The current Preston North End Women’s side will play at Deepdale for the first time on Sunday evening as they entertain Hindley Juniors Women in a friendly fixture.
The two sides will kick-off in PR1 at 6pm, with free entry for all supporters via turnstiles one to four in the Sir Tom Finney Stand, having faced off twice earlier in the season.
The Lilywhites were on the end of a 3-1 defeat in pre-season but avenged for that loss with success in the Lancashire FA Challenge Cup First Round with a 3-2 win.
North End – led by manager Andy Lyons and first team coaches Nigel Greenwood, a former PNE striker himself, and David Rawcliffe – finished their league campaign last weekend with a 3-1 win against Penrith, having already secured a fourth place finish in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One North.
Opponents Hindley play at the same level, albeit in the Division One South, and finished their campaign in fifth place.
Greenwood told host Simon Crabtree on the latest episode of the Weekend Warm Up, on which he and daughter Charlotte feature, that there is almost a full squad to select from for Hindley's visit.
Fellow first team coach Rawcliffe is excited for a great occasion for the women’s team.
He said: “Everybody is really looking forward to playing at Deepdale. It’s going to be a proud moment for us and playing in a stadium like that where the majority of the team are North End fans, it’s a dream come true really and we can’t wait.”
Captain Courtney Woodhead added: “We can’t wait, it’s going to be a really good experience to gain. To finish our season fourth, it’s been amazing.
“To go then and play at Deepdale will be really good for us and the club itself as well. With all of our supporters that are going to come as well, it’s going to be a great opportunity.
“We’ve done amazing to come fourth this season and then to go and play at the men’s home ground is going to be amazing. The atmosphere is going to be really good, everyone has been waiting for this moment so we’re just going to make the most of it.”
Defender Ella Radcliffe said: I think it’s a great opportunity. I’m really excited. I’ve watched many games at Preston North End and it’s great to finally play there.
“We’ve had a good season, we’ve come fourth, which is great and there is more improvement to come. To play at the home of football is amazing.”
👥 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 #PNEWFC! 👋
— Preston North End Women's Football Club (@PNE_WFC) March 8, 2022
For #InternationalWomensDay we bring you the first four of our player profiles of the women's team squad. 😁
More to come from the squad in the coming weeks. 🤍
📲 https://t.co/Lsob3njiVX#pnefc pic.twitter.com/z9CVwpN4TM
While it is free entry for all spectators from 5.30pm at Deepdale, ahead of kick-off at 6pm, donations to Preston North End Women’s FC are welcome on the night and all funds will go back into the running of the club at junior and open-age level.
PNEWFC is supported by Preston North End Community and Education Trust – Preston North End’s official charity – with staffing, logistical and resourcing support.
Updates will be provided on the women’s team’s Twitter account which is available by heading to @PNE_WFC on Twitter.