Well here we are now, all the bloody lads! Who’d have thought it, heading to Preston on the last game of the season with the prospect of getting into the play-offs still very real. Pretty mad, innit. Just think, we could be a proper Barclays team once again next season, yet this time we’ll have the pleasure of losing 15-0 to Saudi-juiced Newcastle United. Dare to dream!

How Do I Get There?

If you’re driving down then take the A1(M) and A66 across the Pennines then the M6 to junction 32 outside of Preston. Join the M55 and the A6 before heading onto Blackpool Road and following the signs for Deepdale. There’s parking available at Moorfields School for a fiver per vehicle, or there’s plenty of street parking.

Sat nav losers: PR1 6RU

For you legends on the rails, Preston railway station is about a 30-minute walk from the ground. However, you can take in all the lovely pubs en route. If you don’t fancy the walk, you get the 6 or 19 bus from the city centre or hop in a taxi.

What’s the Ground Like?

For the oldest football ground in the world, Deepdale is pretty nice, like. After renovating the Pavilion Stand, it’s a pretty smart stadium with two massive ‘Kop’ end stands. More than 6,000 Sunderland fans will be in the Bill Shankly Kop which will be a laugh, won’t it.

Yer thirsty?

It’s been a while since we’ve graced this corner of the North West but Cans & Megabus has the wily memory of an elephant when it comes to fine pubs.

So we cannot look past the Black Horse on Friargate as Cans & Megabus PUB OF THE TRIP. It’s got everything you’d want from a pub: rich mahogany bar, an array of ales and European lagers and pickled eggs!

Elsewhere, The Old Vic (Fishergate), Stanley Arms (Lancaster Road) and the Dog & Partridge (Friargate) are all good stops en route to the ground.

What’s happening in Preston?

Probably still honouring His Majesty King Charles III or something.