Preston chairman responds to open letter sent from concerned supporters

Preston North End chairman Craig Hemmings responds to an open letter sent to from concerned supporters earlier this week.

The two fan groups, PNE Supporters Collective Steering Group and PNE Online, called for an ‘immediate reform of leadership’.

In his response, Hemmings acknowledges the concerns raised in the letter and has invited them to meet with him in person to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship with fans and to take concrete steps forward for the club, who currently sit 19th in the Championship with 17 points from 17 games.

This invitation was made public via the club’s official website, indicating a willingness to address the criticisms and work towards improvement in club management and fan engagement.

An open letter to the North End owners from the two leading supporters groups. pic.twitter.com/vh9wp8gg1n

— John Roper 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Budgierustler34) November 27, 2024

OPEN LETTER VIA PNE ONLINE:

Dear Mr. Hemmings,

Two years ago, Preston North End supporters raised concerns about the club’s management, from transfer strategy to youth development. Despite this, little has changed.

It’s time for action.

PNE has been labelled the “most boring club in the EFL”, a title that is becoming harder to dispute. While we appreciate the Hemmings family’s financial support, the club’s leadership raises serious questions. Why is one person allowed to control key areas of the club’s operations, including player recruitment, media relations, and questionable fan interactions, without proper oversight?

Following the “unacceptable”‘ end to the 2023/24 EFL Championship season and a lack of decisive summer action, the club’s direction is unclear.

We fully support Paul Heckingbottom and Stuart McCall, but they need adequate resources to succeed. Despite calls for reinforcements, the squad remains unbalanced. Our recent high-profile signing—made without a manager in place—highlights the need for better strategic planning, especially given the club’s limited budget.

With half the starting squad out of contract this summer and a history of players leaving for free, the transfer strategy urgently needs a radical overhaul. Financial Fair Play regulations may pose challenges, but creative solutions are achievable with the right leadership.

Supporter groups like PNE Online and PSC collaborate with dedicated club staff to improve the matchday experience. However, this enthusiasm needs to be reflected at the top. The matchday experience continues to decline, and off-field issues—such as outsourced facility contracts and inadequate maintenance of Deepdale—exacerbate the situation.

The current leadership structure requires a new approach. Recruitment, contract management, and the club’s vision need immediate reform. We advocate for fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to Premier League aspirations.

As proud supporters, we stand ready to assist in any capacity. It’s time to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to revitalise the club. The future of Preston North End depends on it.

Craig Hemmings has issued a response to an open letter published online yesterday evening. 📝#pnefc

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) November 28, 2024

PRESTON CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT:

It has been brought to my attention that an open letter of concerns from PNE supporters has been posted online.

Under the heading “Time For Action”, the authors detail various criticisms.

It may interest some fans to know that the club hold quarterly meetings with Preston Supporters Collective. These regular meetings have an open agenda of club-related topics that are discussed. Senior members of the club’s hierarchy attend these meetings, with minutes available online.

The most recent meeting was held with Preston Supporters Collective on 23rd September 2024, which Ben Rhodes from the club chaired.

This season, the club has also set up a new Fan Advisory Network (FAN) and is due to meet with them on Wednesday evening, with representatives from both Preston Supporters Collective and PNE Online due to be present.

To the best of my knowledge, the grievances raised in the open online letter were not discussed at the last meeting in September.

However, I too am a proud supporter of PNE, and have been so since the early 1970s. I welcome the fans’ approach and am grateful for their offer to assist in any capacity.

To this end, I have reached out to invite the authors of this open letter to meet with me in person to discuss ways in which we can strengthen our relationship with fans and help take concrete steps forward with the club.

With thanks,

Craig Hemmings
Chairman

This is what Twitter users are saying as the Preston chairman responds to an open letter sent from concerned supporters…

@kharrison_68: Good response on the face of it. Hopefully the Chairman is capable of meeting the fans without Ridsdale in the room. #pnefc

@ThisisNeats: I think this is brilliant, and much needed. Perfectly written, and I hope @pnefc take this seriously 🙏

@theGentryPNE: Don’t back down @PrestonSuppColl & @pneonline. The only acceptable response is #RidsdaleOut. Trevor needed a shark in the water in 2012. He’s served his purpose and has repeatedly shown his incompetence since. No more empty promises. #TimeForChange #pnefc

@PNEPlug: We don’t want words we want actions

@Smurkers_ear: Wow this letter seems to have provoked a lot of backlash from NE fans on various platforms. Toxic seems a word often used in relation to @pneonline. I tend not to bother on there any more which of course is a personal choice. It’s a very negative place to hang out and not for me

@wuftyruffruff: Just pray that toxic relic isn’t sat beside him or the meeting will be pointless!!!

@prestonmike: Not going to acknowledge any of the specific issues in the letter then? Might as well have not said anyhing

@pnefc33: It’d be nice to open it up to all the fan base too at some point. Like an evening where fans get to come and sit down with the chairman and what not and ask there own questions

@KeatonFisher19:
Just give us money Mr Hemmings.
I want a European tour

@_____Macca: Same complaints each season, groundhog day vibes

@Joe_pnefc: Load of fucking waffle

@Jxyden1880: Ridsdale still employed, empty words😴

@pneandbrig: Still no mention of Revitt so nothing will change

@HParkz10: Sack ridsdale and give hecky the money to invest. Simple as that Craig #pnefc

@stevejones1702: League One beckons…

@shabbapne: Looking at some of the responses to this, it seems some people just don’t ‘get it’. #pnefc

@HParkz10: Sack ridsdale and give hecky the money to invest. Simple as that Craig #pnefc

@danjcottam: I don’t even mind PR that much. However, we saw Lowe realise when it was the right time to move on as he has lost the fans. He should make the same call. Fresh ideas

@theGentryPNE: #RidsdaleOut Until then every time we have a downturn in form the anger will rear its head. We can all see the inevitable. How can a 72 year old be the innovative and forward thinking off pitch leader we need? It’s not just the players that inspire fans. #pnefc

Not sure what some fans realistically expect? The club have owners with the clubs interests at heart and they back this up with their wallet to a reasonable degree by covering the millions the club loses every year. https://t.co/OWZPz1G6Oa

— Craig Haslam (@Craig_Haz) November 28, 2024

1.7% pic.twitter.com/uSMCnBanBI

— Bobbage (@MrRobertBage) November 28, 2024