For Tuesday night’s matchday programme we feature players who could line up on either side, but are good friends off it.
North End’s former Morecambe forward Tom Barkhuizen and the Shrimps’ Alex Kenyon, who spent a year with the Lilywhites’ Academy in his younger days, are our main interviews for this £2 edition of The One And Only.
Speaking of his time with the Globe Arena outfit, North End’s No.29 said: “Jim Bentley had a big influence on my career, he gave me the confidence to play and helped me believe in my ability.
“When I left Blackpool, I needed to find somewhere where I could play all the time. I had been on loan with Morecambe a few months before and Jim had already told me that if the time comes, and I wanted to come back, then the door would be open.
“I think once the season ended, the deal was done within a week and for me it was just about playing. Jim made it clear I would be an important part of the team and that proved to be the case.”
Whilst Alex admits he is looking forward to the possibility of coming up against his former team-mate, even if Tom might not like it so much!
“I might have to give him a kick! I don’t think I have ever played against him and in training I could never catch him,” he jokes.
“If he plays, I’ll certainly let him know he’s in a game but I’m not going to cane him too much.
“When he was at Morecambe, he was unbelievable, he was our get-out. He won us quite a lot of games, just with his raw pace really. When he got the move I was buzzing for him.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much he’d play – I’m not sure he knew – but then when I came to watch a game last season, I was watching him on the pitch and he didn’t look out of place at all.
“He’s come on loads since he’s been at us. He looked very good, he just seems to be getting better and better.”
You can read the full interviews within 32 pages of content that includes a look at three former North Enders who went on to manage Tuesday night’s visitors, the thoughts of manager Alex Neil on the tie and a look back to our opening day win over Queens Park Rangers
The matchday programme will be on sale from Tuesday afternoon from the club’s Sir Tom Finney ticket office, as well as inside and outside the stadium on match night, so make sure you don’t miss out on yours!