Preston North End FC Famous Fans

Andrew Flintoff

The six feet four inch tall and well-built Andrew Flintoff is an explosive batsman. He is an economical fast-medium bowler too. A terrific hitter of the ball, Flintoff is patient when he realises that the conditions are not in his favour, he cools down. A back injury forced him to stay away from bowling for a long period. He started playing for Lancashire in 1995 and made is debut for England Test team in 1998. He played a key role in England’s thrilling success over South Africa. After a lull, he hit back form after playing for England ‘A’ team and was selected for the Sharjah tourney and the World Cup.

Mark Lawrenson

Born in Preston, Lawrenson launched his career with the Lancashire club before moving to Brighton , though never less than competent, Lawrenson had scarely set the game alight when Paisley moved to sign him in 1981. What made the buy all the more remarkable was a club record fee of £900,000. Yet, from Lawrenson's earliest days at the club, it was clear Paisley had unearthed another gem.  A commanding presence, the newcomer slotted in seamlessly alongside Alan Hansen, providing the most formidable central defensive barrier the modern England game had seen. His speed, timing and overall ability to read the game made him a pivotal figure in the great Liverpool sides of the early 1980s. Despite collecting three League Cups, an FA Cup, four League Championships and a European Cup, Lawrenson should should have bettered even this prodigious haul. Tragically, from 1986 onwards, his career was wrecked by injuries, most notably the Achilles tendon trouble which ultimately brought his playing days to a premature end. Lawrenson is now a tv pundit on Match Of The Day.

Cecil Parkinson

British statesman, born in Carnforth, Lancashire, NW England, UK. He studied at Cambridge, qualified as an accountant, and in 1970 became a Conservative MP. In 1979 he was appointed trade minister by Margaret Thatcher, then became paymaster-general and Conservative Party national chairman (1981--3), Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1982--3), and secretary of state for trade and industry (1983). In 1983, he was forced to resign from the Cabinet and as Party chairman following the news of the pregnancy of his mistress, Sarah Keays, which resulted in the birth of his illegitimate daughter. He returned to the Cabinet in 1987 as secretary of state for energy, and was transport secretary from 1989, until surrendering office in the Cabinet reshuffle that followed John Major's election in 1990.

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