On the back of their opening pre-season game against Liverpool, PNE make the short journey to face fellow Lancashire club Chorley on Tuesday evening.
The 2012/13 campaign was a solid one for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League side, who finished eighth in the table under manager Garry Flitcroft.
And the Magpies have been busy in the transfer market already this summer, securing the signings of Sam Ashton, Adam Mather, Jake Cottrell, Carlos Rocha, Josh Hine and Paul O’Neill.
Meanwhile, Mark Ross, Steve Flintcroft and Tom Walker have all left the Club as they seek pastures new ahead of the 2013/14 season.
This, the first warm-up fixture of Chorley’s campaign, will rekindle their pre-season rivalry with North End as the sides compete for the Jack Kirkland Trophy.
Team News
Jack King, Keith Keane and Jeffrey Monakana were unavailable for the game against Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, as a precaution, but may play a part in Tuesday evening’s clash.
Meanwhile, ahead of his side’s trip to Victory Park, Simon Grayson gave PNE.Com the latest on the fitness of new signing Kevin Davies.
“Kevin’s done a lot of his work in the gym, he’s been doing a lot of straight line running,” he said.
“That fitness isn’t a problem, it’s more like joining in and doing the football work with the players, checking and turning, it’s a different type of fitness when you get the balls out."
Grayson continued: “He’s been with the fitness coach over the last two or three days. He’ll join back in with the team this week and try to get as many football sessions in.
“He probably won’t be involved at Bamber Bridge or Chorley this week because we want a week’s training and we’ll probably look to get him in the team if everything goes well against Fleetwood.”
The Manager
Chorley boss Garry Flitcroft started his career in football at Manchester City, where he established himself as an all-action midfielder.
He made over 100 appearances for the Sky Blues before he moved to Blackburn Rovers in 1996 and was soon made club captain at Ewood Park.
A decade of guidance under the likes of current England manager Roy Hodgson, Brian Kidd and Graham Souness went by with Flintcroft earning a League Cup winners’ medal in 2002 before eventually leaving Rovers in 2006.
A short-lived stint with Sheffield United followed before the Lancashire-lad was forced into retirement due to a persistent knee injury.
In 2009, Flitcroft tried his hand at management with Leigh Genesis but he, and his players, suffered thanks to financial irregularities at the club, and he left after just one year.
However, Leigh’s loss was Chorley’s gain as the ex-England U21 international joined the Magpies in 2010, leading them to promotion in his first season at the helm.
The next campaign also proved a success, with Chorley only missing out on back-to-back promotions after losing to FC United of Manchester in the Play-Off semi-finals.
Then, in 2012/13, Flitcroft guided the Victory Park outfit to a respectable eighth position in the league – something the club will look to build on this season.
Directions
Head down the M6 southbound and exit at junction 30, onto the M61. Continue on the M61 until junction eight and exit toward A6/Chorley.
Proceed along the A6, over three roundabouts, onto Duke Street. Take the second left onto Ashby Street and Victory Park should be visible on your right.
Ticket Information
Prices for adult and concessions tickets are just £5 for the game at Victory Park, while U16s can gain entry for just £2.
Chorley season ticket holders for the 2013/14 season can gain admission free of charge.