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

Crystal Palace √ brighton & hove albion

thu 21 dec 2023 20:00 kick-off

palace √ brighton thu 21 dec | 20:00

06 08 captain 10 chairman 36 eagle eye 44 peter manning 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 Having seen the games last year, whatever we can do to add an extra ‘oomph’ to the night, we’ll want to do it – and hopefully we come out on top. I’m really excited to hopefully be able to finally play in one

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

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

contents

palace √ brighton thu 21 dec | 20:00

SUPPORT SOUTH LONDON OVER CHRISTMAS Palace for Life Foundation’s foodbank appeal is ongoing throughout the Christmas period, open to donations from fans at every home matchday in December or for financial donations for those who can’t make it to Selhurst Park to pay for hot food for children on free school meals. Foodbanks are preparing for their worst winter on record, according to the charity The Trussell Trust. They expect to be providing more than a million emergency food parcels across

the country, which is one every eight seconds throughout the festive period, to more than 7,000 people per day. Palace for Life are inviting Palace fans to support local families with donations of long-life food items and essentials, including (but not limited to) tinned items, toilet rolls, detergent, shower gel and sanitary products. You can bring donations along to matchdays at Selhurst Park throughout December, with collections taking place in the Fanzone. On a non-matchday, you can drop off items directly

at our offices Monday to Friday throughout December. Head to palaceforlife.org to find out more. Thank you once again for all your generosity so far, and have a very merry Christmas.

On this day 21 Dec 1996 A good day to conquer your rivals? Palace welcomed Charlton Athletic to Selhurst Park in 1996, with a narrow win enough to earn three points – which would contribute to Palace scraping into the play-off places by May. The rest, as they say, is history: ‘Hopkin looking to curl one…’

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briefing

manager

A very warm welcome to Selhurst Park to Roberto De Zerbi, his team and staff, for what I’m sure will be a keenly contested Premier League fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion this evening.

e came away from Manchester City last weekend with enormous pride and satisfaction. I had been equally proud of our performance against Liverpool the previous week and was absolutely devastated when, after what I thought was a performance which deserved a win, the victory was stolen away during a period at the end that saw us reduced to 10 men and lose three of our senior players through injury. A bitter pill to swallow. At the Etihad Stadium we produced an excellent performance against the champions of England and Europe and I was really pleased with the team, from the first minute to the last, for the way that we stuck to our gameplan and never gave up. That wasn’t just testament to the players’ resilience, it also showed their spirit and determination as well. We went into the game on the backfoot, with seven players out injured – five of them regulars in the attacking positions – but not for one moment did we feel sorry for ourselves. Everybody stepped

up to the challenge, including some players with very little Premier League experience, and produced a performance full of fight, spirit and discipline.

Everybody stepped up to the challenge, including some players with very little Premier League experience, and produced a performance full of fight, spirit and discipline A word too on how well we were supported last Saturday. As you would expect from an away game, our travelling fans were vastly outnumbered by the home supporters but we could hear you spurring us on throughout the whole game. That level of support is never taken for granted and we hope you manager

enjoyed the celebrations with us at the full-time whistle as much as the players and myself did. As we head into the festive fixture schedule the discipline and commitment from our recent performances will need to continue, and it’s good to know that we have got that fight in our team. Several of the players who have been suffering from long-term injuries are coming back into the fold and as a result the future looks brighter. I know we will bring it tonight to a fixture which means so much to us and as usual we rely on your raucous support, which goes without saying for this particular fixture, the first derby of the season. As we approach Christmas Day, I would like to sign off by wishing you all my very best wishes for the festive period and hope you and your families and friends have a very happy time together. We will see some of you on the 27th at Stamford Bridge, but in the meantime, enjoy the game and Merry Christmas

Welcome back to Selhurst Park for a fixture we all look forward to every year: Crystal Palace v Brighton always means a fantastic atmosphere, and tonight under the lights will be no different.

ow – what a performance from the boys to come back from two goals down at Manchester City. We know that even when we are written off we can find the fighting spirit and determination to come back into any game, and that was on show on Saturday. Once we had a goal back, we kept pushing deep into added time and we got our reward. I think a point is nothing less than we deserved over the course of 90 minutes, and against a side as strong at home as we know Man City have been over recent years, that is hugely satisfying. From a personal note, I would have loved to have been out there for longer – but the celebrations on the touchline were just as emphatic as those on the pitch and in the stands. While it was disappointing to come off in the first-half, I want to say congratulations to David Ozoh who stepped into the side and, at just 18-years-old, looked composed in midfield once again. Keep working hard every day, David, and keep enjoying every moment along the journey.

While it was disappointing to come off in the first-half, I want to say congratulations to David Ozoh who stepped into the side and, at just 18-years-old, looked composed in midfield once again

captain

Looking at the celebrations for the second goal, it was encouraging to see so many young players pulling together to secure a huge result: David, Michael, Matheus, Naouirou and more. It shows that the future of this team is extremely bright. Thank you all for your support on the road, which was loud and clear for all to hear once again. It makes such a huge difference on the pitch, and I hope the late drama made the journey back to south London fly by! We will need your support again today as we take on Brighton. This is a game I know the players all look forward to, and the atmosphere

This is a game I know the players all look forward to, and the atmosphere at Selhurst Park is always second to none. For it to fall so close to Christmas and under the floodlights will only make the occasion more special, and I know you will be behind us all the way

captain

at Selhurst Park is always second to none. For it to fall so close to Christmas and under the floodlights will only make the occasion more special, and I know you will be behind us all the way. Brighton are a well-drilled side, and we will have to be disciplined to come out on top. As you have seen against two of the best sides in the league recently in Manchester City and Liverpool – against the latter we believe we were very unlucky to come away with nothing – the team spirit and collective determination make us very difficult to beat, and that is what I want to see again today. Finally, I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas. I can’t wait to hear the atmosphere you are going to create this evening. God Bless. JW

Welcome to supporters, players, staff and directors of Brighton & Hove Albion to Selhurst Park for tonight’s match. Welcome as always to each and every Crystal Palace supporter here to get behind Roy’s team for this massive game.

oy’s team have put in two outstanding performances here against Liverpool and away to Manchester City. Whilst the league table only shows one point for their efforts against two of the strongest sides in Europe, the squad have shown immense resilience, togetherness, and belief in these matches. Watching the performance against City, I was extremely proud of the travelling fans that were so vocal and deserving of the result with their incredible support throughout the game. A few special mentions from these matches, although the entire squad deserves praise. Congratulations to Dean who has had a difficult time with injury since joining us, and who I thought was excellent at City, making some very important saves. Well done to David Ozoh, who performed so admirably having come on for Joel in the 34th minute; it was a truly mature performance and one that everyone at the Academy is immensely proud of. Roy has now successfully integrated three players directly from the Academy into the first-team:

Well done to David Ozoh who performed so admirably having come on for Joel in the 34th minute; it was a truly mature performance and one that everyone at the Academy is immensely proud of

chairman

Aaron, Tyrick, Jes and now David. No manager in my time in the Premier League has a better track record and it’s testament to his training and methods that this is possible without a loan spell for the players. Jaïro did a fantastic job following his late-call up due to Will’s illness, especially given he hasn’t started a match for nearly three months. I was pleased for Naouirou and Matheus, whose pace at the end caused the City defenders some headaches, and will give them confidence when they get another chance to impress. And, of course, it was wonderful for Michael to cap an incredibly hardworking display with a brilliantly taken penalty under enormous pressure – the celebration images and footage in front of our magnificent travelling fans are ones that will live long in the memory. I’m also pleased for JeanPhilippe, who has been incredibly patient waiting for his opportunity. His attitude around the training ground and in training is always first class. It is not only his two goals in two games but also his tireless running that are a testament to how prepared he keeps himself. Congratulations to Remi on making his club and Premier League debut, being thrown into the highly pressurised closing stages of that tense match against Liverpool. Chris Richards has performed commendably, playing out of his position too, in four consecutive starts. Elsewhere, congratulations to Ademola Ola-Adebomi who was named Premier League 2 Player

it was wonderful for Michael to cap an incredibly hardworking display with a brilliantly taken penalty under enormous pressure – the celebration images and footage in front of our magnificent travelling fans are ones that will live long in the memory

chairman

of the Month for November. The 20-year-old won the award with six goals in the month, including a hattrick at Leeds United, and with 13 goals across 15 games at Academy level, and three appearances on the bench for the first-team, he deserves all the plaudits he is receiving. Keep pushing, Mola. Tonight’s match marks the club’s last outing before Christmas. Your support this year has, once again, been incredible – and I very much hope we can send you into the festivities with a positive result tonight. I urge all the players to dig deep for this match of the utmost importance to our supporters – it’s the first one we all look for when the fixtures are announced. To you all, I urge you to throw everything you have behind Roy’s team. Happy Christmas and up the Palace

From life in Hoover, Alabama to the bright lights of the Allianz Arena and Munich, to Selhurst Park and London, Chris Richards has never been afraid to embrace change in his life. As the centre-back turned holding midfielder tells Robin Johnson, it is that same adaptability – and that breadth of experience – which could serve him well in his first-ever taste of Palace against Brighton & Hove Albion…

hris Richards’ journey to Crystal Palace is a story well worth reading, if you haven’t already – the headline being that just two years separated his days of playing school ‘soccer’ on Saturdays in Hoover, Alabama, to assisting Robert Lewandowski and playing in the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich. Richards’ athletic qualities afforded him the pick of his paths in a sports-mad nation: he declined prospective careers playing basketball – his father’s professional game – running track, long jumping and whacking baseballs in favour of his eventual career path. His journey launched him rapidly from spells with FC Dallas and Houston to the most surreal of switches to global powerhouse Bayern Munich – a transfer which took place only five years ago. He lived halfway across the world from home, learning German from scratch, and football from the likes of Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller. Then, last summer, the chance to fulfil his lifelong dream of playing in the Premier League arrived with Crystal Palace. At the age of 22: another new country, another new culture. The one constant in all of Richards’ switches? His appreciation of rivalry. “I think here, rivalry is a bit more ‘life and death’,” Richards explains, contrasting its role on either side of the Atlantic. “Rivalries are big in sports worldwide, but they’re particularly big in the US.

People will do anything to throw the other team off their game during the whole week. Here it feels a bit more ‘life or death’ because of the pyramid system, but I feel like, back home, people who usually see each other every day, for that week, will hate each other

chris richards

“We try to make everything into a rivalry. It’s just American culture. Your whole family will go to a school, so you’ll go to that school, and your kids will go to that school... so if your friend doesn’t support that school… that weekend, you’re not friends! “In Alabama, we had a big one: University of Alabama versus Auburn University. It splits everyone: schools, friends, families… Auburn had a tradition where, whenever they won the game, they threw toilet paper on this really old tree in the middle of the University… so an Alabama fan poisoned the tree and it died! It was crazy. “People will do anything to throw the other team off their game during the whole week. Here it feels a bit more ‘life or death’ because of the pyramid system, but I feel like, back home, people who usually see each other every day, for that week, will hate each other!”

We try to make everything into a rivalry chris richards

London’s dope chris richards

While Richards did not feature in either of Palace’s games against Brighton & Hove Albion in his inaugural season in London, his time at Bayern gave him experience of another great rivalry: Der Klassiker. “That was my first time playing against Borussia Dortmund. “It was in the German Super Cup [in September 2020], so it was for a trophy. That was a lot of fun, playing with some of the greats and against some of the greats in a huge game. The second time was away in Dortmund, the year after fans came back from COVID, and the place was jumping.” So too, certainly, will Selhurst Park be when Palace and Brighton go toe-to-toe. “Now I’ve been here a year, I can kind of understand the rivalry,” Richards admits. “Having seen the games last year, whatever we can do to add an extra ‘oomph’ to the night, we’ll want to do it – and hopefully we come out on top. I’m really excited to hopefully be able to finally play in one.” Interviewer and interviewee both touch wood simultaneously. One-and-a-half years into life in London, it speaks volumes that Richards – still only 23-yearsold – has settled quickly enough to embrace life in the city as a whole. It is a world away from his starting point in Alabama – but an opportunity he is relishing. “London’s dope,” he laughs. “It’s cool because you can kind of become your own person in London. I think London’s probably one of the best cities I’ve ever been to… other than the weather!

You can eat whatever you want, you can meet whoever you want, you can see whatever you want… There’s so much for you here. That’s what I’ve enjoyed, just trying to find things that I like: new foods, new clothes, new places to visit… whatever. London’s pretty inspiring

chris richards

“You can eat whatever you want, you can meet whoever you want, you can see whatever you want… There’s so much for you here. That’s what I’ve enjoyed, just trying to find things that I like: new foods, new clothes, new places to visit… whatever. London’s pretty inspiring. “Once you get here, you have to start off with the touristy stuff, but the one thing that really makes London into London is the number of different cultures. London’s culture is having different cultures – so I try to check out different markets, go to different parts of the city and throw myself into everything. “I like Spitalfields Market in Shoreditch a lot – it has good food, good vendors and good vintage spots. And in the south, I’ve spent a bit of time in coffee shops in Clapham. I like driving past and seeing people playing basketball; I like the area around Clapham Common.

“Birmingham’s pretty much just one pace. I love it – it’s where I grew up – but I think here is more of a place for people who want to just find out who they are. It’s just an easier place to express yourself.” Richards declares himself “partial” to tea – but is there anything he finds weird about English culture? “One thing I think is pretty cool is that ‘bonfire day’, is that what it is? “It was cool ‘cause I could see the fireworks from my apartment – but I think it’s pretty funny that you guys gave a holiday to somebody trying to blow up Parliament!” We’re fairly certain that, as he always does, Richards will adapt. A centre-back by trade, the US international’s recent run in the Palace side has coincided with an abrupt, but impressively seamless, change in role. Most Academy footballers tend to start up front – being the best players in their youth teams, they score the most goals, so the logic goes – but was that the case with Richards’ footballing education in America? “I played left winger my whole life in Birmingham until I was probably 15,” he admits. “But then I started playing in defence because our two centrebacks fell sick, and I wasn’t scoring as many goals anymore! My coach figured it was just a one-off, but then I had a really good tournament and I kind of just loved defending from that point on.” The parallels are obvious with Richards’ recent positional change. “I just filled in one day there in a

training session. I think the coaching staff were just trying to find a way to help me get on the pitch. As a centreback, you never really get subbed on, and if you are, it’s probably to see out the game – to clear a few balls here and there. “But I played in midfield once in training, the week leading up to

I felt like I must’ve done pretty well at that, ‘cause against West Ham, when the spot was open, the gaffer looked at me and was like: ‘I’ve seen you do it – now go out there and do what you’ve done before’

[Nottingham] Forest [in October]. Then, in the closing stages of the game, we were losing a few second balls in midfield, so the gaffer was like: ‘Chris, get in there – and get after people.’ “I felt like I must’ve done pretty well at that, ‘cause against West Ham, when the spot was open, the gaffer chris richards

looked at me and was like: ‘I’ve seen you do it – now go out there and do what you’ve done before.’ “For me, it’s about staying ready for when your name’s called. It’s probably easier said than done when you’re not playing, but the coaching staff here have kept pushing me to be better so that, when my name was called, I was ready to step up – I was eager to take it on.” That change in role at the London Stadium – in the 1-1 draw with West Ham at the beginning of the month – came following a late withdrawal by Jeffrey Schlupp for personal reasons. “I literally got the notice 20 minutes before our team meeting: ‘Chris, you’re going to play in midfield!’ I was a bit nervous because I’m playing in a top league in the world, out of position. “My mind’s racing. You’re like: ‘Okay, I only pay attention to centrebacks in training – so how do I press as a holding midfielder? How do I know which players to watch?’ You’re trying to rewire your brain with the few hours you have before playing the game. “But the people around me were really helpful. They kept on pushing me and talking to me, before the game and during the game, so that really helped as well.” Which elements have demanded the most adaptation? Richards smiles: “In defence, you’re used to the whole game being ahead of you, but then once you’re in midfield, you’re seeing balls go over your head. You’re seeing people come to feet. It’s completely different.

the people around me were really helpful chris richards

whatever position I’m in, I’ll give it 100 percent chris richards

“When I was a centre-back, I knew what I wanted from a holding midfielder. Now, I’m trying to be the holding midfielder that I would’ve wanted as a centre-back – I guess that’s kind of what it is. “[The coaches have told me] you don’t have to know all the answers straight away – it’s a learning curve. Even the best players in the position are still learning every day, so you take each game as a learning experience and just try to add one little bit to your game every week.” Does Richards see it as a potential long-term change? “There’s a lot of similarities between centreback and centre-midfield, so I’ll never rule anything out!” he smiles.

you don’t have to know all the answers straight away – it’s a learning curve. Even the best players in the position are still learning every day, so you take each game as a learning experience and just try to add one little bit to your game every week

“If the gaffer sees me in that position long-term, then I’ll do whatever it takes to be on the pitch and to help this team get results. Especially in the modern game, and right now with the unfortunate amount of injuries we have, it’s about having players who are willing to adapt to whatever’s thrown at them. “If I can add certain aspects to my game, if I can show that I can play holding midfield, then it just adds another notch onto my belt. And I think it shows not only the guys around me, but also the coaching staff, that they can trust me if they want to put me anywhere else on the pitch. “Whether it’s the right understanding of the position… well, that’ll take time! But I know whatever position I’m in, I’ll give it 100 percent.” Having previously admired Jerome Boateng, who he later chris richards

played with at Bayern; Sergio Ramos; and Carlos Puyol – “they were the three guys who had the sickest highlights tapes on YouTube”, he explains – Richards now adds: “That’s changed a little! “I really like watching Sergio Busquets, how he is on the ball. It’s really impressive. But I also watch the Premier League, seeing midfielders like Rodri at Manchester City, and Thiago who I played with at Bayern. “It’s really interesting looking at their mechanisms, how they see the game… so it’s definitely a change in the highlights clips I watch on YouTube!” Should his eye-catching form in midfield continue against Brighton, expect to spot a Richards reel propping up your own video feeds in the days to come

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…

chris richards

Which aspect of What’s the best thing your game would about playing for you like to improve? Palace? Jacob Anniss I think I’d like to score a little bit more! Now I’m playing a bit higher up the field, I think that’s one thing I’d want to help the team with: being a bit more dangerous when it comes to set-pieces and things like that.

My son is 10, and a great footballer, but has had his confidence knocked majorly. What advice would you give him?

Do you call it football or soccer? Robyn Powell Soccer at home! I had this conversation yesterday, actually. I was getting a new tattoo, and the artist said: ‘Why do y’all call it soccer?’ I was like: ‘I don’t know!’ We have football there, so we just call it soccer – that’s always been the thing. Now, I call it ‘football’ around everyone, but we had an American guy here two weeks ago and I kept calling it ‘soccer’, and everyone was like: ‘Look what happens when he gets around Americans!’

Laurelle Hickson I think it’s just the fact that you’re playing for a club that has so much history. I think it’s just understanding what Palace stands for and what Palace has always stood for. I think that’s probably the biggest thing: the history behind the club.

If you weren’t a footballer, what would you be? Caolan Commane Man, that’s a good question! I’d probably say something to do with fashion… probably more on the shoe side, maybe creating shoes. Growing up I used to draw shoes and kind of colour them in, so I think that’s probably what I’d do. the follow-up

Laura Jones Failure is part of the journey. I think any footballer can attest to that. Not everything was given to them and not every trial went well, and not every game and training session went well. Embrace the pain and use it going forward.

Got a question? Scan Here

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01/09/2023 12:42

Brighton

brigHton Opposition preview A summer of upheaval followed Brighton’s most successful Premier League campaign, with midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo leaving for enormous fees, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez headed for Chelsea in a big-money deal. Money was spent on replacements, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud and centre-forward João Pedro arriving from Anderlecht, Borussia Dortmund and Watford respectively. Roberto De Zerbi also added the experience of James Milner, who left Liverpool to continue his Premier League career into a third decade. The Italian manager has the difficult task of balancing

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domestic and European football this season, and the Seagulls have qualified for the knockout rounds of the Europa League after facing AEK Athens, Ajax and Marseille in the group stages. With just two wins in their last 11 Premier League games, form has been hard to come by since September. Brighton have only won once at Selhurst Park since 2005, but as is so often the case, in these games form flies out of the window.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi -

Graham Potter was a tough act to follow, but the Italian has taken Brighton forward with qualification for the Europa League and progress up the Premier League table. The former AC Milan and Napoli midfielder cut his managerial teeth in his home country, before taking over Shakhtar Donetsk.

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Upson joined Palace on loan from Arsenal and played seven times for the club in the 2000/01 campaign. He joined Brighton in 2012 and played against the Eagles in the playoffs later that season.

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BRIGHTON

briefing What’s the story? Much like Palace, Brighton owe a lot to John Jackson – although not that one. While Palace were served impeccably by the legendary goalkeeper, his namesake is one of the most important figures in Brighton’s history. He had managed the first professional club in the town with Brighton United, who folded in 1900. Jackson called a meeting in the Seven Stars Hotel in Brighton to establish a replacement, and so Brighton & Hove Albion were formed. In 1920 they were elected to the Football League, and remained in Division Three until 1958 when they earned promotion. After subsequent yo-yoing between the divisions, ambitious chairman Mike Bamber brought Brian Clough to the club in 1973, who left after less than a year to begin his infamously disastrous spell at Leeds United.

In 1976 Alan Mullery joined as manager, and soon a bitter rivalry with Crystal Palace began, sparked by a late penalty miss in an FA Cup first round replay that year. Brighton reached their only FA Cup final in 1983, losing to Manchester United in a replay at Wembley. Financial trouble blighted much of the next two decades, with the club close to extinction had their issues worsened. The sale of the Goldstone Ground meant the club were forced to play at Withdean Stadium. Mainly used to host athletics tournaments, it had previously operated as a zoo and as a miniature railway attraction. With the rent on Withdean, their investment in a new stadium and other debts, the club needed to raise £2.5 million to stay afloat. Fundraising efforts were introduced, and ranged from players featuring on nude Christmas cards to a charity single

‘Tom Hark’, which reached No. 17 in the charts. Tony Bloom’s takeover in 2009 began a new era for the club.

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the greatest manager Graham Potter The man to transform Brighton from relegation battlers to European pretenders. Potter came up the hard way, working for Leeds Metropolitan University, Ghana Women and ninth division Leeds Carnegie before getting his break at Swedish side Östersund. He caught attention with two successive promotions before masterminding a victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Europa League. A return to English football with Swansea City followed, before he joined Brighton and laid the foundations for the current side.

tommy cook

4-0 brighton √ manchester united premier league 7 may 2022 / the amex

A result that confirmed Brighton’s progress under Potter, as they strode towards a first top-half finish in the club’s history. Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Pascal Groß and Leandro Trossard scored the goals in front of a jubilant Amex, in a result that reflected their domination on the day.

BRIGHTON

Despite playing just 209 games for Brighton, Cook’s legacy is unrivalled and his name remains atop the club’s all-time top scorer charts. His 123 goals came across almost a decade of service as the club’s primary centre-forward, earning a single England cap in 1925 and going on to manage the club in 1947. He also enjoyed a successful career in cricket, with a top score of 278 as a batsman for Sussex, playing 460 Firstclass games. Cook served in both World Wars, first as a 16-year-old in the Navy in WWI and then injured as a Royal Air Force pilot in WWII.

01 23 02 Jason Steele

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Signed to be the ideal No. 1 for Roberto De Zerbi’s fluid style of football, Verbruggen is as comfortable with the ball at his feet as he is with his hands and has earned his Netherlands debut this season.

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Dunk has been with Brighton since the age of 14, graduating from the club’s youth academy and making more than 400 appearances for the club. He was their Player of the Year in 2020.

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Three-time Premier League winner Milner made his debut in the competition in 2002, and is still going strong more than two decades later, closing in on the all-time appearances record.

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from Veltman is a 28-cap Netherlands international with vast experience from his eight years in the Ajax first-team, winning three league titles and starting the 2017 Europa League final alongside Jaïro Riedewald.

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MIDFIELDER

ECUADOR

nat

england

age

08 11 Mahmoud Dahoud

BILLY GILMOUR

pos

MIDFIeLdER

pos

midfielder

nat

GERMANY

nat

SCOTLAND

age

BRIGHTON

Kaoru Mitoma pos

FORWARD

nat

japan

age

Plucked from Kawasaki Frontale in his native Japan, Mitoma has been a revelation at Brighton with his mazy dribbling and creativity a crucial asset for Roberto De Zerbi’s side in possession.

13 14 Pascal Groß

Ansu Fati

Adam Lallana

MIDFIELDER

pos

MIDFIELDER

germany

nat

england

age

pos

MIDFIELDER

nat age

15 20 Jakub Moder

carlos baleba

pos

MIDFIELDER

pos

midfielder

nat

poland

nat

cameroon

age

BRIGHTON

spain age

height

5ft 10in

joined

2023

from The youngest player to score for Barcelona at 16-years-old in 2019, Fati was one of the world’s most talked about youngsters before a serious knee injury saw him miss almost a year. He has 10 Spain caps.

24 40 28 Simon Adingra

Facundo Buonanotte

pos

FORWARD

pos

MIDFIELDER

nat

cote d'ivoire

nat

ARGENTINA

age

10 18 Julio Enciso

Evan Ferguson

DANNY WELBECK

pos

FORWARD

nat age

FORWARD

pos

FORWARD

PARAGUAY

nat

ENGLAND

age

João Pedro pos

FORWARD

nat

BRAZIL

age

After three years at Watford, Pedro joined Brighton to lead the line for a club-record fee of more than £30 million. He scored the club’s first European goal in September in a defeat to AEK Athens.

BRIGHTON

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND age

height

6ft 2in

joined

2021

from A full Republic of Ireland international, Ferguson scored 10 goals last season in a breakthrough campaign, and has netted five more this season. He recently signed a new long-term contract.

arsenal

Delivered by:

Stat zone

Both teams have scored in 10 of the last 12 meetings between Brighton and Crystal Palace, with the last four at Selhurst Park ending 1-1.

02 46

midfielder

adam lallana

Apps

277

goals

assists

passes

8832

passes per match

31.88

crosses

509

shots

325

shooting accuracy

34%

tackles

397

tackle success

70%

inteceptions

200

Apps

313

goals

headed goals

assists

shots

533

shot accuracy

40%

passes

5016

passes per match

16.03

offsides

yellow cards

tackles

289

interceptions

174

played 12 3

goals

penalties won

penalties scored

clean sheets

yellow cards

red cards

23/24 season goals 33

conceded 25 30

average possesion 43.5% 61.4%

pass accuracy 77.6% 87.3%

clean sheets 5 0

duels won

1084%

tackles 336 266

BRIGHTON

forward

danny welbeck

Eagle Eye Liam Tharme is a Football Tactics Writer at The Athletic who spent last season as an Academy Performance Analyst at a Premier League club. He is a lifelong Brighton fan.

Who is Brighton’s most important player – and whose contribution flies under the radar?

Carlos Baleba, signed from Lille in the summer, is the closest direct replacement to Caicedo, but he has used Pascal Groß and Billy Gilmour as his primary midfield double pivot. There has been a little less use of pre-determined patterns.

Pascal Groß makes the team click, and De Zerbi consistently states his admiration for the German, now a senior international. With Brighton expected to dominate possession, he will take a creative burden, has the most minutes played for the club this season and tops the charts for assists, progressive passes and shot-creating actions.

How difficult is balancing European and domestic football for the first time? Incredibly! De Zerbi has, harshly, called himself inexperienced, with only one previous European season as a head coach (with Shakhtar Donetsk). Likewise, most of the squad had not played European football previously. Injuries complexified things, but they sit eighth and are on track for another 60-plus point season, while being on a scoring run stretching back to February in the league. They have adapted in Europe and tightened up defensively, a big reason why they qualified.

Who is a name for the future to keep an eye on? Jack Hinshelwood is the latest academy graduate to step up to the first-team, scoring his first Premier League goal against Brentford (the match-winner) and featuring at full-back in the Europa League too. Last April, he scored a 90th minute winner for Brighton’s U18s against Palace’s U18s at the Brighton training ground.

What, if anything, do Brighton need to do in the January transfer window? Adding depth in defence, particularly at full-back, is important to compensate for various injuries.

How has De Zerbi reacted after losing Caicedo and Mac Allister? In press conferences last season, he sounded very prepared to lose both, and was clearly tactically adapting before they had gone. BRIGHTON

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 young hero separates bitter rivals…

'rash the smash' bags a brace Just three months after the acrimonious FA Cup first round replay at Stamford Bridge that crystallised the rivalry between the two clubs, Brighton & Hove Albion travelled to Selhurst Park for a Third Division fixture. During the summer of 1976, Palace had signed a 20-year-old forward of AngloAlgerian descent from Feltham by the name of Rachid Harkouk. Manager Terry Venables had given the youngster a regular place in the team following his performances and goals in the three FA Cup clashes with the Seagulls. His somewhat ungainly way of running earned him the soubriquet of ‘Spider’, and his spectacular striking of the ball that of ‘Rash The Smash’. At the time of this encounter, on 12th March 1977, Brighton were top of the table with Palace seven points and six places behind and not exactly in any sort of form. Venables took a chance, handing Jeff Bourne his debut. Five minutes after kick-off, the Eagles were awarded a corner. As Phil Holder swung

the ball in, it was only partially cleared; Harkouk was waiting at the edge of the penalty area to smash home, to the delight of 28,677 supporters, the biggest crowd of the season.

in led to a number of free-kicks – although just three bookings. The Eagles took a firm grip seven minutes into the secondhalf, and it was Harkouk who grabbed his second goal, sent clear on the left by a clever pass from George Graham, shrugging off two challenges and blasting home. It only took another four minutes for him to set up Dave Swindlehurst for the third. Palace scored twice more but were denied by the referee, before Brighton snatched a consolation in injury time. The result kick-started the season for Venables’ side, which culminated in a memorable promotionclincher at Wrexham in May.

Palace: Burns, Wall, Sansom, Holder, Cannon, Evans, P. Hinshelwood. Graham, Bourne (Hilaire), Swindlehurst, Harkouk

Given the recent history between the teams, there was a lot of tight marking, helping Jim Cannon and Ian Evans to keep a stranglehold on Ian Mellor and Peter Ward, while the tackles flying BRIGHTON

Brighton: Steele, Tiler, Cattlin, Horton, Rollings, Cross, Towner, Ward, Mellor, Piper (Morgan), O’Sullivan.

‘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

DRAMA AT THE ETIHAD

through the lens

WELCOME TO THE CLUB Play Now

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...

SHORTS OR TIGHTS And so, to “The Big One”. Although, as we established on these pages last season, I really don’t hate Brighton – I envy them – so I would dub tonight’s fixture “The Next One”. To me, City was the big one. What a comeback! The Olise penalty genuinely played back in my dream last night, randomly. When I woke up I figured it must’ve popped in because, having watched the scenes at the Etihad on Match of the Day, I found myself wishing I’d made the journey to Manchester with the rest of the Palace faithful. Not the first time I’ve kicked myself about that – I just keep falling victim to the assumption that our weirdly decent record away to the Champions has to end sometime. I didn’t go to the Conor Gallagher 0-2 game thinking the best we’d get was a goalless draw; I turned my nose up at the heroic 4-2 thriller thinking it’d be boring… But worst of all: almost exactly five years ago, 22nd December 2018, representatives from City invited me as a person of note (ahem) to come

I would dub tonight’s fixture “The Next One”. To me, City was the big one. What a comeback! The Olise penalty genuinely played back in my dream last night, randomly

ben bailey-smith

up to the Etihad, do some fun press stuff with their channel as the sort of friendly face of the opposition, in return for a ticket. A day’s work and travel, but I’d get to see the Palace... The same day, at the same time in fact, a musical based on one of my sister’s books opened in London with a special matinee. Now, believe it or not, I might be a showbiz tart but I’m not a huge musicals guy. Or theatre in general really – at least not until they create seating that can accommodate humans that happen to be over five feet tall. Still, it felt like a big deal, extended family and friends were all attending and I’d already bought a ticket long before I’d noticed the clash. Plus, it was Christmas, going to the theatre felt festive somehow, I guess… But the real reason I decided to sit and watch men in tights doing jazz hands for over two hours rather than watch men in shorts kicking a ball for under two hours was because I couldn’t bear going to Manchester, being the “funny Palace fan” on Man City TV, smiling through the tears after a 6-0 thrashing and “another De Bruyne masterclass” or something equally horrific. No thank you. Safer,

I thought, to be tucked away in the shadows of the stalls, glass of red, waiting for the interval so I could check the scores and smugly revel in the fact that I wasn’t up there witnessing the carnage in person. I couldn’t wait for the interval. Sorry ushers, I know it’s not on, but I sneaked a peak at my phone – it was mid-song so I figured not too distracting to anyone else. What? I just stared at the half-time score, blinking at the BBC Sport website as if it was an optical illusion. 1-2 to Palace? The song and dance number came to an end just in time, as the band’s flourish and ensuing audience whoops, cheers and applause masked me pumping a fist and screaming “COME ON NOW!!” Looking back, that cast must have been thinking: 'Wow – that guy really is passionate about musical theatre.' When I eventually saw the final score it was bittersweet. I had no idea what the story of the game was, but a 2-3 away win against the champions? It must have been pretty special and I bloody missed it! I could have been there! Instead of ben bailey-smith

this stupid sing-songathon! I mean I probably shouldn’t have shouted that out loud in the foyer but emotions were high. As I went to the bar I became more philosophical – some things just aren’t meant to be. People had a good time up there in the away end, people are having a good time here in the theatre, it’s Christmas, and hey, the most important thing is the three poi- oiiii what the hell ohmygodohmygodohmygod!!! Someone had sent me a video of THAT Andros volley and my misery was complete. I missed a piece of Crystal Palace history. Still really irritates me to this day as you can probably tell because I’ve just written an entire article about it. I guess my point is this: always believe in the magic of Palace. You just never know with us – we’re weird like that and it’s one of the reasons I love us. Almost exactly five years on, let’s get a bit of that magical Andros festive fairy dust and sprinkle it over Selhurst tonight, because it’s about time we sent Brighton back like the Lost Boys to Neverland. Merry Christmas!

On a special anniversary for the Football Association this month, historian Peter Manning explains how its early history is inextricably linked to the beginnings of Crystal Palace Football Club…

160 years on In the middle of the 19th Century, cricket was the major team sport in England and had had its own laws for more than a century. Football, by contrast, was disorganised; it had been taken up at the beginning of the century by public schools as a healthy outdoor sport but there were no universal rules as each school made up its own. The style of football played by the schools broadly fell into two camps: the ‘dribbling game’ played by Eton and Winchester, where the ball was kept at the feet; and the Rugby game which allowed handling the ball; the holding of players and hacking; the practice of kicking away the legs of a player who had the ball. These were the two extremes, with Eton prohibiting the handling of the ball and the holding of players and Rugby vehemently defending the rights of its players to hack. Most other schools adopted rules somewhere between the two. As many of the schoolboys got older, they went on to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and, naturally, wanted to carry on playing football. But

which of the school’s rules should take precedence? In 1848, a Cambridge student, Charles Thring, came up with a ‘universal code’ by adopting the key parts of the major schools’ rules so that the students could carry on playing each other, at least while they were at university. But the schools, themselves, jealously stuck to their own rules, so little progress was made. At the same time, serious cricketers saw the benefit of playing football among themselves in the winter to keep up their levels of Peter manning

fitness and it is here that Crystal Palace come into the picture. The Crystal Palace, which originally opened in Hyde Park as The Great Exhibition, had moved to Sydenham in 1854 and in 1857 laid its own cricket pitch and set up its own cricket club, known, not surprisingly, as the Crystal Palace Club. It is around this time that the first organised clubs appeared in London. A club called Forest, founded by the Old Harrovian brothers, John and Charles Alcock was formed in Leytonstone, Essex

in 1859 and in 1861, archives show that the Crystal Palace Club’s cricketers formed their own club. On 15th March 1862, the two clubs played in each other in what is the first recorded game between two clubs who would go on to form the Football Association. The match was reported in Bell’s Life. Two other clubs were formed soon after, Barnes and the N.N .’s (No Names) of Kilburn, and these three clubs formed Palace’s first fixtures. The four clubs would soon go on to form the core of the Football Association and between them, five of their players would become recognised as the Founding Fathers of the Football Association, including Crystal Palace’s James Turner.

James Turner

On the evening of Monday, 26th October 1863 a meeting of club captains and secretaries was held at the Freemason’s Tavern in Covent Garden ‘for the purpose of forming an association with the object of establishing a definite code of rules for the regulation of the game of football’. Eleven clubs were minuted as attending, including Crystal Palace, who were represented by Frank Day, the Secretary of the Crystal Palace Cricket Club.

There then came the task of agreeing the rules for the new Association and, more trickily as it turned out, the proposed rules and laws of the game. Nine rules for the Association were readily agreed at a second meeting, where Crystal Palace were represented by team captain, James Turner, but, after two hours of discussion, only those first nine laws of the game had been agreed. So, a third meeting was held to continue the discussion, ending up with a draft of twenty-three laws. These included laws that allowed hacking and holding players but banning tripping. A fourth meeting was adjourned without agreement and at the fifth meeting, the Rugby peter manning

teams found themselves politically outmanoeuvred, and the draft laws were agreed without the inclusion of laws which would have allowed hacking and handling. A sixth and final meeting took place on 8th December 1863, 160 years ago this month, to confirm and set the laws, most of which worldwide football still plays to today. Crystal Palace had played a full and vital role in setting the new laws of football. We were the only club to attend all six meetings and sent more individual delegates, seven, to the meetings, than any other club. It is a role which Crystal Palace can be rightly proud of having played to this today With thanks to Peter Manning and the Football Association.

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…

F Ademola Ola-Adebomi Age

Joined

Under-9s

Position

Striker Career highlight so far

Making the first-team matchday squad earlier this season against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Take note of Ademola Ola-Adebomi is a towering striker, who can not only hold up the ball, but also finish strongly inside the box.

Ademola Ola-Adebomi

ollowing a strong start to the season and a very good couple of months, Ademola OlaAdebomi received back-to-back nominations for the Premier League 2’s Player of the Month award in October and November. Ola-Adebomi – or ‘Mola’ as he is known by coaches and teammates – scooped the November award, after a prolific month including a well-earned hat-trick in a 7-1 thrashing of Leeds United. Upon receiving the award, he said: “I mean, it’s crazy to be honest. I was surprised, you could say, but it's been a good month. “I scored three against Leeds, two against Birmingham, and then one against Stevenage. So all of those games as well were all different games, in different competitions, but overall it's just good to contribute for the team and that’s what makes me happy. “It's been good to be in and amongst the goals and getting assists this season. I'm just happy to contribute and do well for the team. I'm just trying to win as

many games as possible and just play well for the team.” Indeed, the forward’s aim is to not only play well as an individual, but to become a fulcrum of the side. He has been a part of many Palace teams throughout his 12 years at the Academy, coming up alongside Under-21s captain Jack Wells-Morrison, who was also nominated for the award.

I love being there, because every time I train across the road I improve my game. It’s just so good to come across each time and learn a couple of things from some of the players and also from the gaffer as well On Wells-Morrison, OlaAdebomi said: “We've been here since eight years old, so I've played with Jack throughout the age groups. You know Jack, he’s a wonderful player, a really creative midfielder. It's been brilliant playing with him.” Ola-Adebomi’s performances have also seen him train with the first-team and feature in three Ademola Ola-Adebomi

matchday squads. It’s something he relishes. “You can't ask for any more than being across the road and being involved with the first-team, to be honest. “I love being there, because every time I train across the road I improve my game. It’s just so good to come across each time and learn a couple of things from some of the players and also from the gaffer as well.” With Ola-Adebomi’s dedication and hard-working earning him goals at Academy level, who knows – could his debut in the first-team be around the corner?

Following a successful opening to their 2023/24 season, Crystal Palace Women rounded off 2023 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Reading’s Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Laura Kaminski’s side were on top from the first whistle as they put the home side under early pressure, but struggled to carve out too many real chances in the opening stages. But Palace’s general dominance of proceedings paid off after half-an-hour when Elise Hughes bagged her 17th goal of the season in all competitions – the Wales international’s tally of 12 in the league making her the Women’s Championship top scorer by some margin. It was once again Fliss Gibbons – the top assister in the division, now with seven in the league – who teed up her close friend and housemate, whipping one of her routine free-kicks into the area for Hughes to guide past Emily Orman in goal. Sadly, however, Palace’s lead lasted less than 10 minutes as a lightning counter, started by Orman’s distribution from the back, allowed Tia Primmer to play through Lauren Wade, who finished past the onrushing Demi Lambourne. Despite going close from distance multiple times in the closing stages, Palace could not retake the lead, and were forced to settle for a draw which keeps them fourth in the Championship table, two points off the top of the table – and with a game in hand on the sides around them.

Palace Women to return to Selhurst Following a spectacular day against Southampton at Selhurst Park last month, in which a club-record 4,442 tickets were sold, Palace Women will return in March 2024 when they host Watford in SE25. The Eagles will host Watford at Selhurst on Sunday, 24th March 2024 (kick-off 14:00 GMT), and fans booking before 23rd February 2024 can enjoy a 50% off ‘early bird’ discount, automatically applied to all bookings! At the midway point of the campaign, the Eagles remain in

the hunt for promotion and have maintained their impressive goalscoring record from the start of the season, with 45 goals in 14 games across all competitions. Head to cpfc.co.uk now and book your tickets online before the deadline in order to take advantage of the best possible prices.

Eagles up for the Cup Palace have been drawn to face fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers at home in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. women

The match will take place on Sunday 14th January 2023, kicking off at 13:00 GMT with tickets available now via cpfc.co.uk.

Age 28 Position Midfielder Nationality Scottish Signed

chloe arthur

2022 - Aston Villa

Scotland international and tough-tackling midfielder Chloe Arthur began her career with Celtic. She attended the National Performance Centre before helping Hibernian finish second in Scotland and clinching promotion from the Championship in her first season with Bristol City.

We caught up with Chloe about Palace’s season so far…

We always look forward to seeing them [the fans] – they always make time for us and we’ll always make time for them chloe arthur

How have you found playing in Sutton this season? Everyone enjoys being at home, and we’ve really made Sutton feel like home to us. It’s a new pitch this year and we all enjoy playing there. The atmosphere there is one of the reasons we enjoy playing at Sutton. We’ve performed really well there and got loads of goals because of it. How much does it mean to you all to have those crowds? It’s important to get as many people as possible to the games. You can see over the last couple of years that Women’s football has

grown and grown, and we want to push that on even more and get more people. How did you use the recent international break? Whenever the girls go away on international break, we all work really hard on the training pitch, and when they come back we just bring everything together. We’re set to go. Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities in this team so we feel good. No matter who is playing, we try to prepare well, go out there, be professional and get the job done. chloe arthur

What makes the atmosphere so special? The fans have been amazing all year round and, playing at Sutton, it’s a stadium that’s easier for them to access. The crowd turns out in large numbers every week and they play a massive part. They’ve always got a chant going – sometimes they’ve got a new one every week! You always hear it. We let them crack on and sing their songs because they are great. We always look forward to seeing them after matches – they always make time for us and we’ll always make time for them.

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.

eric young

orn in Singapore in 1960, Palace’s imposing centreback began his football career with Southall and Slough Town, while continuing to train as an accountant. In 1982, he got his big break as Brighton snapped him up, and stayed there for five years before joining Wimbledon, where he formed a defensive partnership with Andy Thorn. The two started the famous FA Cup final against Liverpool in 1988, with John Motson declaring that ‘the Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club’. Palace manager Steve Coppell reunited him with Thorn in 1990 to strengthen the defence, following a first season back in Division One, ignoring critics who questioned a fee of £850,000 for a 30-year-old.

With his brown headband to protect scar tissue he soon earned the nickname of ‘Ninja,’ endearing himself to the fans with his brave performances, and even scoring on his debut in the first game of the season at Kenilworth Road. The Eagles finished in third place, winning the Full Members’ Cup at Wembley. Young scored several important goals, none more so than a winner against Liverpool in 1992, earning Palace a rare double over the Reds. In 1992/93 he was the club’s third-highest scorer. His birth in Singapore and a quirk of FIFA eligibility rules allowed him to represent any of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, and he selected Wales despite having no firm connection to the nation, gaining history makers

19 caps during his time at Selhurst Park. At the time it was the highest number of international caps won by any Palace player. Consistently reliable, Young was ever-present in the club’s inaugural Premier League campaign and repeated the feat in the Division One-winning season, this time alongside new partner Chris Coleman. He moved to Wolves in the summer of 1995, having made more than 200 appearances at Crystal Palace, winding down his career before returning to where it all began – accountancy, that is.

weird and wonderful Leap years occur just once every four years, and so it takes 28 years for one to fall on a Saturday. As such, Palace’s leap year record is limited – only five matches since 1905, although peculiarly two have been against Brighton.

In 1908, a goal from Isaac Owens was enough for Palace to win 1-0 at the Goldstone Ground, with lightning striking twice more than a century later as Jordan Ayew struck the winner in 2020. The other three matches came against Coventry City (1936), Colchester United (1964) and Norwich City (1992).

debuts and curtain calls The final game of the 1914/15 season, which came against Brighton, meant a number of farewells as football was suspended after the outbreak of the First World War. Harry Collyer, Bill Davies, Josh Johnson and Bob Spottiswood were among those to make their final Palace appearances. In October 2002, Andrejs Rubins played his last game in a Palace shirt against Brighton. Jeff Bourne made his debut against the Seagulls in March 1977, and a year later goalkeeper John Burridge took his bow. They were followed by Rudi Hedman in December 1988, Simon Osborn in February 1991 in a Full Members’ Cup tie, before young Academy goalkeeper Joe Whitworth was thrown in at the deep end in March this year.

Brief encounters york city York City Football Club were founded in 1922, and seven years later were elected to Division Three North at the expense of Ashington. In 1955 they reached the semifinals of the FA Cup, and in 1958, along with Palace, they became founder members of Division Four. history makers

The two sides met over three seasons and in one FA Cup tie, with Palace losing just once at Bootham Crescent in our last league fixture in 1977. In 2004, York lost their Football League status and now compete in the National League, winning the FA Trophy in 2017. They now play at the York Community Stadium

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 publish some abridged programme notes after a special meeting between Palace and Brighton – smash and grab, baby…

Crystal Palace √ fulham – 28 february 2021

luka milivojeviĆ captain Wow. I am writing this just a few hours after our win against Brighton and I do not think this result has quite felt real yet. We might not call this win ‘pretty’, but we can be very proud of it. In some ways, it represented what we are about and I think our fans will agree with that. We knew we were coming up against a very good team in some strong form so Brighton’s possession and attacking ability did not surprise us. But we did have to fight from kick-off to ensure we were in the game at all times – this was the plan. Against a confident opponent, that fight is very difficult, but all of the lads showed how much they are passionate and how we play for the badge. Seeing Gary do everything to block shots and attacks with a bleeding nose shows that well. And then, JP and Christian – I must congratulate my teammates FROM THE ARCHIVE

steve parish chairman -

for these goals. JP scored with our first real attack of the game and showed that he is clinical and very skilled. We have scored some memorable goals this season, but I think it will take something to rival JP’s. Although, Christian’s comes close! Because of our fight, our spirit and our determination to beat Brighton for you, we had the chance to win even in the 95th minute. If the whole team has fought from front to back to have that opportunity, what you are then hoping for is your strikers to make

the most of it. Christian did that. Andros crossed a very clever ball and he must also receive praise for this but, wow, the finish. We were very proud to win this game because we know how much it means to each of our fans – however the team and I were disappointed because we celebrated alone. Last time at their stadium, we got to enjoy this feeling with all of you. This time we could not do that, but we know how you will have supported us at home. Make some noise! FROM THE ARCHIVE

I am hopeful that you are in as good a mood reading this programme as I am writing these notes on Tuesday morning, following another memorable win against our biggest rivals Brighton. Where to begin?! It was a dogged victory, especially with so many key players out injured. Yes, we didn’t have much of the ball but it was a proper Palace performance in every other way: strength of character, resilience and frankly balls to win that game. Congratulations to JeanPhilippe on his magnificent goal, for what I hope is the first of many. It was really pleasing to hear Andros speak so positively about his impact since his arrival, with his quality impressing his new teammates on the training pitch and then performing on the field. I also couldn’t be happier for Jordan who created both goals and of course Christian - what an incredible finish from a trademark Andros cross. The defensive line and Vicente also deserve huge plaudits for the way they - time and again – threw themselves in front of every attack. The reaction from all of the players and staff showed just how much it meant to us all; as Palace fans, we really can’t ask for more than a last-minute wonder goal away at Brighton! I just wish you’d all been in the away end to soak it up. Up the Palace!

This article is reprinted verbatim.

1984

nineteen

eightyfour

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

At the

manager: steve coppell

A new era Steve Coppell’s early retirement at the age of 28, after long-term injury issues, brought to an end an illustrious playing career: 373 appearances for Manchester United, 70 goals and 42 international caps. Mr Reliable – a man who had started 207 consecutive games between 1977 and 1981 – had been let down by his body, and now a new chapter was beginning. Never one to be cowed by a challenge, a new chapter began: in June 1984 he became the new manager of Crystal Palace. He had wowed then-chairman Ron Noades during a testing six-hour interview process. The great irony was that he was not Palace’s first choice. Dave Bassett, then at Wimbledon, had seemed to accept the job before going back on his word days later. Coppell signed, and at just 28-years-old became one of the Football League’s youngest ever managers. He didn’t have a huge budget to work with, so had to get imaginative. A young striker from Greenwich Borough looking for a retro palace

route to the top? Ian Wright: not a bad find. A plucky centre-forward looking to make his name away from Leicester City? Mark Bright would certainly make an impression. Coppell took Palace striding into the First Division, and then embarked on some of the finest years in the club’s history. His service to the club had been exemplary, and in 2005 he was voted by fans as the manager of what was then Palace’s Centenary XI. Mr Reliable had swatted misfortune aside and become as big a legend in south London as he was at the Theatre of Dreams.

Music

top 5 singles 1

Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Band Aid

I Just Called To Say I Love You

Stevie Wonder

Two Tribes

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Careless Whisper

George Michael

Hello

Lionel Richie

Fashion

Films

‘Power dressing’ was in – but not in the sense that George Orwell might have imagined it. Popular TV shows like Dynasty had led to wacky oversized shoulder pads, while men flocked towards (gulp) pinstripe suits or – if they were feeling bold – colourful jackets and sports coats worn in shows like Miami Vice.

Ghostbusters

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Beverly Hills Cop

Gremlins

The Karate Kid

24 january Steve Jobs launches the first Apple Mac computer in the USA

08 may The Soviet Union announces its boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

12 october Margaret Thatcher survives an IRA assassination attempt in the Brighton hotel bombing

06 november Ronald Reagan wins 49 out of 50 states to be re-elected President of the United States

19 may Everton win the FA Cup, beating Watford at Wembley

30 may Liverpool beat AS Roma to win the European Cup in Rome

27 june France become European champions by beating Spain 2-0 in Paris

01 july Napoli sign Diego Maradona from Barcelona for a world-record £6.9 million fee

retro palace

Treat yours-elf... 58

to a Palace fan EXCLUSIVE DEAL this Xmas!

SCAN ME

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

mateta’s in the room

inside palace

REMF donation funds new kit for the DS Eagles

he Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) generously donated £8,000 to Palace for Life earlier this year, and a proportion of the funds from the donation have been used to create a bespoke new kit for our Down’s Syndrome football team, the DS Eagles. The REMF was formed following the devastating attacks of the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001. Robert Eaton was a Brighton & Hove Albion supporter and was one of the 3,000 innocent people who were caught in the unprovoked and cowardly attacks of that tragic day. Since its inception, the annual REMF game was born – a challenge match between Brighton and Crystal Palace supporters – putting rivalries aside to raise funds to help fund a junior football club in the US. Since 2001, the REMF has supported charities closer to home as well as in the US, including Palace for Life, with a recent donation of £8,000 to help support projects we deliver in south London. One such project is our Down’s Syndrome football team – also known as the DS Eagles – who last week during

their annual Christmas party were gifted their brand-new kit, funded by the REMF’s generous donation. The new kit, designed in a rich and sophisticated dark blue with a red trim by the shoulders, features the Palace for Life logo on the front and ‘21 / DS Eagles’ on the back. The number 21 is significant in the Down’s Syndrome community as people with Down’s Syndrome are born with three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the usual two copies. As part of the kit, our DS players will also wear odd socks, to pay homage to the World Down’s Syndrome Day tradition, which takes place on the 21st March every year. “I would like to thank REMF for giving us the opportunity to create a unique football kit for our DS Eagles,” Ben Perryman,

foundation

the DS Eagles coach said. “The kit was designed to highlight our unique players with each player having number 21 on the back. “The number 21 in the Down’s Syndrome community is very important as it signifies the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down’s Syndrome. Every player will also have odd socks as this a national campaign run on 21st March every year to celebrate World Down’s Syndrome Day.” The new kit wasn’t only the surprise that day, our team were also visited by Santa, who helped hand out the new kits and played with them in their final training session of the year. “The Christmas party was a great way to celebrate the end of

The number 21 in the Down’s Syndrome community is very important as it signifies the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down’s Syndrome

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

donate a pint from your pre-match routine below

the year especially because they were joined by a very important VIP in Santa Claus,” Ben continued. “All the players have improved so much and are are really starting to play like a team now.” Valerie, mother of the DS Eagles star-striker Ruairi, said: “A big thank you to Palace for Life for all the support and opportunities it gives our children. Ruairi thoroughly enjoyed his evening and was thrilled with the new football top which is so sporty and stylish and shows the players’ true identity.” For more information on Palace for Life, visit palaceforlife.org.

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…

21 dec

22 dec

23 DEC

2018 palace √ brighton | 20:00 LIVE on

25 DEC

to all our Palace fans around the world!

Andros Townsend’s Puskas award-nominated volley helps Palace to a famous win v Man City.

26 dec

Jeff Schlupp turns 31 today.

26 dec

2019

2013

Jordan Ayew scores a solo wonder-goal in stoppage time against West Ham.

Dwight Gayle scores a crucial injury-time winner against at Villa Park.

what’s on?

27 dec

28 dec

30 dec 2021

chelsea √ palace | 19:30 LIVE on

01 jan

palace √ brentford | 15:00

Jean-Philippe Mateta is on the scoresheet as Palace thrash Norwich City.

LIVE audio commentary on

31 dec

31 dec 2023

2011

Jordan Ayew and Ebere Eze score the goals as Palace win at Bournemouth.

A young Nathaniel Clyne starts as Palace beat Millwall 1-0 at The New Den.

02 jan

03 jan 1989

1966 Steve Kember makes his debut against Bristol City.

Mark Bright scores his first Palace hat-trick against Walsall.

Peter Taylor turns 71 today.

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

what’s on?

The page for 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.

H you are the strongest person I know, carry on fighting for as long as you can we love you loads love Julie and Stuart xxxx

Happy 10th Birthday to Kayden Wilson-Ovuede.

After travelling from Perth, WA, granddaughter, Eva’s 3rd birthday today and grandson, Finley, 7, watching his first live home game with his dad, Craig, and his granddad (Jeff.)

Happy Birthday to my dad Elton Maryon. He is a season ticket holder in the Main Stand. Hope you enjoy the game tonight. Lots of love, Kate xx

from the terraces

Happy 21st Birthday Joseph! Lots of love Mummy, Daddy, Rose, Palace, Poppy, Pebbles, Nanny, Grandad, Aaron, Rory, Franky, Oli, Emily, Ellis, Jimmy and a heavenly happy birthday from Nanny Bubbles xxxx

Currently living in Italy, lifelong Palace fan Clara Spicer has flown back especially for the game tonight. The eagle has landed!

John Gardner 16th June 1959-7th November 2023. John was a life long Palace fan and season ticket holder in Block A of the Holmesdale. RIP Big Man. From Kristian, Greg, Dan, Spencer, Cem, friends and family.

Wishing Tim Cook a very Happy 70th Birthday. Enjoy the match tonight. Love Angela and Roger

Happy 14th Birthday Daniel, wishing you a wonderful day lots of love Mum and Dad x

Happy 70th birthday to John who has been an avid member of Crystal Palace for 54 years. Much love from Yinka and the family. Xx

Happy 16th birthday Luke, lots of love from Mam, Dad and Ida

Wishing Connor the best 21st birthday (and hopefully 3 points) love from Mum, Dad, Matt, Aaron and all the family

Happy Birthday Alan Arnold, Lots of Love from Paul, Kate, Mat, Phil, Sally and Roscoe x

In loving memory of my brother Peter Horan, who has left The Arthur too soon. Sadly missed by Carole, and all his family and friends. Forever an Eagle.

Jude was born on November 27th, both his Dad, Jodan Lavigne and his grandad Joseph Lavigne are season tickets holders in the Arthur Waite Stand and we look forward to the day little Jude can join us

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 a trip across London, relive an unlikely hero and pit your wits against Brighty below.

Henry O’Neill AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

Oscar Warburton

Isaac Crulley

AGE:

Harry Harford

James Green

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

1-1

2-1

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

Charlie Baxter SCORE PREDICTION:

1-1

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

3-2

Want to feature as a mascot?

Stanley Boxall AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

Email: liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

1-2

round-up

next up: chelsea

Best memory: Joel Ward: match-winner. No sooner had Radamel Falcao equalised for Chelsea late on, the Palace legend popped up with a rare goal to claim a famous three points at the home of the reigning champions in 2015.

Palace travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Wednesday, 27th December (19:30 GMT). Travel: The nearest tube station to Stamford Bridge is Fulham Broadway on the District Line, while the nearest overground station is West Brompton – you can catch trains to the latter from Clapham Junction. Pre-match: The White Horse and the Slug at Fulham have accepted travelling supporters in the past.

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

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

round-up

team stats: women/U21S/U18S Elise Hughes continues to average more than a goal per game as she scored against Reading.

Zach Marsh added to his tally of Under-21s appearances, coming on as a substitute against Middlesbrough and West Ham United.

Asher Agbinone made a goalscoring return to the Under-18s in a victory over Aston Villa.

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

Blackburn Rovers

W 4-0

OCTOBER Sun 8

Wed 11 Lewes

D 1-1

Sun 15

London City Lionesses

W 6-1

Sun 22

Charlton Athletic

L 2-3

NOVEMBER Sun 5

Watford

W 3-0

Sun 12

Lewes

W 3-2

Sun 19

Southampton

Wed 22 Watford

L 3-4 W 3-0

DECEMBER Sun 10

Chatham Town

W 6-0

Sun 17

Reading

D 1-1

JANUARY Sun 21

London City Lionesses

Wed 24 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

TBC TBC

Sheffield United

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 L OCTOBER Sun 1 Liverpool L Mon 30 West Bromwich Albion W NOVEMBER Fri 3 Leeds United W Tue 7 AFC Wimbledon L Fri 10 Ipswich Town L Tue 14 Stevenage L Fri 24 Birmingham City W december Sat 2 Manchester City W Mon 11 Middlesbrough L Mon 18 West Ham United L 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 3-4 2-4 3-0 7-1 0-2 2-4 2-5 4-1 3-0 0-4 1-5

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 28 Arsenal NOVEMBER Sat 4 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 11 West Bromwich Albion Thu 16 Newcastle United Sat 25 Fulham DECEMBER Thu 7 Plymouth Argyle 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 tbc TBC Norwich City

D 1-1 W 3-1 W 2-1

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

6-1 1-1 3-4 3-3

D 3-3 W W L W

5-2 2-1 1-4 5-4

W 2-1 W 3-2

women Name

u21s

Apps

Chloe ARTHUR Paige BAILEY-GAYLE

Goals

Name

u18s Apps

Goals

Name

Apps 14

Tayo ADARAMOLA

Kai-Reece ADAMS-COLLMAN

Victor AKINWALE

Asher AGBINONE

Cormac AUSTIN

Justin DEVENNY

Rio CARDINES

Keira BARRY

Annabel BLANCHARD

Lia CATALDO

Araya DENNIS

Polly DORAN

Aimee EVERETT Anna FILBEY

Goals

Chima EZE

Freddie COWIN

Chris FRANCIS

Matteo DASHI

Sean GREHAN

Jesse DERRY

Danny IMRAY

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

Jackson IZQUIERDO (GK)

Leon ELLIOTT

Caleb KPORHA

Joe GIBBARD

Zach MARSH

Jake GRANTE

Roshaun MATHURIN

Zack HENRY

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

Marcus HILL (GK)

Felicity GIBBONS

Shauna GUYATT

Shanade HOPCROFT

Elise HUGHES

Annabel JOHNSON

Frances KITCHING (GK)

Demi LAMBOURNE (GK)

Jadan RAYMOND

Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Dylan REID

Finley MARJORAM

Kaden RODNEY

Zach MARSH

Joe SHERIDAN

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

Franco UMEH

David OBOU

Noah WATSON

Olaoluwa OMOBOLAJI

Jack WELLS-MORRISON

Caleb REDHEAD

Joe WHITWORTH (GK)

Charlie WALKER-SMITH

Tyler WHYTE

Sebastian WILLIAMS

A GD Pts

Ellie NOBLE Hayley NOLAN

Adler NASCIMENTO

Ademola OLA-ADEBOMI

David OZOH

George KING

Jesurun RAK-SAKYI

Caleb KPORHA

Enrique LAMEIRAS

Alexia POTTER

Kirsten REILLY

Molly-Mae SHARPE

Isabella SIBLEY

Tyler WHYTE

Lucy WATSON

Vonnte WILLIAMS

Mofe JEMIDE

Joseph KHOSHABA 5

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Tuesday, 19 December – see full tables at cpfc.co.uk. th

pos CLUB P W D

3 23 10 +13 23

bir

12 7

A GD Pts

cha

12 6

sun

12 6

2 13 9 +4 22

17 10 +7 23

pos CLUB P W D

10 mun

3 32 21 +11 14

sun

A GD Pts

pos CLUB P W D

3 35 25 +10 24

tot

2 17 15 +2 14

whu

10 7

2 29 12 +17 22

12 wol

10 4

5 18 18 0 13

che

2 34 17 +17 21

cry

2 35 15 +20 21

13 cry

10 4

6 26 26 0 12

cry

10 5

2 28 19 +9 18

sou

12 7

5 21 15 +6 21

14 che

4 21 17 +4 11

ful

10 6

4 29 23 +6 18

dur

12 5

5 12 20 -8 17

15 nfo

3 15 17 -2 10

avl

10 5

4 33 25 +8 16

bla

10 5

16 sou

10 3

6 21 28 -7 10

ars

2 22 17 +5 15

8 13 -5 15

women/u21S/u18S

palace Career Appearances

351

palace Career goals

AUGust september october nov december january february march april may ALL-TIME

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

25,072

0-0

10th

Tue 26

Manchester United

72,842

0-3

Third round

Sat 30

Manchester United

73,428

1-0

9th

Sat 7

Nottingham Forest

25,125

0-0

9th

Sat 21

Newcastle United

52,189

0-4

11th

Fri 27

Tottenham Hotspur

25,074

1-2

13th

Sat 4

Burnley

21,578

2-0

11th

Sat 11

Everton

25,103

2-3

13th

Sat 25

Luton Town

11,029

1-2

13th

Sun 3

West Ham United

62,459

1-1

12th

Wed 6

Bournemouth

24,104

0-2

14th

Sat 9

Liverpool

25,103

1-2

15th

Sat 16

Manchester City

TBC

2-2

15th

Thu 21

Brighton & Hove Albion