Preston's first fixture was in the 1888-9 season when they met Burnley on September 8th, winning 5-2, following a late kick off at 3.50pm due to the delayed arrival of the visitors.
Football League games were played "rigidly" on Saturdays apart from Boxing Day and by the end of the season, Preston, "The Invincibles", had not only won the First Division Championship, their league season ending on February 9th, but also had played four FA Cup ties after that leading to the Cup Final at The Oval on March 30th against Wolverhampton Wanderers, a 3-0 victory, Preston achieving The Double.
Preston had played 22 games, won 18 and drawn 4; Scoring 74 and conceding 15. Their closest rivals were Aston Villa who had taken a draw off them.
The 5000th game left Preston not quite "invincible", having won 1940, drawn 1284, lost 1776.
Goals for 7408 Against 6969.
Top flight games: 1720, 2nd level 2000 3rd 1058 4th 222. I'm sure the numbers won't add up...I bet some of you will try the addition = 5000!! Oh, ye of little faith...
Close to PNE in games played in the league are Notts County 4986, Burnley 4936 and then of course are Wolves, Derby C, Bolton W, WBA, Bury, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United. Which other clubs are in the "original 12"?
Worth looking at the original clubs in the 1888 Football League and asking why they don't match up.
Influencing factors are there are clubs that played in the original competition in 1888 and those who have stayed the course (eg not Notts County in the National League). Some have played in "lower divisions" where there are more fixtures.
On August 19th 1890, Preston played Aston Villa at Hampden Park at Baseball!
In 1889-90 Preston won the First Division.
1890-1 Runners Up
1891-2 Runners Up
1892-3 Runners Up
1893-4 14th/16!! So with various matters at the club causing a loss of form, The Invincibles, had to play in a "Test Match" against Notts County and won 4-0 to survive in Division One.
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