PRESTON bizarrely interrupted their game against Bristol City to announce some deadline day new signings – before they ended up LOSING the match.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side were drawing 1-1 against the Robins at Deepdale when an announcement flashed up on the big screen.
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It read: “Breaking news: During the game we are pleased to announce we have signed two new players!”
The message then goes on to reveal Johnny Kenny has arrived from Celtic, while Liam Gibbs is joining on loan from Norwich.
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The announcement was made in the 70th minute and Bristol City eventually took the lead nine minutes later through Lisav Eissat.
Dom Ballard then added a third in the 86th minute to condemn Preston to a fourth straight defeat to start their season.
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Fans were astonished by the decision to interrupt the game – especially given Preston are rock bottom of the Championship.
One wrote on X: “Talk about not reading the room.”
A second said: “As though being bottom with ZERO points wasn’t embarrassing enough.”
A third added: “It was awful. Sucked life out of crowd and match. Shocking decision.”
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And a fourth said: “I’ve seen many lows over 52 years but this was as tinpot and embarrassing as it gets.”
Preston’s only goal came from Caleb Wiley to cancel out Scott Twine’s early opener before the home side’s late collapse.
Fans booed at the final whistle and pressure will be mounting on manager Heckingbottom.
The former Sheffield United boss admitted that he was in a results-based business after the game.
He said: “Listen, it’s always about the results. You’ve heard me say over and over, the game’s determined in both boxes and today was a great example of that.
“We created a lot of chances, didn’t take them and they did. I felt we should have been in front at half-time, but we weren’t.
“I thought we started the second half really well, missed some more chances, then scored a good goal, missed some more. Set-plays are always crucial and we made a mistake for their third goal.”
He referenced the signing of Kenny and said he could help them become more ruthless in the final third.
Heckingbottom added: “I know there were plenty of shots, but that’s the little bit where we hope Johnny can help us, where we’re going to work on now.
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“Now we know what we’re going to be playing and the shape we’re going to be playing. We can be working on those players because, like I said, there’s a lot of signs there.
“But that has to turn into chances, shots and goals.”