He was there through it all, wasn’t he? The latest Preston North End era to deliver genuine hope and belief, before the emptiness, disconnect, eventual resurgence and new-found energy. Seani Maguire wasted no time in lighting up the turf at Deepdale; those early days a sheer joy to watch, as you wondered where and how the Lilywhites had picked up this seemingly priceless gem. Electric speed, killer finishing and Irish bite in attack. Yep, he’ll do for us alright.

It’s just over a couple of months since Maguire moved on from the place which felt like home from day one. He picks up the phone while sat on his sofa in Coventry – recovery boots on, around 24 hours before taking on an in-form Alex Neil team. The Scotsman’s Preston tenure is in the past now but, in a similar way to the days of Billy Davies, you feel it will always find a way to crop back up from time-to-time – as long as PNE ply their trade below the Premier League.

So, to have been a key cog in that team is something Maguire looks back on with great pride but also a tinge of regret – with fascinating detail provided over the course of our one-hour chat. It was always apparent that the Irishman cared greatly about Preston, and that is still very much the case – with him hoping to catch the Blackpool derby on TV before the Sky Blues’ clash against the Potters. If he managed to, Maguire will have watched on with a smile. He assures he will always be a fan of the club now – and that his exit was far from easy, despite the degree of inevitability around it.