Preston North End 2015/16 Season
League Position: 11th (2014/15: 3rd)
Average league attendance: 13,034 (2014/15: 10,852)
Top league goalscorer: Daniel Johnson (8)
After beating Swindon Town in the Play-Off Final the year before, The Lilywhites capped off their return to England's second tier by finishing in the top half of the Sky Bet Championship.
Their summer transfer dealings had a real home nations feel to them, particularly deadline day, when they confirmed the signings of both Irish forward Eoin Doyle from Cardiff City as well as Scottish striker Stevie May from Sheffield Wednesday. They also welcomed Chris Kirkland [unattached]; Jermaine Beckford [Bolton Wanderers] and Greg Cunningham [Bristol City].
Thorsten Stuckmann [Doncaster Rovers]; Lee Holmes [Exeter City]; Keith Keane [Cambridge United]; Jack King, Scott Wiseman and Scott Laird [Scunthorpe United]; Sylvan Ebanks-Blake [Chesterfield] and Kevin Davies [unattached] all left the club in July.
During the break, the club also confirmed the loan signings of Will Keane [Manchester United] and Jordan Pickford [Sunderland].
After going three unbeaten at the start of the campaign, they went on a run of three straight defeats as the team felt their way into the division. Spirited wins in the opening two rounds of the Capital One Cup, away at Crewe Alexandra and at home to Watford, gave them the momentum they needed to pick up and steadily collect points.
Only four defeats in 23 consecutive league games from October to February pushed them to within six points of the Play-Offs. They couldn't get any higher though, with just three wins in the 13 remaining games, and happily settled for a top half place in their first season back in this division.
The Ground
Deepdale Preston Lancashire PR1 6RU Click here for more information on Deepdale
The Manager
Simon Grayson is in his fourth year at Preston, making him the second longest serving manager in the Championship. The former Leicester City and Aston Villa fullback took charge in February 2013, in place of Graham Westley.
He rescued North End from the brink of relegation in his first season, before defeat in the play-offs a year later. The following season, they went up after their tenth attempt at promotion from via the Play-Offs. This is Grayson’s fourth managerial role, after Blackpool, Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.
The First Meeting
14 January 1911, FA Cup First Round - Brentford 0 Preston North End 1 Brentford XI: Ling; Rhodes, Buxton, Richards, Hamilton, Kennedy, Ryalls, Bartlett, Reid, Hollinrake, Anderson First Division Preston are a big test for Southern League Brentford, but narrowly escape an upset with a goal from the penalty spot.
The Last Meeting
23 January 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Preston North End 1 Brentford 3 Brentford XI: Button; Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell; Woods, McEachran; Saunders, Judge, Swift; Vibe The first win of the calendar year came at Deepdale with Jake Bidwell, Alan Judge and John Swift putting Preston to the sword. David Button pulled off his 'save of the season' when he tipped a deflected shot onto the bar from close range.
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 20 Draws: 12 Preston wins: 18