Preece began his playing career 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 gaining a Welsh Cup runners-up medal against Cardiff City at Swansea's Vetch in 1988 and helping the Robins to the 1988/89 play off final against Leyton Orient.
He began at Chester as a full back but went on to make his greatest mark as a midfielder.
He left the club in October 1996 after failing to recover,[6] spending the remainder of the season with Conference sides Southport and Telford United.
[9] Preece then coached with the Wrexham-based side Gap Queens Park,[10] as well as with Wrexham's centre of excellence.