Preston North End made two deadline day signings during their Championship match against Bristol City, only to lose the game after the unusual mid-game announcement. The club, rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points from four games, saw a 1-1 draw turn into a 3-1 defeat after the stadium screen revealed the arrivals of Johnny Kenny from Celtic and Liam Gibbs on loan from Norwich City.
What happened during the match?
The match at Deepdale was locked at 1-1 as it entered the 70th minute. At that point, the club's big screen displayed announcements confirming the signings of striker Johnny Kenny and midfielder Liam Gibbs. The move, intended to boost morale, had the opposite effect. Just nine minutes later, Bristol City's Lisav Eissat scored to put the visitors ahead. Dom Ballard added a third for Bristol City just before full-time, sealing a damaging 3-1 loss for Preston. The final whistle was met with loud boos from the home support, who directed their frustration at the team's performance and the distracting timing of the transfer news.
What did the manager say about the signings?
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom told Daily Mail Sport he was unaware the announcements were planned for during the match. He focused on the quality of the new players, who he expects to feature immediately. "Johnny would have been watching that today, licking his lips I'm sure," Heckingbottom said. "Really important, good business for the club. Young player again, we try to recruit young players." He emphasized the need for reinforcements, stating, "They will be straight involved. You can see, there's a necessity."
How bad is Preston's current situation?
The defeat leaves Preston in a dire position. As of September 3, 2026, the club sits 24th in the Championship, having lost all four of their opening matches. Their record shows 0 wins, 0 draws, and 4 losses, with a goal difference of minus six after scoring just three times and conceding nine. They are already a significant ten points behind early leaders Swansea City. The team is also dealing with the absence of midfielder Ali McCann, who is currently sidelined. You can view the full, grim picture on the league standings page.
What is the reaction from the fans?
Supporters took to social media to criticize the club's decision to announce signings in the middle of a crucial match. Many felt it was a needless distraction that contributed to the team's collapse in the final twenty minutes. The anger was palpable at full-time, with the boos reflecting a growing discontent at Deepdale. The club's form, now reading four straight losses, has created a toxic atmosphere that the new signings must quickly help to dispel.
What comes next for Preston?
Attention now turns to halting this losing streak. Preston have a quick opportunity to respond when they face Blackburn Rovers at home on September 5. Blackburn, currently 13th in the table, will present another tough challenge in a local derby. Heckingbottom will be desperate to integrate Kenny and Gibbs into his squad ahead of that fixture, which you can find details for on our fixtures schedule. With the transfer window shut, this is the group that must find a way to climb off the bottom of the Championship.
