The latest new signing for Deepdale this season is Hollands Pies.

The firm will supply the ground with a range of pies, including Big Eat meat and potato pie, steak and kidney pie, chicken balti pie, cheese and onion pie, traditional pasty and sausage roll.

So with thousands of hungry fans due at Deepdale on Saturday for PNE's first home game in the league, the Evening Post assembled a panel of five devoted fans to test out the new offerings.

The panelists were asked to rate their favourite match snack and in a close contest the chicken balti pie finished top of the league.

Michael Nash, 27, a teacher of Wheatley Drive, Longridge, ranked the chicken balti pie as a Premiership-level bite.

He said: "It has fantastic flavour, the pastry is first class and slightly spicy.

"The traditional pasty was okay tastewise, but the pastry was a bit too soft with a slightly peppery taste."

David Whilli, 26, of Fernleigh, Leyland, also said the cheese and onion Pie was worthy of promotion.

He said: "I can see it becoming a firm favourite with the North End faithful."

Jimmy Atkinson, 18, a student, of Springfield Road, Leyland, also plumped for the balti pie.

He said: "It was superb, a best seller in the making."

Blake Welton, 23, of Roman Way, Kirkham, chose the steak and kidney pie as the best.

"He said: "Really nice but crust was a bit hard which brings it down."
Anthony Wilson, 31, a supermarket worker of Gleneagles Drive, Penwortham, went for the chicken balti.

"He said: "It is better than last season's pies. It is more spicy than before."

Hollands Pies, based in Baxenden, near Accrington, produces 1.5m snacks a week and is warming up for its first season as Preston North End's official supplier.

Neil Court-Johnston, the firm's managing director, said: "We hope that our pies and PNE's performances on the pitch will continue to make fans' mouths water throughout the season."

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