Former Preston North End forward calls for consistency ahead of new Championship season

PNE are joined in the Championship this campaign by Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League after six season in the top flight, as well as Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool – with a local clashes with Wigan Athletic also on the cards after their League One title success.

It is the first time all four of the Lancashire clubs will be in the same league since 1961.

Ormerod played 68 times for North End, scoring 14 goals, including one on his debut, but also played for rivals Blackpool in two spells, so knows a thing or two about Lancashire derbies and rivalries.

He still watched plenty of PNE games and feels that improving their consistency could be the difference maker for Ryan Lowe’s side this coming season.

“He came in last year and got the club firing again,” Ormerod said on Lowe.

“I think the issue last season was the consistency. When they were good they were really good, but I just think there was too big a gap. There was no in-between.

“He’s made a few signings over the summer though and there seems to be some positivity around the club.

“It’s just an exciting prospect having these five North West clubs in the same division, I don’t think it’s ever happened before in my lifetime and I certainly can’t recall it happening before.

“It will be a great season for the derbies, that’s for sure.”