transition from player to coach at Deepdale during the summer of 2008.

Qualified as an FA Level Two coach and working towards his UEFA 'B' Licence, he is involved in the schools programme, the elite coaching centres and the management of the Centre of Excellence U13 side.

The forward has been injured for much of his time since the end of his scholarship at Deepdale, but is hoping to resume his playing career as soon as fitness permits.

Chris McGrail
DOB: 25/02/88



Another former North End player, Chris McGrail was a first year pro with the Club until the summer of 2008 before taking up a coaching role after his on-field stint was beset by injury.

The pacy striker and YTS product made the North End first team bench on a couple of occasions during the 2006/07 season whilst still a scholar. Accrington Stanley took McGrail on loan at the start of the 2007/08 after he had signed his first professional deal, and appeared on loan for both the east Lancastrians and Wirral side Vauxhall Motors during his year-long spell as a pro at Deepdale.

Having attained his Level Two coaching qualification, Chris is now well on the way to securing his UEFA B Licence, and is widely involved in many of the Club's community coaching activities.