Here's why this Manchester stag do came to Preston thanks to North End's Tom Barkhuizen's second minute goal against Blackburn Rovers

Preston was the place of choice for one stag do party...and all thanks to the prolific goalscoring efforts of North End!
The stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway stationThe stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway station
The stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway station

The group of 19 lads, all from Manchester, descended upon Preston railway station as part of the celebrations for Danny Steel’s stag do.

The catch was that the location of the night out would be decided by wherever the first goal was scored in 3pm football matches on Saturday, November 24.

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Danny, who is getting married to fiancée Nicola on December 28, said: “We did it for another stag do about four years ago and we ended up at Crystal Palace.

The group of us got to [Manchester] Piccadilly station at 1.30pm, got the beers in and just waited for the first goal.”

It just so happened that the first goal was scored by Preston North End’s own Tom Barkhuizen in just the second minute of their 4-1 home win against local rivals Blackburn Rovers.

39-year-old Danny, who supports Manchester City, added: “We had no idea where we were going until about five past three, so there was a bit of a panic and rush to book hotels and find the next train was; it was manic.

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“But there was a big cheer [when PNE scored], I don’t think anyone fancied going to Plymouth or Exeter!”

The stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway stationThe stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway station
The stag do party for Danny Steel, front right, outside Preston railway station

Danny added: “We were a bit cautious though because it was a local derby – we thought for a second we might have to act as ‘Manchester peacekeepers’.

"But no, it was a great night out, one of the guy’s went to university in the city so knew a lot of the bars.”

Danny posted the group’s exploits in Preston to his Twitter feed, gaining more than 400 retweets and 2,100 likes – as well as being retweeted by the man who announced the goal, former North End striker Neil Mellor, to his audience of 90,800 followers.

Danny said: “It was my first experience of going viral on social media; it was just a crazy day for everyone.

“Everyone loved it and I am sure it will be remembered by everyone for a long time.”