PRESTON'S top player of all time? Take a bow, Sir Tom. It's just no contest.

But how about No 2 to Tom Finney?

Step forward Brian Mooney, perhaps an unlikely candidate for such an honour but the man voted into runners-up spot by supporters in a fanzine poll.

A new book is being launched by the club next week "Mooney Mooney the man the magic and Preston on the Plastic" which is an affectionate look at one of North End fans' favourite players of all time.

John Booth from North End said: "It's really a look at a nearly man -- someone who should have been a star and it reflects on 90 per cent of footballers' careers.

"It is written in a direct style with help from the player himself and also looks at his career at Liverpool and Sunderland."

Mooney's career was cut short by injury. Now in his mid-30s and living back in his native Ireland, he is thrilled with the new book. "I had a few great years at Preston," he says.