Big Sam, Robinson and Hugill: West Brom and Preston 'played for both' XI

Ahead of West Brom's trip to Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon, the Express & Star has named a starting 11 made up of some of the best players to have represented both clubs.

From promotion heroes and international stars to former managers and players who enjoyed contrasting fortunes at the two clubs, here is the best ‘Played For Both XI’ for Albion and Preston.

Goalkeeper: Sam Johnstone

West Brom: 2018–2022 (165 appearances), Preston: 2015–2016 (26 appearances)

Starting between the sticks is former England international Sam Johnstone, who established himself as one of the Championship's best goalkeepers during his four years at The Hawthorns.

The Manchester United academy graduate joined Albion in a reported £6.5m deal in 2018 after impressing on loan at Aston Villa, and played every league game as Slaven Bilic's side secured promotion to the Premier League in 2020.

Johnstone had previously enjoyed two loan spells at Preston, including a successful stint during their promotion-winning 2014/15 campaign. He returned to Deepdale the following season before eventually leaving Manchester United permanently for the Baggies.

Defender: Billy Jones

West Brom: 2011–2014 (66 appearances), Preston: 2007–2011 (160 appearances)

A dependable figure in Albion's defence during their Premier League years, Billy Jones made the step up to the top flight after four successful seasons at Preston.

He joined North End from Crewe Alexandra in 2007 and became a regular in their Championship side, helping the club reach the play-offs in 2009 before leaving following their relegation to League One two years later.

Jones joined Albion on a free transfer in 2011 and quickly established himself as a reliable option at right-back under Roy Hodgson and Steve Clarke. He was part of the Baggies side that finished eighth in the Premier League in 2012/13 before departing for Sunderland in 2014.

Defender: Sam Allardyce

West Brom: 1989–1991 (1 appearance), Preston: 1986–1989 and 1992 (93 appearances)

Better known to Albion supporters for his brief and unsuccessful spell as manager, Sam Allardyce also represented both clubs towards the end of his playing career.

The Dudley-born centre-back joined Preston in 1986 after spells at Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland and Millwall, and made 90 league appearances during his first three years at Deepdale.

He moved to Albion in 1989, making just one substitute appearance before taking up a coaching role under Brian Talbot. More than 30 years later he returned to The Hawthorns as manager in December 2020, but was unable to prevent the Baggies' relegation from the Premier League.

Defender: Sean Gregan

West Brom: 2002–2004 (79 appearances), Preston: 1996–2002 (212 appearances)

An uncompromising defender who could also operate in midfield, Sean Gregan was a popular figure at Preston before earning a move to the Premier League with Albion.

He joined North End from Darlington in 1996 and became a key member of the side that won the Second Division title under David Moyes in 2000, before narrowly missing out on another promotion the following year.

Albion paid a reported £1.5m to bring Gregan to The Hawthorns in 2002, but his first season ended in relegation from the Premier League. He helped Gary Megson's side bounce straight back to the top flight in 2003/04 before leaving for Leeds United that summer.

Defender: Tyrone Mears

West Brom: 2018–2019 (9 appearances), Preston: 2002–2006 (70 appearances)

A well-travelled right-back who spent much of his career in the Premier League, Tyrone Mears had spells at both clubs more than a decade apart.

He joined Preston from Manchester City in 2002 and gradually established himself in the first team, although injuries disrupted his progress. After four years at Deepdale, Mears earned a reported £1m move to West Ham United in 2006.

Spells at Derby County, Marseille and Burnley followed before he moved to the United States, where he won the MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders in 2016. Mears eventually returned to England with Albion in 2018, making nine Championship appearances during his solitary season at The Hawthorns.

Midfielder: Michael Appleton

West Brom: 2001–2003 (33 appearances), Preston: 1997–2001 (121 appearances)

Another familiar face to Albion supporters, Michael Appleton spent the latter years of his playing career at The Hawthorns before moving into coaching and management.

The former Manchester United youngster joined Preston in 1997 and established himself in midfield, helping David Moyes' side win promotion to the First Division in 2000.

He moved to Albion in January 2001 for a reported £750,000 fee and was part of Gary Megson's squad that secured promotion to the Premier League the following season. However, a serious knee injury brought his playing career to a premature end, and Appleton later returned to Albion as a coach before briefly taking caretaker charge in 2011.

Midfielder: Kevin Kilbane

West Brom: 1997–1999 (106 appearances), Preston: 1995–1997 (48 appearances)

Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane was one of Albion's standout players during the late 1990s before going on to enjoy a lengthy career in the Premier League.

He began his professional career at Preston and helped the club win the Third Division title in 1996, before his performances earned him a reported £1m move to The Hawthorns the following summer.

Kilbane quickly became a popular figure with Baggies supporters thanks to his energetic displays on the wing, scoring 15 league goals during his time at the club. He joined Sunderland in a reported £2.5m deal in December 1999 and later enjoyed successful spells at Everton and Wigan Athletic.

Midfielder: Adam Reach

West Brom: 2021–2024 (71 appearances), Preston: 2015–2016 (35 appearances)

A versatile midfielder who could operate on either flank, Adam Reach joined Albion in 2021 after establishing himself as a consistent Championship performer at Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Middlesbrough youngster arrived at The Hawthorns on a free transfer and was regularly used as a wing-back under Valerien Ismael, but struggled to nail down a starting place following the arrival of Steve Bruce and later Carlos Corberan.

Reach had previously spent the 2015/16 campaign on loan at Preston, where he made 35 Championship appearances and scored four goals. His performances at Deepdale helped earn him a permanent move to Sheffield Wednesday the following summer.

Midfielder: Callum Robinson

West Brom: 2020–2022 (95 appearances), Preston: 2014–2019 (150 appearances)

A player who enjoyed some of the best football of his career at Preston, Callum Robinson became a familiar face at The Hawthorns during Albion's most recent spell in the Premier League.

The Republic of Ireland international initially joined North End on loan from Aston Villa in 2014 before making the move permanent two years later. He developed into one of the Championship's most dangerous attacking players, scoring 12 league goals during the 2018/19 campaign.

Robinson joined Albion on loan from Sheffield United in January 2020 and played a part in their promotion to the Premier League under Slaven Bilic. He made the move permanent that summer and famously scored twice against Chelsea in a 3-3 draw at The Hawthorns, before leaving for Cardiff City in 2022.

Midfielder: Tony Morley

West Brom: 1983–1985 and 1987–1989 (61 appearances), Preston: 1972–1976 (84 appearances)

European Cup winner Tony Morley is one of the most decorated names in this starting 11, having enjoyed an impressive career that began at Preston.

The winger came through the youth ranks at Deepdale and made his senior debut in 1972, before moving to Burnley and later Aston Villa, where he became a key member of their First Division title-winning side in 1981.

Morley also played a crucial role in Villa's European Cup triumph the following year, before joining Albion in 1983. He enjoyed two spells at The Hawthorns, either side of stints abroad, and scored 11 league goals for the Baggies before leaving in 1989.

Forward: Jordan Hugill

West Brom: 2021–2022 (20 appearances), Preston: 2014–2018 (108 appearances)

Leading the line is Jordan Hugill, who enjoyed considerably more success at Preston than during his short-lived loan spell at The Hawthorns.

The powerful striker joined North End from Port Vale in 2014 and gradually established himself as a regular in their attack, scoring 12 Championship goals during the 2016/17 campaign before earning a reported £10m move to West Ham United in January 2018.

Hugill joined Albion on loan from Norwich City in August 2021, but struggled to make an impact under Valerien Ismael and managed just one goal in 20 Championship appearances before his loan was cut short in January 2022.