Even Jim Magilton Can't Stop The Fans Team!
Posted on: Tue 09 Oct 2007
Even the inclusion of the Ipswich manager and former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton couldn't stop a rampant Preston North End Fans Team from emerging winners in an action packed trip to Suffolk at the weekend.
North End made light of a 4am start by destroying hosts Ipswich 5-1 in a game brightened by a number of guest appearances, with Jim Magilton making a cameo appearance for the home side, and PNE unveiling their own secret weapon - a girl!
With the game appearing to be in the bag, Preston added a bit of glamour to the proceedings by introducing Michelle Sharrock - one of the three girls who made the trip - as a second half substitute.
Prior to that, the game had been a tight affair, with Preston showing no signs of lethargy after their early rise by going for the jugular right from the kick off. A rigorous warm up and a decision to "push on" from the word go certainly paid off, with Preston scoring two quick goals through Andy Dodwell and Stuart Bolton.
However, the introduction of the Ipswich substitute Jim Magilton changed the game and had a positive affect on the Ipswich lads, and within seconds of his introduction they reduced the arrears. Nonetheless, the PNE fans aren't reigning champions for nothing, and even the former Premiership star's appearance couldn't prevent the Lilywhites from sealing victory with a fine display in the second half, allowing North End to experiment!
"We had the game won by then," claimed Preston boss Steve Cowell.
"Bringing girls on is something that you're allowed to do in the Fans League so I offered the chance to all three girls that made the trip - Michelle Sharrock decided she would go for it! I don't know what the Ipswich lads thought of it but it certainly geed my lads up!
North End made light of a 4am start by destroying hosts Ipswich 5-1 in a game brightened by a number of guest appearances, with Jim Magilton making a cameo appearance for the home side, and PNE unveiling their own secret weapon - a girl!
With the game appearing to be in the bag, Preston added a bit of glamour to the proceedings by introducing Michelle Sharrock - one of the three girls who made the trip - as a second half substitute.
Prior to that, the game had been a tight affair, with Preston showing no signs of lethargy after their early rise by going for the jugular right from the kick off. A rigorous warm up and a decision to "push on" from the word go certainly paid off, with Preston scoring two quick goals through Andy Dodwell and Stuart Bolton.
However, the introduction of the Ipswich substitute Jim Magilton changed the game and had a positive affect on the Ipswich lads, and within seconds of his introduction they reduced the arrears. Nonetheless, the PNE fans aren't reigning champions for nothing, and even the former Premiership star's appearance couldn't prevent the Lilywhites from sealing victory with a fine display in the second half, allowing North End to experiment!
"We had the game won by then," claimed Preston boss Steve Cowell.
"Bringing girls on is something that you're allowed to do in the Fans League so I offered the chance to all three girls that made the trip - Michelle Sharrock decided she would go for it! I don't know what the Ipswich lads thought of it but it certainly geed my lads up!
"It was our commitment and belief within the team that won us this game. We have all been together from the start and we are all mad keen Preston North End fans who love playing for the shirt. It means everything to us - once we put that shirt on we feel 10 feet tall and once again we showed why we were crowned league champions last season. We are the team everybody wants to beat and even the introduction of Jim Magilton could not stop my team from winning.
"Magilton's skill was there for all to see. It was not long ago that he was running the show for Ipswich at Deepdale and he certainly hadn't lost his skills, nutmegging two of our lads in quick succession, but we stayed with it and in the end our superior organisation and fitness saw us through.
"He was certainly impressed with us, and asked me 'If this is what your Fans Team are like, how good are your first team?'! He seemed really made up with the efforts we'd put in to come and play the game, and think he appreciated that our team are real fans who are really committed to the North End cause."
Next up for the lads and lasses is another tough away game - this time a battle of roses pride at Sheffield United on Saturday 20th October.
Want to be match the pride of the Fans Team and show your support for the North End? Make sure you've got a ticket for all the action, with half season tickets available now!
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