It is with great sadness that we report that former Preston North End forward Alex Alston has passed away at the age of 71.

The Preston born striker will be best remembered for scoring a goal in Tom Finney's last ever game for the Lilywhites, but Alston also played more than 100 games for the Lilywhites during the 1950s and 1960s.

Signed from non-league Netherfield on a part-time basis in 1955, the former Trinity Second Modern School pupil was given his debut midway through the 57/58 campaign as a replacement for the injured Tom Finney in a 0-0 draw at Sunderland, shortly after turning professional upon the completion of his National Service.

He scored a goal in his second game, a 3-2 win at Leeds United but those were his only appearances in his debut season.

Alston was in and out of the side for the next four years and it wasn't until Tom Finney retired that he secured a regular starting spot in the PNE line-up.

North End were relegated in the 60/61 campaign but Alston held down a place in the side and would leave for Bury in March 1963 having scored 30 goals in 117 appearances for the Lilywhites.

He would spend three seasons at Gigg Lane before moving to Barrow in September 1965, where he ended his League career, later playing non-league football with Fleetwood and securing a job with Social Services.

He was the son of a well-known local boxer, and his younger brother, Adrian, also played professional football with Luton Town and Cardiff City, as well as qualifying to play for Australia having played much of his career there, scoring 17 goals in 62 games for the national side between 1969 and 1977.

Alex passed away in Blackpool on Friday 20th February and our condolances go to Alex's family and friends at this sad time.