Menu

Broken souls and maybe an ankle: Inside Preston North End’s pre-season trip to Benidorm

Posted on - 18th September, 2024 - 8:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Preston News, Preston North End, Sport
PNE fans in Benidorm this summer
PNE fans in Benidorm this summer

As England toiled their way to the Euro 2024 final, hardy North End souls flew out to Benidorm for a pre-season friendly with Lincoln City.

It was the year of the Silver Wedding and my partner’s idea of a week in Cyprus to commemorate that special day almost put an end to a return to Benidorm. 

I was determined to make the day we celebrated our 25 years of wedlock one to remember, and I did just that as I broke the news of the impending pre-season trip. Even though I had supplied wine that night, I still got a slap for my troubles when I broke the unromantic news and the whole bus applauded her. 

Precision planning in advance meant return flights to Manchester arriving at 1.30am. Wife and cases placed carefully into the taxi and a quick kiss (wife, not the driver) and she’s off home leaving me with a holdall containing two undies, two socks, three shirts, some roll-on, toothpaste/brush and the Benidorm flag. 

Read more: Debating and choosing a Preston North End worst-ever XI

We stroll over to terminal 3 and await the arrival of the three amigos before our 7 am flight to the capital of culture. 

First night is always a giddy affair and as we dump the bags, I realise I’ve underestimated the task ahead  with just one pair of shorts and two  underpants for the three-day trip  

I decided to worry about that once they were all stained. 

We head out to mingle and numbers are surprisingly good considering a few of the hardcore are on a different type of European duty in Germany [for Euro 2024]. The telling and singing of stories of past glory commences around a ‘flagged’ out Royal Arrow where many an alcoholic beverage is consumed. It’s one in The Paddock so we can pay our bus fares on the coach organised by them and then the pub walk of shame commences.  

I’ll not give the names or number of bars we visited to protect the innocent, but it was ridiculous and we became weaker by the second. We opted for the no food option but promised to eat tomorrow. The walk back to the strip was littered with regrets and apologies but we got there and eventually back to base camp.  

Staff complimented us on our return, they knew we’d put a shift in. Pre-season is meant to be about getting the hard yards in! 

We rose in unison for the second day, apart from one who we shall not name for the fear of shame. We strolled to The Paddock Bar for our 90 minute bus departing at 8.15am. I suppose when you’ve got Portsmouth and Plymouth, it should be a doddle.

The stewarding was up a few notches this year. No going naked, no hip flasks and flags generally discouraged. Our water bottle tops were seized and there was no food available.

We concede within three minutes, triggering several to walk out in disgust to the bar and fail to return. The game got a bit feisty on a rough pitch and we managed to hang on to an unspectacular one-nil defeat. 

Post-match and we’re back into Beni for 3pm. A quick freshen up and swapping of undies (cleanliness is next to godliness) and we’re back on the town. 

I was starting to warm to these 11am kick offs. The day was ours as it gave us a chance to meet up with random lads and expat Prestonians. We were out of Europe for another season but that didn’t stop another take over of the Royal Arrow as the Lancashire droll of Preston could be hearing ricocheting off the concrete jungle that is Benidorm. 

Food I think, I hope? Getting in bed, I’m sure! 

Benidorm is a grueller. It brought grown men to their knees. The casualty of the first night  was back Lazarus style, unfazed. We may have had a broken/badly twisted/puffy ankle in there and plenty of broken souls. 

Some so broken they dare not return and extended their stay in Benidorm for the Euro Final. 

Not me, I know I was needed back home, something about an anniversary meal?! Back to the airport, flight home and lift back to Fulwood in almost a snoozy silence. Sore heads, little in the way of regret – it’s what we do. 

The Nose Bag: This article featured in the most recent edition of The Nose Bag, which was released in August 2024. You can take a subscription or buy issues from the archive here.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Share
Preston in pictures Avenham Park , Preston , Lancashire .Rotala Preston Bus 32244 240725 PrestonRotala Preston Bus 32241 240725 PrestonRotala Preston Bus 30158 240725 PrestonRotala Preston Bus 20160 240725 PrestonLancashire Northern Lights11704-01River Ribble , seen within Avenham Park , Preston , Lancashire - May 2018 View more
Advertisement
Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement
News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

Advertisement
Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails