WHEN potty PNE fan Gavin Willacy became annoyed at having to travel 400 miles to watch a North End game he did the only thing any supporter would

He moved a little bit of Deepdale into his family's back garden!

Five of the letters which used to adorn the side of North End's old West stand now take pride of place in the Willacy family home in St Albans, Hertfordshire - much to the annoyance of his mum!

The five letters, which spell out PNE FC, were auctioned off by Preston North End last month after PNE chairman Bryan Gray found them in a skip at owner's BAXI's Bamber Bridge headquarters last year. Gavin, a lifelong PNE fan who now works for website Football365, said: "I saw them advertised before Christmas and thought they would be a great present for my Dad."

After offering £150 for five letters, North End allowed him to pick them up - but over Christmas he teased his father, David, about what the present was.

He said: "I sent him a card with a picture of the West Stand on it and dropped other hints until he twigged what it was.

"He was made up, but my mum was livid, especially when she saw them."

Gavin, who have never lived in Preston but says he was instructed at birth to support North End, collected four consonants and one vowel after North End's recent game with Hartlepool. He added: "I was surprised when I saw how big they were. I just managed to get them in the car. They have pride of place in my Dad's back garden, and they have caused quite a stir with the neighbours!"

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