A LEFT-sided midfielder who turned professional with The Saddlers in July 1980 after impressing during a two-year apprenticeship.

He went on to appear in 111 League games for the club as well as helping us reach the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1983/84 when we narrowly bowed out to the all-conquering Liverpool side.

Affectionately known as 'Mini' due to his diminutive size, what he lacked in inches, he more than made up for in talent, ability and sheer commitment to the cause.

His prowess in the engine room of the Walsall side prompted a £150,000 move into the top-flight with Luton Town in December 1984. The deal also involved Hatters' striker, Steve Elliott making the switch in the opposite direction to Fellows Park.

Preece soon became a vital member of the Luton team and helped bring the League Cup to Kenilworth Road in 1988 following victory over Arsenal in the Final at Wembley.

International recognition at 'B' level for England soon followed and by the time he left The Hatters in the summer of 1995, he had made over 350 appearances for the club to become a firm favourite amongst the supporters.

His next move took him to Derby County, during which time he had loan spells with both Birmingham City and Sunderland, before linking up with Cambridge United in September 1996.

Becoming assistant manager to Roy McFarland at the Abbey Stadium, he then followed him to Torquay United in readiness for the 2001/02 campaign.

Leaving the club a year later in a cost-cutting exercise, he joined Enfield as a player before becoming assistant manager at Stevenage Borough in December 2002.

His stay didn't last long and two months later he was back at Enfield in a player-coach role. Moving to Telford United in a similar capacity, he then had coaching spells at the likes of Walton & Hersham and Rushden & Diamonds before passing away at the age of just 44 in July 2007 after being in remission for one year following surgery for throat cancer.