News

Book on Preston’s Invincibles now available – with proceeds going towards Sporting Memories

A book which tells the legendary tale of the Invincibles – the Preston North End team who swept all before them for over a decade towards the end of the 19th century is also raising funds for Sporting Memories.

The One and Only Invincibles

‘The One and Only Invincibles: Preston North End’s footballing pioneers’ tells the remarkable story of the origins of the Club, and how from forming thanks to a few friends playing cricket together on Preston Marsh, eventually went on to become the best team in world football within 25 years.

That includes the period in which Preston dominated football in Britain for over a decade, to the extent where they earned the title of the Invincibles – after going 54 matches unbeaten in 1886/87 and winning 42 consecutive matches the following season.

For the first time ever, the life stories of the Preston players of the Invincibles side who won the league without losing a game and claimed the FA Cup without conceding a goal – and all in the same season – are revealed for the first time. They are shown as ordinary people who did extraordinary things on the football field – whilst living amongst those who watched them and sharing the same pressures and experiences as the fans.

Produced by a Sporting Memories volunteer

Martin Atherton is the author of the book and has been involved with the Preston Sporting Memories group for a significant period of time, having been a member as well as a volunteer for the group.

Martin’s new book, which is based on the extensive records of Club Historian Ian Rigby, also details the life stories of these early professional players – both on and off the pitch – to show how football was different to the sport we know today. This includes profiling how the players were ordinary people living in Lancashire whilst achieving extraordinary success on the football field.

Thanks to Martin’s generosity, some of the profits from sales of the book will be donated to Sporting Memories – so this may be the ideal present or stocking filler for the football fanatic in your life!

How to get your copy of the book

The book is available to buy directly from Martin for just £15 (including delivery costs) and can be bought by emailing Martin via invinciblesbook@gmail.com