The Bowler Hat lands on CounterPress promising intelligent, independent coverage of Preston North End

Calling all Preston North End fans: a new site dedicated entirely to independent coverage of the Lancashire club is launching on CounterPress.

The Bowler Hat, named after the club's famous Gentry Day tradition, launches in November and aims to become the best alternative platform for North End coverage.

The site is fronted by Ross Chapman, a PNE fan who will be no stranger to the club's press box. Ross was a PNE contributor at the Lancashire Post for 18 months, initially shadowing their former North End reporter George Hodgson before leading their coverage of the club over the summer months.

During that time, he covered North End’s record-breaking summer transfer window including the big-money signing of Alfie Devine, as well as the departure of Paul Heckingbottom. He also interviewed former PNE men David Eyres and Aiden McGeady about their captivating spells at Deepdale.

Ross graduated from the University of Lancashire this July with a first-class honours degree in Sports Journalism. He also has experience in local radio and grassroots football media and has given his views on PNE and sport generally to major outlets such as talkSPORT, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio Lancashire.

The Bowler Hat members can look forward to passionate fan-led opinion and analysis pieces, ‘look-back’ articles, in-depth exclusive interviews, stories about the PNE community that go far beyond the 90 minutes, a nostalgia-driven podcast, a regular newsletter and much more.

Ross said: “I’m delighted to be launching a Preston North End outlet on CounterPress.

“It’s an exciting time to cover the club, in a season which has already seen big changes at Deepdale, and I’m looking forward to bringing supporters comprehensive coverage of PNE, both on and off the pitch.

“The Bowler Hat will be just as much about the PNE community as it is about Saturday afternoons and Tuesday nights. From former players to the women’s team, and the many feel-good and important stories PNE fans will want to share, I’m determined to provide the best coverage I can for The Gentry.

“This is an ambitious commitment which will involve fans having a say and an influence on The Bowler Hat’s output, from matchdays to content during the week. I can’t wait to get started. Come On You Whites!”

The Bowler Hat’s early interest waiting list is now open, ahead of a full launch in the coming weeks.

PNE supporters keen to explore the platform can register their interest by adding their details to the mailing list today.

There are now more than 20 independent football sites signed up to CounterPress, with prominent titles including The Moonraker (Swindon Town), Full Throstle (West Bromwich Albion), From Bromley With Love (Bromley FC), Forever Blues (Birmingham City), Leyton Orientear (Leyton Orient) Saturday White Fever (Fulham), The Phoenix (Coventry City), The Wanderers Post (Wolves) and The 1878 (Manchester United).

CounterPress offers the technical infrastructure and industry knowledge and support that journalists and creators need to build their own media brand.

Co-founder Sam Morshead said: “Ross has great enthusiasm for Preston, and I’m delighted CounterPress are able to help him develop his own platform to report on the club.

“It’s important there is a support and development system in place for the next generation of local sports journalists, if the craft is going to persevere.

“CounterPress will offer just that to Ross, and I’m excited to see where he takes The Bowler Hat in the months and years to come.”