CAPTAIN marvel Sean Gregan and winger Lee Cartwright are said to be the target of an amazing double swoop by Graham Taylor's Watford.

The Premiership club, who already have ex-PNE player Allan Smart on their books, are said to be scouring the lower leagues in a bid to bring in cheap reinforcements.

North End would not be keen to lose either player, and Gregan will cost at least £1 million, if the rumours take shape . . .

NORTH End have been given a very tough tie in the first round of the FA Cup, after being drawn against Bristol Rovers. The game will take place on Sunday, October 31, at Rovers. The game was switched to Sunday to avoid a clash with Bristol City, who have also been drawn at home. Lets hope there are no Halloween horrors there! ANOTHER game to be rearranged is the forthcoming clash with Notts County, which has been brought forward 24 hours to save it clashing with England's Euro 2000 play-off against Scotland. Kick-off is at 7.45pm on Friday, November 12.

DEPUTY chairman Derek Shaw has blasted the Premiership clubs who don't take the Worthington Cup seriously, saying it devalues the tournament for everyone else. "The competition provides vital revenue for clubs at our level, yet some top clubs are devaluing it for the rest of us." Preston are set to grab £150,000 from their run in the competition this season, which ended, ironically, when a star-studded Arsenal beat them 2-1 last week.

PRESTON currently have the highest average league gate in the Second Division with 11,188 passing through the turnstiles at Deepdale per game.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.