A PNE legend, Paul Huntington left the club last summer after a 10-year stay at Deepdale, racking up over 300 games with a promotion at Wembley included. North End fans still eagerly anticipate his testimonial but he is not done yet and has headed back to hometown team Carlisle to try and win promotion from League Two.A PNE legend, Paul Huntington left the club last summer after a 10-year stay at Deepdale, racking up over 300 games with a promotion at Wembley included. North End fans still eagerly anticipate his testimonial but he is not done yet and has headed back to hometown team Carlisle to try and win promotion from League Two.
A PNE legend, Paul Huntington left the club last summer after a 10-year stay at Deepdale, racking up over 300 games with a promotion at Wembley included. North End fans still eagerly anticipate his testimonial but he is not done yet and has headed back to hometown team Carlisle to try and win promotion from League Two.

Who are the 9 former Preston North End stars and manager involved in promotions or play-offs this season?

By Tom Sandells
Published 15th May 2023, 12:00 BST
Updated 15th May 2023, 12:04 BST
As the 2022/23 season nears its close, there are plenty of ups and downs to reflect on, up and down the pyramid.

But when looking at certain ups, there is a bit of a Preston North End theme, with some who have plyed their trade at Deepdale tasting success this season, be it from promotions or still being involved in the play-offs.

There are nine players and one former manager currently at the top end of their respective divisions, from the top of the tree in the Championship right down to fifth in League Two, but who are they?

Josh Brownhill has come a long way since breaking into the North End first team aged 17. He left Deepdale for more opportunities at Bristol City and established himself as a regualr at Ashton Gate, leading to his £15m move to Burnley with the Clarets in the Premier League. He spent two-and-a-half years in the top flight before their relegation, but has been one of the standout players in the Championship this season as Vincent Kompany's men have stormed to the title.

5. Josh Brownhill - Burnley

Josh Brownhill has come a long way since breaking into the North End first team aged 17. He left Deepdale for more opportunities at Bristol City and established himself as a regualr at Ashton Gate, leading to his £15m move to Burnley with the Clarets in the Premier League. He spent two-and-a-half years in the top flight before their relegation, but has been one of the standout players in the Championship this season as Vincent Kompany's men have stormed to the title. Photo: Alex Livesey

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Cameron Archer, now infamously, nearly made a return to PNE in January but instead chose Middlesbrough and he has not looked back. He scored seven times in the seconf half of last season for Preston, on his first loan in the EFL from parent club Aston Villa, and has done better this season. He has scored 11 times in 22 games for Michael Carrick's men and has played an important role in their fourth place finish.

6. Cameron Archer - Middlesbrough

Cameron Archer, now infamously, nearly made a return to PNE in January but instead chose Middlesbrough and he has not looked back. He scored seven times in the seconf half of last season for Preston, on his first loan in the EFL from parent club Aston Villa, and has done better this season. He has scored 11 times in 22 games for Michael Carrick's men and has played an important role in their fourth place finish. Photo: Stu Forster

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Sean Maguire only left PNE in January but in less than six months he's secured a play-off place for the first time in his career. Maguire joined North End from Cork City in 2017 and went on to become the club's top scorer that season with 10 goals in his first campaign. Injuries made his time in PR1 more difficult before moving on to Coventry on a short term deal. He's made seven apperances so far with one start, and was an unused sub in the first leg of the play-offs.

7. Sean Maguire - Coventry City

Sean Maguire only left PNE in January but in less than six months he's secured a play-off place for the first time in his career. Maguire joined North End from Cork City in 2017 and went on to become the club's top scorer that season with 10 goals in his first campaign. Injuries made his time in PR1 more difficult before moving on to Coventry on a short term deal. He's made seven apperances so far with one start, and was an unused sub in the first leg of the play-offs. Photo: Clive Brunskill

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Jack Armer came through the ranks at PNE and as a North End fan, is playing alongside some of his heroes at Brunton Park. A Scotland youth international, the 22-year-old was released in 2021 and snapped up quickly by United, and was recently rewarded with a three-year-deal. He's already racked up over 100 EFL appearances and looks well on his way to a solid career, that started out at Deepdale.

8. Jack Armer - Carlisle United

Jack Armer came through the ranks at PNE and as a North End fan, is playing alongside some of his heroes at Brunton Park. A Scotland youth international, the 22-year-old was released in 2021 and snapped up quickly by United, and was recently rewarded with a three-year-deal. He's already racked up over 100 EFL appearances and looks well on his way to a solid career, that started out at Deepdale. Photo: Stu Forster

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