PRINCE Charles was man of the match when he took on soccer legend Tom Finney at Preston North End football club's Deepdale ground this week.

The Prince of Wales left the football guru standing and beat him by one goal to nil in the classic table game, Sokit.

"I scored an own goal," laughed Tom, who at 75 hasn't played a League game for 37 years: "I think Charles had a bit of sympathy for me about that," he said.

The celebrated meeting took place on the turf of Preston North End where the Prince had gone to see plans for the regeneration of Deepdale, including the football museum and grounds.

"He thought the stand was fantastic," said Tom: "I told him how we are going to modernise it. He was very impressed indeed that Preston will be an all-seater stadium."

The Royal started early at Preston station when HRH arrived in a locomotive aptly named Prince Henry.

He was greeted by Preston Mayor Councillor Dick Evans and the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Charles Shuttleworth.

From there he moved to the semi-derelict factory, Centenary Mill in New Hall Lane, which is one of only three in the country to be selected for the Prince's Regeneration Through Heritage scheme.

The Royal entourage then hot-footed to Marks and Spencer to meet staff who have been heavily involved in community schemes, including training prefects from Mook Park High School, which he visited later.

At Preston North End, Charles also met volunteers from the Prince's Trust, before strolling over to the school and chatted with the crowds who braved the rain to see their Prince. The visit ended with a tour of Leyland Trucks.

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