Preston North End visitor guide | Deepdale guide

Deepdale is the historic home of Preston North End F.C. The club began life in 1862 as a cricket club; they experimented with rugby before finally playing their first football match in 1878. Preston North End F.C. was the main founder of the English Football League in 1888. The team made history during the 1888-89 English football season by remaining unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup to win the first ever 'Double'. Deepdale is regarded as the home of professional football and houses the National Football Museum. The stadium has undergone complete redevelopment in recent years; the fourth new stand was completed in 2008, bringing the capacity of the modern all-seater stadium up to 23,408. The new stand was named The Invincibles Stand in honour of the team of the 1888-89 season; the other three stands are named after local legends Tom Finney, Alan Kelly and Bill Shankly.

Visiting supporters will find themselves seated in the Bill Shankly Stand. As is to be expected of such a modern stand, the views and facilities are excellent; the steep design of the stand keep fans close to the action. Match favourites such as pies, burgers, hot dogs and bacon rolls are available inside the ground. Television screens in the refreshment areas keep fans in on the action while they queue for food and drink.

Fans wishing to stay in a hotel near Deepdale won't have much luck finding a Deepdale hotel in the immediate vicinity of the ground. Preston city centre is the best place to look for accommodation although some fans wishing to make a weekend of their stay may consider choosing a hotel in Blackpool.

Getting To Deepdale

By Car

To reach the ground by car, exit the M6 at Junction 31 and follow the signs left for Preston. Head up the hill and after about a mile you will reach a roundabout by the Hesketh Arms. Take the second exit onto the Blackpool Road (A5085). Keep heading down this road and after just over a mile, filter left at the traffic lights sign posted for the Town Centre and Football Ground. Deepdale will be on your left. Don't worry if directions aren't your strong point, the ground is clearly sign posted from Junction 31.

Parking at Deepdale can be quite a hassle. The parking at the ground is restricted to permit holders so finding a place to park in the surrounding streets is an idea, be warned though, fans parking in the wrong place will likely receive a ticket. The nearby Moor Park High School offers match day parking for £5; if this is full then parking in the city centre and taking public transport to the ground is strongly advised.

By Public Transport

Preston's train station is about one and a half miles from Deepdale; the journey on foot will pass through the city centre and take about 25 minutes. To walk to the ground exit the station and head out past the taxis. At the top of the drive turn right onto Fishergate and head down this street. Fishergate is Preston's main high street and so is very busy on the weekend. Fishergate soon becomes Church Street, keeping heading down the street until you come to the junction with the A6. Cross over the road and you will pass Preston prison, turn left at the next junction into Deepdale Road. Head down this road and you will reach the stadium after about three quarters of a mile. Those who don't fancy the walk can take a taxi from outside the train station; the journey usually costs around £5.

Fans arriving in Preston by national coach or bus services will find that a number of bus services running from the main bus station pass by the ground. Buses 5, 6 and 19 all run along Deepdale road and the journey costs about £1. Fans arriving by train and wishing to take a bus to Deepdale should note that all buses from the train station stop at the main bus station.