Gentry Day
Gentry Day is an annual tradition where fans of Preston North End attend one away game dressed in suits and bowler hats as a way of celebrating and remembering anyone associated with the club who has passed away.[1]
History
[edit]Alan Ball Sr. managed Preston North End during the 1970–71 season, leading them to the Third Division title.[2]. On September 30 1970, speaking after a 1-0 win at Shrewsbury Town, Ball said:
“It’s great to see these people travelling as far as Shrewsbury for a night match. To see youngsters clapping and cheering behind the goal is terrific. Some people may call them hooligans. As far as I’m concerned, they are the Gentry.”[3]
As a consequence of those comments, some fans attended matches in suits and bowler hats, dressing in a style associated with the gentry.[4].
In 2005 The Preston Supporters Group (PSG), a supporter's organisation, arranged the “Return of the Gentry” in memory of John Tracey, a member of the original PNE Gentry who had passed away during the season.[5]
In 2008, with the support of the fan-run website PNE-Online and other Preston North End supporter groups, the PSG made it an annual event, with one away game in the second half of every season designated 'Gentry Day'. Some Gentry Days have been decided via poll, such as the 2017/18 Gentry Day.[6]
In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 'Virtual Gentry Days' were hosted.[7] On those occasions the then current Preston players, former players and club staff had phone calls with older fans who were shielding.[8]
Matches
[edit]Matches
[edit]Win Draw Loss
| 12 February 2005 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–2 | Preston North End | Shepherd's Bush |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 15,620 Referee: Lee Probert |
| 03 February 2008 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–2 | Preston North End | Shepherd's Bush |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 14,966 Referee: C Penton |
| 21 March 2009 | Charlton Athletic | 0–0 | Preston North End | Charlton |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 19,215 Referee: D Deadman |
| 20 February 2010 | Newcastle United | 3–0 | Preston North End | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 45,525 Referee: Andy Penn |
| 12 February 2011 | Hull City | 1–0 | Preston North End | Kingston upon Hull |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Kingston Communications Stadium Attendance: 21,566 Referee: E Ilderton |
| 31 March 2012 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–0 | Preston North End | Sheffield |
| 12:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 21,566 Referee: Geoff Eltringham |
| 16 March 2013 | Brentford | 2–0 | Preston North End | Brentford |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 6,512 Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 18 April 2014 | Brentford | 1–0 | Preston North End | Brentford |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 10,774 Referee: Keith Hill |
| 21 March 2015 | Barnsley | 1–1 | Preston North End | Barnsley |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 12,471 Referee: E Ilderton |
| 12 March 2016 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–2 | Preston North End | Horwich |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium Attendance: 18,423 |
| 4 March 2017 | Fulham | 3–1 | Preston North End | Fulham |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 20,205 |
| 3 March 2018 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–3 | Preston North End | Horwich |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium Attendance: 18,141 |
| 13 April 2019 | West Bromwich Albion | 4-1 | Preston North End | West Bromwich |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Hawthorns Attendance: 25,088 |
| 15 July 2020 | Brentford | 1-0 | Preston North End | Brentford |
| 17:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Griffin Park |
| 8 May 2021 | Nottingham Forest | 1-2 | Preston North End | Nottingham |
| 12:30 BST | Report | Stadium: City Ground |
| 30 April 2022 | Barnsley | 1-3 | Preston North End | Barnsley |
| 12:30 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 13,190 Referee: David Webb |
| 18 March 2023 | Middlesbrough | 4-0 | Preston North End | Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Riverside Attendance: 28,304 Referee: Matt Donohue |
| 6 April 2024 | Watford | 0-0 | Preston North End | Watford |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 19,374 Referee: James Bell |
| 21 April 2025 | Hull City | 2-1 | Preston North End | Kingston upon Hull |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: MKM Stadium Attendance: 22,103 Referee: Thomas Bramall |
| 11 April 2026 | Charlton Athletic | 1–2 | Preston North End | Charlton |
| 15:00 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 18,902 Referee: John Busby |
References
[edit]- ↑ Grant, Billy. "Gentry Day – A proud day out for Preston North End fans". thefsa.org.uk. Football Supporter's Association. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Dawes, Olly. "What is Gentry Day and why do Preston fans wear bowler hats?". www.deepdaledigest.com. Deepdale Digest. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Seddon, Dave. "Gentry Day with a difference for Preston North End fans this weekend". www.lep.co.uk/. Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Dawes, Olly. "What is Gentry Day and why do Preston fans wear bowler hats?". www.deepdaledigest.com. Deepdale Digest. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Preston North End Gentry Day at Craven Cottage, 4 March". www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com. Fulham Supporters' Trust. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Fans Asked For Gentry Day Views". www.pnefc.net. Preston North End. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ "Join Us On iFollow PNE For Our Virtual Gentry Day". www.pnefc.net. Preston North End. Retrieved 24 September 2026.
- ↑ Seddon, Dave. "A virtual Gentry Day for Preston North End supporters when the Lilywhites take on Nottingham Forest". www.lep.co.uk. Lancashire Evening Post. Retrieved 24 September 2026.