Preston North End’s pre-season campaign continues with a trip to the Fylde Coast on Saturday.
The Lilywhites visit League Two side Fleetwood Town to celebrate Prestonian Nathan Pond’s testimonial at Highbury Stadium.
Pond has been representing the Cod Army for ten years after signing for the Club from Fulwood Amateurs – back in the days when Fleetwood played in the North West Counties Division One – the ninth tier of English football.
So all the credit in the world has to go to Pond, who has been able to rise and rise with the team as they have progressed to their current League Two status.
This match will be North End’s fourth in eight days following games against Liverpool, Chorley and Bamber Bridge.
Fleetwood have also been busy so far this pre-season, beating Northwich Victoria 2-1 before heading overseas for a training camp, where they thrashed Austrian side SV Bad Ischl 8-0 before losing 1-0 to German side SV Wacker Burghausen.
Team News
Kevin Davies is set to dawn the Lilywhite for the first time following his summer move to Deepdale.
Will Hayhurst and Keith Keane should also get their first pre-season minutes under their belts but Stuart Beavon won’t feature following his injury against Chorley.
The Manager
Nothing can be written which hasn’t been written about the North End icon that is Graham Alexander – now in his first permanent senior management job with the Cod Army.
The former Scotland international; who gained 40 caps for his country, was recently named as the right back in the PNE ‘Fans' All-time XI’ team, and made over 420 appearances during two spells with the Lilywhites before signing off his playing career with a last minute free kick against Charlton Athletic in a 2-2 draw at Deepdale.
Alexander got his first taste of management whilst at Preston, when David Unsworth and he took temporary charge following the departure of Phil Brown and following his retirement, he was made manager of the U18 Youth Team with Chris Lucketti as his number two.
But it is at Fleetwood Town where Alexander aims to thrive as a manager after being appointed at Highbury Stadium in December 2012.
Directions
Leave the M55 at junction three and take the third exit at the roundabout for the A585. Continue on the A585 through Thornton-Cleveleys before taking the first exit at the roundabout onto Fleetwood Road. One mile along Fleetwood Road, at the roundabout, turn onto Hatfield Avenue which will lead you to Highbury Stadium.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Nathan Pond’s testimonial are priced as follows: Seating - adults: £14, concessions: £9, U16s: £7. Standing - adults: £12, concessions: £7, U16s: £5.
Please note – this is a 2pm kick-off although tickets state 3pm.