PNE could be fit for city (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

PNE could be fit for city

9:53am Monday 4th June 2007

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PRESTON North End could soon become a football team fit for a top city.

Bulldozers are moving in to begin the upgrade of the East Stand, and former club chief exec Steve Jackson is hoping to sell his stake to a super-rich fan.

This could be the kickstart the club needs to get out of the Championship and sit comfortably alongside the Premiership clubs.

Sorry - and I know Paul Simpson and his players won't want to hear this - but when Preston North End failed to gain promotion it was a blow for the whole city.

Top-flight football can be worth millions, and not just for PNE through TV and advertising rights. The local economy could benefit enormously by having a Premiership club.

In Lancashire we've already seen with Blackburn Rovers just how much of a profile a small town can have thanks to a successful football team.

Preston doesn't have a Jack Walker to help out (yet!), but a top-notch, up-to-date ground and a few rich shareholders will be the best possible start.

Let's hope the 24,000 fans who will be able to fit into the new, updated ground, will be cheering on a Premiership team this time next year.

As a lifelong Evertonian it would be great to see another local Derby on the fixture list!

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