​England’s march to the World Cup semi-finals has prompted Preston North End to postpone a planned pre-season friendly. The Championship side were set to travel to Chorley on Wednesday, July 15, but the match has been scrapped because England will be taking on Argentina on the same evening, aligning their schedule with the national team’s big clash.
Preston will commence their pre-season campaign with an away match at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday, July 14, kick-off at 19:00 BST. This initial fixture is part of a broader plan that includes no friendlies at Deepdale, as the stadium undergoes pitch improvement work. The upgrade project at Deepdale has prompted changes to Preston’s early-season timetable, including adjustments to their domestic cup commitments.
As a consequence of the pitch work, Preston’s Carabao Cup first-round tie, originally scheduled to be played at home against Huddersfield on August 1, has been relocated to Everton Women’s Goodison Park. This move ensures the club can continue to prepare without the interference of ongoing surface improvements at their traditional home venue and aligns with their revised pre-season and competition calendar.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 campaign, Preston North End are set to begin the new Championship season with an away fixture against Bolton Wanderers, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with a 12:30 BST kickoff. This match will mark the start of the Lilywhites’ league campaign, following their pre-season schedule and the adjustments necessitated by the stadium improvements and the rearranged cup tie.
The club’s decision to postpone the Chorley friendly and relocate the Carabao Cup match reflects a broader strategy to manage preparation time effectively while the pitch upgrades are completed. Preston North End remains focused on a productive pre-season, ensuring players are match-ready for the demanding schedule ahead in the Championship, with their opener at Bolton representing a significant early-season test.
Fans and supporters will be watching closely as Preston navigates these changes, balancing development work at Deepdale with competitive fixtures that prepare the squad for their Championship aspirations. The emphasis remains on a strong start to the league campaign, leveraging the pre-season period to build fitness, integrate new signings, and establish tactical cohesion ahead of their clash with Bolton and subsequent league fixtures.
In summary, Preston North End’s pre-season plans have been altered due to England’s World Cup progress and stadium improvements, leading to the postponement of the Chorley friendly and the relocation of the Carabao Cup tie. The club will begin pre-season with a trip to Bamber Bridge, while their league opener against Bolton kickstarts their 2024-25 Championship campaign, setting the tone for a challenging but promising season.