 In December 1989 Third Division club Preston North End tabled a bid of £125,000 which Norwich accepted enabling Flynn to return to his native north-west of England.His time at Preston was, however, a difficult one for although his performances were generally good the club were struggling with some of their better players being sold to boost the club coffers.In his time at Deepdale they sold Tony Ellis, Warren Joyce, Alan Kelly, Martin James, Brian Mooney and Mark Patterson.