Preston North End Community and Education Trust (PNECET) is an arm’s length Charitable Trust, self-funded and is regularly and rightly praised for its work within our community.
On an annual basis it runs hundreds of programmes and thousands of people benefit from their input.
Their announcement with regard to the suspension of the football development programmes until the summer was their decision based on facilities and resources available to deliver a high-quality service. This was not part of any cost-saving programme, nor has it anything to do with the club.
The club’s investment in and commitment to our own Academy remains unaltered, and our investment and commitment year on year into our Academy continues to increase.
Our Academy recruitment comes directly from scouts watching all levels of grassroots football and our relationships with other football clubs, both professional and amateur.
Given some of the misunderstanding which has arisen from PNECET’s decision, we thought it was important to clarify and reassure supporters regarding our commitment as a club to youth development.