Alan Browne's journey at Preston North End from teenager to club captain

When Alan Browne came to Preston North End seven years ago he was a skinny teenager, a long way from home but driven with ambition to make his way in the game.
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He was on a couple of hundred quid a week, the Lilywhites having secured his services from Cork City for a £10,000 fee.

North End had been tipped off about his potential from a contact in the horse-racing world and took the gamble.

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That was back in late 2013 – flip the calendar forward to the present day and Browne has come a long way.

Preston North End skipper Alan BrownePreston North End skipper Alan Browne
Preston North End skipper Alan Browne

On Wednesday he put pen to paper on a new contract which makes him the highest-paid player at Deepdale.

He has played 273 games in a Preston shirt, scoring 35 goals.

An addition to his kit this season has been the captain’s armband, one he wears with great pride.

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Casting his mind back to when he first came to England, Browne told the Lancashire Post: “It was a reality check straight away for me, I wasn’t used to men’s football.

Alan Browne in action for PNE against AFC BournemouthAlan Browne in action for PNE against AFC Bournemouth
Alan Browne in action for PNE against AFC Bournemouth

“I was used to kids’ football, winning a lot of trophies as a team and as an individual.

“When I came here it was a case of you are not the main man – I couldn’t be further off being the main man.

“I put my head down and worked really hard to get to where I am now.

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“If it had been a different football club, it might have been a different story to how things worked out.

Alan Browne gets instructions from North End manager Alex NeilAlan Browne gets instructions from North End manager Alex Neil
Alan Browne gets instructions from North End manager Alex Neil

“The players, the staff and the people in the background have made my journey as easy as it could possibly have been,

“When I had difficult times there were people putting an arm around me, I was surrounded by really good people.

“I was really fortunate that good people were here for me and that was so important.

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“For the first few months I was kind of lost in the sense I wanted to go home to see my friends at the weekend.

“However, football was my passion, I wasn’t going to let anything set me back in terms of getting homesick.

“I didn’t get homesick – I did miss my friends on occasions but it never crossed my mind that I would pack it in and go back home.

“It was difficult being away from my family but I was surrounded by good people here which made it easier.

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“What helped was that I got my chance in the first-team squad quite early.

“That was unexpected but I had been working hard. I still thought I was a fair distance away from being where I needed to get to.

“I was on the bench and I think it was Kevin Davies who was sat next to me and said I would be going on.

“The gaffer called me over and it was a really exciting moment, the fact we went on and won the game was special.”

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Browne will lead the side against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Being made skipper by Alex Neil is something the 25-year-old describes as ‘an honour’.

Said Browne: “It is an honour every time I put the armband on but at the same time I haven’t changed anything I would have done in the past.

“I won’t speak unnecessarily or give it out to people unnecessarily.

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“I’ve still got to focus on my game and make sure I reach the standards which are expected of me.

“There have been a few people who in the last couple of months have said the armband should be given to someone else because I wasn’t signing the deal.

“I kind of knew I would be here and would sign the deal.

“During all this I sought a lot of opinions before making my decision.

“I spoke at great length to Peter Ridsdale and the gaffer about where the club was going and the ambitions it had.

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“I wanted to see if players were coming through the door or a lot of players leaving.

“They have offered new contracts and brought players in, that was a sign of intent for me. They have spoken about ambition which matches mine.”

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