TWO potty PNE fans have sent a trans-Atlantic message of thanks to bosses at North End after a recent trip to Deepdale nearly ended in disaster.

Ken and Chris Nicholls, ex-Prestonians who now live in New Hampshire, decided to give their mother a present with a difference - taking her to her first PNE game at the tender age of 79!

They arrived in the country, picked up their mother, who has asked not be named, from Longton, and took her to the match against Lincoln, staged last month.

PNE won the game, but triumph nearly turned sour when Ken's mum slipped on the car park, cracking a bone in her arm.

Ken said: "It could have been really nasty and I'm sure it would have shook my mum up a lot more if the stewards hadn't been so helpful.

"One of the stewards immediately put his coat around my mum to keep her warm while a paramedic was called to the scene.

"The injury still gives her pain but I am sure it would have been a lot worse if it hadn't been for the quick assistance of PNE.

"Their calm manner and expertise were wonderful. The stewards even stayed with my mum to make sure she was all right.

"It was fantastic."

Ken, who tries to visit Britain at least once a year to see family and take in another couple of games, said his recent experience had only helped to make his memories of living in Preston fonder.

He grew up in Deepdale during the fabulous Tom Finney era and even remembers Bill Shankley joining in the odd kick-about in the road.

Ken said: "He would sometimes come over and give us a few tips, as he lived just across the road from East View park, where we used to live.

"Moving to America was like going from one extreme to another. I used to live in the shadow of Deepdale and now only find out how they are doing via the Internet and the Citizen's website."

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