Ex-Preston North End favourite appears in retro shirt photoshoot at popular city centre cafe
He spoke fondly of his time at the club.
Former Preston North End striker Richard Cresswell has starred in a photoshoot for a new retro shirt collection.
Cresswell, who played for PNE between 2001 and 2005, scored 57 goals in 206 games for North End, 21 of those coming in his final full season with the club.
In that campaign, PNE finished fifth and made it to the Championship Play-Off final, but were beaten 1-0 by West Ham United at the Millennium Stadium.
He has taken part in a shoot for Admiral Sports, Britain’s oldest sportswear brand, as they launch a collection from that very season.
Admiral were North End’s supplier between 2003 and 2005.
The collection features the 2004/05 shirt, a polo shirt and a white and navy tracksuit.
Then-shirt sponsor Newreg.com are a Preston-based firm who buy and sell private number plates, and were on the front of PNE shirts from 2002 to 2005.
Brucciani’s Cafe on Fishergate provided the backdrop for the photoshoot.
The cafe has been a mainstay in Preston’s city centre since 1932 serving coffee and all-day dining with a bar licence.
They posted on Facebook: “We were delighted to welcome former Preston North End player and professional footballer Richard Cresswell to the café as he took part in a photoshoot for the new Preston North End Collection for Admiral Sports!
“It was great having Richard with us, and we’re proud we could provide the backdrop for this fantastic shoot.”
While taking part in the photoshoot, Cresswell spoke to Admiral Sports about his time at North End.
“It brings back some amazing memories”, says Cresswell, “but it also brings back some really tough memories.
“It’s a pleasure to be back in Preston in a great place like this. It’s nice to have the original shirt back on.
“Our home record was unbelievable, we got all the way to the Play-Off final and the game against West Ham.
“There was nothing in it whatsoever, we’d beat West Ham home and away that season, and to lose 1-0 to a Bobby Zamora goal still hurts today.
“It wasn’t just about the goals for me, it’s a working class city, a place where people want to see you work tirelessly hard, and I think they got that with me.
“One thing I could do was run, and run hard, until I had nothing left.
“I think they appreciated that and that’s maybe why I’m still in some of the supporters’ minds to this day.”
The collection is available to view and buy from on the Admiral Sports website.