23 Facts About Andy Preece

Andrew Preece was born on 27 March 1967 and is an English football manager and former professional footballer who is the manager of Chorley.

Andy Preece notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, and in the Football League for Northampton Town, Wrexham, Stockport County, Blackpool and Bury.

From 1999 onwards, Andy Preece combined his playing duties with various coaching and management positions.

Andy Preece became player-manager of Bury in 1999, going on to manage Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK and Southport.

Andy Preece subsequently played briefly for Evesham United, then planned to return to Australia; however, someone at the club knew Graham Carr, manager at Northampton Town.

The wheels were put in motion, and Andy Preece joined the Cobblers in August 1988 on a non-contract basis.

Andy Preece made one appearance, as a substitute, before being released at the end of the following season.

At Edgeley Park Andy Preece enjoyed the most prolific period of his career, scoring 42 league goals in 97 league games, and forming a partnership with Kevin Francis.

In July 1998, Andy Preece joined Bury on a free transfer and went on to become player-manager.

Andy Preece returned to Worcester City, as player-manager, in 2005, where he remained for five years, before finishing his playing career with Northwich Victoria in 2012.

Andy Preece became the club's manager in 2009, remaining in the role for three years.

In 1999, Andy Preece was appointed join player-manager of Bury.

Andy Preece kept the team in League 1 for two seasons until the collapse of ITV Digital forced the sale of several players and administration for the club in 2001, resulting in their relegation to League Two.

Andy Preece was released in December 2003 as Bury again tried to cut costs.

Bury director Roger Barlow said that Andy Preece's departure was for financial reasons and nothing to do with results on the pitch.

In February 2005, Andy Preece joined Worcester City as player-manager and led the side to three consecutive top ten finishes in the Conference North then, in 2006, to the second round of the FA Cup.

Andy Preece became caretaker manager of Northwich Victoria on 25 February 2009.

Andy Preece resigned from the club on 16 January 2012, along with the rest of his management team, with the club reporting that he was expected to be appointed Director of Football at Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton the next day.

Andy Preece led the part-time side to runners-up in the Welsh Premier League in his first full season qualifying for the Europa League.

Andy Preece became the first Black English coach to lead a team into Europe in two successive seasons.

Andy Preece was appointed manager of Chorley on 28 May 2022 following the departure of Jamie Vermiglio.

In 2021, Andy Preece named the best XI he had played with.

Andy Preece is a regular guest on the Preview Show, Blackpool's weekly in-house Tangerine TV production, alongside Ged Mills.