Illustration from the novel

A Preston author has returned with his latest graphic novel about Preston North End.

Michael Barrett has penned The Rise of the Invincibles about PNE’s double-winning team of 1888-89.

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The Lilly-whites were the first side to win the League and FA Cup double in the same season – and went undefeated for the season and didn’t even concede a goal in their glorious Cup run.

Barrett’s novel captures the charismatic William Sudell as he and his side led the fight to legalise professional football, which built the foundations for the modern game.

Sque’s illustrations will be familiar to many football fans

Roy of the Rovers artist David Sque has drawn the comic book which shows the heady days of Victorian football with North End legends such as Fred Dewhurst, Nick Ross and Johnny Goodall pictured.

At 152 pages the Invincibles book has 11 glorious full-colour chapters, and has a foreword by former PNE defender Mark Lawrenson.

Front cover of the Invincibles

The book is being launched by Barrett at PNE’s Invincibles Lounge with a Q&A session with Simon Grayson along with a hot pot supper.

The event on Thursday 1 December is also raising money for Preston charity Heartbeat. It runs from 7pm and tickets are £15 or a table for 10 of £125. Tickets can be booked by calling Mark Cassidy at Heartbeat on 01772717147 or emailing mark@heartbeat-nwcc.org.uk – last date for bookings is Friday 25 November.

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The book is available to buy online at Invincible Books or at the PNE Club Shop, Harris Museum shop, Halewood’s, GAME Deepdale and Preston and Waterstone’s Preston, priced £19.99.