News: Darren Ferguson brings Preston North End to La Cala Resort

La Cala Resort’s football facilities received another major endorsement this July when Preston North End spent a week of pre-season training at the complex. The English Championship side were brought to the resort by their new manager, Darren Ferguson. Ferguson, took over the reins at the club in January and was in doubt where he wanted to take the side for pre-season. “I was here during the past three years with my previous club Peterborough United and I was quite clear where I wanted to bring the squad. This is an excellent location for pre-season and I decided very quickly where I wanted to go. The facilities here are excellent; the pitch is in great condition and the ground staff look after it really well. We are having two training sessions a day on the pitch and we’re also using the gym and the spa. The guys are also playing a round of golf.”

Training 6th day

The highly-regarded manager, son of the famous Manchester United supremo Alex Ferguson, added that they knew that the weather would be hot and are well prepared for it. “We weigh the players before each session and again afterwards so we know exactly how much weight they have lost. We decided not to play any friendlies during the stay and concentrate solely on physical conditioning. La Cala has all the facilities and assistance that we need to complete an effective pre-season training package.”

Preston North End have a proud record in English football. They were a founder member of the English Football League in 1888 and were the first English football champions. They were the first winners of ‘The Double’ in English football. In 1888-89 Preston became the only team to go throughout an entire season unbeaten in both the league and FA Cup — also with the record of never conceding a goal in the FA Cup. Only Arsenal F.C., in 2003-04, have managed an unbeaten season in any league division since. Preston’s last major trophy was an FA Cup triumph in 1938.

Teams from Germany, Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Ukraine also used the La Cala Resort’s training facilities this year. All singled out the excellent condition and exclusive use of the pitch, the range of resort facilities, the professional and experienced staff, the location near Malaga international airport and the climate as the main reasons for choosing La Cala Resort, located in Mijas, Malaga.

Published: 13/07/10