To gain first-team experience, Preston joined League Two club Hereford United on a one-month loan on 26 February 2010.[7] He went straight into the starting eleven for the following day's visit to Notts County, which ended in a 5–0 defeat as goalkeeper Chris Adamson and defender Paul Downing were sent off and Preston himself was booked.[8] After three more League Two appearances, the loan was extended for a second month.[9] Preston returned to Birmingham at the end of his second month without making any more first-team appearances for Hereford.[10]
He rejoined Hereford on a Football League youth loan – an arrangement which allows the player to train with and play non-first-team matches for his parent club when not required by the loaning club – in January 2011 until the end of the 2010–11 season.[11] He failed to make a first-team appearance and the loan was ended on 12 April.[12] He was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season.[13]
Preston joined Conference North rivals Barrow on a one-month loan on 18 October 2013,[15] with whom he made five appearances.[16] He was soon loaned out again, joining Stourbridge of the Southern League Premier Division on 28 November.[17] Preston made his debut for Stourbridge two days later in a 7–0 home victory over Weymouth.[18] On 26 April 2014, he won promotion back to the Conference Premier with AFC Telford United at the first time of asking, after they clinched the Conference North title on the final day of the 2013–14 season, beating Gainsborough Trinity 3–0 at the New Bucks Head.[19] Following their promotion, AFC Telford released Preston after three seasons with the club.[20]
Tamworth
Preston signed for newly relegated Conference North team Tamworth on a one-year contract on 9 June 2014.[21]
It was confirmed on 26 August 2017, that Preston had signed for Hereford.[26]
Bromsgrove Sporting (dual registration)
Preston was confirmed as signing on dual registration for Bromsgrove Sporting on 12 January 2018, in a bid to help the player get some game time, and help him return to fitness.[27]
Preston was born in Birmingham, West Midlands,[1] and brought up in the Kings Norton district of the city,[2] where he attended St Thomas Aquinas School. In his final year, he helped the school football team to victory in the final of the 2008 Birmingham City Cup.[35] His stepbrothers James and Mitchell McPike both turned professional with Birmingham City – Mitchell also played for England at under-17 level – but neither played for the first team.[36][37]
