Medium media

To say that The Branch controles the Norwegian media would be a mild exaggeration. But when we leaned on some newspapers eariler today Iain Turner became the talk of the town.
After Prestons relegation to the 3rd level it has gone from bad to worse regarding news coverage over here. It was at its height when our beloved Joshua King wore the lillywhite jersey. But after one Fergie twat sent the team down and another older Fergie twat called the Norwegian back it has been quite about the Lancashire boys in the kingdom of Norway.
But that silence ended today as the goalscoring goalie got his well deserved time in the spotlight.
To those newspapers who decided not to give the man the respect and attention he deserved; don`t come knockin`!

Youngest player

The youngest player to ever play for Preston North End FC is Doyle Middleton. He was 16 years and 122 days old when playing Stockport away last season. The former record holder was Steven Doyle. When he entered the pitch on Prenton Park (Tranmere Rovers) on the 15th of November 1975 he was 16 years and 166 days old.

5th round, League One

Preston North End FC  2 - 0  Notts County FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 10.759
Goals: McLean `83 Turner `86

Read the full match report here

2009/2010 Crystal Palace at home

After the good old tram, buss, train, airplane and train ride to Preston it`s allways great to get the first couple of beers in. A quite night out with a generouse amout of beef and beer the Branch men sleeps well at their hotell of choice, the Preston int. Game day starts off as usual getting up at 12:00 walking down to Starbucks getting some cup`o Joes in and just wander around town looking for trainers and such.

We all appreciate a bit of sun don`t we and it`s not much that beats the walk to Deepdale when the sun shines on your face and the hangover leaves your head. Getting to the stadium an hour or so before the game is preferable. Good times just standing outside in the sun feeling the buzz and watching the happy faces of the kids running about.

The Crystal Palace game was not all that and appart from a guy sitting next to us slagging of Parkin untill he left the field it was pretty uneventfull. But as always, fantastic to be at Deepdale. Wallace scored for us and Ambrose for the Eagles. I think I remember that we should have had a penalty, but what`s new.. The Branch men was as most times overdressed, and I don`t mean that in a posh way just that we constantly are bringing with us down jackets when the Prestonians are still rocking tee shirts. 31th of october is pretty damn cold over here. Later though down was good stuff. Don`t remember that much of that night, but I recon it was pretty sweet. Good times in Preston!

Building the future

The Preston North End WFC are looking good and ready to kick some ass. Luke Swindlehurst has replaced Andy Burgess after a turbulent last season where the team just fought of relegation.
The new coach is a strong beliver in developing young players, besides getting as many points as possible of course. Read the interview pnefc.net did with him in july here.
Out of the interview we read that the young women of PNEFC might be thrown into deep water during the course of the season. Only one thing to do girls - swim. You all have our best. May this season be one for the history books. COYW!

Two in a row

The Branch men celebrated the 2nd win in a row yesterday. After barely beating Exeters ten man squad bottles was raised to the sound of victory.

Preston North End 1 - 0 Exeter City

COYW!! Nuff said.

4th round, League One

Preston North End FC  1 - 0  Exeter City FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 10.655
Goals: Jamie Proctor `41
Red cards: Steve Tully `23 (EC)

Read the full match report here

Follower number 100

We just got our follower number 100. In the world of Twitter that ain`t much, but to us that`s a good number. And out of that 100 less than 5% are spam. That means quality followers.
To us twitter is one way of keeping in touch with the football scene in Preston. When following back 100 Prestonians you get to take part in the frustrations, the pain, the happyness and thrill of 100 induviduals with 1 thing in common - the love for Preston North End FC. You can get a lot of information and facts off several official websites regarding PNEFC, but it`s through the direct channel of Twitter you get the real deal. You get in touch with the club through the fans. And we are lucky, Preston has got a lot of fans, and they are on Twitter sharing.
- Thanks for keeping us posted!

Waiting for glory

Yes, it is the title of the infamous book about football violence in the 80`s. A book that most likely will be reviewd on this blog later. Just needs to be red first. The title`s spot on. Because thats what it`s all about when you follow a team like Preston North End.
When you win you apreciate the feeling and you hold on to it. It is no better feeling than to win. On the way home from the stadium or the pub you scream and smile, laugh and sing. You hug strangers and don`t mind warm beer and idiots. The feeling is brought into the new week and relived over and over again.
When you loose on the other hand the next game can`t come fast enough. The minut the ref blows his wistle you wanna get right back into it. You wait and wait and wait for a chance to hit back. And for every loss the time waiting gets harder and harder to deal with. Your falling down the table and trying to hold on to a decent possition. Now the waiting becomes desperat. We did a lot of desperat waiting last season. Hopefully this season will give us the oppertunity to practice patience. Because when you win you don`t wait for the weekend you look forward to it. And we`re all looking forward to the game against Exeter tomorrow. And hopefully not waiting for the next one after that.

3rd round, League One

Chesterfield FC  0 - 2  Preston North End FC

B2net stadium
Attendance: 6.706
Goals: Carlisle `17 Nicholson `70

Read the full match report here

2009/2010 Blackpool at home

Both team`s supporters and the Old Bill was out in great numbers. It was Blackpool at home.

The biggest game of the season in my opinon. You have to beat your main rival, for bragging rights and other obvious reasons. It doesn`t matter whether you`re at the top or at the bottom of the table. It`s the two games where the players have no choice but to play with their hearts outside their shirts. Yellow cards are supposed to fly out the refs pocket and the goals are supposed to be hammering into the backside of the opponent`s goal.

The only thing flying last year was B`pool supporters of the Shankly Kop. The Old Bill had their hands full with the tangerine unemployed.
Both teams where too afraid to lose and the outcome was therefore pretty damn poor. A goalless draw was not what The Branch was hoping for - but still great to be back at Deepdale.

The history

Preston North End FC have got a rich history and now and then we will throw some historical facts your way. Let`s start out with one it`s easy to appreciate:

"In 1922 goalkeeper JF Mitchell became the first and last player to wear glasses in an FA Cup Final"

Priceless!

2nd round, League One

Scunthorp United FC  1 - 1  Preston North End FC

Glanford Park
Attendance: 4.675
Goals: P: Hume `13 S: Barcham `87

Read the full match report here

Not here to stay

We are ready for League One but we`re not here to stay. Last season is forgotten but the effect of our relegation is worn on our sleeves. So far the season has been far from what we where hoping but close to what we expected. A clear defeat in the opener at home and a draw away in the second game is not good enough for the Lillywhites. The close win away in the Carling Cup was a small comfort.

This season it`s black & white

This seasons jerseys are a bit different than what we are used to. The yellow away kit is bumped to 3rd colours and we are now dressed as deamons when visiting. I like it and I presume it`s reflecting the "all or nothing"-attitude the players will be showing us this season.

So we`re online

It`s official, the Branch is online and sharing. We are sharing our point of views and our memories. Some will be offended and som will be proud. Some will laugh and a few will most definitely cry. Something is absolutly bollocks other stuff is dead serious.

You are invited to read and to interpret. You are welcome to post a comment or two but behave. This is our house, we don`t come to your home and take a piss in your sock drawer.

1st round, Carling Cup

Preston North End FC  3 - 2  Crewe Alexandra FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 5.401
Goals: P: Tootle (OG) `3 Mellor `84 Hume `90 C: Miller `18 Artell `40

Read the full match report here

1st round, League One

Preston North End FC  2 - 4  Colchester United FC

Deepdale stadium
Attendance: 11.451
Goals: P: Mellor `60 Coutts `70 C: Wordsworth `12 Henderson `49 `65 Odejayi `76

Red the the full game report here