Preston North End will be part of a momentous occasion for Bury Football Club this weekend as the Shakers return to Gigg Lane.
A PNE XI, expected to be made up of the club’s younger players, will face Bury FC for a 3pm kick-off on Sunday 9th July.
The match makes up part of a friendly double header for the hosts, who are celebrating being back at their traditional stadium for the first time since 2019, following a vote to merge with Bury AFC after years of complications.
Tickets for this game had been on sale for a few weeks in advance of the fixture but these have now all sold out and there will be none available to buy on the day.
The last time the two sides came together competitively at Gigg Lane, it was a six-goal thriller in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in December 2012. Jack King, Andy Procter and Stuart Beavon were all on the scoresheet in a 3-3 draw before North End went on to win 5-4 on penalties.
This time around, Bury are preparing for their North West Counties Football League Premier Division campaign, which will kick off on 29th July against Glossop North End.
For PNE, the match comes a day after the return from a six-day training camp in Spain.
Ryan Lowe – who was promoted with Bury as both a player and a manager – will take the North End team on the day which is expected to feature the club’s youngsters.
Some of those who have been in Spain during the past week could well be involved at Gigg Lane, while a number of scholars are also set to feature for PNE.
So far this pre-season, North End have defeated Bamber Bridge 7-0 before coming out 3-0 victors over Bruno's Magpies in Spain.
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