The dramatic graphic history of the birth of Preston North End FC and their unbeaten double-winning team of 1888/89!
Penned and created by local writer Michael Barrett, illustrated by Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque, and with a foreword by former player and now BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson, this exciting book presents the days of the Invincibles as you have never seen them before!
One of 12 founding members of the Football League, Preston North End were the first team to win the League and FA Cup double in the same season – a feat they achieved by going the whole campaign undefeated, whilst not conceding even one goal during their FA Cup run! But it’s not this alone that set them apart.
Over the years numerous records were broken for attendance, high scores and unbeaten runs, as North End’s scientific approach and innovative training took football to new levels. Yet, perhaps the most significant legacy of William Sudell and his team is the major role they played in the fight to legalise professionalism – a move that propelled football into the modern era and laid the foundations for the global phenomenon it is today.
Under the dictator-like control of the charismatic Sudell, North End became an unstoppable force and supporters flocked in their thousands wherever they played. And now, thanks to the vibrant illustrations of David Sque, you too can witness the Invincibles in action!
With a nod towards the comic books of the past, Preston North End– The Rise Of The Invincibles recalls the heady days of Victorian football, as North End legends such as Fred Dewhurst, Nick Ross and Johnny Goodall leap out from the pages and breathe new life into one of the most famous stories in sport.
From a small time cricket club to the most feared football team in the land, this is the story of a journey that no fan will want to miss. Eleven glorious full-colour chapters, 152 pages, only one Invincibles!
The retail price for the book is £19.99, and is on sale in various outlets now, including the Preston North End club shop at Deepdale. The book is also available online at invinciblebooks.co.uk
For more details about the book, please visit www.invinciblebooks.co.uk. To contact the author for interviews or discussions about the book, please email Michael Barrett at mjbarrett1@gmail.com
You can join us in the Invincibles Lounge on Thursday 1st December for the official book launch event in aid of Heartbeat.
As well as the book launch and signing, the evening will include a Q&A session with PNE manager Simon Grayson, and the evening will be presented by PNE matchday host Simon Crabtree.
Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and tickets are £15 each or £125 for a table of ten.
To book, call Mark Cassidy at Heartbeat on 01772 717147, contact him via email at mark@heartbeat-nwcc.org.uk or as at the Heartbeat reception at Deepdale.
There will also be a hotpot supper and a special raffle with all proceeds from the night going to Heartbeat.