Last Saturday Rachel Brennan was the envy of every Preston North End fan in Deepdale. Whilst most Lilywhites supporters went home with a frown on their face after the 3-0 defeat to Colchester, the 22-year-old from Walton-le-Dale sported the biggest smile in Preston after scooping the 'Prize of a Lifetime'.
After a routine Saturday visit to watch her beloved PNE, Rachel was shocked to find that she was the lucky winner picked to take home a list of prizes ranging from tickets to DVDs and programme subscriptions to North End shirts.
The competition ran by the Club was to encourage home supporters to bring their scarves to Deepdale and get behind Paul Simpson's men.
A delighted Rachel explained: "I'm really really happy. I can't say I'm chuffed because my friends have been taking the Mick all week out of me. They have all been asking me how I felt all that's all I have been able to say!
"I'm so lucky because out of all the people I never thought I'd have a chance. You say "it's never going to be me" because I have never won anything before in my life and then I couldn't believe it when I found out it was my seat that had been drawn out.
"It was a pretty bad day with the result but I couldn't stop smiling. All me friends around me we quite down but I was still buzzing.
"It was so weird because in the first half my little boy Ciaran was saying, "I would love to go on the pitch mummy," and I was just sympathising with him and not really listening. Then in the second half after we collected the prize he was made up and shouting about getting to go on Deepdale. Because I was so excited I just dragged him down the stairs but he was so happy when Deepdale duck was there.
"He is really funny when we go to the games because whenever the fans chant or swear he puts his fingers over his ears. He's got a Mini Whites season ticket so we're getting him started early. I usually go with my brother but my mum and dad have got season tickets so all the family are Preston supporters."
As die hard PNE fan, gracing the hallowed Deepdale turf is a moment to treasure. After being lead on to the pitch in front of 11,000 glaring spectators, Rachel admitted her heart started to beat a little quicker.
"I was really nervous and I was telling my mum that it wasn't fair because if I'd known that I would have ended going up on the pitch then I would looked a bit smarter. I had my scruffs on and I could have got done up for it but, oh well, winning the prize is the main thing.
"I had the chance in the Play-Offs against Birmingham a few years back. Everyone ran onto the pitch at the end and I was going to, but I remembered I was pregnant. It was when they were arguing with Trevor Francis and when the Town End was being built. It was a tense game and a fantastic atmosphere."
When asked which of the fabulous prizes Rachel looks forward to the most she admitted it had to be the two tickets for Player of the Year Awards at the end of the season.
Rachel continued: "My parents and all my friends are asking me if they can come to the Player of the Year awards with me so I'm going to see who can give me the best deal. I can't wait for it already so I can get a new outfit and my hair done. It will be a really good night and I'm so looking forward to it.
"Everyone keeps telling me I am so lucky and I all I can say to them is "I know". I want to say a massive thank you to Preston North End. I'm really happy that I have won and to be given the opportunity to go to all the games and events."
Amongst this prize, the trainee Primary school teacher has all scooped home and away shirts, tickets and travel to all away games, 12 months subscription to Whites World and match programmes and a season ticket.
