Next up in Preston North End’s Championship preview is Rotherham United who entertain the Lilywhites on Tuesday 18th August.
In his third full season in charge, Millers boss Steve Evans will be looking to push his Rotherham side on, after achieving Championship survival on the penultimate game of last season.
It was Rotherham’s first season back in the Championship after achieving promotion the year before through the Play-Offs, and despite a three point deduction, the Millers finished five points ahead of the last relegation spot with Millwall finishing in 22nd place.
Ahead of the new campaign, Rotherham have already stepped up their recruitment in the early stages of pre-season signing Joe Mattock and Aidan White following their releases from Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, with six other players heading in the opposite direction.
After a year apart, PNE welcome Rotherham back to Deepdale for the first game of 2016 - their first time back since the Play-Off semi-final and the first time since THAT goal from Joe Garner.
Head to Head
Preston: 14
Draw: 19
Rotherham: 19
Although Rotherham lead the way in terms of wins between these two, 12 years ago it was Preston who stole the show slotting four goals past the Millers to condemn them to a fourth league defeat on the bounce during the 2003/04 season.
North End got the ball rolling as early as the 11th minute thanks to Richard Cresswell with a drive past the out-stretching Mike Pollitt.
Former Preston loanee Darren Byfield equalised for the Yorkshire outfit, but North End soon resumed the lead when Ricardo Fuller made it 2-1 10 minutes after half-time.
Graham Alexander made it 3-1 slotting the penalty away in typical Grezza fashion, and to make matters worse for the Millers, defender Shaun Barker was sent off for the away side after giving away the penalty.
Brian O’Neill rounded off the goal scoring on 73 minutes with a superb volley that flew into the net to seal a much deserved win for Preston.
The Stadium
The New York Stadium has been the home of Rotherham United for three years after it was first opened in 2012.
The stadium has a capacity of 12,000, with away fans housed in the south stand of the ground, known as the Morrison end, holding around 2,000 fans.
Since moving into the purpose built arena, United’s record attendance came in the 2013 South Yorkshire derby between themselves and Sheffield United, with 11,758 fans present.
Played For Both
15 players in total have had the privilege of playing for both Preston and Rotherham through the decades with notable names such as Claude Davis, Nigel Jemson and Dean Barrick all falling into that category.
One the younger generation may not be familiar with however is Bobby Foster who made just one solo appearance at Rotherham after making over 100 for North End throughout the 50s.
Foster made his Preston debut in memorable circumstances - not only did he make his first outing in Lilywhite colours in a 2-0 victory over rivals Burnley, he made his bow on Christmas Day in 1951.
Seven years later he transferred directly to the Millers from Preston, but played just once for Rotherham in a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough just months after signing.
It was Rotherham’s first season back in the Championship after achieving promotion the year before through the Play-Offs, and despite a three point deduction, the Millers finished five points ahead of the last relegation spot with Millwall finishing in 22nd place.
Ahead of the new campaign, Rotherham have already stepped up their recruitment in the early stages of pre-season signing Joe Mattock and Aidan White following their releases from Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United, with six other players heading in the opposite direction.
After a year apart, PNE welcome Rotherham back to Deepdale for the first game of 2016 - their first time back since the Play-Off semi-final and the first time since THAT goal from Joe Garner.
Head to Head
Preston: 14
Draw: 19
Rotherham: 19
Although Rotherham lead the way in terms of wins between these two, 12 years ago it was Preston who stole the show slotting four goals past the Millers to condemn them to a fourth league defeat on the bounce during the 2003/04 season.
North End got the ball rolling as early as the 11th minute thanks to Richard Cresswell with a drive past the out-stretching Mike Pollitt.
Former Preston loanee Darren Byfield equalised for the Yorkshire outfit, but North End soon resumed the lead when Ricardo Fuller made it 2-1 10 minutes after half-time.
Graham Alexander made it 3-1 slotting the penalty away in typical Grezza fashion, and to make matters worse for the Millers, defender Shaun Barker was sent off for the away side after giving away the penalty.
Brian O’Neill rounded off the goal scoring on 73 minutes with a superb volley that flew into the net to seal a much deserved win for Preston.
The Stadium
The New York Stadium has been the home of Rotherham United for three years after it was first opened in 2012.
The stadium has a capacity of 12,000, with away fans housed in the south stand of the ground, known as the Morrison end, holding around 2,000 fans.
Since moving into the purpose built arena, United’s record attendance came in the 2013 South Yorkshire derby between themselves and Sheffield United, with 11,758 fans present.
Played For Both
15 players in total have had the privilege of playing for both Preston and Rotherham through the decades with notable names such as Claude Davis, Nigel Jemson and Dean Barrick all falling into that category.
One the younger generation may not be familiar with however is Bobby Foster who made just one solo appearance at Rotherham after making over 100 for North End throughout the 50s.
Foster made his Preston debut in memorable circumstances - not only did he make his first outing in Lilywhite colours in a 2-0 victory over rivals Burnley, he made his bow on Christmas Day in 1951.
Seven years later he transferred directly to the Millers from Preston, but played just once for Rotherham in a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough just months after signing.