ONE of Preston North End's longest serving supporters has been honoured by his club after he wrote to them describing the time he risked being blown up to see his favourite team.

Ken Heller, (top) 72, of Brighton Crescent, Ingol in Preston sent a string of letters to Linda Casey at the PNE supporters' shop, reminiscing about his favourite club memories.

And Linda was so impressed with his tale about watching PNE in the cup final at Wembley during the blitz in 1941 that she sent him a pair of tickets for this Saturday's match.

He told the Citizen how, at the age of 17, he was packed off by his mother on a train to London so he could see PNE play Arsenal in the final. The result was a draw.

As the train home left Euston station, one of the biggest air raids of the war began and everyone on board instinctively fell to the floor of the carriage.

"The driver, a Mr Nixon from Tuson Street in Preston, was so brave - he just carried on at about 15mph all the way home while bombs were crashing outside. I wonder how many other fans there are who remember that night."

Tom Finney, who played in the match, said he remembered the bombing starting that night as the team was driven home on the coach.

Ken is thrilled with the end of season match tickets. He added: "North End will be playing Exeter who are the side I saw them play in the first match I ever went to in 1938."

Linda said: "We are always delighted to hear from Ken."

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