Big match in focus: Reading v PNE

He returned to the Madejski Stadium in December, having previously managed them between December 2009 and March 2013. In his first spell, he guided the Royals to the Premier League and to two FA Cup quarter-finals. He was sacked as Reading struggled near to the Premier League relegation zone. A month later, McDermott was back in football, appointed manager of Leeds. He sspent 13 months at Elland Road before being sacked by Massimo Cellino.

MEET THE REF:

Darren Deadman will take charge of PNE’s visit to Reading. It is the first time that the Cambridge official has refereed a North End game since their 2-0 win at Yeovil Town in November 2014. This will be Mr Deadman’s 34th game of the season.

THIS WEEK...

38 YEARS AGO:

On April 29, Preston drew 2-2 with Shrewsbury at Deepdale in their final game of the season. Mike Elwiss and Alex Bruce netted for PNE, Bruce’s goal a late equaliser. Nobby Stiles’ men then had a nervous two-day wait to see if they would be promoted. Wrexham’s 0-0 draw with Peterborough ensured that they were.

29 YEARS AGO:

It was party-time at Deepdale on April 28, 1987, as North End played their first game at Deepdale after clinching promotion a few days earlier. They beat Tranmere 2-0, Gary Brazil and John Thomas on target, the latter’s late goal sparking a pitch invasion.

20 YEARS AGO:

Preston clinched the old Third Division title on April 27, 1996, with a 2-0 win at Hartlepool. Simon Davey and Andy Saville scored the goals.