Preston North End was saddened to learn of the passing of former chairman Alan Jones earlier this week.
Alan, who was chairman from 1973 to 1982, and was a fantastic servant to the football club and the City of Preston, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning, aged 88.
The Club would like to send its condolences to his wife Kath, his children Simon, Alison and Lesley and his six grandchildren at this difficult time. The players will wear black armbands on Saturday in memory of a man who served the Club to distinction.
Born in Preston on 23rd April 1928, Alan grew up in the town, attending Preston Grammar School before training to become a chartered surveyor in Manchester with T Sumner Smith at the end of the war.
He worked for John Turner before founding Jones and Etchells in 1960, which eventually evolved to become Frank Whittle Partnership, the company that helped develop Deepdale between 1994 and 2009. As well as his business interests he had the honour of becoming a Justice of the Peace
He was a keen footballer, having represented Preston Grammar School old boys and he had supported Preston North End all his life, attending the 1954 FA Cup Final at Wembley and was invited to join the board in February 1971.
He was appointed chairman at Deepdale in 1973 dedicating his time and efforts to make sure the Club stayed in business at a difficult time, before running it without debt for ten years.
He worked alongside managers Bobby Charlton, Harry Catterick, Nobby Stiles and Tommy Docherty, before standing down from his role, although he kept an active role and a keen interest in the Club until his passing, rarely missing a game with wife Kath until his recent health issues.
As well as his passion for all things Preston North End, he was heavily involved in local tennis and was club president of Fulwood Lawn Tennis Club for 35 years, having acted as club captain from 1959 to 1976, after which he was made an honorary life member, until becoming president in 1981.
He was a keen tennis player and won the Roscoe Trophy in 1956, defeating Birch Lane, a Manchester Club, alongside his brother Neville, who also sadly passed away last week, and four other players. He had been part of the club since before the Second World War, firstly as a junior member and then post-war acting as honorary treasurer as he started to make his name as a senior. He was also on the board of the Lawn Tennis Association in London.
Speaking about Alan, Preston North End owner Mr Trevor Hemmings said: “Alan was like the father of Preston North End – he was Preston through and through. He dedicated his life to make sure the Club was financially stable. He was a wonderful man who cared deeply about the Club and will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
The Club would like to send its condolences to his wife Kath, his children Simon, Alison and Lesley and his six grandchildren at this difficult time. The players will wear black armbands on Saturday in memory of a man who served the Club to distinction.
Born in Preston on 23rd April 1928, Alan grew up in the town, attending Preston Grammar School before training to become a chartered surveyor in Manchester with T Sumner Smith at the end of the war.
He worked for John Turner before founding Jones and Etchells in 1960, which eventually evolved to become Frank Whittle Partnership, the company that helped develop Deepdale between 1994 and 2009. As well as his business interests he had the honour of becoming a Justice of the Peace
He was a keen footballer, having represented Preston Grammar School old boys and he had supported Preston North End all his life, attending the 1954 FA Cup Final at Wembley and was invited to join the board in February 1971.
He was appointed chairman at Deepdale in 1973 dedicating his time and efforts to make sure the Club stayed in business at a difficult time, before running it without debt for ten years.
He worked alongside managers Bobby Charlton, Harry Catterick, Nobby Stiles and Tommy Docherty, before standing down from his role, although he kept an active role and a keen interest in the Club until his passing, rarely missing a game with wife Kath until his recent health issues.
As well as his passion for all things Preston North End, he was heavily involved in local tennis and was club president of Fulwood Lawn Tennis Club for 35 years, having acted as club captain from 1959 to 1976, after which he was made an honorary life member, until becoming president in 1981.
He was a keen tennis player and won the Roscoe Trophy in 1956, defeating Birch Lane, a Manchester Club, alongside his brother Neville, who also sadly passed away last week, and four other players. He had been part of the club since before the Second World War, firstly as a junior member and then post-war acting as honorary treasurer as he started to make his name as a senior. He was also on the board of the Lawn Tennis Association in London.
Speaking about Alan, Preston North End owner Mr Trevor Hemmings said: “Alan was like the father of Preston North End – he was Preston through and through. He dedicated his life to make sure the Club was financially stable. He was a wonderful man who cared deeply about the Club and will be missed by everyone who knew him.”