Preston North End Women’s FC will end their campaign with a friendly fixture at Deepdale, with a 6pm kick-off on Sunday 8th May, and fans can watch the game free of charge!
The women’s team will entertain local side Hindley Women’s Junior in the fixture, which will see the current squad having the opportunity to play at Deepdale for the first time.
PNE Women have fared admirably this season in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One North.
In their first campaign with first team coaches Nigel Greenwood – a former North End striker – and David Rawcliffe, who are working alongside manager Andy Lyons, they have secured a fourth-place finish in the league.
Preston North End’s official charity, Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET], provide the women’s team with staffing, resourcing and logistical support, which includes the provision of match kit and organising training facilities.
PNECET also supported the collaboration of the open age women’s team and the Preston North End Women’s Junior set-up coming together as one club, ahead of the 2019/20 season, to ensure that there is a pathway for junior players to represent Preston North End at an open age level.
While entry to Deepdale will be free for the fixture, donations to PNECET will be welcomed, and all funds raised from bucket collections and via online donations on the day will go back into the running of the women’s team set-up at both open-age and junior level.
The Sir Tom Finney Family Stand will be open for supporters wishing to attend the fixture, with entrance via turnstiles one to four, while there is disabled access from entrance SX08. Fans can take their seats inside the stadium from 5pm.
There is also free parking available at Deepdale for supporters on the day.
First team coach David Rawcliffe said: “Speaking on behalf of the coaching team, but particularly as a Preston North End fan myself, it gives me goosebumps thinking about the opportunity for the girls to play at Deepdale.
“For the players to step out at Deepdale, to play on the turf there and play in front of a crowd, particularly as a lot of them are PNE fans, will be a dream come true, as it is for me.
“We’re so thankful to everyone for allowing it to happen and we can’t wait for it to come around.”
Women’s team captain Courtney Woodhead added: “I am very excited and overwhelmed at the chance we have been given to play at Deepdale.
“It’s a big opportunity for the girls and the club and shows just how much the women’s game is progressing. I know that many of the girls have been PNE supporters for a long time, so getting to play at Deepdale is a dream come true.
“This opportunity shows just how much support we have been given from the club and from PNECET. We can’t wait to play at Deepdale and hopefully we can get the win.”
PNECET Chief Executive Tom Drake added: “We’re delighted to be providing the opportunity for our women’s team to play at Deepdale.
“We are proud to support the team and look forward to what will be a special occasion both for players and staff of Preston North End Women’s FC, but also for the younger female participants across our programmes and junior players within PNEWFC.
“This will be a great occasion for everyone at Preston North End to bring the club and the women's team closer together."
Players of all ages can register their interest to represent Preston North End Women’s FC – from junior levels up to open age level – by visiting pne.com/joinpnewfc.