The new season got itself under way on Friday with North End's playoff rivals Sheffield United visiting the Riverside to take on Middlesbrough. However, althlough there were no former Lilywhites on show during that game, there were plenty to choose from in the rest of the action this weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Barnsley
Simon Davey’s Barnsley began the new season with a draw in what was a fiercely contested Yorkshire derby. The Tykes found themselves 2-0 down to neighbours Wednesday but showed great spirit to fight back and earn a draw with former North End favourite Jon Macken scoring the equaliser on 76 minutes.
Rob Kozluk played the full 90 for Barnsley whilst midfielder Tommy Miller was an unused substitute for Wednesday.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Newcastle United
In what was a Premier League fixture last season, Newcastle began the 2009/2010 season in the Championship with a 1-1 draw to West Brom. Striker Andy Carroll was paired up front alongside Shola Ameobi but was unable to get himself on the score sheet meaning that the Magpies made their way back to Tyneside with just a point.
Craig Beattie was an unused substitute for the Baggies.
Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Blackpool
Preston’s bitter rivals Blackpool also began the new season with a draw. Brett Ormerod started on the bench but came on midway through the second half to replace fellow striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Ormerod was unable to bag a goal meaning that the Seasiders had to make do with a point despite going 1-0 up through Ben Burgess.
Another former North End striker had to make do with a substitute appearance at Loftus Road. Ghanaian Patrick Agyemang replaced Martin Rowlands on the hour mark in a bid to find an equaliser.
Reading 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Yet another draw was contested in the Championship on Saturday this time between Reading and Billy Davies’ Nottingham Forest. Although Kelvin Wilson was nowhere to be seen, former North End skipper Paul McKenna made his debut for Forest.
Coventry City 2-1 Ipswich Town
Early on Sunday afternoon, Roy Keane and his Ipswich Town side kicked-off their 09/10 campaign with a defeat to Coventry City at the Ricoh. Keane gave debuts to a host of new signings including Tamas Priskin who spent a brief spell on loan at Deepdale in the 2007/2008 season. The Hungarian international came on as a second half substitute but was unable to grab himself a debut goal despite nearly finding an equaliser with a close-range header.
Derby County 2-1 Peterborough United
The only former North Ender involved at Pride Park in what is so far the only game that didn’t end in a draw featuring former Lilywhites was full back Jay McEveley. The former Blackburn youngster came on as a 90th minute substitute to replace striker Steve Davies.
Watford 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
With Watford having to do without Lee Williamson after his move to Sheffield United, the only other former Lilywhite on show at Vicarage Road was Brian Stock. The former Bournemouth man played the full 90 for Rovers who earnt themselves a good point after going a goal down.
Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
To conclude our round-up, of the Championship at least, Wayne Brown played the duration of Leicester City’s 2-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday. The Foxes first game back at Championship level couldn’t have gone much better with new addition and on loan Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn grabbing his first goal for the club to give his new side the win.
Charlton Athletic 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Into League One now where Charlton began life in English football’s third tier with a win. Former Burnley and Sunderland striker Andy Gray could only muster a late substitute appearance, though.
Southend United 2-2 Huddersfield Town
Although Chris Lucketti didn’t one of his former teammates Alan McCormack did feature at Roots Hall where Southend drew with Huddersfield. McCormack played the full 90 minutes for United.
Gillingham 5-0 Swindon Town
David Lucas endured a disastrous start to his Swindon Town career by leaking five goals to newly promoted Gillingham. The former Leeds United goalkeeper moved to Wiltshire in the summer in search of first-time football but never envisioned it to be like it was on Saturday.
Aldershot Town 3-1 Darlington
Darlo started life without former North Ender Pawel Abbott with a defeat to Aldershot on Saturday. The Quakers were 3-0 down after just 47 minutes but might have got themselves back in it if former North End winger Jeff Smith’s disallowed goal wasn’t chalked off. John Halls played the full 9-0 for Aldershot.
Norwich City 1-7 Colchester United
The beginning of Simon Whaley’s tenure at Carrow Road didn’t quite go as he would have hoped. The Canaries suffered a shock 7-1 drubbing to Colchester United in front of a bumper home crowd on Saturday afternoon – a result that stunned football. Norwich were 4-0 down with just 22 minutes played after which some supporters opted to leave and throw their season tickets at manager Brian Gunn on their way out. Gunn has since apologised to all Norwich supporters for the embarrassing defeat.
Carlisle United 1-3 Brentford
Joe Anyinsah was involved from the start for Carlisle’s opening day defeat to newly promoted Brentford. The former Bristol City winger was taken off after 75 minutes and replaced with Gary Madine.
Oldham Athletic 0-0 Stockport County
Oldham kicked off their new season with three former Preston players involved at some stage during the afternoon. Former skipper Sean Gregan played the full 90 minutes at the heart of the Latics’ defence whilst Pawel Abbott started up front. Darren Byfield came on to replace former Blackpool striker Keigan Parker after 69 minutes.
Shrewsbury Town 3-1 Burton Albion
And finally, in League Two, Paul Simpson and his side got off to a winning start thanks to a 3-1 victory over newly promoted Burton Albion. Simpson handed a debut to goalkeeper Chris Neal who joined from North End in the summer, striker Dave Hibbert netted his first goal for over a year when he doubled Shrewsbury’s advantage on 49 minutes whilst Kelvin Langmead played the full 90 minutes in defence.