The Preston flag is competing in the first-ever FA Cup of Flags final today (Friday 29 May).
AdvertisementPreston made it through to the showdown with Stoke town Penkhull after a dramatic last-minute win against Coventry in the semi-final.
The competition, which is being run for fun by the The Flag Institute on Twitter, is proving to be a big hit with sports fans missing their competitive fix.
Penkhull flag supporters have been using Preston’s footballing rivals to score more votes, tweeting Blackpool FC: “Do you want Preston to win anything. I thought not. Then vote for Penkhull.”
You can vote for Preston until 9pm tonight in the poll below, or by going to Twitter.
It's the Final of the #FACupOfFlags – who will be take the English city flag crown? ????????
— The Flag Institute (@FlagInstitute) May 29, 2020
The Preston flag was designed by vexillologist Philip Tibbetts in 2010, after he was inspired by his manager’s North End mug.
Philip said: “I’m hoping for a good match – whether Preston can unlock their population size will be key I think.”
According to the Flag Institute website:
“The Preston Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this Lancashire city.
“The flag is white in reference to the Lilywhite nickname of Preston North End, while the navy blue references the stripes that appear in the traditional kits of both the football socks and rugby club strip shirts.
“The navy blue is formed of two crosses, which leaves a thin white gap between them. These represent how Preston is a transport hub central to Lancashire, being a crossroads for both the motorway and railway networks.
“The two crosses form the impression of a larger cross indicating the religious heritage of the town – the name Preston deriving from Priest’s Town. The paschal lamb, the traditional symbol of the city that recalls St Wilfrid, is placed on the centre of the cross.”
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
Will you be voting for Preston in the FA Cup of Flags? Let us know in the comments.