Massive haul of 51 retro pictures to take you back to Preston in 1972, including Avenham Park, North End, schools, and strikes

By Jack Marshall

Published 3rd Oct 2023, 08:40 BST

Updated 4th Oct 2023, 12:16 BST

It may be hard to believe, but the early ‘70s are not five decades in the past...

And while it may seem like another era for many, for countless others those 50 years will have passed in the blink of an eye. So take a trip down memory lane and have a look at some of our best archive pictures of life in Preston back in 1972.

Be sure not to miss some of our other retro pieces…

17 retro pictures of Preston party people at club nights at the beloved Tokyo Jo's back in the day

31 old school retro pictures of long lost Preston high street shops from down the decades

27 retro pictures of the roughest pubs and clubs in Preston through the years as decided by readers

The annual Leyland pram race got off to a good start when the event was kicked off by skipper Graham Hawkins, Alan Kelly and George Ross from Preston North End. The race, held in Worden Park, was to raise money for the Leyland and District Committee of the Cancer Research Campaign

1. 1972 Preston

The annual Leyland pram race got off to a good start when the event was kicked off by skipper Graham Hawkins, Alan Kelly and George Ross from Preston North End. The race, held in Worden Park, was to raise money for the Leyland and District Committee of the Cancer Research Campaign Photo: RETRO

Punters at The Queen's Arms in Kirkham put their hands in their pockets to provide youngsters at Preston's Shepherd Street Mission with a super see-saw

2. 1972 Preston

Punters at The Queen's Arms in Kirkham put their hands in their pockets to provide youngsters at Preston's Shepherd Street Mission with a super see-saw Photo: RETRO

Preston Greyhound Stadium was the venue for the Hunt Cup final. Pictured here are the winners, Roach Bridge, who beat St Gerard's

3. 1972 Preston

Preston Greyhound Stadium was the venue for the Hunt Cup final. Pictured here are the winners, Roach Bridge, who beat St Gerard's Photo: RETRO

Personalities at Preston North End Sportsmen's Club dinner at the Bull and Royal Hotel, Preston. From left to right: George Ross, Graham Hawkins, Alan Spavin, Bob Bolton (PNE vice-chairman), Alan Jones (PNE director), Tom Nicholson (PNE chairman), Cyril Pilkington (PNE director), James Wilde (PNE director), Tom Gore (PNE director), and Jeff Bolton (PNE assistant secretary)

4. 1972 Preston

Personalities at Preston North End Sportsmen's Club dinner at the Bull and Royal Hotel, Preston. From left to right: George Ross, Graham Hawkins, Alan Spavin, Bob Bolton (PNE vice-chairman), Alan Jones (PNE director), Tom Nicholson (PNE chairman), Cyril Pilkington (PNE director), James Wilde (PNE director), Tom Gore (PNE director), and Jeff Bolton (PNE assistant secretary) Photo: RETRO