50 years ago, the Lilywhites were very much dark blue
Preston North End have been challenging in the top half of the Championship this season under Scottish boss Alex Neil.
The Lilywhites are prospering with a management team from north of the border – but there’s only one Scot in the playing squad.
It couldn’t have been more different 50 years ago. Preston had 16 Scottish players on their books.
At the start of October, 1967, they beat Plymouth Argyle 3- 1 with a team that contained just three Englishmen.
The rest of the side was made up of seven Scots and one Irishman.
Representing Scotland were George Ross, Jim Smith, Bert Partick, Ernie Hannigan, Jim Forrest, Archie Gemmill and Jim McNab.
McNab, signed from Sunderland, was very much the odd one out in the squad.
He was the only player not recruited on the recommendation of Preston’s Scottish scout, Jimmie Scott.
Midfielder Norrie Lloyd signed in 1966, but admits he wasn’t the player originally targeted by the Deepdale club.
He recalled: “I was playing for Twechar Youth Club and Jimmie Scott actually came to watch my brother, John.
“I must have had a good game that day as I was invited down to Preston for a two-week trial.
“Bert Patrick went at the same time, and after three days I was offered terms to sign.
“I was doing an apprenticeship as a draughtsman, but it was an easy decision to move down south to become a professional footballer.
“It was a piece of cake settling in at the club because there were so many other lads from Scotland.
“We were normally sorted out with tickets for cup finals and international games.
“My priority was trying to get tickets for Scotland games against England for my mates.
“But I missed the famous win at Wembley in 1967 because it was my first chance to go home for the summer.
“I stayed fit by running up and down the glens near my home village.”
Norrie was signed by one Scottish manager, but enjoyed his best run under another.
He went on: “Jimmy Milne, who had taken Preston to the 1964 FA Cup Final, left and was replaced by Bobby Seith.
“He fancied me and I got an extended run in the team.
“I kept Archie Gemmill out of the side – but only when he was injured!
“Sadly, we were relegated and Alan Ball senior took over.
“I wasn’t his cup of tea. I don’t think he liked the Jocks!”
Norrie went on loan to Stockport County and was then sold to Southport.
He said: “I had three great years at Southport under Jimmy Meadows.
“We won the Fourth Division and it was a really sociable club.
“Jimmy then signed me when he took over at Stockport.
“Sometimes you find a manager that trusts you and is willing to give you a chance.”
“I then went part- time, played some non-league football and was financially better off!”.
Norrie, now 68. became a publican in Preston before moving to Spain and running a few bars on the Costa del Sol.