It was 1938 the last (and only) time Preston won at Wembley. Hitler hadn't even invaded Poland when George Mutch converted a last minute penalty for Preston to defeat Hudersfield in the FA Cup Final.
Since then Preston have been defeated in 1954, 1964, 1994 as well as Cardiff defeats in 2011 and 2005 but on Sunday Preston rectified all of their past losses with a stunning victory against Swindon.
It was Preston's tenth time in the play-offs and despite finishing well ahead of next placed Swindon there was always fear that this would go so horribly wrong.
Grayson started with a narrow midfield of Johnson, Welsh and Kilkenny as Gallagher suported Graner and Beckford. Woods layed at left back with Clarke on the opposite flank. Wright partnered Huntington whilst on loan Johnstone remained between the sticks.
Preston were clinical and in particular Jermaine Beckford who netted with a litle over two minutes on the clock. It was similar to the recent league game when Garner score in the opening minutes. Swindon were never given a chance.
Gallagher was superb before being foced off with injury before the break. His first ball in found Beckford who slotted home. The defender injured in the pocess was taken off.
Shortly after another curling all found Huntington who had lost his marker. In acres of space the cente back who has had a fantastic season scoring numerous goals slid the ball past the keeper to put Preston two up with less than a quarter of the match gone.
Two nil is always a dangerous scoreline as last year's final can testify to. Swindon shoul dhave pulled one back when a swirling cross found Smith who under pressure from Wright headed wide. He should have scored and the game would then have had a different complexion.
Within a minute of Smith's chance the ball landed at the feet of Beckord. He turned his man and curled in a left footed effort from the edge of the box just before the break. The game was efectively over.
Swindon played too high a back line all to Beckford's advantage. He was in again after the break but showed his hand to early by turnin his body shape and the keeper saved his right foot shot.
Beckford wasn't to be denied his hat trick as he was put clean through again this time flicking the ball past the oncoming keeper with his left foot to follow in the footsteps of Mendonca and Sinclair in scoring a play off final hat trick.
Swindon had the odd attack towards the end but the game was dead in the water and they paid a price for not being penetrative enough and poor defensive play against a striker who has been revitalised since January.
It all went Preston's way. Even the half time competition saw a Preston fan win a car which for the record he couldn't drive as he hasn't even passed his test yet!
There was a competition for the fans in the stadium to win the match ball but I thik anyone who wants to challenge Beckford for that might have a struggle. The striler was carying the ball, his man of the match trophy and winners medal home.
North End return to the Championship after four years in League One. The lineup was comlete yesterda after Middleborough lost their play off final against Norwich.