Career
He played in The Football League for three clubs and has also played and managed in non–league football. Playing and Coaching Preece began his playing days as an apprentice with Coventry City, but in August 1986 he moved to Wrexham. He made more than 100 Football League appearances over the next four years but suffered from a poor disciplinary record, as he was sent off five times.
In the summer of 1990 he was released by Wrexham and switched to local rivals, who were a division higher in the Football League Third Division.
He began his Chester days at full back but went on to make his greatest mark as a midfielder. He was named player of the season the following campaign.
Unfortunately, Preece was to play just one more game for the club as a clattering tackle from Hartlepool United"s Mick Tait on the opening day of 1995-1996 ruled him out of action for the remainder of the season. He eventually left the club in October 1996 after failing to recover, spending the remainder of the season with General Motors Vauxhall Conference sides Southport and Telford United.
In June 1997 Preece returned to The Football League as player–coach with Shrewsbury Town.
In 2000 he teamed up again with boss Jake King at Telford United, where the pair worked together until Preece became Newtown manager in June 2003. He remained in charge until October 2006, leaving after a 6–0 loss to Rhyl. Preece is now a coach with Wrexham based side Gap Queens Park, as well as with Wrexham"s centre of excellence.
