Latest news with #PaulHeckingbottom
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Winger Brady signs new Preston deal
Preston North End winger Robbie Brady has signed a new one-year 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who can also play left-back or left wing-back, has made 100 appearances for the Championship side since joining from Bournemouth in July 2022."Getting Robbie signed up for next season is great news for us," boss Paul Heckingbottom told the club website., external"He's someone who can really impact matches. He's a big part of things behind the scenes, too, so we're really pleased he'll be here again."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Preston sign Stoke midfielder Thompson
Preston North End have signed Stoke City midfielder Jordan Thompson on a two-year deal, with the option of a third Northern Ireland international is the Championship club's first signing of the summer transfer - who has 39 international caps - made 178 appearances in all competitions during a five-year period at to that, he played for Blackpool and Rangers, after being released from Manchester United's academy. The 28-year-old told the club website:, external "I'm delighted. It's been quite a quick turnaround and I'm just glad it's all done now."It's a massive club and it's one that I want to be part of."I'm looking forward to getting in pre-season, meeting the rest of the boys and the staff properly and getting going."Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom added: "He's a player we knew all about from playing in the Championship and we've been watching him closely with a view to bringing him in."Jordan's a top professional and a talented footballer who likes to get on the ball and he adds a bit of balance to the midfield too, being left-footed."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'A rebuilding opportunity to be relished'
The 2024/25 Championship season won't be looked back on in years to come with great affection by Preston North End fans. They spent last summer preparing for another year under Ryan Lowe. He left after one match; his interim successor, Mike Marsh, was in charge for one league match with Paul Heckingbottom in charge of the remaining 44. Considerable upheaval that simply wasn't expected. Just after the turn of the year, it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that they could mount a play-off challenge. The reality was that they avoided one of the most unlikely relegations to League One by just a point. Surrendering a two-goal lead at Bristol City on the final day to settle for a draw was pretty typical of how the season panned out. Twenty draws is just far too many in any season. But it's the same number as they recorded in the second tier in 2005/06, which saw them finish the season in fourth spot. It's fair to say that the Championship is a much different animal, 19 years on. Since that final day fixture, the retained list threw up very few surprises, if any. It had been long since assumed that Ryan Ledson, Freddie Woodman, Emil Riis and Patrick Bauer would be leaving on frees. Ched Evans will join that list if it's mutually decided that he'll leave the coaching staff and wishes to carry on playing elsewhere. CEO Peter Ridsdale is optimistic about rebuilding a squad which could be argued is long overdue. He told me: "There's a number of vacancies that Paul [Heckingbottom] is excited about being able to fill." The expectancy is that summer incomings could total 10 or more. Despite the remaining members of the squad being under contract, departures could still take place. Danish midfielder Jeppe Okkels, who has been on loan at Aberdeen since the winter transfer window, is one who can look for pastures new. His arrival came between permanent managers last summer. It's a deal that could potentially have been stopped by North End, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Had he hit the ground running, his signing wouldn't have come under any real scrutiny. The fact is, it's not worked out, and it's one that they're highly likely to take a substantial financial hit on. So, it's over to Paul Heckingbottom's judgement, along with the recruitment team headed by James Wallace to find the new pieces of the jigsaw. The return of goalkeeper Daniel Iversen has been "doing the rounds" for some time. It's a signing that makes great sense. A terrific shot stopper who has the fanbase on his side from day one. Then come the other areas in need of addressing. Full-backs, or wing-backs as referred to by Peter Ridsdale are required on both sides. A right-sided centre-back to rival Jordan Storey. Left-footed midfielders, with former Stoke and Blackpool man Jordan Thompson an imminent arrival and replacements for Riis, Evans and Layton Stewart in the front line. In total, there is a lot to do, but it is something the club should relish. The area that screams out as needed to me is a maverick-type player, someone who can get the crowd on their feet. The likes of Liam Millar, Paul Gallagher and Aiden McGeady have all provided that spark over the last decade of second-tier football. It promises to be an interesting close season at the Euxton training ground.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'A rebuilding opportunity to be relished'
The 2024/25 Championship season won't be looked back on in years to come with great affection by Preston North End spent last summer preparing for another year under Ryan Lowe. He left after one match; his interim successor, Mike Marsh, was in charge for one league match with Paul Heckingbottom in charge of the remaining 44. Considerable upheaval that simply wasn't after the turn of the year, it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility that they could mount a play-off challenge. The reality was that they avoided one of the most unlikely relegations to League One by just a a two-goal lead at Bristol City on the final day to settle for a draw was pretty typical of how the season panned draws is just far too many in any season. But it's the same number as they recorded in the second tier in 2005/06, which saw them finish the season in fourth spot. It's fair to say that the Championship is a much different animal, 19 years that final day fixture, the retained list threw up very few surprises, if any. It had been long since assumed that Ryan Ledson, Freddie Woodman, Emil Riis and Patrick Bauer would be leaving on frees. Ched Evans will join that list if it's mutually decided that he'll leave the coaching staff and wishes to carry on playing Peter Ridsdale is optimistic about rebuilding a squad which could be argued is long told me: "There's a number of vacancies that Paul [Heckingbottom] is excited about being able to fill."The expectancy is that summer incomings could total 10 or more. Despite the remaining members of the squad being under contract, departures could still take place. Danish midfielder Jeppe Okkels, who has been on loan at Aberdeen since the winter transfer window, is one who can look for pastures arrival came between permanent managers last summer. It's a deal that could potentially have been stopped by North End, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Had he hit the ground running, his signing wouldn't have come under any real fact is, it's not worked out, and it's one that they're highly likely to take a substantial financial hit it's over to Paul Heckingbottom's judgement, along with the recruitment team headed by James Wallace to find the new pieces of the return of goalkeeper Daniel Iversen has been "doing the rounds" for some time. It's a signing that makes great sense. A terrific shot stopper who has the fanbase on his side from day come the other areas in need of addressing. Full-backs, or wing-backs as referred to by Peter Ridsdale are required on both sides. A right-sided centre-back to rival Jordan Storey. Left-footed midfielders, with former Stoke and Blackpool man Jordan Thompson an imminent arrival and replacements for Riis, Evans and Layton Stewart in the front line. In total, there is a lot to do, but it is something the club should area that screams out as needed to me is a maverick-type player, someone who can get the crowd on their feet. The likes of Liam Millar, Paul Gallagher and Aiden McGeady have all provided that spark over the last decade of second-tier promises to be an interesting close season at the Euxton training ground.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boss Heckingbottom banned for Preston's final game
Manager Paul Heckingbottom will not be on the touchline for Preston North End's decisive final Championship game of the season away to Bristol City. Heckingbottom has been handed a two-match touchline ban, a £6,000 fine and a warning about his future conduct following his behaviour during his side's loss at Hull City on Easter Monday. Advertisement The former Sheffield United boss admitted to acting in an improper manner and using abusive language towards a match official in the 55th minute and after the match, for which he was sent off. The incident concerned the awarding of the first of two penalties for Hull in a match which Preston lost after leading 1-0. Going into the game at Bristol City on Saturday, North End are 20th in the Championship, but just one point above the relegation zone. The Lancashire club have lost their last four games and could go down if they lose at Ashton Gate and Hull and Luton Town avoid defeat against Portsmouth and West Brom respectively.
