Palace v Fulham 2324 programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace √ fulham

sat 23 sep 2023 15:00 kick-off

palace √ Fulham sat 23 sep | 15:00

05 Briefing

10 chairman 36 eagle eye 42 ben bailey smith 44 justin devenny 52 HISTORY MAKERS 54 FROM THE ARCHIVE 56 RETRO PALACE 62 PALACE FOR LIFE 69 BEAT BRIGHTY 70 stats & results

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U21 Development Mark Bright Chief Operating Officer Sharon Lacey Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber General Counsel David Nichol Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Foz Bowers Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

12 Experience today and enjoy it, don’t get caught up in things that are going on or become worried. It’s just about enjoying the present moment as much as possible

Editor Will Robinson Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer, Lucas Gough

Contributors Ian King, Robin Johnson, Toby Jagmohan, Tommy Macarthur, Doc Brown, Justin Devenny, Peter Rutzler Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Toby Jagmohan, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

contents

palace √ Fulham sat 23 sep | 15:00

SUPPORT FREE-SCORING PALACE WOMEN It’s been a dream start to the Women’s Championship season for Crystal Palace, as a new era at the VBS Community Stadium gets underway – and you can get down to support Laura Kaminski’s side when they take on Sheffield United next Saturday (30th September, 14:00 BST). The Eagles hit a remarkable nine against Durham at the beginning of the month, with both Annabel Blanchard and Elise Hughes bagging hat-tricks – the latter added a fourth in the final

moments. Molly Sharpe and new arrival Hayley Nolan completed the scoring. Unbeaten since the start of the campaign, Palace are getting their push for promotion off to the perfect start – but there are plenty of challenges up ahead, and they need your support as the race for a place in the Women’s Super League intensifies. You can find all the details of Palace’s recent results, upcoming fixtures and details on ticket information by visiting cpfc.co.uk/palace-women – grab your tickets and get behind the team now!

Take back control

On this day 23 Sep 1959

Club partner GAMSTOP, the national online gambling self-exclusion scheme, are encouraging people to #TakeBackControl this week. GAMSTOP is a free, quick and easy-to-use tool which enables supporters to selfexclude from gambling websites for a period of your choosing; find out more at gamstop.co.uk.

One of Palace’s greatest results as the Glaziers put eight goals past Watford. George Smith’s side were boosted by braces from Johnny Roche, Ray Colfar and – of course – Johnny Byrne in an 8-1 win, but somehow Watford would recover and go on to gain promotion in May.

briefing

Welcome to Selhurst Park to Marco Silva, his Fulham team and coaching staff for this afternoon’s match, which we hope will be another enjoyable occasion in south London.

ur defeat at Villa Park was frustrating to watch, especially given how hard the team worked to get themselves into a positive position late on in the game. I was delighted to see the way in which Jean-Philippe and Odsonne combined for our opening goal – it is another sign of the renewed confidence with which they are playing. Confidence is such an important factor in the form of a centre-forward and I hope their continued ability to find the back of the net will stand them in good stead for our upcoming fixtures. It was, of course, disappointing not to be able to be on the touchline for the match, but I thoroughly appreciated all of the messages of support I received from colleagues and supporters. For me, the most important thing was that the players remained focused on the task at hand, and I am hugely grateful to Paddy, Ray and the rest of the coaching staff for stepping up and leading the team at Villa Park. These are two coaches in whom I place an

I was delighted to see the way in which Jean-Philippe and Odsonne combined for our opening goal – it is another sign of the renewed confidence with which they are playing

manager

enormous amount of trust, having worked with Ray for a number of years and having enjoyed a rewarding working relationship with Paddy since my return to the club. The players have been hard at work on the training field this week as we look to get back to winning ways, and I know they will be determined to secure another positive result in front of a raucous home crowd. Congratulations to Jordan and Cheick for qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, and to Ebere, Marc, Sam, Chris, Joachim and Jefferson for representing their countries during the international break. It is always a proud moment when a Crystal Palace player receives

The players have been hard at work on the training field this week as we look to get back to winning ways, and I know they will be determined to secure another positive result in front of a raucous home crowd

manager

international recognition: it is a fantastic achievement for the player, but also reflects positively on the club and the team as a whole. This weekend provides another opportunity for the players to demonstrate their quality against a side that gave us two very tough games last season, before a busy week where we face Manchester United twice at Old Trafford. It is during runs like this where the value of a strong squad is crucial, and I am confident that I will see 100 percent effort from all the players that take part in these three games. Thank you once again for your unwavering support, and I hope you will enjoy this afternoon’s game

After leading for so long at Villa Park, we were all disappointed to come away with nothing last weekend against a difficult Aston Villa side.

e went into the game full of confidence after the international break, and demonstrated that we could go toe-to-toe with one of the in-form sides in the league. It was great to see Odsonne back on the scoresheet – that makes it five already this season – and his combination work with JP is something that I hope the fans could savour for our opening goal. Premier League football is always dictated by such fine margins, and we saw that once again with a tight penalty call going against us in added time. While we were gutted to lose the game so late on, attentions had to turn straight to Fulham this weekend to make sure we can get the points on the board that our performances deserve. Our thoughts were with the manager after the news pre-match, and I want to credit Paddy and Ray for leading the side; I know that there is no one the gaffer would trust more in his absence. Crucially, he would want our full attention to be on the match itself, and so

While we were gutted to lose the game so late on, attentions had to turn straight to Fulham this weekend to make sure we can get the points on the board that our performances deserve

captain

that is exactly how we went into kick-off last weekend. It’s always great to see teammates representing their countries during the international break, and it was great to see Marc and Ebs feature for England – as well as seeing Sam among the squad. Congratulations to Jordan and Cheick on qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, and to Jefferson, Chris and Joachim for their positive results during the break. It’s set to be an action-packed week for us, with two trips to Old Trafford in the League Cup and the Premier League. It’s always difficult playing away at Manchester United, but we have had some really positive results there in the past and we will go into both games full of confidence that we can get a result. In the meantime, we have been hard at work on the training pitch this week in preparation

we have been hard at work on the training pitch this week in preparation for today’s meeting with Fulham. They are a well-organised team packed with individual quality, and we know that we will have to be at our very best to beat them

captain

for today’s meeting with Fulham. They are a well-organised team packed with individual quality, and we know that we will have to be at our very best to beat them – maximum effort is the minimum requirement when playing Premier League football. Back at Selhurst Park, we know we can beat anyone. We earned a fantastic three points against Wolves last time out in south London, and I cannot overstate how important the atmosphere you create is to us as a team. From the minute we emerge from the tunnel to the final whistle, we know you will be right behind us, driving us on from the stands. Make some noise, and I hope we can produce a performance that will get you off your seats and right behind the team. God Bless. JW

chairman

Welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Fulham to Selhurst Park today, and to each and every Crystal Palace supporter here to get behind Roy’s team.

am delighted that Roy is back in the dugout today after missing the match at Villa Park, and I’m sure you will give him a wonderful reception as always. Last Saturday’s result was obviously immensely disappointing, a game that was turned on its head with a very controversial penalty decision – but as Paddy said, we are proud of the team’s effort and performance. There were certainly positives to take from the last week or so, with Tyrick becoming our youngest-ever player to make 100 Premier League appearances – quite a feat at just a few days over the age of 24. Congratulations, Tyrick. Elsewhere, our Under-21s had an impressive away win at Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup, and seven senior players (Jefferson, Chris, Cheick, Ebere, Marc, Joachim and Jordan) secured another cap for their countries – something we should always celebrate. We have two trips to Manchester United in the next week, and I’d like to thank each and every supporter who is making one or two journeys north to support

i am delighted that Roy is back in the dugout today after missing the match at Villa Park, and I’m sure you will give him a wonderful reception as always

chairman

the team – especially in light of yet another train strike on the Saturday. I can assure you that your efforts are very much appreciated. For those of you who can’t join us at Old Trafford this time next week, I encourage you to come along to Sutton to support our Women’s team who have started the season with a bang, as they take on Sheffield United in a rare Saturday afternoon fixture. Away from the pitch, we’ve had an overwhelming response and hundreds of applications to join the new Fan Advisory Board. There will be a shortlist and voting process in the coming weeks to elect five supporter representatives of Season Ticket holders, Gold Members, International Members, seasonal premium hospitality clients and one who regularly travels to away matches. Thank you for joining us today, and throw everything you have behind Roy’s team. Up the Palace!

There are no easy roads to the top, and Ebere Eze’s rise from the cages of south London to England internationals has been chequered with adversity. Here, he explains how football helped him find happiness both on and off the field… Words: Will Robinson

or so many of us, football is more than a sport. It’s an identity. It’s how we strike up conversation at an awkwardly quiet party: ‘Well, who do you support then?’ It’s how we bond instantly with total strangers in the pub, it’s how we overcome language barriers abroad and – let’s be honest – it’s how we manage to decide our dislike for mutual friends and in-laws without yet having got to know them. If someone were to take away our football club, they would be depriving us of a part of ourselves. We might falter in conversations, our very concept of the self stuttering and stumbling on weakened foundations. For those

A big thing people probably don’t understand is that at that age that’s part of your identity. It’s like: ‘I’m Ebere who plays for Arsenal,’ and anywhere you go that’s how you are referred to. That’s how you’re spoken about

who (somehow) live life outside the beautiful game, who remain inexplicably uninfected by the bug that is football, it surely seems pathetic to align so much of life with something so totally out of your control. To those of us lucky enough to be indoctrinated, little could be more important. But, if we’re lucky, we have other things to fall back on. Our families, our friends – work, which can provide a valuable dose of mundanity to soothe the heightened emotions of the weekend. For young football players, however, there are no such easy escapes. The changing fortunes of a team mean everything. It’s a thought that was at the forefront of Ebere Eze’s mind as he ran on to replace Marcus Rashford for his second England cap against Scotland. He knew how far he had Ebere eze

come, and he knew how uncertain it was he would make it. But now, after making his debut in June, he could assume his new identity: Ebere Eze, England international. It could have been so different. When he was barely a teenager, Eze was released by Arsenal and his future was in doubt. It hit hard. “It wasn’t easy,” he remembers. “I signed [for Arsenal] when I was eight or nine, and got released at 13. That was probably the hardest release because that was all I knew at the time. “A big thing people probably don’t understand is that at that age that’s part of your identity. It’s like: ‘I’m Ebere who plays for Arsenal,’ and anywhere you go that’s how you are referred to. That’s how you’re spoken about. So the moment you get released it’s like: ‘OK that’s a big part of me that’s just left.’”

that’s a big part of me that’s just left Ebere eze

I was playing cage football for a long time Ebere eze

It’s a challenge we don’t often appreciate for young academy prospects: that search for identity and meaning. Growing up playing football in south London was where Eze felt free and unburdened, and now that very escape was leaving him behind. “I was playing cage football for a long time,” he says. “Even in academies whilst I was training, I would still go back to the cages and play with friends. That’s where football is most enjoyable, and it’s probably where I learned most of how I play as well. It’s a big part of me, definitely. “Ball control, being able to run past players, handling the ball in tight spaces, being able to get knocked by bigger players and getting up. It’s literally doing what you can to be as effective as you can be in harsh circumstances. For

Ball control, being able to run past players, handling the ball in tight spaces, being able to get knocked by bigger players and getting up. It’s literally doing what you can to be as effective as you can be in harsh circumstances

Ebere eze

sure, that’s built me and helped me become the player I am today. “I’m grateful for where I grew up and the things I saw and experienced, because they have shaped me. We would play football every single day after school: just walk down the hill into a cage and put our bags down, put our jumpers down and everyone is just playing. It’s those moments that you don’t realise are your first bit of education as a footballer, so it’s hugely important.” After his release from Arsenal, Eze bounced around a number of clubs before settling at Queens Park Rangers. It was here he spotted a possible new identity for himself. Rather than just enjoying his football as an escape, he could turn it into a career. “I don’t think I understood what it meant to be professional

until I was 16- or 17-years-old,” he admits. “It was when I started to see players progressing into the Under-21s and realising: ‘Oh, those are professionals as well and they are trying to get into the first-team’. Before that, honestly, it was just about enjoying football. “That’s all I wanted to do all the time. I wanted to enjoy and to play and run past people. I just loved football so much. It wasn’t until that point that I thought: ‘OK, cool, there is actually something that can come from this.’” It was some education, and it helped Eze turn professional. But then, after a rapid rise at QPR and then at Palace, a second setback: an Achilles injury ruling him out for almost a year and costing him a first England call-up. It was a sobering moment. “It was a weird day – I had never experienced a big injury like that before,” he says. “You see yourself get quite close [to England] and then dropping quite far away from it because of how long it takes to get back fit. “Initially, for sure, that was the driving force: ‘Listen, that’s the level I want to get back to’. But after a while when you can’t walk it’s like: ‘OK, I just want to walk, I just want to run’.” A footballer unable to play football. Another identity crisis. “Mentally it’s probably the most challenging thing. Being able to play is something you miss so much when you’re injured. You don’t realise how big a part of your life it is. But again, I look back on it and I see that I have grown as a person,

That’s all I wanted to do all the time. I wanted to enjoy and to play and run past people. I just loved football so much. It wasn’t until that point that I thought: ‘OK, cool, there is actually something that can come from this’

Ebere eze

and not just as a football player – I know I have improved there – but more so as a person. “I can see myself in a different light now and I know that I wouldn’t be this person if it wasn’t for that experience.” Eze’s message is one of hope: once again, obstacles can be overcome with sheer hard work and dedication. However, his focus isn’t on himself. As he sees it, success should be shared – but not for personal gain. It’s why, when making deliveries for local food banks, he declines to make a song and dance about his charity work. “I think it’s better that way when no one realises what is going on,” he explains. “I’m not doing it because I want people to know, I’m doing it because that is what I felt convicted to do at the time. For

I wouldn’t be this person if it wasn’t for that experience Ebere eze

It’s just about enjoying the present moment as much as possible Ebere eze

my church we would deliver food to different houses and people in difficult situations. “For me, I try to do that as something personal and something that is for myself – obviously if people find out they find out, and there is not really anything you can do.” We won’t go into specifics, because it is personal to Eze himself. But it belies a selfless attitude that defines him as both a player and a person. If he can inspire the next generation, then that is a triumph in itself. “My brothers and the people around me, we always speak about it and we understand that what we do now is not necessarily

We think about inspiring people. If you can inspire people, you can help people to become the best version of themselves. That’s more important than any accolade or reward or whatever you receive yourself

the most important,” he explains. “We think about inspiring people. If you can inspire people, you can help people to become the best version of themselves. That’s more important than any accolade or reward or whatever you receive yourself. That’s how I see my life [and] that’s how I see the position that I’m in, and I’m grateful to be able to do it. “The people that are being inspired by the story, the people that are looking at their current situations and seeing: ‘OK, cool, this is someone that has gone through adversity and this is how to come out of it.’ I feel like that’s a huge thing. It’s less about myself and more about the people that are looking at the story and inspiring and motivating people to make something of themselves too.” Ebere eze

It becomes clear listening to Eze that, through football, he has found an identity that allows him to feel free both on the field and off it. He is Ebere Eze, Premier League star. He is Ebere Eze, England international. But his focus is not turned inwards. Instead, it is aimed at enjoying every minute, and helping others to find their identity too. “To be honest, every day I am always looking back,” he concludes. “I’m not looking back as in living in the past, but looking back just for gratitude and to understand that you’ve come so far. Experience today and enjoy it, don’t get caught up in things that are going on or become worried. It’s just about enjoying the present moment as much as possible, because of where you have come from.”

the follow -up

This season, we’re putting your questions to members of the Palace squad. To have a chance of seeing your question answered by a first-team star, just head to cpfc.co.uk and submit your burning enquiries…

Ebere eze

How has your faith impacted on your football? Gerry Kilsby For me, one of the main things is my faith in God, so I believe that as long as I work hard and apply myself, what will happen will happen. I trust that the plan He has for me is the best. I’m just grateful that it ended up in a professional contract and me playing football, enjoying the job that I do and being able to express myself every weekend. It is honestly something that I can’t put into words, how great it is.

Who was your favourite player when you were younger and why? George Kimpton I think from a young age watching YouTube videos of Ronaldinho, that’s always been stuff that I used to do with my brothers. I’ve always loved skills, I’ve loved tricks and I’ve loved running past players, so that’s a huge part of the player I am. That’s what built a passion and a love for football for sure.

What is your prematch music playlist? David Owen Amapiano, I’m into that right now. I don’t know what it is about that type of music but it just gets you feeling something. I listen to a lot of gospel as well, so I mix those two throughout. the follow-up

What is your goal celebration? Sam Wilson Some of them you plan before. I’ve got friends, my boys and my brothers saying: ‘You’ve got to do this!’ You’ve got them in your mind, but it’s about whatever feels right at the time. You try to control yourself and compose yourself so you can think of what to do but sometimes it’s too much!

Got a question? Scan Here

SHARE GOOD TIMES WITH

GREAT PILSNER GRAB A BEER THAT’S CRISP, BRIGHT AND REFRESHING

1728976 Brooklyn Pilsner_Crystal Palace FC_Awareness Adver_Sept 2023_A6L_V1.indd 1

with special guest

Gary Issott Crystal Palace F.C.’s Academy Director 11:30 – 16:00 // Thursday 30th November 2023 Selhurst Park • • •

Hear from the man behind 16 years of Academy graduates Network with dozens of regional businesses Enjoy three-course dining, wine and an optional stadium tour

SEARCH: CPFC Business Club

01/09/2023 12:42

fulham

fulham Opposition preview After a turbulent transfer window, Fulham will be glad to turn their full focus back to the weekly grind of Premier League action with a settled and – given the circumstances – ambitious squad. With speculation around the future of manager Marco Silva quashed, the visitors were rocked by the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi side Al Hilal, after six successful seasons at the club scoring 111 goals. They looked poised to lose talismanic defensive midfielder João Palhinha, too, before a deal to sell the Brazilian to Bayern Munich collapsed at the last minute. On the pitch, results have been mixed – but there are positive signs. The club have kept

this season pos

pts

Top Scorer five players (1) Most assists Harrison Reed (1)

fulham

Willian, added Raúl Jiménez, Adama Traoré, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, and victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton this season have demonstrated their quality. Even more telling was their recovery from a goal down away at Arsenal, despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men. A 5-1 defeat at Manchester City was humbling, although VAR controversy surrounding Man City’s second goal will still rankle with the game finely balanced heading into half-time. Now, with a tough run approaching – including fixtures against Spurs, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea by the start of November – Fulham must show the same fight and determination that secured them a top-half finish last season.

Manager marco silva Silva’s confidence in his Fulham project was underlined when he turned down a series of enormously lucrative approaches from Saudi Arabia this summer, determined to improve on last season’s top-half finish. This is his seventh season in the English game, having managed Hull City, Watford and Everton in the past.

fulham

Starting xi

1-0 fulham √ luton town Sat 16 sep / craven cottage

subs

b. leno

m. rodÁk

k. tete

c. bassey

i. diop

t. cairney

t. ream

f. ballo-touré

t. castagne

b. de cordova-reid

h. reed

r. muniz

j. palhinha

a. iwobi

a. pereira

c. vinícius

h. wilson

t. francois

r. jiménez

willian

goal cards

subs

pos res

oppo

Recent matches

0-3

2-2

p1-1

5-1

1-0

n/a

9th

Recent meetings

BOOT IN BOTH CAMPS joachim andersen Andersen made 31 Fulham appearances on loan in 2020/21, scoring once but leaving Craven Cottage after relegation. He joined Palace in 2021 from Lyon.

2 february 2019 Selhurst Park

24 october 2020 craven cottage

28 february 2021 selhurst park

26 december 2022 Selhurst Park

20 may 2023 craven cottage

fulham

briefing What’s the story? Founded by worshippers as St Andrew’s Church Sunday School in 1879 – just 18 years after Crystal Palace – Fulham began their days in the local West London League, initially wearing red and white. They moved to Craven Cottage in 1896, a stadium steeped in history. The cottage itself was built in 1780 by William Craven, the sixth Baron Craven, and stood on the old hunting grounds of Anne Boleyn; Queen Victoria, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Florence Nightingale are among the famous names reputed to have stayed there. Soon enough it was a fully fledged footballing arena, and Fulham duly joined the Football League in 1907. The return of football after the Second World War saw Fulham rise to the First Division, although they initially struggled. Then arrived one of the club’s most influential figures,

Johnny Haynes (more on him later), known as Mr Fulham, who made his debut in 1950 and would dominate the club for almost two decades. Fulham reached the 1958 FA Cup semi-finals, but lost to a makeshift Manchester United side in the wake of the Munich Air Disaster; they wouldn’t reach the showpiece at Wembley until 1975, losing to West Ham. The 1970s saw the arrival of former stars at the end of their careers, including Bobby Moore and George Best, but financial struggles throughout the 1980s and subsequent relegations meant the prospect of glory seemed further away than ever. Mohamed Al-Fayed’s takeover in 1997 sparked a new era – think Michael Jackson statue – but the club continued to struggle, even in the Premier League, until the arrival of a certain Roy Hodgson. Then, everything changed. Season

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

championship

premier leaGue

2012/13

fulham

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

the greatest manager Who else but Roy Hodgson? While the Europa League final stands as a towering achievement, Fulham’s ‘great escape’ of 2007/08 often goes overlooked. By the new year, they had won just two of their opening 20 league games, and Hodgson took over what looked to be a sinking ship – but soon they began to turn it around. Four wins from their last five, including a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down at the Etihad, saw them stay up on goal difference.

4-1 fulham √ juventus europa league 18 mar 2010 / craven cottage

Down 3-1 from the first leg in Turin, Fulham’s European dream looked to be over when David Trezeguet scored early on at Craven Cottage. The Italian giants boasted Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Grosso among their ranks, but something special was in the air. After Bobby Zamora equalised, Zoltan Gera struck twice to bring the tie level, before Clint Dempsey produced the finest of chips from outside the area to secure Fulham’s most famous win.

fulham

johnny haynes Nicknamed ‘The Maestro’, Johnny Haynes made 658 appearances for Fulham across an 18-year career, scoring 158 times. He also made 56 appearances for England – 22 as captain – and featured at three World Cups. After his death in 2005, the ‘Johnny Haynes Stand’ was opened at Craven Cottage, while a statue was unveiled in 2008.

17 02 03 kenny tete

calvin bassey

pos

defender

pos

defender

nat

netherlands

nat

nigeria

age

04 12

bernd leno

tosin adarabioyo

goalkeeper germany age

height

6ft 2in

joined

2022

from

pos

defender

nat age

fodÉ ballo-tourÉ pos

defender

england

nat

senegal

age

A full Germany international, Leno joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen and spent four years at the Emirates making more than 120 appearances before joining Fulham. He is approaching 150 Premier League games.

tim ream pos

defender

nat

united states

age

Ream has won 52 caps for the United States, graduating from Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls to join Bolton in 2012, before signing for Fulham in 2015 where he has made more than 300 appearances.

fulham

21 10

tom cairney pos

midfielder

nat

scotland

age

Twice a member of the PFA Championship Team of the Year, Cairney has won promotion to the Premier League three times with Fulham and is approaching his 300th appearance for the club.

timothy castagne

31 33 issa diop

DEFENDER belgium age

height

6ft 1in

joined

2023

from An FA Cup winner with Leicester in 2021, Casatagne has 35 caps for Belgium and joined Fulham this summer, following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship. He made his debut against Manchester City this month.

antonee robinson

pos

defender

pos

defender

nat age

france

nat

united states

age

06 14 harrison reed

bobby de cordova-reid

pos

midfielder

pos

midfielder

nat

england

nat

jamaica

age

fulham

raúl jimÉnez pos

FORWARD

nat

mexico

age

Mexico’s 100-cap hero, Jiménez arrived at Molineux from Benfica and recovered from a fractured skull to make his return to Premier League football. He scored 57 goals for Wolves before joining Fulham this summer.

26 28 Bjoão palhinha

andreas pereira

sasa lukic

pos

MIDFIELDER

nat age

MIDFIELDER

pos

MIDFIELDER

portugal

nat

serbia

age

35 38 tyrese francois

luke harris

pos

MIDFIELDER

pos

midfielder

nat

australia

nat

wales

age

fulham

braziL age

height

5ft 10in

joined

2022

from Coming through Manchester United’s academy and making 75 appearances for the club before leaving permanently for Fulham, Pereira has developed into a top midfielder and made his Brazil debut in 2018.

08 19 20 harry wilson

rodrigo muniz

pos

forward

pos

FORWARD

nat

wales

nat

brazil

age

22 30 willian alex iwobi

carlos vinÍcius

pos

midfielder

nat age

FORWARD

pos

FORWARD

nigeria

nat

brazil

age

adama traorÉ pos

FORWARD

nat

spain

age

The Barcelona academy graduate returned to his boyhood club on loan from Wolves in 2022, making 11 appearances at the Camp Nou. He joined Fulham on a permanent deal this summer.

fulham

BRAZIL age

height

5ft 9in

joined

2022

from Willian made a dramatic return to England with Fulham, having left Arsenal to return to his native Brazil in 2021. He won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a Europa League and a League Cup with Chelsea.

SAT 7 OCT 17:30 K.O.

EXPERIENCE QUALITY SERVICE IN SOUTH LONDON • MODERN DINING & INCLUSIVE DRINKS • RUB SHOULDERS WITH LEGENDS • PERSONAL SERVICE

GET IN TOUCH 020 8768 601 1

SALES@CPFC.CO.UK arsenal

SCAN ME

Stat zone

Fulham won this exact fixture 3-0 last season but haven’t won consecutive away league games against Crystal Palace since a run of three between 1974 and 1978.

02 14

midfielder

João Palhinha

Apps

Goals

shots

Apps

goals

ASSISTS

passes

1084

passes per match

16.68

accurate long balls

shots

shot accuracy

34%

free-kicks scored

crosses

tackles

tackle success

60%

played 10 4

goals

penalties won

penalties scored

clean sheets

yellow cards

red cards

23/24 season goals 6

23%

passes

1402

passes per match

36.89

accurate long balls

tackles

159

tackle success

55%

interceptions

duels won

301

clearances

shots 75 46

shot accuracy 39% 28%

passes per match 406.8 489.8

clean sheets 1 2

tackles 102 66

fulham

forward

harry wilson

shot accuracy

Eagle Eye Peter Rutzler joined the Athletic in 2019 and covers both Fulham and Paris SaintGermain. Here, he gives us the perspective from Craven Cottage…

Who is the key player – and whose contribution flies under the radar? Palhinha is Fulham's most important player and that applied last year too, even with Mitrovic. He's a fierce tackler and dominant presence in midfield. He provides insurance for the back line and he elevates his teammates when he plays. Bernd Leno is the player who flies under the radar, though. He has made an enormous contribution since signing, arguably the best performing goalkeeper outside of the big clubs, and his saves have won Fulham games on their own (including against Everton this season).

What have you made of Fulham’s start to the season so far?

What would constitute a successful campaign at Craven Cottage?

All things considered, Fulham have started the season well. Their fixtures before the international break were tough, including Brentford, Manchester City and Arsenal, while the noise around the club during the transfer window has been a big distraction. Yet, they still have seven points on the board heading to Selhurst Park and their squad seems in a better place now.

Another mid-table finish would be a successful campaign for Fulham. They are trying to reclaim the 'stable Premier League club' mantra after swapping it for a 'yo-yo' status over the past decade, so back-to-back comfortable finishes would be a success. Last year it looked like they may sneak into a European spot, but that would be quite an achievement this time around without Mitrovic.

How would you rate Fulham’s transfer business – particularly after losing Mitrovic so late on? Fulham's transfer window was solid in the end, but not spectacular or particularly ambitious. Concerns remain, especially in attack without Aleksandar Mitrovic. Raul Jiménez has joined and has shown promising signs, but his goal record in recent seasons has not been strong. He has big boots to fill. That aside, Fulham have improved the quality of their squad depth, particularly in defence, and crucially they kept João Palhinha. His influence at Fulham is enormous. Who is a name for the future to keep an eye on? Calvin Bassey has just signed for Fulham from Ajax and he looks poised to form the long-term future of the back line. Beyond him, Fulham have a couple of exciting academy prospects nearing a more regular first team role. Striker Jay Stansfield, now on loan at Birmingham, is one for the future and so too is 18-year-old Luke Harris. He should see more minutes this year, and his eye for goal from midfield will make him stand out. fulham

We meet again From memorable meetings to tense transfers to shared stories, Palace have their own personal tale to tell for each of our Premier League opposition this season. Here, a Palace prodigy comes full circle…

FROM UNDERSTUDY TO STAR When Crystal Palace discovered a 21-year-old Ronnie Rooke playing for his hometown club Guildford City – deputising for Woking – they thought they had found their new No. 9. He was a lethal centreforward with the ability to score with either foot; he possessed a fearsome shot that would trouble even the most talented goalkeepers in the division. Unfortunately, he was the right man in the right place – but at the wrong time. His first spell at the club saw him play as understudy to Peter Simpson, Palace’s record goalscorer and a man nobody could dislodge from the starting XI.

Despite scoring more than 150 times for the reserves, his appearances were limited, and after making his debut in December 1933 he featured only 18 times across four seasons, scoring six goals. After Simpson left, the club turned to more proven league players. In stepped Fulham. In October 1936, the west London outfit paid £300 for Rooke’s services and he immediately began to fulfil his potential. He netted a hat-trick on his debut against West Ham United and went on to become their top goalscorer in every pre-war League season – even claiming a double hat-trick in a 6-0 FA Cup victory over Bury in January 1939. During the Second World War, Rooke continued to play and in 1942 gained a wartime international cap for England against Wales. When the Football League resumed, he continued where he left off and, despite being 35-years-old, he was purchased by Arsenal for £1,000 and two players in exchange. The following season, in 1947, he helped the Gunners to the league title and claimed top scorer with 33 goals. In the summer of 1949, Rooke returned to Selhurst Park as playermanager – finally, he was the main man in south London. He took the fulham

club from re-election to seventh place in Division Three South, scoring 21 goals, including a hattrick in a 6-0 demolition of Brighton. Larger crowds came along to Selhurst Park and the players gained the nickname: Rooke’s Regiment. A disastrous start to the 1950/51 season led to Ronnie leaving the club at the end of November, and he went on to be player-manager at clubs further down the pyramid. After leaving football he took employment in public relations with the brewers Whitbread, and passed away in June 1985.

‘It’ is discrimination, in all its forms. Racism. Homophobia, Misogyny. Disablism. If you have seen it or heard it, follow the QR code to report it to Kick It Out. Together, we can put an end to it.

Take action today at kickitout.org arsenal

THROUGH THE LENS

ASTON VILLA V PALACE

through the lens

JOIN THE CLUB

arsenal

ben bailey-smith

Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, does it all – acting, rapping, writing, directing, you name it. The multifaceted Palace fan is also a patron of Palace for Life Foundation. In each edition, he offers his unique take on the world in SE25...

A WARD WINNER Here’s my excuse: maybe I was still basking in the feverish glow of Kevin Phillips’ penalty kick hitting the back of Watford’s net, even though it was a full 15 minutes and an extra-time half earlier. Being too tense to sit, I stood alone on a break from filming in Salford Quays, watching the 2013 Play Off Final on a big screen in a wine bar with precisely zero football fans inside. Maybe it was the desperation for the final whistle to blow, maybe it was the ongoing embarrassment of shouting at a screen in front of middle-aged couples enjoying a romantic bank holiday glass of prosecco. Maybe it was a combination of all of those things, but the fact is I somehow missed the moment that the ball was heroically cleared off of the Palace goal line with a mere 120 seconds left on the clock. The final whistle blew, I ran out into a typically Mancunian downpour and performed a celebration not dissimilar to Andy Dufresne’s on his emergence from the sewer system of Shawshank State Prison. Off I

Maybe it was a combination of all of those things, but the fact is I somehow missed the moment that the ball was heroically cleared off of the Palace goal line with a mere 120 seconds left on the clock

ben bailey-smith

went on my summer holidays, up we went to the Premier League and the rest, as they say, is history. A decade of life in the top division has very much left our Championship days in the rear-view mirror, with specific memories getting cloudier with every passing season. These are the mitigating factors to cover my shame at forgetting that the difference between 10 years of Premier League stability and languishing in the Championship perhaps forever more was arguably down to one man. Joel Edward Philip Ward. What’s your excuse? And I don’t specifically mean for missing or forgetting that goal line clearance, but more generally for underappreciating a man who, at this point, basically IS Crystal Palace? With Wilf gone and more than 300 appearances under his belt, the guy is a Selhurst legend, yet I’ve always had this nagging feeling that we take him for granted. I can’t even say I’ve heard a chant for him in the stands! Madness. I say: NO MORE. I’m crowning today as the inaugural Joel Ward Day, a full 11 years on from his debut. Who else has shared the full journey of the modern history of our club? Who else’s loyalty has never wavered for a second? I just can’t think of anyone I want to hear speak about us to the world more than Joel. And in this age of footballers whose self-importance can regularly seem to outweigh their actual sporting contribution, how refreshing is it to witness the humility of a guy who has every right to throw his seniority around like an unpinned hand grenade? Not his style.

the guy is a Selhurst legend, yet I’ve always had this nagging feeling that we take him for granted. I can’t even say I’ve heard a chant for him in the stands! I had the pleasure of working with Joel when I directed a promo video for the Palace for Life Foundation. I’d had the idea of having some of stars playing less familiar roles (Guéhi as a lollipop man, Eze as a barber) as a silly way of saying to young people that everyone is amazing in their own right, no matter ben bailey-smith

their profession. I ummed and ahhed about who I was going to cast as what. For a while I was veering towards making Ebs a breakdancing busker and Wilf the manager of a chicken shop – both tough sells to be honest. But I never wavered on Joel – he was going to be a greengrocer. Now, I’m going to tell you something so unsurprising that it really doesn’t even need to be said: getting footballers to act is not easy. I mean, just securing a take where Wilf didn’t look at the camera was one of the toughest challenges in my career. When Joel arrived, I gave him a flat cap, an apron and a working grocery stall in the centre of Surrey Street Market and he was so keen, such a natural that – and I’m saying this with not a single ounce of exaggeration – he genuinely sold a bunch of bananas to someone. He wasn’t just convincing, he was an utter joy from start to finish. Not only the nicest Palace player I’ve ever met, but the nicest footballer I’ve ever met, full stop. And perhaps that’s part of the problem. It’s always that mouthy, disruptive kid in class who garners all the attention from the teacher. The good kids just crack on, often with a distinct lack of recognition. So today I’m raising a glass to one of the good guys. And you know what? I’ve even written a chant for him – and about time too. Join me, in the tune of the yuletide classic, Noël: Jo-el, Jo-el JO-EL, JO-ELLLL Ward is the King of the Eagles’ Defence! And repeat

It’s an exciting time to be coming through the Academy at Crystal Palace – each week, hear from one of the next generation on their journey so far…

i justin devenny Age

Joined

Under-21s

Position

Midfielder Career highlight so far

Winning the Scottish League One play-offs with Airdrieonians, scoring against Falkirk in the semi-final. Take note of Devenny is a technical midfielder who enjoys receiving the ball in the middle of the park and picking passes for his teammates.

justin devenny

was absolutely delighted to join Palace. It’s a big step up from Airdrieonians, but the facilities are amazing and I’m really looking forward to it. I was itching to get here when I found out Palace were interested. It took a wee while with the procedures and medicals, but I’m just so happy to get it all done and sign for Palace. Coming through the ranks, I have always been a midfielder. I started as more of a defensive midfielder when I was younger, but as I have progressed through the age groups I have grown into the role as a No. 8. I like to get on the ball as much as I can, keep the ball, thread passes through and create chances for my teammates. I was at Kilmarnock from the age of about four or five. I played right through the Kilmarnock Academy before joining Airdrie, initially on loan and then on a permanent basis last season. It led to one of my favourite moments of my career so far, which was playing for Airdrie and helping them win the Scottish League One play-offs.

I scored against Falkirk in the first leg – we beat them over two legs in the semi-final – and then played as we went on to beat Hamilton Academical in the final on penalties. It was intense, but it was such a good moment for my career.

Justin was someone we were made aware of last season after he established himself in the promotionwinning team at Airdrieonians. He has played firstteam football from an early age, and joins our exciting Under-21s squad to provide competition in the midfield area Gary Issott Academy Director

I am just buzzing for the season ahead. I’m delighted to be here: the pitch is magnificent and I am really looking forward to continuing to work with the boys and the coaches. I really think we can challenge for the league title At international level, I have been away with Northern Ireland Under-21s. It is a big achievement to be involved at that level, so I just need to keep building on that. Palace did well in the league last season, both at first-team level and with the Under-21s. We will be looking to build on that progress from last season. The Under-21s in particular have started the season strongly with a good win against Manchester United and hopefully we’ll be up there challenging at the top of the league again. justin devenny

Looking to the future, I am just buzzing for the season ahead. I’m delighted to be here: the pitch is magnificent and I am really looking forward to continuing to work with the boys and the coaches. I really think we can challenge for the league title. You have got to be the one that wants it the most. You have got to be the one that puts in the hours and that’s what I’m here to do. It sounds so simple, but the best bit of advice that I have received is to keep working hard, and that is what I aim to do. My family has been with me since day one and my mum has taken me everywhere I go. I just want to make her and my family proud in my time here

After getting their league campaigns off to a dramatic start in August, Palace’s Academy sides have turned their attention to the various cup competitions in September – both domestically and in Europe...

Up for the cup Rob Quinn’s young Eagles got off to the best possible start in the Under-18s Premier League Cup, thrashing Liverpool 6-1 at Copers Cope in their opening group game. Palace ran riot against the Merseyside outfit, with goals from Hindolo Mustapha, George King and Jesse Derry complementing a hat-trick from Zach Marsh – the latter claiming his second treble of the campaign, after a trio of goals on the opening day in a 5-0 win against Southampton. Derry, who won the club’s Goal of the Month award for August for his well-taken strike against Reading, has also been in fine form, scoring five goals in his first four games of the new campaign. The Premier League Cup format sees Palace compete in the group stage against one side from the Premier League South and two from the Premier League North, with the group winners progressing to the quarter-finals. The Under-18s currently sit top of their group, with Newcastle United and Fulham still to come.

Although Marsh and co. will be looking to win their group in order to progress to the quarterfinals, there is a reprieve if their fortunes should change: the seven group winners are joined in the last eight by the best performing runner-up. This is decided by total points, then goal difference, followed by head-to-head record. Quinn’s side narrowly missed out on qualification for the quarterfinals last season on goal difference, though they did manage to beat rivals Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0. Academy

Darren Powell’s Under-21s are also in cup action across three different competitions this month. Their Premier League Cup campaign, which kicked off with a 6-2 win against Middlesbrough, is structured more like the UEFA Champions League: Palace will play their group opponents home and away, with the top two in each group progressing to the last 16. As well as a return fixture against Middlesbrough, the Eagles will take on Birmingham City and Ipswich Town in a bid

to reach the knockout stage. Both Birmingham and Ipswich are Category 2 sides, meaning they compete in the Professional Development League one tier below Palace, and will provide a different style of opposition from the regular league calendar. Although they started with two away wins, the Under-21s narrowly missed out on the knock-out stage of the Premier League Cup last time out, finishing two points off a place in the top two of the group. Unfamiliar opposition combined with the midweek travel required for the away fixtures will provide valuable experience for Darren Powell’s side, representative of what is experienced at firstteam level; this is the precise intention of the Games Programme for the Under-21s. The beginning of the EFL Trophy campaign provides an even tougher test still, as Palace’s young prospects come up against seasoned professionals competing week in, week out in the Football League. Powell’s side have been drawn in a tricky group with League One sides Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage, as well as AFC Wimbledon from League Two. Palace kicked off against Wycombe on Tuesday night, before facing Wimbledon and Stevenage on consecutive midweeks in November. The EFL Trophy is contested by the first-teams of the 48 clubs in League One and League Two along with 16 Category 1 sides, bringing

Palace will host Spanish giants Athletic club at the end of the month, before welcoming AS Monaco, Benfica and Feyenoord to south London. Can they provide another European adventure this season?

the total number of teams in the competition to 64. Finally, there is the small matter of European football to consider: the Premier League International Cup begins at the end of the month. After impressing on their debut in the competition last season, finishing runners-up to PSV Eindhoven after extra time at Selhurst Park, the Under-21s will be looking to go one better this time around. In the run to the final last season, they recorded results that will live long in the memory, such as the 7-3 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain, the last-gasp 2-1 win against Sporting Braga and the semi-final penalty shootout success at Selhurst against Valencia Mestalla. Palace will host Spanish giants Athletic Club at the end of the month, before welcoming AS Monaco, Benfica and Feyenoord to south London. Can they provide another European adventure this season?

academy

Four games unbeaten at the start of 2023/24, Crystal Palace Women head coach Laura Kaminski has been pleased with her side’s overall progress in the opening weeks of the season, but knows there is still plenty of work left to do…

Last weekend, the Eagles looked set for a third win from their opening four games of the Women’s Championship season, with Elise Hughes’ early header putting them ahead until a Sunderland free-kick, headed home in the dying stages, saw the points shared. Nevertheless, eight points from four matches – and third place in the table – represents a strong start for Palace, who have adapted well to new management, new players and a new home ground this season.

Kaminski: “It’s been a really positive month for the group,” Kaminski confirmed. “The players have been great. “Let’s not forget all the changes we’ve made with new recruits, myself and a new staff team coming in, so it’s been really important to embed a new philosophy. They’ve reacted really well. “We want clean sheets and we want to work towards that, so we’ll work hard to get that over the line after the international break. We’re disappointed to have conceded late on against Sunderland, but it’s a reminder that we can’t switch off. “We need to be focused and engaged in the game and there are teams who can punish us if our shape off the ball is wrong.” Despite playing just shy of 300

miles away from home, Palace were once again backed by a vocal contingent of travelling supporters in the North-East. Kaminski added: “The fans have been great. We’ve got to know them at Sutton, and we can hear them when we’re all the way up in the North-East at Sunderland. I just want to say thank you to all of the travelling fans who went, because it’s a long way from home and we really appreciate their support.”

everett: Captain Aimee Everett added: “It was a tough one to take, conceding late on, but at the start of the season we would’ve taken four games unbeaten, so it’s something to take confidence from and draw the positives from, rather than negatives. women

“We didn’t play how we wanted to play, but we ground it out and got the point in the end, which is good. “Going into the international break and leading up to Sheffield United, we’re just going to regroup, focus on this game and reflect on what we can fix from it.” Following the international break, Palace return to action against Sheffield United at the VBS Community Stadium on Saturday, 30th September (14:00 BST). Tickets are available via cpfc.co.uk. Tickets are also available for the Eagles’ home matches against London City Lionesses on Sunday, 15th October (14:00 BST) and Lewes on Sunday, 12th November (14:00 GMT).

Age 17 Position Midfielder Nationality English Signed

lexi potter

2023 - Chelsea (loan)

Arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea, 17-year-old Lexi Potter recently captained England to the UEFA Under-17s Euros semi-finals before becoming the youngest-ever female professional player in the country.

We caught up with Lexi after she completed her move…

It’s fantastic to welcome Lexi. We’re excited to work with her to further her – and the club’s – progression together laura kaminski

How have you found life at Palace so far? It’s been really good. It’s a different experience, which is good for me not only as a player, but also as a person. It’ll help me a lot to become more mature, and it’s good to just be around new people in new surroundings. I’ve had a few training sessions and really enjoyed them. It’s hard work, but they’re very good and very detailed sessions. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead. Which players do you model your game on? Someone I look up to is Jude Bellingham. At such a young age,

to be able to play as well as he can and the way he plays as well… he’s definitely someone I look up to. How did it feel to become the youngest-ever professional female player in England? It’s just amazing – an amazing feeling to be able to make history. It just motivates me to keep pushing on, and hopefully it will be helpful for others looking to do it as well. How would you describe your experience with England over the summer? It was an amazing experience. I was very honoured to be able lexi potter

to do that at a Euros finals. It was a great opportunity. It was disappointing to be knocked out in the semi-finals, but it’s a learning curve, and I think it’s made me more motivated than ever. How would you best describe your game? I’d say I like to play the role of a No. 8 – a box-to-box midfielder, getting up and down, playing passes wide and getting forward into the box. I’d say I’m a very hard-working player who gives it their all and works their socks off. I’m really passionate in everything I do, and I always like to give my best.

APSLEY

For more than 150 years, Palace have paved a way into the history books, navigating wild misadventures, cult heroes, political and social changes and all the ups and downs that come with them. Step back into another world…

RETRO PALACE

History Makers Palace players past and tantalising titbits from eras gone by: club historian Ian King takes us through the wacky, weird and wonderful history of Crystal Palace one new tale at a time.

malcolm macdonald

s a young boy, Malcolm Macdonald lived in a road close to Craven Cottage. Naturally, he supported Fulham. He started playing football with Tonbridge Angels, and in May 1968 was invited to join the Crystal Palace Youth squad for a tournament in the Netherlands. Macdonald featured in all five games as Palace won the competition, beating clubs like Feyenoord and Tottenham. Palace were the first British club to lift the trophy – Spurs had tried six times! Everything had been agreed for Macdonald to sign for Palace – but then Fulham manager Bobby Robson stepped in. The allure was too much for the youngster to refuse: the club he had supported as a child, where his former Tonbridge manager Harry Haslam

was working as a scout. The Cottagers had just been relegated from Division One and were struggling for goals and points in Division Two, so they began trying Malcolm at centre-forward. When the fixture list for the 1968/69 season was published, Fulham were at home to Palace on the same Saturday afternoon that QPR were playing Chelsea in a First Division game, so both clubs agreed to hold the contest the previous Friday evening, the 13th September. Palace were the leading scorers in the division at the time, but would be missing new left winger Colin Taylor; he was replaced by teenager Phil Hoadley in his first starting role, drafted in to shadow Johnny Haynes. Struggling Fulham gave Macdonald his first start in the team. history makers

It was an evening to forget for Palace fans as the team put in an uncharacteristically poor performance. Of course, Macdonald scored the only goal of the game, rounding John Jackson after a long punt upfield by the Fulham ‘keeper caused havoc amongst the Palace defenders. At the end of the season, with Fulham relegated and Palace going up, Macdonald left Fulham for Luton Town. His career flourished, becoming a renowned and prolific goalscorer with Newcastle United, Arsenal and England. Standing on the Hammersmith end with my Fulham supporting school friend, little did we realise that Friday evening we were seeing ‘Supermac’ score his first of 191 league goals…

debuts and curtain calls Defender and captain Ian Evans suffered a bad leg break at home to Fulham in October 1977 that would end his Palace playing career, but he would return to Selhurst Park in 1984 to become Steve Coppell’s first assistant manager. Kevin Phillips and Jose Campaña both appeared in Palace shirts for the last time against Fulham in October 2013, in what was a very chastening experience for the Eagles. The following May, Wayne Hennessey made his debut in goal while former Fulham player Kagisho Dikgacoi bade farewell. In the first game of the 2018/19 season, Cheikhou Kouyaté came off the bench for his first Palace appearance.

Steve Coppell and Ian Evans at Selhurst Park, 1984

brief encounters Nelson Football Club was established in 1882, a founder member of the Lancashire League and subsequently a founder member of Football League Division Three North in 1921. In 1922/23, the club was promoted to Division Two and would play alongside Crystal Palace for just one season. On successive Saturdays in October 1923 the two met, with a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park followed by the Lancashire side

Weird and wonderful In the current age in the Premier League, where every second has to be precise, the events of the game between Palace and Fulham at Selhurst Park on 28th October 1978 may seem incredulous to today’s supporters. It was an afternoon to forget for Palace fans as once more Fulham snatched the points with a single goal victory – but it was equally ignominious for referee Eddie Hughes. The officials arrived on the pitch just a minute before kick-off, sparking a three minute delay; then, he blew his whistle for full-time early. As the 28,000-strong crowd headed for home and the staff uprooted the corner flags, the officials returned to their room – just as one of the linesmen noted there were still two-and-a-half

history makers

being victorious a week later at their former Seedhill Ground. Relegation came after one season and at the end of 1930/31 they failed to gain re-election, returning to the Lancashire Combination. In 1936 they ceased football activities with a new amateur club named Nelson Town entering a local league, but no football took place during World War Two. In April 1946, Nelson Football Club was reformed and they now play in the North West Counties League

minutes to play. The players had to be called back (it was thought that Nicky Chatterton was nearly out of the door) and a further five minutes were played in a virtually empty stadium. The referee said that his watch had stopped. He restarted it and made an educated guess as to when to call an end to proceedings…

Times have changed over Crystal Palace’s rich and storied history. In each edition, we dust off the archive and reprint a story from one of the club’s historical programmes. This week, we look back at an interview with a fresh-faced new signing – he sounds like captain material…

Crystal Palace √ watford – 18th august 2012

he Olympics may have only ended six days ago but the impact of the games and the dedication required is a chord that strikes very close to home for summer signing Joel Ward. “You can see in the Olympics that the athletes strive and work to be the best that they can be, and to be the best in the world. That is what the manager [Dougie Freedman] wants here at Crystal Palace. “Seeing such an amazing team in Team GB has been phenomenal this year. As a professional you want to be the best in the world in your game and you can see that it is possible by the amount of gold medals that Team GB won. Success is not easy, you have to work at it everyday.” Ward’s signature from Portsmouth was secured on the 29th May and he admitted that he has already been made to feel very welcome in SE25. FROM THE ARCHIVE

“I have settled in well and I think the time I have spent here has been very productive and I have learnt a lot already. I’m really enjoying being around the guys here. The management, coaching staff and of course the players have taken me in which is all you can ask for, really.” The Emsworth-born player also had particular praise for his new manager and club legend Dougie Freedman, on what he has learnt already since making the move up the M3. “He is a very driven individual and he wants to succeed and that is a great trait in a manager. You want to be working under someone that is striving for perfection, someone who is looking to get the best team possible and is able to develop you and push you every time. “As a player you want to be raising the bar all of the time, you are going to improve if you have that in a manager and together you are going to get better.” For those fans who do not know too much about Freedman’s signing, the articulate individual spelled out what the paying public can expect to see. “I’d like to think that I am a defender first and foremost, that is the main thing. Also I like to get forward and make an impact on the game, but we also need to make sure we are solid and not conceding goals because we are defenders, but if I can get forward, I know that I have that in me.” Last season the 22-year-old played 46 games for Pompey,

scoring three goals along the way and touched on how that experience has enabled him to pursue a career in a sport he is passionate about. “I was very fortunate to play a lot of games at a young age at Portsmouth, and I want that to continue. I love playing football and that is the main thing for me, I want to be playing and I want to strive for that excellence, striving to get better and better.

I love playing football and that is the main thing for me, I want to be playing and I want to strive for that excellence, striving to get better and better “It was a great platform for me at Portsmouth and I don’t think anybody wants to see what is happening to the club, but it was time to move on and I’m on to greener pastures and I want to keep improving and get to the top.” Watford are today’s visitors to Selhurst Park in the opening game of the Championship and for Ward there is no thinking about past successes or seasons gone by. FROM THE ARCHIVE

“It’s the beginning of a new chapter for me and I want to be successful and I want to make sure we get off to a flying start as a team. We want to better last season and we want to keep pushing and to be up there. As players, we are all coming together and we are all geared up and ready.” With no pre-season friendlies being played at Selhurst Park over the summer due to the Olympics, today will see Ward and the other new signings play in front of the Palace faithful for the first time. “Obviously everyone knows that Portsmouth have fantastic fans and from what I have heard and from when I have played here as an visiting player, the Palace fans are also brilliant. In the pre-season games that we have played the support has been superb and it is such a confidence boost having the fans behind you, pushing you forward. “I know it is a cliché but they are a 12th man, especially at home where you want to make it your fortress and the fans are the ones that make it an intimidating place to come.” Whilst Usain Bolt may have won his medals in a spitfire like fashion at the London Olympics, football, as we all know, is not so instant, with a marathon of fixtures and different obstacles to tackle. With that in mind let the new season commence with all the ups and downs that makes football the game we love

This article is reprinted verbatim.

1966

nineteen

sixtysix

Football, fashion, music and more – step back in time to an era that had it all…

At the

manager: bert head

ahead of the game Ill health forced Arthur Rowe to step down as manager of Crystal Palace in 1962 – having transformed the fortunes of the club in his short reign – but he made a brief return to the dugout four years later. Following a highly publicised falling-out with his Palace players at Euston Station, Dick Graham had been dismissed and a long-term, high-profile appointment was required. Bert Head had finished his career at Swindon Town, where the Somerset-born defender had already formed a sterling reputation in the managerial game after a modest playing career with both Torquay United – for whom, ironically, he scored a Christmas Day 1946 own-goal in favour of Palace – and Bury. Soon he had worked his way up from chief scout to assistant manager, taking the top job in 1956. He had a tough task ahead of him, and a lack of funds meant he had to look elsewhere for new talent. As an alternative to costly transfers – Swindon’s finances were precarious after flirting with retro palace

removal from the Football League – he set up a youth system, aimed at nurturing the copious amounts of young talent in the local area. Soon, the players began to emerge: future Palace icons Don Rogers and Bobby Woodruff, and Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee to name a few. Such was the success of the young side that they earned the nickname ‘Bert’s Babes’, a nod to Sir Matt Busby’s revered ‘Babes’ of the 1950s. After being harshly sacked by Swindon and returning to former side Bury, he was soon identified by Palace as Rowe’s perfect replacement, appointed in April 1966 after the dismissal of Graham earlier that year. The decision makers at Gigg Lane were dismayed, with the Bury chairman noting: “We’ve lost, and you’ve got, the best manager in the business.” He wasn’t wrong: soon Palace would be destined for the top-flight for the very first time, and stayed there for a thenrecord four seasons. Head took charge of 335 matches across all competitions, still the thirdhighest tally in the club’s history.

Music

top 5 singles 1

Green, Green Grass of Home

Tom Jones

Yellow Submarine

The Beatles

Strangers in the Night

Frank Sinatra

God Only Knows

The Beach Boys

Good Vibrations

The Beach Boys

Fashion

Films

Get ready, London: the swinging ‘60s are well and truly upon us. From Cold War, inspired Space Age outfits to the iconic miniskirt waltzing down Carnaby Street, the capital was awash with the spirit of the age. Embodied by the emergence of The Who and The Beatles, the ‘Mod’ subculture took off in earnest – think Vespa scooters, Italian suits and floppy hair.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

A Man for All Seasons

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

Hawaii

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

30 january Action Man toy launches in UK

4 march John Lennon tells Evening Standard: ‘We’re [The Beatles] more popular than Jesus now’

20 March The Jules Rimet trophy is stolen in London, and later found in Herne Hill

30 april Liverpool win the First Division title for the second time in three seasons

31 march Labour win a landslide majority under Harold Wilson

1 may The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who perform live at Wembley Arena

14 april Everton’s dramatic comeback from two goals down wins them the FA Cup against Sheffield Wednesday

30 july England win the World Cup, as 32 million watch them beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley

retro palace

Unlocking the power of pitches The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s charity. We award grants and work with partners to deliver outstanding grassroots football facilities across England.

Search Football Foundation to find out more

up and running

inside palace

PALACE WOMEN VISIT SOCCER SCHOOLS AHEAD OF INCREDIBLE START

efore Crystal Palace Women’s impressive start to the FA Women’s Championship season at their new home in Sutton, three players joined one of our girls-only Soccer Schools at Kent County Cricket Club in Beckenham. New captain Aimee Everett, 2019/20 Player of the Season Annabel Johnson, and Scottish international Chloe Arthur surprised girls at our summer holiday Soccer School, getting involved in training drills and being put on the spot in a varied Q&A!

“It’s a great atmosphere,” said Johnson, who was over the moon to pay the Palace for Life participants a visit. “It’s nice and full and there are so many girls here – especially after the World Cup as well. It’s been really good to come down and engage with the girls.” Taking a break from training in the late summer sun, the Palace for Life participants got the chance to test out their journalistic skills and ask the players a few questions. There were plenty of queries, from where they last went on holiday, to what they like to do the

foundation

most on their days off – and of course, to reveal their football idol! “I loved their questions,” said Johnson. “They were very much out there and you were never sure what to expect…” Palace Women have had a brilliant start to the new season under new head coach Laura Kaminski, and are unbeaten in four out of four games, including a 9-1 win at home to Durham Women. “We would love as many of the girls as possible here to come down to the Sheffield United game on Saturday,” Johnson

added. “We also want to be their role models if it’s close to home, so hopefully they’ll come down!”

We would love as many of the girls as possible here to come down to the sheffield united game on saturday. We also want to be their role models if it’s close to home, so hopefully they’ll come down!

Support Palace for Life in our mission to raise £1 million to help us transform thousands of more young south Londoners’ lives.

Palace for Life offers multiple chances for girls to play football across south London. Our Soccer Schools take place during the school holidays, but there are girls-only football sessions taking place all year round, so everybody has the chance to play

donate a pint from your pre-match routine below

Scan the QR code below to see what girls-football sessions are available in your area

foundation

Every day is a busy one at the Palace, from matchdays – men’s, women’s and Academy – to anniversaries, birthdays to events. Keep track of everything happening at the club right here…

23 sep

nott’m forest √ palace u21S | 11:00 LIVE on

25 sep

23 sep

24 sep

Palace √ Fulham | 15:00 LIVE audio commentary on

Wishing all our fans observing Yom Kippur a peaceful and meaningful fast.

25 sep

26 sep

1990

Glenn Murray turns 40 today.

Wright and Bright score hattricks in 8-0 win v Southend.

what’s on?

man utd √ palace | 20:00 LIVE audio commentary on

27 sep

30 sep

palace u21S √ athletic bilbao | 19:00

30 sep

palace u18S √ brighton | 11:00 LIVE on

01 oct

palace women √ sheffield utd | 14:00

30 sep 1994

palace u21S √ liverpool | 14:00

02 oct

John Salako scores a brace as Palace earn first win at Highbury.

04 oct

man utd √ PALACE | 15:00 LIVE audio commentary on

05 oct 1930

Jim Cannon turns 70 today.

Peter Simpson becomes the first Palace player to score a double hat-trick.

Jes Rak-Sakyi turns 21 today.

All times BST. Head to cpfc.co.uk for more details and ticketing information.

what’s on?

The page for Palace supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. This week, we print your messages. Want to get in touch? Use the details below.

Happy Birthday to enthusiastic season ticket holder Helen Rumble. With love from all the family. Happy 21st birthday to my son Robert Johnson thanks for being amazing lots of love always Mum, much love from Nan too! Up the Palace

Welcome back Jaxs enjoy another season with Palace, Happy 11th birthday for 26th September

To our beautiful Millie, wishing you a very happy 2nd birthday, we love you millions, Mummy, Daddy and Harry xxx

Remembering Sam Musgrove who passed away 5th Aug. An avid supporter for nearly 80 years, Sam had many friends and happy memories from watching Palace, home and away.

from the terraces

Happy 12th Birthday football mad Archie!! Have a brilliant day. We’re all proud of you. Lots of love from Mum, Dad, Louie, Alice, Charlie the dog and all the family. Xxx

Mark Parkinson. Happy 60th Birthday. Both you and your entire family have supported The Eagles for over 70 years. Enjoy the match. With love Dad & Judi Happy Birthday Robin Johnson – have a great time at Old Trafford next weekend! In loving memory of Josh Bashford, lifelong Crystal Palace fan, taken from us far too early. A loving Son, Brother, Husband and Dad. Always on our minds, forever in our hearts, may you rest peacefully Josh, be loud, be proud, be Palace.

Happy Birthday to our special Sassy!! Lots and lots of love, enjoy the game. From Archie, Louie and Alice xxx

Welcome back to Selhurst Park to USA based Palace fan Matt Franks – have a great day!

A big Happy 70th Birthday to Mick Ovenden, who is a lifelong palace fan. Lots of love Max, Keeley and Rita xx

R.I.P. Peter Clark, a staunch and lifelong Palace fan since his father took him to Palace as a seven-year-old, 65 years ago. From all his family and friends at the Whitehorse Lane End.

from the terraces

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

Meet today’s mascots, prepare for an Old Trafford double, relive a famous long-range strike and pit your wits against Brighty below.

Ronnie M©Manus

Noah Phillips

Noah Graham

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

3-2

Jacob Wood AGE:

2-0

Jonty Wood SCORE PREDICTION:

1-1

Jenson Davies AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

3-1

AGE:

3-1

Dexter Davies 2-1

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

Want to feature as a mascot?

Dylan Taylor SCORE PREDICTION:

SCORE PREDICTION:

1-2

round-up

Email: liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

next up: man utd It’s a trip to Old Trafford – well, two – as Palace take on Manchester United in the League Cup and the Premier League on Tuesday, 26th September (20:00 BST) and Saturday, 30th September (15:00 BST). Travel: From Manchester Piccadilly station, get the tram to Old Trafford, Exchange Quay, Trafford Bar or Wharfside and the stadium is just a short walk away. Pre-match: Away supporters are welcomed at Lime Bar in Salford Quays pre-match, as well as plenty of bars in the centre of the city. The away turnstiles are located on the south east corner of the stadium, and open two hours before kick-off.

BEAT BRIGHTY In each edition, club icon Mark Bright calls it how he sees it and predicts events from the weekend’s football. See how you fare and try to Beat Brighty! Scoring: One point for every correct result, three for a correct scoreline.

Brighty

You

3-0 0-1 2-1 1-2 total Manage to Beat Brighty? Keep track of your score above.

round-up

Best memory: This week of all weeks, it has to be Darren Ambrose’s 40-yard piledriver in the League Cup in 2011. Gary Neville called it one of the best goals he had ever seen from a visiting side at Old Trafford, and rightly so.

team stats: women/U21S/U18S Elise Hughes scored four times in as Palace hit nine in a remarkable victory over Durham Women.

Matteo Dashi scored his first goal of the season as Rob Quinn’s side drew with Leicester City.

Roshaun Mathurin scored a brace as the Under-21s put six past Middlesbrough.

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

AUGUST Sun 27

Reading

D 1-1

SEPTEMBER Sun 3

Birmingham City

W 2-1

Sun 10

Durham

W 9-1

Sun 17

Sunderland

D 1-1

Sat 30

Sheffield United

OCTOBER Sun 8

Blackburn Rovers

Sun 15

London City Lionesses

Sun 22

Charlton Athletic

NOVEMBER Sun 5

Watford

Sun 12

Lewes

Sun 19

Southampton

DECEMBER Sun 17

Reading

JANUARY Sun 21

London City Lionesses

Sun 28

Charlton Athletic

FEBRUARY Sun 4

Southampton

Sun 18

Blackburn Rovers

MARCH Sun 3

Birmingham City

Sun 17

Sheffield United

Sun 24

Watford

Sun 31

Durham

APRIL Sun 21

Lewes

Sun 28

Sunderland

AUGUST Mon 14 Manchester United W Sun 20 Reading L Mon 28 Fulham L SEPTEMBER Fri 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers L Fri 15 Middlesbrough W Tue 19 Wycombe Wanderers L Sat 23 Nottingham Forest OCTOBER Sun 1 Liverpool Fri 6 Birmingham City Mon 30 West Bromwich Albion NOVEMBER Fri 3 Leeds United Tue 7 AFC Wimbledon Fri 10 Ipswich Town Tue 14 Stevenage december Sun 3 Manchester City Mon 11 Middlesbrough Mon 18 West Ham United JANUARY Sun 14 Blackburn Rovers Mon 22 Birmingham City Mon 29 Brighton & Hove Albion FEBRUARY Mon 5 Ipswich Town Fri 9 Tottenham Hotspur Mon 19 Leicester City MARCH Mon 4 Stoke City Mon 11 Aston Villa Fri 15 Southampton APRIL Mon 8 Everton Fri 12 Chelsea Sun 28 Middlesbrough

women/u21S/u18S

3-2 0-2 2-5 2-3 6-2 0-1

september Wed 27 Athletic Bilbao october Tue 24 Monaco december Wed 6 Benfica january Wed 17 Feyenoord

AUGUST Sat 12 Southampton Sat 19 Chelsea Sat 26 Reading SEPTEMBER Sat 2 Liverpool Sat 16 Leicester City Sat 23 Fulham Sat 30 Brighton & Hove Albion OCTOBER Sat 21 Newcastle United Sat 28 Arsenal NOVEMBER Sat 4 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 11 West Bromwich Albion Sat 25 Fulham DECEMBER Sat 2 Norwich City Sat 16 Aston Villa JANUARY Sat 6 West Ham United Sat 13 Leicester City Sat 27 Fulham FEBRUARY Sat 10 West Bromwich Albion Sat 17 Brighton & Hove Albion MARCH Sat 9 Chelsea Sat 16 Arsenal APRIL Sat 6 Norwich City Sat 13 Southampton Sat 20 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 27 Aston Villa may Sat 4 West Ham United Sat 11 Reading

W 5-0 L 1-2 W 2-1 W 6-1 D 1-1

women Name

u21s

Apps

Goals

Name

u18s Apps

Tayo ADARAMOLA

Paige BAILEY-GAYLE

Victor AKINWALE

Annabel BLANCHARD

Justin DEVENNY

Chima EZE

Lia CATALDO Araya DENNIS

Polly DORAN

Aimee EVERETT

Anna FILBEY

Felicity GIBBONS

Shauna GUYATT

Shanade HOPCROFT

Elise HUGHES

Annabel JOHNSON

Frances KITCHING (GK) Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Ellie NOBLE

Hayley NOLAN

Alexia POTTER

Kirsten REILLY

Molly-Mae SHARPE

5 4

Chris FRANCIS

Freddie COWIN

John-Kymani GORDON

5 6

Danny IMRAY

Caleb KPORHA

Roshaun MATHURIN

Ademola OLA-ADEBOMI

David OZOH

Jesurun RAK-SAKYI

Jadan RAYMOND

Dylan REID

Jesse DERRY

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

Leon ELLIOTT

Joe GIBBARD Jake GRANTE

Zack HENRY

Marcus HILL (GK) 3

Joseph KHOSHABA George KING

Caleb KPORHA

Enrique LAMEIRAS Finley MARJORAM

Joe SHERIDAN

Franco UMEH

Noah WATSON

Jack WELLS-MORRISON

Matteo DASHI

Mofe JEMIDE

Kaden RODNEY

Rio CARDINES

Sean GREHAN

Goals

Asher AGBINONE

Adler NASCIMENTO

Apps

Cormac AUSTIN

Jackson IZQUIERDO (GK)

Name Kai-Reece ADAMS-COLLMAN

Chloe ARTHUR

Goals

Zach MARSH

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

David OBOU

Olaoluwa OMOBOLAJI

Joe WHITWORTH (GK)

Caleb REDHEAD

Lucy WATSON

Tyler WHYTE

Tyler WHITE

Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)

Vonnte WILLIAMS

Sebastian WILLIAMS

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Thursday, 21 September – see full tables at cpfc.co.uk. st

pos CLUB P W D

sou

10 3 +7 9

A GD Pts

17 avl

9 12 -3 4

ful

7 +2 9

bla

18 blb

8 14 -6 4

cry

4 +5 7

3 +1 9

A GD Pts

cry

0 13 4 +9 8

19 wol

8 10 -2 3

che

5 +3 6

sun

20 cry

7 12 -5 3

avl

5 +2 6

1 +2 8

dur

5 10 -5 7

21 lei

6 12 -6 3

tot

cha

22 new

6 12 -6 3

lei

lcl

23 sou

8 15 -7 3

ars

women/u21S/u18S

Sam Johnstone

Joel Ward

Tyrick Mitchell

Rob Holding

23/24 FIXTURES & RESULTS

palace Career Appearances

340 109

palace Career goals

ALL-TIME

may

april

march

february

jan

december

nov

october

september

AUGust

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) Started Used sub Unused sub Goal(s) Yellow card Red card attendance/ KICK-OFF

Date

Opposition

Sat 12

Sheffield United

31,194

1-0

5th

Mon 21

Arsenal

24,189

0-1

11th

Sat 26

Brentford

16,997

1-1

11th

Tue 29

Plymouth Argyle

15,826

4-2

Second round

Sun 3

Wolverhampton Wanderers

24,741

3-2

7th

Sat 16

Aston Villa

40,809

1-3

9th

Sat 23

Fulham