PRESTON North End may not be in silverware-winning form - but the club have picked up an unusual accolade.

But it isn't the team's performance which has gained them this honour - it is a group of writers who are responsible for the club's latest success.

Ken Robinson, Eddie Cotton and Steve Brennan, the three men behind Preston's Raising the Coffin fanzine, are the toast of the club after magazine Total Football named their publication as one of the top 10 fanzines in Britain.

Steve said: "It is an excellent achievement for us. We used to be independent, but then we joined with the club and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to be as opinionated as we had been in the past. Some of the fans thought the same but, to the club's credit, they have not interfered I think people appreciate that when they read the fanzine.

"This proves we have kept the same balance and mix from the old fanzine and kept up the standards, too."

Judges for the awards said the February edition of the fanzine 'contained pretty much all of the qualities that go into making an award-winning fanzine combining stats, humour, opinion, gossip, clear-design and good design'.

The judges were particularly impressed with a survey which asked readers to give a value of each player.

Sean Gregan came out on top, worth more than £800,000, while Julian Darby was worth just £40,000.

Raising the Coffin - named after the bizarre ritual held in Bamber Bridge to mark the promotion or relegation of PNE - replaced Piemuncher, Steve's independent fanzine which he had run for several years. It is believed to be the only club-backed fanzine in the country.

Eddie added: "There is a tight line to walk but we have done it and to get this award is a great testament to that."

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