With the forthcoming FA Cup tie versus Colchester United imminent, it reminded me of the time when Alex Bruce once scored four goals against them. Remarkably it was over 30 years ago, on 28th February 1978. The result (4-0) moved us to within a point of league leaders, Gillingham.
Brucie and Charlie Wayman are the only two Preston North End players to have scored four league goals in a game since the war. Four in a game is actually a PNE record for league games, although higher individual hauls have been recorded in the FA Cup competition, mainly by the 'Old Invincibles'.
*All players scored four goals unless stated*
League Games
Alex Bruce (2 pens) v Colchester United 4-0 1977/78
Charlie Wayman v Q.P.R. 4-1 1950/51
Ted Harper v Lincoln City 5-0 1932/33
Ted Harper v Burnley 6-1 1932/33
Dick Rowley v Notts. County 4-1 1931/32
James McClelland v Reading 4-1 1930/31
Bobby Crawford v Stoke City 5-1 1929/30
George Harrison(2 pens) v Grimsby Town 5-2 1928/29
Frank Becton v Notts. County 4-0 1892/93
George Drummond v Notts. County 6-0 1891/92
Nick Ross v Derby County 5-0 1889/90
Jimmy Ross v Stoke 7-0 1888/89
FA Cup Competition
Tommy Roberts v Lincoln City 4-2 1926/27
Tom Pratt v Grimsby Town 7-01898/99
John Cowan v Reading18-0 1893/94
Frank Becton v Reading18-0 1893/94
Jimmy Ross (six goals) v Reading18-0 1893/94
Jimmy Ross (five goals) v Bolton Wanderers 9-1 1887/88
Jimmy Ross (seven goals) v Hyde 26-0 1887/88
Sam Thomson (five goals) v Hyde 26-0 1887/88
Jack Gordon (five goals) v Hyde 26-0 1887/88
Fred Dewhurst v Witton 6-0 1886/87
Fred Dewhurst v Astley Bridge11-3 1885/86
Fred Dewhurst v Eagley 9-1 1883/84
A special mention must go to Andy McLaren who, during the Second World War period, once scored five goals versus Tranmere Rovers in the War Cup and all six goals versus Liverpool in a 6-0 Regional League win.
Ian Rigby
