23rd round, League One

Preston North End FC  0 - 2  Sheffield Wednesday FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 15.904
Goals:  S: Batth `4 Marshall `42

Read full match report here

22nd round, League One

 Preston North End FC 3 - 3 Carlisle United FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 17.518
Goals: P: Hume '22 Barry '33 Douglas '90 C: Miller '20 Zoko '45 Berrett '62

Read the full match report here

21st round, League One

MK Dons FC  0 - 1  Preston North End FC

Stadium:MK
Attendance: 8.009
Goals: P: Parry `7

Read full match report here

Exit Brown

Phil is now just another page in the Preston North End history books. The relegation last season, the lack of stability, some strange use of players and poor results are reasons good enough for many. We don`t know Phil personally, but people who do speaks highly of him and the young players in the squad have alot to thank him for. It`s sad when things don`t go as planed and this season has not gone according to the plan we all hoped would fall into place.
We wish you all the best Phil! Merry Christmas. Remember, we are the ones stuck with Ridsdale;-)

20th round, League One

Preston North End FC  0 - 0  Stevenage FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 9.425

Read full match report here

1st leg, JPT Northern semi final

Preston North End FC  1(2) - (4)1  Chesterfield FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 5.835
Goal: P: McCombe `16  C: Westcarr `27

NBblog: WTF! At home against the poorest team in the league. If you want to find a link to the match report you`ll have to find it yourself. We can`t bother... FFS lads!!

Visiting hours

 Visiting status Topp 3:

Norway      880
USA           337
England     235

Vi also welcome Israel and Italy to the visitors "Hall of fame"! How many people are getting disapointed about what The Norwegian Branch website is all about is not something we care to think about. We are just happy the jolly spirit of Preston North End is being spread around the world.

From around the block

Our club has had managers from England, Scotland and Ireland. When will the first manager from outside the islands make his entry?

19th round, League One

 Hartlepool FC  0 - 1  Preston North End FC

Victoria Park
Attendance: 4.156
Goals: P: Mellor `22

Read full match report here

18th round, League One

Bury FC  1 - 0  Preston North End FC

Gigg Lane Stadium
Attendance: 4.957
Goals: B: Amoo ´15

Read full match report here

17th round, League One

Preston North End FC  0 - 1  Rochdale AFC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 10.456
Goals: R: Adams `84

Read full match report here

Friday Fan(tastic)

John Lee took some of our "brothers in arms" into Preston after the Hull City game last season. But when the doormen at the Assembly refused to let our men in because they where wearing the Norwegian party outfit - winter coats, hats and boots he stood his ground and started a massive boycott. We salute you for your loyalty and will to fight injustice. He also contributed with som ledgendary answers for our question bonanza.


Name: John Lee
Twitter: @Johnnyproudlove

1. If you where the boss of the entire North End empire, what would be different?
A: First thing I'd do is send Maurice Lindsay back to Wigan on the 111 bus with his stupid eBay chair! Then spend spend spend on players!

2. Whats the biggest downside to being a PNE supporter?
A: It's the hope that kills you, we all live with hope knowing we are going to fail at the final hurdle. Also we have a millionaire owner who cuts spending and let's the club get relegated... just our luck! Most clubs who get multi millionaire owners actually increase spending!

3. Whats your favorit bar in Preston?
A: I have a few favourite bars, on match days it's The Deepdale Pub before the game. Then HQ is The Sherwood pub - the spiritual home of The Sherwood Strollers...a friendly non-confrontational firm of drinkers of a certain age! Currently all with moustaches for Movember 2011. One bar I don't like is The Assembly where they lack an understanding of Norwegian fashion trends!!!

 4. What Norwegian(s) would you bring to the club?

A: Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Anders Jahre & Fred Olsen (NB: shipping magnates = rich beyond belief) and Espen Shampoo Knutsen (NB: former NHL player and present coach and style icon)

5. How are we going to get the Lillywhites to the PL?

A: To get the Lily Whites to the Premiership we need to persuade the Norwegian shipping magnates to buy out Hemmings then pay Lindsay's fare back to Wigan... then try not selling our best players for a season or two... Oh and put me in charge!

We`ll most definetly support you when you`re put in charge of the club and we`ll talk to both Shampo and Olsen about moral and finacial support. As Mr. Lee would say: Keep the faith!
We wish everyone a great weekend and wish our boys good luck on saturday. COYW!

The Paint Bucket

North End goes up against Chesterfield in the Northern semi final. And we are taking them on at home.

In that occasion we`ll take the time to copy some text from Wikipedia:



"The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top divisions of English league football.

The competition began in the 1983–84 season as the Associate Members' Cup but, from 1992, it has been named the Football League Trophy, after the lower-division clubs became full members of the Football League. The competition replaced the short-lived Football League Group Cup, a competition which was only played in 1981/82 and 1982/83 (although confusingly, in the second year it was also called the Football League Trophy).
The competition has been associated with a title sponsor since its second edition. This sponsor has changed over the years and the competition has been known in turn as the Freight Rover Trophy, the Sherpa Van Trophy, the Leyland DAF Cup, the Autoglass Trophy, the Auto Windscreens Shields Trophy and LDV Vans Trophy, until the present sponsor Johnstone's Paint was adopted in 2007.

The first draws are made in August, then the competition runs as two parallel north and south area competitions, before the two winners meet in late March or early April in the final at England's national stadium, Wembley. The basic north/south format of the competition has existed since its beginnings, although other details have varied over the years, including in some years inviting clubs from the semi-professional Conference National, and holding a round-robin group stage prior to moving into knock-out rounds."

We`re all hoping to go all the way to Wembley, but then again we are cheering for a team that makes it`s hard to take anything for granted. That being said we should be a favorit for this trophy. COYW!

1st round, FA Cup

Preston North End FC  0 - 0  Southend United

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 6.609

Read full match report here

NBblog: We`ll have to play this match again unfortunately, but when you can`t score on penalties during a match it`s not much more to say.

Player and Fan(tastic)

Miss Millington is the first PNE player to appear on our blog. She plays for Preston North End Women`s U16 team and is captain of the Lancashire U16`s. The central defender has everything going for her on her way to becoming a football superstar; God given talent and a keen will to keep fans and friends updated on Twitter.

Name: Olivia Millington

Twitter: @xOliviaAlice

1. If time travel was easier, what game would you go back in time to attend/watch?

A: Sheffield Utd 2007-08 season Play Off Semi-Final at Deepdale, never known a better atmosphere at Deepdale.

2. If you where the boss of the entire North End empire what would be different?

A: The Back 4. Not good enough at the moment.

3. What`s the biggest upside to being a North End supporter?

A: The upside is easy; we have the best away fans in the league - I`m positive of that.

4: What`s your biggest acomplishment in the Lillywhite jersey?

A: Becoming the 2nd best squad in the North of England in a national tournament last year.

5. Who deserves a good old beating?

A: as always, either Blackpool or Burnley. (NBblog: Let`s just agree to agree on both)

We wish you the best of luck twards acheiveing you`re goals both on and off the pitch. It`s time for us to sodd off and wish you all a great weekend. Let`s get two-in-a-row! COYW!

Quarter final, The Johnstone`s Paint Trophy

Rochdale AFC  1 (2) - (4) 1  Preston North End FC

Spotland Stadium
Attendance: 2.395
Goals: P: Barton `35  R: Bunn `52

Read full match report here

16th round, League One

 

Charlton Athletic  5 - 2  Preston North End FC

The Vally
Attendance: 17.486
Goals: P: Morgan `85  Daley `90  C: Jackson ´16 ´26  Morrison `22  Wright-Phillips `38  Hollands `69

Read full match report here

Friday Fan(tastic)

Todays FF is a school teacher with love for Addidas trainers and expensive jackets. He also loves going away with the lads for a few beers and a few sights. Going on for the better part of 25 years he has seen and drank quite alot.
If you want to get on his bad side just tell him you cheer for a team that starts with the letter B or write him a letter with bad grammer. You can also slag of The Lancs CCC, it will take you there even faster. But on NBblog it`s all good!


Name: Paul Whelan
Twitter: @MintyPNE

1. If you were the boss of the entire North End empire, what would be different?
A: It would be standing in the stadium, hooped socks, Adidas kit and I would get the PP back on the badge.

2. If timetravel was easier, what game would you go back in time to watch?
A: Arsenal in the cup, Kurt Nogan brace... I would stop David Eyres getting sent off, and we'd go on to win the game and cup!
(NBblog: that`s good use of a half decent time machine)

3. What`s your favorit bar in Preston?
A: Old Black Bull... Decent beers, staff, SKY

4. What Preston player would play you in the story of your life?
A: David Lucas... A local lad, keeper, a bit weighty!

5. What Norwegian(s) would you bring to the club?
A: Ole Gunnar as gaffer.

If there are to many spelling mistakes in the text above I recon Mr. Whelan will let us know at the next parent-teacher conference. Anyway we`ll buy you a beer at the Old Black Bull if it passes trough or not. Make that two beers, as our first follower on Twitter you should not be thirsty around us.

Have a great weekend everyone!

So close...

 

B`pool came pretty close to beating Prestons 6 goal record at Elland Road last night. As the old saying goes: "Pretty close does not kick a 10.000 lb gorilla of the roof of a huge building". The legendary 6-4 victory is not just remembered for the amount of goals scored but also for the comback made. After being behind 1-4 the lads just decided to crush and defeat. 

 

We all wish for that mentality to find it`s way back to the hearts of our players. League One or Championship, Champions League og Premiership - Never give up! Fortes fortuna adiuvat.

World Wide (lilly)Whites

Just wanna send out high fives to all our readers world wide. Awesome that you find time to check us out inbetween fashion and healt blogs. Polarbear cred to all ya`ll.

Our top 3 stats so fare this season:

1. Norway 791
2. USA 193
3. Great Britain 184

Shout outs also goes to readers in Germany, Russia, China, Australia, Canada, Spain and Ukraine.

Bigger than blog

Strong message from Billy Sharp after scoring against Middlesbrough tonight. The ref chose to keep his cards in his pocket. Good man.

2009/2010, QPR at home

On the 27th of march the sun was shining and people was pretty sure about Darren Ferguson being the right man for the job (..little did we know back then). After being crushed 4-0 away we wanted revenge. It never came. We where up 2-0 after Jones and Davidson had scored but lost the lead just 10 minuts later. Along with about 12.000 others we saw Mellor miss a shure thing in the late minuts of the game.

The game ended 2-2 and the about 12.000 home fans went home as disapointed as you should be after watching your team giving away a two goal lead. To quote the drunk old chap that stopped us on our way out:
"What the fuck was that, lads?!". And he was right. The rest of the evening was spent at The Old Vic. What could go wrong?

15th round, League One

Preston North End FC  1 - 3  AFC Bournemouth

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 10.185
Goals: P: Tsoumou `29  B: Malone `48  Thomas `57  Pugh `68

Read full match report here

The Fans

 

First up as Friday Fan(tastic) is a man with 30 years of hurt in his pockets. A season ticket holder, known to many as a DJ and photographer. After a quick look at his website we wanna get married. In a kilt. That being said we asked the life long fan som questions...


Name: Jonathan Kenyon
Twitter: @redface77

1. If you where the boss of the entire North End empire, what would be different?
A: I would get Hemming to financially back the club instead of just keeping us afloat, if this had been done under Davies we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now. And also get tangerine urinals at Deepdale.

2. What Norwegian(s) would you bring to the club?
A: Bring Bjarki Gunnlaugsson back!! No, thats a joke. (NBblog: he`s Islandic though but we`re pretty much the same. Only differences between us are financial security and a couple of vulcanoes.)
   
3. Who deserves a good old beating?
A: Huddersfield, after attending the game there last saturday I really thought we'd end their 38 game run but we never even turned up. I hope we knock them for six at Deepdale next April.

4. If possible who would we play every saturday?
A: We would play the donkeys, and destroy them week in week out!

5. What Preston player would you bring to Svalbard? (island of the coast of Northern Norway with Polarbears and pretty damn low temperature)
A: Iain Hume. Because he's absolutely nails! Also if he has the same determination to survive as he has on the pitch every week, we'd be safe as houses!

We appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions mate! Visit his website here. The rest of ya`ll - have a good weekend! Get drunk have fun and fornicate but don`t forget to cheer for the mighty whites tomorrow. COYW!!

The fans

Every friday we`ll have an interview with our fellow fans letting everyone know their opinion on certain things. If you want to make your voice heard and become a celeb in the importent parts of Scandalnavia let us know on Twitter - @norwegianbranch.

Deepdale @ night

This awesome picture was taken by U-16 player Olivia Millington. It gives an idea of how beautiful a night at Deepdale can be. Thanks O!

To bad with them 3 points getting lost somewhere along the road though..

14th round, League One

Preston North End FC  3 - 3  Oldham Athletic FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 11.370
Goals: P: Tsoumou `28  Proctor `32  Devine `64  O: Kuqi `41  Wesolowski `44 `86

Read full match report here

Sir Scored Alot

The highest goalscoer in the club`s history is Sir Tom Finney who between season 1946 and 1960 had scored 210 league and cup goals for the mighty North End.

13th round, League One

 

Huddersfield Town FC  3 - 1  Preston North End FC

Galphram stadium
Attendance: 16.804
Goals: P: Tsoumou `61  H: Rohdes `4 `42 `57

Read full match report here

The writing on the wall

The Alan Kelly Wall of Fame is up and running, if you can say that. The blue glazed bricks looks good and the names of fans and loved ones will forever be visible at the town end. We are very proude to be a part of the beautifull wall in blue and white.

12th round, League One

Preston North End FC  2 - 4  Sheffield United FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 11.520
Goals: P: Carlisle `29  Hume `63  S: M Phillips `4 `39  Williamson `74 `87

Read full match report here

No excuse for 1000 views

Our site has been visited 1000 times and the great part is that probably more that 10% prosent is of people outside The Branch. Keep on visiting us and feel free to leave a comment. If the comment is cruel, dumb, arrogant or we for some other reason doesn`t like it we`ll just delete it. So dont hesetate mate!

11th round, League One

Walsall FC  1 - 0  Preston North End FC

Banks`s stadium
Attendance: 4.834
Goals: W: Nicholls `10
Red card: Martin (W)

Read full match report here

Johnstone`s Paint Trophy

Morecambe FC  (6) 2 - 2 (7)  Preston North End FC

Globe Arena
Attendance: 4.385
Goals: P: McLean `3  Tsoumou `21  M: Jevons `83  Ellison `90

Read full match report here

10th round, League One

Leyton Orient FC  2 - 1  Preston North End FC

Brisbane Road
Attendance: 4.384
Goals: P: Coutts `2  L: Cox `36 `45

Read full match report here

More Deepdale

Deepdale stadium was built in 1860 and was first used for association football in 1878.
Deepdale is the longest continuously used football ground in the world, and in 2011 it has been used for 135 years.

9th round, League One

Wycombe Wanderers FC  3 - 4  Preston North End FC

Adams Park
Attendance: 3.734
Goals: P: Mellor `7 `73 Hume `9 `64  W: Ainsworth `12 Donnelly (pen) `14 Beavon `27

Read full match report here

Biggest crowd at Deepdale

On the 23rd of April in 1938 42.684 people found their way to Deepdale to see the game against Arsenal. The Londoners won the game 3-1.

8th round, League One

Preston North End FC  2 - 1  Tranmere Rovers FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 17.281
Goals: P: Alexander (Pen) `37 Mayor `71 T: Baxter `60
Red card: Parry `80

Read full match report here

Aaaaargh!

Oh, it`s on now bitches!!

3rd round, Carling Cup

 Southampton FC  2 - 1  Preston North End FC

St. Mary`s Stadium
Attendance: 7.414
Goals: P: Barton `52  S: Hooiveld `27 Lalland `66

Read the full match report here

Almost there

Only Notts County FC have played more Football League games than us.

7th round, League One

Brentford FC  1 - 3  Preston North End FC

Griffin park
Attendance: 6.090
Goals: P: Mellor `10 `73 Hume `32 B: McGinn `21

Read the full match report here

Wow no logo

The score app from Sky Sport is pretty good, but where the hell is our logo?! Blackpools logo is there, Burnleys logo is there, every League Two teams logo exept Crawleys logo is fucking there! Come on, where is it?! FIX IT!! Appart from that keep up the good work!

2nd round, Carling Cup

Charlton Athletic FC  0 - 2  Preston North End FC

Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 5.130
Goals: Russel `11 Mayor `67

Read full match report here

Odds and evens

We all had faith in Preston agianst Yeovil at home. The Norwegian bookies also figured PNE to come out on top. And several times during the game the 1.50 seemed pretty accurate and fair. At the end though it came a bit to close to justify the odds. But that`s football for you: odds are nothing, keeping it together and finishing the game is everything.