Ryan Lowe's Gentry Day promise to the Preston North End faithful ahead of Watford

Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe says he and his players will do everything to make it a special Gentry Day, at Watford.

The Lilywhites faithful will don bowler hats and suits at Vicarage Road, as those connected to the football club - who’ve passed away within the last 12 months and more - are remembered. North End will be backed by around two thousand fans on Saturday. For Lowe, it is his third Gentry Day as Preston boss and motivation to deliver is sky high.

“Well, it didn’t mean anything to me until I came here and I realised what it means to the fans, I must say,” said Lowe. “They have been fantastic, every Gentry Day. The last one wasn’t a good day, on the pitch, but it was a good one for them. The one before that was Barnsley away, which was fantastic.

“I remember it being a good day, a good occasion and I even had the bowler hat on myself, after that one. So yeah, listen, it means a lot with people the football club has lost - family, friends and we always want to make it a special day. That is up to us, as coaching staff and players, to do that on the pitch. I am sure the fans will make it a special day, off it.”

As for the opponents, Watford inflicted PNE’s darkest half of the season on them. The Hornets romped to a 1-5 victory at Deepdale, with it one apiece at the break. Lowe’s side eventually recovered from their wobble over the festive period, while Watford failed to kick on after that demolition job in Lancashire. North End’s boss knows that quality still very much remains, though.

"They are good, aren't they?" said Lowe. "You only have to look at the players who are up on the board, in there, who we could be facing. They have got some quality players and are probably in a false position. I don't know too much about Watford in terms of behind the scenes, but what I do know is that it's a fantastic football club, well supported and been in the Premier League. They've had some good managers along the way, as well. Make no mistake about that; it just hasn't worked for whatever reason. They are a good team."