Head-to-Head: Preston North End

Last updated : 16 September 2013 By @blades_mad1889

Sheffield United have a lot of thank you's to give to Preston North End, in the first ever Football League season - where there was only one league, the Lilywhites capped a pulsating double; winning both the league and the cup at a cantor and without losing a single fixture. There first ever professional defeat came at Aston Villa (3-5) in September 1889 but it was months earlier on the 16 March which changed football in Sheffield.

North End had, had a splendid cup run - beating off Bootle (3-0), Grimsby Town (0-2) and Birmingham St. Georges (2-0) in previous rounds before being allotted a semi-final draw on neutral ground at Bramall Lane whom (with the exception of occasional Wednesday matches) held no germinant place for a football team. They beat West Bromwich Albion by one goal to nil but the directions at the Lane where impressed by the interest football generated and acted quickly to form a Football Club - had the game taken place elsewhere then perhaps SUFC would have never existed?

The Blades and the Lilywhites have met in virtually every professional competition in existence - they have met in all top three leagues of the Football Pyramid with expectation of the old Fourth Division. The Blades were promoted (via a play-off system) to the old First Division in 1893 and played professional top flight games until 1925 during United's cup winning triumph but 'poor' Preston were to suffer the hands of relegation for the second time in their history having previously handed the same fate in 1901.

Having won promotion in 1893 the first meetings the Blades had accumulated a decent record in the league in their first season in the top flight and with 2 points awarded for a victory were second behind Aston Villa prior to their meeting with North End on 20 November with the game at Bramall Lane ending 1-1. A brief report in the Birmingham Daily Post read; 'After crossing over some exciting play was seen, and at the end of fifteen minutes the United equalised, the ball being rushed through in a scrimmage after Trainer had saved finely from Gallacher. The United attacked again, but Trainer saved cleverly from Hammond and Gallacher. With ten minutes to play Hendry, the Sheffield captain was carried off the field hurt. Each goal had narrow escapes close on time, but nothing further was scored, and the game ended in a draw of 1 goal each' It's best to note that in those days there were no substitutions so in the event of an injury (or sending off) the said team had to carry on with whatever players that were left on the field of play.

North End, who were still a dominant force to be contended with during the Victorian era won the return fixture on the final day of the season (7 April) by three goals without reply at Deepdale. A poor run during December and January had halted any chances of United winning the league at the first attempt but they managed to finish 10th (10 points above Preston) and more importently above The Wednesday. They completed the double the following season in narrow victories and United had to wait until 30 September 1895 until their first victory over the Lancastrians was achieved. Before a crowd of 5,000 at the Lane saw United see two goals dismissed prior to the break with all the goals coming in the second 45. A mistake from keeper Trainer allowed Drummond to take the lead for the Blades, Pierce levelled for Preston before Richardson found the winner - a report from this game can be seen at the image to your left.

Sheffield United had to wait until 1897/98 season before they extracted their first double over these opponents. It was a fine season to do so with the Blades winning the First Division for the first (and only) time. They won 3-1 at Deepdale in September and little over a month later won 2-1 at the Lane.

Skipping forward to the most recent seasons, our most memorable battles came in the play-off games during the 2008/09 season. Both sides had, had pretty much 'bad luck' in the play-offs but when the pair met in the Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals in May 2009 only one team had to win. The Blades had narrowly finished third in the league (behind Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City) and almost piped automatic promotion on the final day of the season.

However they had to settle for the play-offs and had drawn Preston North End but made their way through 2-1 on aggregate. The pair drew the first leg 1-1 at Deepdale, though it was the home side who stuck first; Sean St Ledger (21 minutes) was lucky not to be offside after Nick Montgomery headed back after a free-kick and the former Peterborough United defender tricked Paddy Kenny to score with ease.

United's performance in the first half was disappointing but they made up for it in the second forty-five minutes when straight from kick-off the visitors attacked straight immediately which and resulted in a goal; Darius Henderson saw his close range shot saved by the spectacular Andrew Lonergan in the Lilywhites net; the ball fell wide to Jamie Ward who lofted the ball over for Brian Howard to score on the volley - the goal was timed at 21 seconds. The performance in Lancashire was equally as good at Bramall Lane despite striker Craig Beattie hashing chances in both games, however the Blades came out victors in the Steel City when again chance after chance went begging; until the 59th minute when young Kyle Walker saw his superb cross meet the top of Greg Halford's head which flew into the top left hand corner of the goal, and in front of the Kop.

United haven't been defeat at Bramall Lane by North End since November 1978, ironically in the third Division but this fixture has become a regular occurrence since North End won promotion to the Championship in 2000 - only the Blades Premier League season of 2006/07 has separated the pair. In May 2011 the two teams battle hard against relegation but both suffered the same fate and since has become a traditional third tier fixture. During the 2011/12 campaign United completed the double; winning 4-2 at Deepdale and 2-1 at the Lane.

Last season the Blades won their match at Deepdale (on 20 October) by a single goal via Dave Kitson (42 minutes) after Tony McMahon had hit the visitors on the break with a Liverpool style 'long pass.' They crossed swords again on the final day of the season (27 April), the game resulted in a bore goalless draw with interim manager Chris Morgan fielding a less experienced side as they prepared to do battle in the Play-Offs a week later against Yeovil Town.

At Sheff. Utd. (51) At Preston N.E. (52)
Results Total %   Results Total %
Sheff. Utd. 35 68.63   Preston N.E. 26 50.00
Preston N.E. 6 11.76   Sheff. Utd. 11 21.15
Draws 10 19.61   Draws 15 28.85
Goals Total Av.pg   Goals Total Av.pg
Sheff. Utd. 95 1.86   Preston N.E. 94 1.81
Preston N.E. 44 0.86   Sheff. Utd. 57 1.10
On Neutral Ground (0) Overall (103 matches)
Results Total %   Results Total %
Sheff. Utd. 0 0.00   Sheff. Utd. 46 44.66
Preston N.E. 0 0.00   Preston N.E. 32 31.07
Draws 0 0.00   Draws 25 24.27
Goals Total Av.pg   Goals Total Av.pg
Sheff. Utd. 0 0.00   Sheff. Utd. 152 1.48
Preston N.E. 0 0.00   Preston N.E. 138 1.34

Records
Highest Aggregate 7 Preston N.E.  4 - 3 Sheff. Utd. 1895/1896 
Highest Sheff. Utd. score: 5 Sheff. Utd.  5 - 0 Preston N.E. 1910/1911 
Highest Preston N.E. score: 5 Sheff. Utd.  0 - 5 Preston N.E. 1954/1955 

SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition
2012/2013 Sat 27 Apr Sheff. Utd. 0 - 0 Preston N.E. League One  
  Sat 20 Oct Preston N.E. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. League One  
2011/2012 Sat 18 Feb Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. League One  
  Wed 19 Oct Preston N.E. 2 - 4 Sheff. Utd. League One  
2010/2011 Sat 16 Apr Preston N.E. 3 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Sat 28 Aug Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. Championship  
2009/2010 Tue 09 Feb Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Mon 28 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. Championship  
2008/2009 Mon 11 May Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. Football League Play-Offs (Lvl 2)  
Sheffield United won 2-1 on aggregate
  Fri 08 May Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Football League Play-Offs (Lvl 2)  
  Sat 31 Jan Preston N.E. 0 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Sat 25 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. Championship  
2007/2008 Sat 29 Mar Preston N.E. 3 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Sat 20 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. Championship  
2005/2006 Fri 16 Dec Preston N.E. 0 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
  Sat 20 Aug Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. Championship  
2004/2005 Tue 15 Mar Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. Championship  
  Fri 20 Aug Preston N.E. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Championship  
2003/2004 Sun 09 May Preston N.E. 3 - 3 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
  Sat 29 Nov Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Preston N.E. League Division One  
2002/2003 Sat 19 Apr Preston N.E. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
  Sat 21 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. League Division One  
2001/2002 Sat 26 Jan Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. F.A. Cup  
  Sat 01 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Preston N.E. League Division One  
  Tue 23 Oct Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
2000/2001 Sat 30 Dec Sheff. Utd. 3 - 2 Preston N.E. League Division One  
  Sat 19 Aug Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Division One  
1999/2000 Tue 21 Sep Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. League Cup  
Preston North End won 3-2 on aggregate
  Tue 14 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Preston N.E. League Cup  
1988/1989 Sat 08 Apr Sheff. Utd. 3 - 1 Preston N.E. Third Division  
  Sat 31 Dec Preston N.E. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Third Division  
1983/1984 Tue 31 Jan Preston N.E. 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. Third Division  
  Sat 10 Sep Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. Third Division  
1982/1983 Tue 12 Apr Preston N.E. 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. Third Division  
  Sat 04 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. Third Division  
1978/1979 Sat 18 Nov Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 Preston N.E. Second Division  
  Sat 26 Aug Preston N.E. 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1969/1970 Sat 17 Jan Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Preston N.E. Second Division  
  Sat 27 Sep Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1968/1969 Mon 17 Mar Preston N.E. 2 - 2 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
  Sat 23 Nov Sheff. Utd. 4 - 0 Preston N.E. Second Division  
1955/1956 Sat 04 Feb Sheff. Utd. 3 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 24 Sep Preston N.E. 0 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1954/1955 Sat 12 Feb Preston N.E. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 25 Sep Sheff. Utd. 0 - 5 Preston N.E. First Division  
1953/1954 Sat 10 Apr Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 21 Nov Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1950/1951 Sat 17 Mar Sheff. Utd. 2 - 3 Preston N.E. Second Division  
  Sat 28 Oct Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1949/1950 Tue 27 Dec Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. Second Division  
  Mon 26 Dec Preston N.E. 4 - 1 Sheff. Utd. Second Division  
1948/1949 Sat 02 Apr Preston N.E. 4 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 06 Nov Sheff. Utd. 3 - 2 Preston N.E. First Division  
1947/1948 Wed 07 Apr Preston N.E. 3 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 20 Sep Sheff. Utd. 3 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1946/1947 Sat 24 May Sheff. Utd. 2 - 3 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Wed 04 Sep Preston N.E. 1 - 2 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1924/1925 Sat 28 Feb Preston N.E. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 25 Oct Sheff. Utd. 3 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1923/1924 Sat 13 Oct Sheff. Utd. 4 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 06 Oct Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1922/1923 Sat 23 Dec Preston N.E. 2 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 16 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 2 Preston N.E. First Division  
1921/1922 Sat 26 Nov Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 19 Nov Sheff. Utd. 3 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1920/1921 Mon 07 Feb Preston N.E. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 05 Feb Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1919/1920 Fri 02 Apr Preston N.E. 2 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Thu 01 Jan Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1913/1914 Sat 11 Apr Preston N.E. 2 - 4 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 06 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1911/1912 Fri 05 Apr Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Thu 28 Dec Sheff. Utd. 4 - 2 Preston N.E. First Division  
1910/1911 Sat 01 Apr Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 26 Nov Sheff. Utd. 5 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1909/1910 Sat 16 Apr Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 04 Dec Sheff. Utd. 5 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1908/1909 Sat 03 Apr Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 28 Nov Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1907/1908 Sat 04 Apr Preston N.E. 0 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 07 Dec Sheff. Utd. 2 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1906/1907 Sat 02 Feb Sheff. Utd. 3 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 01 Dec Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1905/1906 Sat 31 Mar Sheff. Utd. 0 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 25 Nov Preston N.E. 1 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1904/1905 Fri 21 Apr Preston N.E. 4 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 22 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
1900/1901 Sat 16 Mar Preston N.E. 3 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 10 Nov Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1899/1900 Sat 24 Mar Sheff. Utd. 1 - 0 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 18 Nov Preston N.E. 0 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1898/1899 Sat 18 Feb Preston N.E. 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Sat 22 Oct Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1897/1898 Sat 23 Oct Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 04 Sep Preston N.E. 1 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1896/1897 Sat 13 Mar Sheff. Utd. 0 - 2 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 24 Oct Preston N.E. 1 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1895/1896 Sat 30 Nov Preston N.E. 4 - 3 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Mon 30 Sep Sheff. Utd. 2 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
1894/1895 Sat 13 Oct Sheff. Utd. 0 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division  
  Sat 08 Sep Preston N.E. 2 - 1 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
1893/1894 Sat 07 Apr Preston N.E. 3 - 0 Sheff. Utd. First Division  
  Mon 20 Nov Sheff. Utd. 1 - 1 Preston N.E. First Division