Bamber Bridge vs Preston North End latest amid speculation of friendly being scrapped

Bamber Bridge are waiting to learn whether they will face Preston North End in pre-season - but the friendly is expected to go ahead.

The contest between the two Lancashire football clubs has marked the start of summer for several years. PNE’s schedule tends to commence at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, as the build-up to the opening day of the league campaign begins.

Speculation emerged on social media recently that Preston were scrapping the Brig game, but that is understood to be wide of the mark - even though Brig are awaiting confirmation. Last summer, a young PNE XI ran out 0-7 winners - having only led one-nil at half-time. In Ryan Lowe’s first pre-season, North End triumphed three-nil there.

The Lilywhites’ only confirmed friendly, so far, is the match against Lincoln City - out in Spain. That will take place at the Pinatar Arena on Friday, 12 July. The 11am kick-off (Central European Summer Time) will mark the end of PNE’s training camp at Campoamor. The remainder of North End’s pre-season schedule should be confirmed at the end of this month.

Jamie Milligan’s side finished 16th in the Northern Premier League - Premier Division last season, on 40 points. Young PNE goalkeeper, James Pradic, spent time on loan at Brig during the campaign and was a regular starter.