The Invincibles Pavilion stand was opened by Preston North End legend Sir Tom Finney before Saturday's kick-off against Crystal Palace.

And there were smiles all round as manager Alan Irvine and club chairman Derek Shaw watched Sir Tom, the club's president, cut the ribbon, allowing home fans to sit in the new stand for the first time.

Watching officials and supporters who arrived early for the first home league game of the season cheered and clapped as the stand was officially opened.

Sir Tom told the Evening Post he believed Deepdale was now a stadium fit for the Premiership – adding that it looks far removed from the Deepdale in which he plied his trade decades ago.

He said: "It is a proud day and I have been looking forward to it. Today is a special day.

"It is different altogether really. It is marvellous to see the new stand and I am very thrilled about it."

The £9m, 4,000-seater stand, which includes a players' bar, new ground control facilities for police, two hospitality lounges and 22 executive boxes, is a far cry from the previous Pavilion stand.

The old terrace had not been used since 2006 – and it had even become a source of amusement for various sets of away fans who have visited the famous ground in recent years.

Now Preston can boast one of the finest football theatres in the country. Deepdale can now hold 24,000 fans thanks to the multi-million makeover.

Chairman Mr Shaw said the fourth stand is a "great boost" to the club.

He added: "It means so much to so many people in Preston. I have spoken to hundreds of people in the street while this project has been going on and we are really pleased.

"The comments back from the players and management are that they are thrilled.

"We are finally heading the right direction with it being completed."

And it seemed to inspire Alan Irvine's side, with goals by Barry Nicholson and Richard Chaplow sealing a 2-0 win.

Deepdale's redevelopment began in 1996 when the Sir Tom Finney Stand was opened. The Bill Shankly Kop followed in 1998 and the Alan Kelly Town End was completed in 2001.

The opening did have one glitch on Saturday – when firefighters had to be called.

A fire alarm went off in the new stand at around noon on Saturday.
The turnstiles had not been opened and there were no supporters in the stand at the time.

A spokesman for Preston Fire Station said a fault in the system had triggered the alarm.