Former Preston North End and Coventry City man celebrates incredible League One promotion
He made a seven figure move to PNE in the summer of 2019
Former Preston North End midfielder Tom Bayliss has won promotion to the Championship with Lincoln City.
The Imps’ promotion was confirmed on Easter Monday with a 2-1 win at Reading. After 41 games, Michael Skubala’s side have collected a whopping 90 points. They are 12 points clear of second placed Cardiff City, who have played one game fewer.
For Bayliss, it marks a first return to the second tier since his departure from Deepdale back in 2022. The midfielder was a big money signing from Coventry City in 2019, having attracted plenty of attention as a youngster.
However, he struggled to make his mark at PNE - whose midfield at the time was particularly difficult to break into. Bayliss left with 21 first team appearances made and one goal scored, across three years with the club.
He had a brief loan spell with Wigan Athletic during his Preston stint and joined Shrewsbury Town, permanently, after his PR1 exit. Bayliss scored 10 goals in 81 games for the Shrews, but left upon the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2024.
Since joining Lincoln, the midfielder has been a regular in the side. He has made 24 league starts this campaign with an overall record of six goals and six assists in 82 appearances for the club.
North End, 14th with five games to go, should be able to look forward to a first meeting with Lincoln since 1999. The Imps have reached the second tier for the first time in 65 years, having played in non-league a mere five years ago.
Skuabala on promotion
"We want to win the title,” said Skubala. “The lads have said that they definitely want to win it. It's going to be tough, but let's go and get that done as well. We'll enjoy tonight, we'll go out and have a beer.
"It's an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season. I'm not really thinking about next season yet... I'm just enjoying this."