A group of students visiting the UK on an exchange visit from Madrid last week had an exciting end to their stay - and it wasn't just because of the heavy snowfall prior to their Sunday return flight to the Spanish capital!

Instead, it was all down to a trip to see PNE, as their teacher, David Marugán, is a keen Lilywhites supporter.

"When I saw the fixtures we shifted the exchange dates to accommodate the match," he explained.

"I had managed to get up to Deepdale the previous Saturday for the Sheffield United game, so to get to two in a week and take my students was a real bonus."

David is an Atlético de Madrid fan and attributes his love of PNE to that, as well as the friendship of a PNE Whites in Exile.

"My friend Peter Thompson - a famous Preston name, I believe! - lives in Surrey, and together we run the exchange programme at the school in which he works. Like me, he loves football. His family have generations of contact with PNE and through him I met Sir Tom Finney a couple of seasons ago.

"Both PNE and Atlético de Madrid are underdogs, and in these days of glory supporters I think it is very important to support real teams. I really enjoy the atmosphere at PNE matches.In Spain you do not get this sort of support outside the top flight."

David's students were prepared for the QPR match the day before at The Ashcombe School in Dorking, Surrey.

"Peter had prepared a PowerPoint presentation in Spanish, so my students learnt all about the history of the club - the Invincibles, the double, George Mutch's penalty that won the 1938 Cup Final, Sir Tom Finney, David Moyes and something about the revival under Alan Irvine. We also learnt some words of the songs that the fans chant, but I think they were edited a little!"

David said his students really enjoyed the match but were at a loss to understand how PNE managed to throw away their lead.

"Just like Atlético," sighed David.