Former PNE chairman passes away

Alan Jones (pictured far right) watches Sir Tom Finney welcome Tommy Docherty to Deepdale

Mr Jones was chairman between April 1973 and September 1982, having joined the board as a director in February 1971.

He was instrumental in Trevor Hemmings joining the board, with Hemmings the vice-chairman throughout Mr Jones’ tenure.

The high point of his time as chairman was the appointment of Nobby Stiles as manager in the summer of 1977.

Stiles guided North End to promotion from the old Third Division in his first season in charge, with the club going on to spend three years in the Second Division.

After stepping down in 1982, Mr Jones continued to support PNE.

He was a life vice-president of the club and was a regular at Deepdale on match days until recent ill health.

A former pupil of Preston Grammar School, his career outside of football was as a chartered surveyor.

He founded Jones and Etchells in 1960, that evolving to become the Frank Whittle Partnership.

Mr Jones was a keen tennis player, with him a member of Fulwood Tennis Club and becoming president of the club in 1981.

He was on the board of the Lawn Tennis Association.

As a mark of respect, the North End players will wear black armbands in the game against Leeds at Deepdale on Saturday.