'The difference will be astronomical' - Preston North End new pitch latest
A ‘complete modern renovation’ is well under way
Preston North End’s pitch renovation is all going to plan according to head groundsman Pete Ashworth.
The Lilywhites are installing a new, hybrid-stitched GreenMaster surface ahead of the 2026/27 season. It has been labelled the ‘largest refurbishment in 30 years’.
Due to the work - which is costing in excess of seven-figures - there will be no pre-season friendlies at Deepdale this summer.
PNE’s media team have caught up with Ashworth to get the latest on pitch progress, with it revealed that a new drainage system has been implemented.
"The first job was to remove the vegetation off the pitch and get it taken off site," said Ashworth. "After that, we removed the top 100ml of fibre sand and the lower root zone... another 200ml.
“We were then down to the gravel, which no-one has seen since around 1994. We never truly knew what was going on underneath there. We exposed the drains which were quite heavily silted.
“So, we made the decision to put a new drainage system in, while we were down at the gravel. That has gone in and all been backfilled.
“A fresh layer of grit has been put on the surface. A new irrigation system has gone in as well and they are currently trenching in the undersoil heating pipes. Then, there is 100ml of upper root zone to go on top of the lower root zone.
"Fingers crossed, everything will be graded off and we'll get it stitched with the false fibres, and seeded in the next couple of weeks. It is over to us, then, to get it grown back in.
“The longer it drags on, the less time we will have to grow it in before the first fixtures. But, touch wood, everything is going to plan. The difference will be astronomical."