The club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Sean Haslegrave at the age of 68.
"Sean Haslegrave, a former apprentice welder back in his native Stoke-on-Trent, was to develop into an excellent midfield player.
"He came through the junior ranks with Stoke City and was to make nearly 150 appearances for the Potters. Having fallen out with his manager Tony Waddington after being substituted in a European game versus Ajax he was soon snapped up by Brian Clough and signed for Nottingham Forest in 1975.
"However, due to injuries Sean never made it at Forest and when Clough signed Archie Gemmill Sean was soon to depart Nottingham. Preston North End’s manager Nobby Stiles signed Sean for £22,000 and he was soon making his mark in strengthening North End’s midfield.
"After 42 consecutive league and cup games, Sean had helped Preston North End gain promotion from the Third Division playing behind the likes of Mike Elwiss, Alex Bruce, Ricky Thomson and John Smith. It was an exciting time to be a North End fan.
"The only game that Sean missed in his first two seasons at Deepdale was the 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers when Alex Bruce scored with that wonder strike! After 131 league and cup games he left North End and joined Crewe Alexandra but it was with York City where he had further success winning promotion in 1984.
"After football Sean successfully took to coaching Preston North End’s youth squad and became a director of the Clubs Centre of Excellence. He later guided Preston’s Cardinal Newman College to the British Colleges’ National Cup finals.
"In May 2012, at the age of 60, he walked 1,500 miles or so to Spain for charity. He will be sorely missed by many. Our condolences go out to his family and friends."
Words by Ian Rigby - Honorary Club Historian