PNE v Brighton in focus

The 57-year-old previously managed Newcastle, Birmingham and Norwich.

Hughton guided Newcastle to promotion from the Championship in 2010 and later took Birmimgham to the play-offs. As a player, Hughton made more than 3oo appearances for Tottenham and was in the Spurs side which won the FA Cup in 1981 and 1982 and the UEFA Cup in 1984. After leaving Spurs, Hughton spent two season with West Ham and finished his career at Brentford.

MEET THE REF:

West Yorkshire referee Mark Heywood is the man in the middle for PNE’s clash with Brighton at Deepdale. The last time he took charge of a Preston game was their 3-0 win at Bradford on Easter Monday. This will be Mr Heywood’s 19th game of the season.

THIS WEEK...

61 YEARS AGO:

On March 5, 1955, North End won 4-0 at Huddersfield Town. Jim Baxter netted twice, with Tommy Docherty and Bobby Foster also scoring in the Leeds Road clash.

38 YEARS AGO:

Preston beat Bradford City 3-1 at Deepdale on March 4, 1978. In front of a crowd of 11,920, two goals from Mike Elwiss and a long-range effort from right-back John McMahon delivered victory. Nobby Stiles’ side were promoted from the old Third Division that season.

21 YEARS AGO:

David Beckham made his North End debut as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers at Deepdale on March 4, 1995. Beckham replaced Paul Raynor at half-time and made an immediate impact, scoring direct from a corner. Simon Davey scored PNE’s other goal.