Preston North End fans to flag-up their support at Deepdale when football returns

The Invincinbles Pavilion at Deepdale will house a banner which fans have raised money to buy

Fans have dug deep to buy banner advertising space which is being offered by PNE’s commercial department to cover the empty seats.

Organised by Craig Laycock through the PNE Online forum, fans took just 24 hours to raise the £900 needed to buy a banner which will cover a section of seats in the Invincibles Pavilion.

Now the fundraising is continuing for a second banner which will have a Gentry theme and is likely to be situated behind one of the goals.

It is a remarkable gesture by fans in these difficult times and they hope the banners can help spur Alex Neil’s men on in their quest to secure a play-off place when the season restarts on June 20.

Craig Laycock told the Lancashire Post: "The response has been amazing, it's blown me away.

"I thought when I put the idea up we might get one flag. But we reached the target in 24 hours which was brilliant.

"The plan was to have the banner to show the players that we were right behind them even if we couldn't be in the ground - we will be there in spirit.

"When talk turned to the second banner on the forum, the Gentry was suggested and the flag could represent that.

"The support shown has been fantastic. I just got the ball rolling on the forum and since then it has taken a life of its own with people making some big donations."

Donations for the fans' banners are being taken through gofundme.

Banner space is being offered in all four stands at Deepdale by North End for the remaining four home games of the regular Championship season.

Stephen Hobin, PNE’s head of commercial partnerships, said: “There are three packages of banner advertising available to fill the empty seating in uniquely prime positions in all four stands which will help create a tighter stadium.

“I have looked at many of the ideas being tried around Europe to bridge the gap financially, while also trying to consider the best way to help the manager and the players with the prospect of playing to an empty Deepdale.”

Anyone interested in buying banner space is asked to email [email protected] and staff will get in contact about a design.