Focus: Bolton v PNE

He joined the Trotters in October 2014, his previous job in management being a four-year reign at Celtic. As a player, he made his name at Crewe, before making a £750,000 move to Leicester. From there, he joined Celtic and made more than 200 appearances in Scotland.

Over the last few months he has managed Bolton in tough financial circumstances and doubts remain over his long term future there.

MEET THE REF:

Paul Tierney from Wigan is the referee for PNE’s derby clash with Bolton. He last took charge of Preston in their 1-0 win over Barnsley in 2014. Mr Tierney has refereed four games in the Premier League this season, the latest Bournemouth’s 3-1 win at Newcastle last week.

THIS WEEK...

45 YEARS AGO:

On March 8, 1971, Preston beat Bury 2-0 at Deepdale in front of a crowd of more than 17,000. Alan Spavin and Clive Clarke were on target for Alan Ball Snr’s side. It was Ball who earlier that season had christened PNE fans ‘The Gentry’.

35 YEARS AGO:

North End beat Orient 3-0 at at Deepdale on March 7, 1981. Steve Doyle, Paul McGhee and an own goal delivered victory. It followed up a 1-0 win over Chelsea the week before.

20 YEARS AGO:

On March 9, 1996, Gary Peters took his promotion-chasing North End side to Kent to play Gillingham. The Priestfield Stadium outfit were neck-and-neck with PNE in the race to climb out of the old Third Division. The game, played in front of a sell-out 10,602 crowd, saw Simon Davey give Preston the lead before the Gills levelled.