Preston warns their fans not to sing a chant; then get thumped 4-0 by Middlesbrough, and played much of the second half with 10-men.
Before Saturday’s game, a statement was issued onto their social media, it read: “The club would like to thank fans in advance for their terrific support at Middlesbrough this afternoon.
“Ahead of today’s game, we remind fans of our zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse, anti-social behaviour, use of pyrotechnics and pitch encroachments.
“All of the above can result in serious sanctions which the club hopes would not need to be taken, however they are essential in reiterating our approach to such behaviour.
“In 2024, the club received a heavy fine from The FA following discriminatory behaviour by supporters. In particular, the “Tangerine, Tangerine” chant was punished, and more serious sanctions could be imposed if it is heard again, such as the closing of stands or a points deduction.
“This chant, as well as any other discriminatory behaviour, needs to stop.”
Boro took the lead just 9 minutes in, Alan Browne against his former side, then Tommy Conway doubled the hosts’ lead just before the half an hour mark.
Morgan Whittaker made it 3-0 on 42 minutes, Preston keeper Jack Walton caught the ball from a corner, he rolled the ball to Lewis Gibson, caught sleeping, Morgan Whittaker was there to nick it off him and make it his 11th goal of the season.
The second half was just as miserable as the first for Preston, on the 50th minute, Jordan Storey was shown a red card when he brought down Tommy Conway. Shortly after, Preston conceded a fourth goal, Leo Castledine sent a free kick in, but Jack Walton palmed it into the path of Conway who couldn’t miss.
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Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:
“The goals were all mistakes, all errors, so you’re never going to win games if you give goals away like that.
“We’ve gifted the game to Boro but they’re a good side – it would have been hard enough anyway not doing that.
“But I can’t accept that we come to a place like this and just because they’re a good side we roll over.
“We’ve shown in spells this season that we can play to those levels. Our challenge is putting a group together that can do it for 46 games.”
Hecky on today’s defeat at Middlesbrough. 🎙️#pnefc pic.twitter.com/OwquO91Atu
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) January 24, 2026
📽 “Results can happen… when people get carried away when you’re winning, you can’t do the same now. I have to look at it in a different way but it’s not nice.” #pnefc pic.twitter.com/ls9gwfyxPc
— Preston North End Post (@PNEFCPost) January 24, 2026
Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees:
“It’s weird when you put so much emotion into the game and it’s over after 60 minutes. But what a performance from the lads, what energy.
“Going away to play Stoke on a Wednesday night, travelling eight hours back and forth on the bus, having the West Bromwich game, 16, 17 hours on the bus back and forth, then one day less of rest playing this game on Saturday lunchtime, which is the shortest amount of rest you can get in between games.
“Then to put in that type of energetic performance, that is unbelievable from the players.”
Hellberg, per Sky Sports:
“Of course I watch the table but we need to keep our performance up It’s not for me to focus too much on the table because I need to prepare my team and develop them.
“We need to get better and that’s the key thing. We’re always trying to get better. We never stop trying to get better the next day than we were the day before.
“[Conway’s] work-rate is unbelievable. He got the red card with his pressing as well. I have always seen him as a top player.
“As a striker you also need to get those goals and that is what he is doing now. He is a top striker, a top person and I’m so happy for him, no one deserves it more.”
The thoughts of Kim Hellberg on today’s three points 💬 pic.twitter.com/69wqt3OrXk
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 24, 2026
Twitter users gave their reaction after Preston warns their fans not to sing chant; then get thumped 4-0 by Middlesbrough…
@pnefc33: Hi I’d like to report abuse given that’s what your post said before the game, there was 11 men on the pitch who dressed in red who abused our behinds for 90+ minutes of our Saturday. Also I’d like to report the club for abusing fans bank accounts, paying to watch that shit.
@StozUTB: I actually feel for PNE fans here. Backing your club in large numbers for a 12:30 after that stinker vs Hull just to see that 🤣
@stewallace86: Your lads have some jacket spuds for their pre-match meal?
@polish2016: Didn’t think we could get any worse after hull game but you boys have proved me wrong
@graemescot85567: Massive well done to the Hemmings family another season over , once again not backing a manager it’s like 2006 all over again , the sooner they fuck off the better . #pnefc
@K6Ingram: Drop the asking price for the club, clearly it is too high if there’s no interest. They clearly have no interest in taking the step forward so fuck off and get out #pnefc
@BadlyDrawnNE: We’ve only a week left to get rid of a couple more players and not sign anybody to replace them #pnefc
@Original_Moldo: This is embarrassing. Front to back. On the bench. In the boardroom. It’s an absolute disgrace. They’re letting everyone down and throwing 6 months work down the pan. This could be 6, 7, 8… anything they want it to be. #pnefc
@liamfell2010: We’ve not had a single bit of control in this game. Well apart from the first 40 seconds. Look miles off the pace. Could be a long 4 months if this and the last couple of games are anything to to go by. Need to add 3/4 players at this rate if we are taking this seriously #pnefc
@PrincepsPacis7: Unbelievable how quickly things change in football isnt it!? I can’t see where our next goal is coming from let alone a point. We need a minimum of 2 bodies through the door before deadline. The owners have blood on their hands. Theyre killing us. Badly. @pnefc #PNEFC
@Matthewjpope05: Every Single Fucking one if yous. Hang your heads in shame. This club is a fucking joke. No backing what so ever. Give zero fucks about the fans. Zero fucks where we place in the leauge and zero fucks about progressing. Seriously, what do us fans need to do? #pnefc
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