Preston North End’s Iconic Ground Pays Homage to a Rich History
By Dan Stelly | Photo via SteHLiverpool
Tenants: Preston North End
Location: Preston, England
Capacity: 23,404
Opened: 1878
From Preston North End’s inaugural match in 1878 to a May victory that paved the way for the club’s promotion to the Championship, Deepdale has quite literally seen it all. The Lilywhites have called the ground home for 137 years, during which time they became England’s most dominant side of the late 19th century before lifting their last major trophy in 1938.
Nods to the team’s rich history adorn Deepdale, including the Invincibles Pavilion — named after the Preston side that went unbeaten during the 1888–89 season — colored seats depicting club heroes, and a fountain/statue of winger Tom Finney’s famous slide tackle in flood-like conditions. However, the focus isn’t on club legends these days. Instead, all eyes are on a current crop of players, a squad that has the chance to bring top-flight soccer back to Deepdale for the first time since 1961.
Note: Each week, we highlight a new stadium, from Old Trafford and the Camp Nou to Rhyl FC’s 3,000-seat Belle Vue ground. If you’d like to have this feature (along with other dispatches from the soccer universe) delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our weekly bulletin.
Additional photos: Sophia Boeer & Luke and Kate Bosman
