Crystal Palace v Brentford matchday programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace v Brentford Saturday 21st August 2021 // 3:00pm

palace √ brentford sat 21 aug | 15:00

08 captain 10 chairman 34 darren ambrose 40 over the road 47 voices of south london 51 non-league neighbours 61 cpfc 1861 64 palace women 66 from the terraces 70 stats & results

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning Scott Guyett Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Will Robinson, Ian King, Peter Manning, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens, Alexa Terry, Neil Bennett Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Dan Weir (PPA), E.Eriksson Printer Bishops Printers

contents

I obviously want to play for as long as I can. After football, you never know, do you? I don’t want to rule something out but probably I’d like to spend a year with my kids and my family and then reassess

briefing palace √ brentford sat 21 aug | 15:00

Selhurst Park revamped for supporters’ return -

AUGUST

Selhurst Park has had a revamp over summer to improve supporters’ experiences. As with every year, the team at Crystal Palace have been working hard behind the scenes to update the stadium where needed. Key changes this year include: new floodlights to reduce glare, cleaning the Main Stand roof for the first time, deep cleaning the stadium in detail, changing the toilet sinks, rebranding the stadium and updating its artwork, and

replacing several turnstiles. The club’s Director of Operations Sharon Lacey leads the operations team, and says she has a list of almost 300 ‘snags’ to address, and a longer one for projects and ideas. She says the drive to improve Selhurst is powered by making supporters’ experiences better: “As a club we’re committed to ensuring everyone on site – pandemic or no pandemic – is as safe as possible. We’re keeping all of our cleaning measures in place, they’re not slowing down. “We understand the world’s different now and will never be

what it was before, but we’re going to get as close as we can while being as safe as we can. “Every decision we make is with a view to everyone coming through the gates on a matchday, liking it, being happy with it and it having a better experience.”

Fan update -

Eric Young signs, 1990

Palace’s first Premier League game, 3-3 √ Blackburn, 1992

David Hopkin born, 1970

Yannick Bolasie signs, 2012

New Holmesdale Road stand opens, 1995

Supporters are encouraged to adhere to precautionary measures and wear their mask while inside Selhurst Park.

What’s inside Find out… what James McArthur told teammates from the stands last season (Page 12), how Darren Ambrose found playing against Patrick Vieira (Page 34) and why one Academy player is following the footsteps of his professional father, brother and ‘Pep Guardiola’ mother (Page 40). briefing

manager

Welcome to Selhurst Park to Thomas Frank, the Brentford Directors, staff and players and to everyone here supporting us today.

he last few weeks since arriving at this football club have been great, the support from the people who’ve been here for quite a long time has really helped me to adapt. By the end of the first week I was ready to learn about the people, the club and the players and going into pre-season with the training camp at St George’s Park helped me to know them more. When I talk about knowing the players, it’s about them as people. The football club is going through a new cycle at the moment and has been brave to make the recent changes. You want and need time for things to gel in this situation and we are aware there may be difficult periods ahead; this is why your support will be so important. But we know we must confront these difficult periods in order to compete and remain as ambitious as we are. What’s important is giving ourselves the best chance of success during this transition. I’m really excited and looking forward to the first home game today because I think one of the strengths of this football club is its atmosphere and the way the fans support the

players. I anticipate a physical game with a lot of commitment. Brentford show their work ethic, have really good organisation and play with a lot of tempo and we have to be prepared for that. I must comment on the Chelsea game too, as I think we need to look at what needs improving regardless of the team put in front of us. We

We want to be brave and play forward, create chances and score goals

didn’t use the ball as well as we had planned to and we didn’t play forward quickly enough. We want to be brave and play forward, create chances and score goals and we need to find the right balance between that and the defensive side. Looking at individuals, I was really pleased with our three debutants. Marc is feeling more and more comfortable in the squad and is manager

working well; I’m really happy with his performances so far. I was glad to see Joachim on the field after a couple of weeks out following the Euros and for him to play over 30 minutes was really good. Finally, Jes has done well on and off the field since he joined us in pre-season - he has benefitted a lot from being around the first-team players. I think the future of the football club looks interesting because of the young players we have in the Academy and we need to work with them to ensure they have the chance to become Premier League players. The club is providing the opportunity but they are not there yet and they will need more than just talent to make it. When you’re training every day with the first team, you are learning about the discipline and about what it takes to be a professional. I think in our football club we have some really good examples to follow and it will be important for the Academy boys to keep their eyes and ears wide open over the coming weeks and months. I very much look forward to seeing you all in person today. Thanks for your support

captain

I am writing these notes on Luka’s behalf today while he spends some time on personal matters, and was honoured to captain the side against Chelsea.

elcome back to Selhurst Park for another season in the Premier League. First and foremost, I’d like to share my best wishes with Luka and I look forward to his return. We have a lot of leaders in the squad who are able to step up while he’s away, but it will be good to have the skipper back. I’ve been at Palace for almost seven years now and this summer has been one of the most eventful in my time. New arrivals, both players and coaches, always brings change and this can energise a side with new ideas and desire. So we enjoyed a positive pre-season under the gaffer, who it’s been a privilege to work with over the last few weeks. We looked strong in our preseason friendlies and were able to test some new faces, younger lads and start to work towards full fitness again. But that first game back in the league is always a challenge, and reminds you of the standard at this level of football. That means any side you play on the opening day poses a

threat, but Chelsea were always going to be particularly tough. As champions of Europe and having just won the UEFA Super Cup, they were on a high and that was

Today is a real test for us against an opponent that will be really fired up and raring to go. Brentford showed their strengths against Arsenal and will be just as tough to handle today

evident on the day. But this wasn’t our focus in the changing room, and all of the players, coaches and the manager instead concentrated on our game: how we can be captain

better, handle teams when they’re that confident and still play our style of football. That style isn’t something that comes quickly. We’re still building at a transition point for this football club; with new players arriving, new approaches being taken on board and of course a few boys from the Academy continuing to develop. I’ve spoken about those lads in an interview a few pages over, and they’ve done well on the whole. Today is a real test for us against an opponent that will be really fired up and raring to go. Brentford showed their strengths against Arsenal and will be just as tough to handle today. As a player, that’s the sort of game you want, though: one that pushes you and challenges you to get the most out of a system. Giving that extra percent is all the more possible when you have a full crowd supporting you, especially a full crowd of Palace fans. The team and I are delighted that you’re back in numbers and sure you will, as Luka says… Make some noise

chairman

Firstly welcome to the owners, supporters and staff of Brentford - huge congratulations to them on their promotion. This is quite an occasion as it is the first time we have played Brentford competitively since 1977 .

econdly it’s with enormous pleasure we welcome each and every one of you back to a packed Selhurst Park for the first time since March last year. Today also marks Patrick’s first competitive game in the Selhurst dugout, and naturally I am sure he and our new players Marc, Joachim, Conor, Michael and Remi will get a rousing reception from you all. Our opening fixture at Champions League winners Chelsea was always going to be a tough ask to get a result from. One huge positive was Jesurun making his first Premier League appearance, something everyone at the club is absolutely thrilled with. We all hope he can build on that, as well as some of his colleagues. Several Academy players have trained with the first-team this summer, and will also be playing Premier League 2 football this season – both of which mark a hugely positive step forward for the club, and I’m hopeful that many will be pushing Patrick for their chance to impress throughout the season. The Academy build really has exceeded my expectations, and I

get goosebumps whenever I’m on site. While there is still work to do, it truly is an elite facility already and one that everyone associated with the club should be proud of. I am looking forward to the day when we can show our Academy Founder Members around the phenomenal new site for their long-awaited tours.

The Academy build really has exceeded my expectations, and I get goosebumps whenever I’m on site

Another welcome to John Textor, who joins David, Josh and I as a director of the club. We have been looking for the right investment from the right investor for a while, both to progress the club and deal with the significant chairman

financial challenges of the past 18 months due to COVID. I’m delighted that search led us to John, who has invested significant sums, helping to facilitate the rejuvenation of the squad, bolster the balance sheet and enable the club to finalise the Academy. It has been an immense operational challenge to welcome you all back today, with COVID safety requirements rightly front of mind in order to keep everyone safe. We all have a part to play in this, and I ask you to take a moment to read our new Code of Conduct. We are asking fans not to attend games if they have any risk of passing on COVID, to wear masks and sanitise frequently, and also to be respectful of others. The Premier League has also urged all clubs to move to digital tickets, and we are doing so in a phased approach. I know this is a change for supporters, but we are doing everything we can to ease the transition for everyone. Thank you for continued incredible support. Up the Palace

James McArthur’s footballing brain is apparent whenever he takes to the pitch. From positional assurance to remarkable fitness, the midfielder’s professionalism and understanding are easy to see. Here, he offers Ben Mountain an offpitch insight, where the Scotsman’s approach is just as holistic.

James m©arthur

main interview

hirteen years ago, while earning promotion as First Division Player of the Year with Hamilton Academical, James McArthur was embroiled in a crude, fitness-focused routine. The Scotsman recalls doing rounds of 800-metre tracks, running up and down hills and spending the first week of pre-season without a ball in sight. Thirteen years on, he sits at the FA’s national football centre, St George’s Park, with a range of sport scientists and physios tailoring routines to optimise his performance. The standards and approach have transformed during McArthur’s career, but the arrival of Patrick Vieira has brought back a central focus: fitness. “The way he wants us to play is different and it’s more demanding,” McArthur recalls on a break at Palace’s pre-season training camp last July. “Everyone’s embraced it. We’ve got a team here who want to work hard, who want to put the miles in to feel better. You get the rewards out of it as an individual and as a team. If you’re fitter than you’ve ever been before, that can carry on to Saturday.” At 33, McArthur is one of the more seasoned players in Palace’s current squad, with only Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha having represented the club more times. As becomes clear over the following half an hour, the midfielder’s success and longevity is not borne solely through application and merit, but also through a considered understanding of the game.

It’s in this vein that McArthur acknowledges the risks with fitnessfocused training, admitting “it’s a fine balance, because you can get burnt out;” a balance, no doubt, most significant for players recently returning to fitness. But if McArthur’s on-pitch absence last season was keenly noticed, his off-pitch presence was equally conspicuous. Because amid the usual cries of competitive football and Ray Lewington’s vocal soundtrack was a bellowing Scottish voice midway up the Main Stand.

The way he wants us to play is different and it’s more demanding. Everyone’s embraced it. We’ve got a team here who want to work hard, who want to put the miles in to feel better

“When you’re not playing you’re obviously not adding much to the team,” McArthur explains, discussing his support from the stands earlier this year. “When I was there I tried to add, to try and help the boys from the sides. If you’ve got more voices and more eyes around, then it tries to help them. I probably just want the team to win as well. As a fan sitting there, you know you can’t really influence it alone. “[It was] words of encouragement sometimes, words of praise, [and] tactical, bits of tactical things. If a man’s running inside and a defender can’t see, shout. James m©arthur

“I think probably the difference from myself to a fan sitting there… is I probably won’t try and say to someone: ‘Come inside and put it in the top corner,’ where that’s what you want to happen. I was maybe trying to say what I saw on the tactical side of, let’s say, a player jumped and they kept playing it round him. [You] say: ‘That’s how they’re getting out, don’t jump.’ Or let’s say the other team score, I was a fan then and it was: ‘Come on, lads. Let’s go.’ Words of encouragement. “It was probably a mixture of me being a fan and trying to help the team... When you’re embroiled in a game, you’re in the game. You don’t think as much, you’re more concentrated on the game rather than looking at it as a whole and seeing where the other team are doing well or where we’re doing well. That’s where I tried to add. “Being in a game, there’s loads of things you’re thinking about: you’re trying to get on the ball, trying to stop your opponent, trying to do different things. When you’re sitting in the stands, you can see the full picture. You’re not thinking about individuals.” McArthur’s holistic commitment to football hints at a deeper understanding and dedication to the game, the sort of diligence that sees him first in and last out at the training ground, joining fan podcasts, supporting the team when sidelined and taking a nuanced approach to his teammates’ progression and life after playing. Becoming Hamilton captain at

20 while running round tracks and up hills, McArthur’s understated leadership today sees him considering issues far beyond his remit: the broad group of Academy players selected to train under Vieira this summer. “They’ve done well, to be fair,” the midfielder says. “I think it’s been probably a bit harder as well intensity-wise. You’re coming from there [he holds a hand by his chest] to there [then by his head] where even us as players are stepping up the intensity. It’s been tough.

Being in a game, there’s loads of things you’re thinking about: you’re trying to get on the ball, trying to stop your opponent, trying to do different things. When you’re sitting in the stands, you can see the full picture

“As an experienced player it’s hard to get the fine balance of putting too much demand on them and letting them be free. I think as players we need to try and encourage them but let them know when they’re doing something tactically that isn’t right. If we as players just let them do something wrong, they may not know what’s right. “They all want to learn, which is important, so that makes us try to help them learn. I think [admonishing younger players] is a thing of the past, a different James m©arthur

main interview

generation now. You can’t do that. If anyone was to call a young lad out, the other lads would say straight away. You can’t do that - it’s their progression. “If I was to shout at a young kid, maybe one of them would say: ‘All right, I’m going to make sure I do it next time.’ One of them could go into their shell, which doesn’t help them as a player trying to progress. So there’s a fine line of trying to demand from them and make sure they do everything right. Us setting standards as well is very important. If we don’t do things as well as we

there’s a fine line of trying to demand from them and make sure they do everything right. Us setting standards as well is very important

can then they’re looking up to us to say: ‘Well, he does that and he does that.’ We try to set standards for them. Hopefully they can feed off that.” Earlier this year, former Eagle Gary Cahill said he saw McArthur as a future coach, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, the Scotsman’s mindset - considered support both in training and matches - is coach-like in its scope. McArthur says he has one eye on it as a post-retirement career but, perhaps to be expected, his answer James m©arthur

main interview

isn’t just that simple; there’s a thoughtful process behind it: “I obviously want to play for as long as I can. After football, you never know, do you? I don’t want to rule something out but probably I’d like to spend a year with my kids and my family and then reassess and go into it then. “It’s something I want to do for six months or a year and see how I am away from the game. But I know it will draw me back in. I do know that. My wife is always on at me to try and go down the route of coaching. “It’s something I do like. After games I do try to work out how we could do things different, not only myself but how us as a team - or how did they do that, how did they break us down? I have got it in there, working away at me. But at the same time, as I said, I do want to spend time with my family for at least six months or a year and see where it takes me.” With a five-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter and being one of the most conscientious of Palace’s players, McArthur elaborates on the aspects of family life he’s missing through sport: “As a dad playing football, you sacrifice a lot. You sacrifice not going to their football. My son’s into golf, you sacrifice not taking them to golf. “[Away days are] two nights. You’re away all day and then you’re away all day and go home at nine o’clock, 10 o’clock if you’re away from home. Two days a week you’re away, you’ve got your pre-season,

you’ve got internationals, which I did for a good few years. You could go like: ‘[It’s] only two days a week,’ but you’re also training till three or four o’clock each day. It might sound like: ‘Well, other people work till five and then go home.’ But the sacrifices and demands that we’ve had for all our careers is why I’d like one year out to go away from it and then say: ‘Right, I’m buzzing to get back in.’ “This is the other thing, as well, which goes through my mind: if I jump straight into coaching, I’m going to be doing it for the next 25-

As a dad playing football, you sacrifice a lot. You sacrifice not going to their football. My son’s into golf, you sacrifice not taking them to golf

30 years. That’s why I want a year out to then say: ‘Right, okay, this is the next step and you’re going to be doing it for such a long time.’… I know when I go away I’m going to miss it so much, but I’d like to be flat for a while where it’s not high there and low here.” Whatever the next step down the line, one thing’s for sure: James McArthur will have thought it through. Before then, he’s got plenty more seasons to play. Perhaps those tracks and hills helped after all James m©arthur

With one of world football’s greatest midfielders arriving in south London as Palace manager this summer, James McArthur has quite the coach to learn from. Here, he selects five of the finest midfielders he’s watched over the years. And, no, he can’t say Vieira. That would be too easy.

Greatest midfielders Paul Gascoigne

Moussa Dembélé

He was at Rangers. He was a top, top player. He was someone I grew up supporting. An unbelievable player.

You find a lot of midfielders passing the ball. Even the ones I’ve said, they pass, move and get into the box. Dembélé, watching him and playing against him, it was like he wasn’t a midfielder because he would run at you. He would take you on, one v one, which is very, very rare. I don’t know many players now in the Premier League that get it from [central] midfield and drive at you. As a midfielder, it’s weird playing against someone like that.

Steven Gerrard As a midfielder, the way Gerrard carried his teams, the way he scored big goals in big moments. Amazing player, amazing drive. We played in his last home game – we beat them. That was a pretty big occasion for all of us because of how much of a legend he was.

Frank Lampard It was the years of me growing up and watching the Premier League. He scored so many goals, and was at Chelsea for such a long time – a brilliant, brilliant player. He scored big goals and influenced the game massively. the follow-up

Barry Ferguson When I was a kid growing up, he was Rangers captain. He was a very, very good footballer. Some of the boys here played with him and you probably didn’t understand how good he was. A big player for Scotland as well. I grew up watching and loved him as a player.

Rebrewed from head to hop. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. NEW Brew NEW Glass NEW Fount Still iconically Danish.

Proud to support

Crystal Palace Football Club

brentford f.c. est. 1889

Inside Brentford’s dangerman, in detail Pre-season pain Ambrose v Vieira

opposition

the bees Brentford f.c.

Palace welcome Premier League new boys Brentford for Selhurst’s opening game of 2021/22, having faced Chelsea last Saturday. It will be the first home game without capacity restrictions since March 2020.

match preview Thomas Frank’s men became popular in the Championship for their attacking, attractive style of football. After finishing third in 19/20 and losing the play-off final, the Bees buried the ghosts of their past by defeating Swansea City at Wembley the following season. They also reached the League Cup semifinal and star striker, Ivan Toney, set a new Championship record for goals in a single season (31). The previous record holder was Palace’s Glenn Murray. Today, supporters may see two teams who allow one another to play, with Patrick Vieira’s preseason approach seemingly having favoured passing with intent. This could be an entertaining afternoon.

Story so far

Position Points Top scorer

Home

away

‘keeper

Last five Seasons Season

Position

Points

Top Scorer

20/21

3rd

Toney (31)

19/20

3rd

Watkins (25)

18/19

11th

Maupay (25)

17/18

9th

Maupay (12)

16/17

10th

Vibe (15)

6th 3 Canós/Nørgaard (1)

Most assists

Pinnock (1)

Most passes

Raya (46)

opposition

star man: toney

Brentford were last in the top-flight in 1947, and became the 50th team to feature in the Premier League when they kicked-off against Arsenal.

Remember when?

Boot in both camps

Palace and Brentford’s recent history is sparse, and the two haven’t played competitively since Rachid Harkouk bagged a brace in a 6-3 aggregate League Cup win. After losing 2-1 in the first leg, Palace enacted revenge in the 1977 tournament three days later.

recent form

last time out Brentford 0 Arsenal 2 sat 14 aug / emirates stadium

Subs

Starting xi 1

D.Raya

C.Goode

E.Pinnock

M.Forss

P.Jansson

Y.Wissa

K.Ajer

P.Gunnarsson

R.Henry

S.Ghoddos

V.Janelt

H.Dervisoglu

C.Nørgaard

M.Bidstrup

F.Onyeka

M.Bech Sørensen

M.Roerslev

S.Canós

I.Toney

B.Mbeumo

First Sub Second Sub Third Sub Yellow Card Red Card Goal Own Goal

17 3

6 18

opposition

jeffrey schlupp Schlupp had a spell on loan with Brentford in 2011 and played 10 times as a forward, scoring six goals. The Bees and Leicester are the only other clubs he’s represented.

Golden Glove 1 app 1 clean sheet

04 18 Charlie Goode

Pontus Jansson

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: ENGLAND

NAT: SWEDEN

20 23 David Raya

Kristoffer Ajer

Julian Jeanvier

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: SPAIN

NAT: NORWAY

NAT: GUINEA

Raya made an instant impact when stepping in between the sticks for Brentford in 2019/20, being nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year at the London Football Awards and sharing the EFL Golden Glove for keeping 16 clean sheets. He captained the Bees at times in 2020/21 and kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 play-off final win.

player profile

POS: GOALKEEPER

Age

Height

1.83m

Joined

6th July, 2019

Debut

3rd August, 2019 v Birmingham City

PREVIOUS CLUB: Blackburn Rovers. opposition

30 03 mads Roerslev

Rico Henry

POS: DEFENDER

POS: MIDFIELDER

NAT: DENMARK

NAT: ENGLAND

Solid foundation

1 app 1 clean sheet

07 08 Sergi Canós

Mathias Jensen

Ethan Pinnock

POS: MIDFIELDER

POS: DEFENDER

NAT: SPAIN

NAT: DENMARK

NAT: JAMAICA

player profile

POS: MIDFIELDER

Age

Height

1.94m

Joined

2nd July, 2019

Debut

3rd August, 2019 v Birmingham City

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Dulwich Hamlet, Forest Green Rovers & Barnsley. opposition

Pinnock was signed from Barnsley and formed a formidable partnership alongside Pontus Jansson in 2019/20, helping the Bees reach the 2020 play-off final. The Jamaican international continued at the heart of the defence in 2020/21 and his performances earned him a place in the 2020/21 PFA Championship Team of the Year.

Josh Dasilva

Frank Onyeka

POS: MIDFIELDER

NAT: ENGLAND

NAT: NIGERIA

Utility man

1 app 1 win

24 27 Tariqe Fosu

Vitaly Janelt

Christian Nørgaard

POS: MIDFIELDER

NAT: GHANA

NAT: GERMANY

NAT: DENMARK

player profile

POS: MIDFIELDER

Age

Height

1.85m

Joined

28th May 2019

Debut

17th August 2019 v Hull City

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Lyngby, Hamburg, Brøndby & Fiorentina. opposition

Nørgaard slotted straight into the Brentford midfield upon arrival at Griffin Park, helping the Bees reach the 2020 play-off final. An injury stricken 2020/21 saw him make 22 appearances compared to the 45 he made the season before, though he did recover to feature in Denmark’s run to the semi-final of Euro 2020.

Deadly duo 1 app 0 goals

Bryan Mbeumo

09 11 Marcuss Forss

Yoane Wissa

POS: FORWARD

NAT: FINLAND

NAT: DR CONGO

Ivan Toney

Halil Dervisoglu

POS: FORWARD

NAT: FRANCE

NAT: ENGLAND

NAT: NETHERLANDS

Mbuemo has been a staple in the Brentford first-team since arriving from Troyes in August 2019. The Frenchman’s ability to play across the front three has seen him feature in almost 100 games for the Bees and he helped them secure promotion via the playoffs in 2021.

player profile

POS: FORWARD

Age

Height

1.71m

Joined

5th August 2019

Debut

10th August 2019 v Middlesbrough

PREVIOUS CLUB: Troyes opposition

NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION ENERGY now available countrywide

for SPORT

In any competition, this is the first encounter between Crystal Palace and Brentford for 39 years, since a Football League Trophy match at Griffin Park that ended 2-2 in August 1982.

Crystal Palace and Brentford haven’t faced each other in a league game since a January 1964 meeting in the third-tier, won 1-0 by Palace with a goal from Peter Burridge.

00 00

Passes 423

309 shots

8 Shooting accuracy %

38 goals conceded

0 clean sheets

Marc Guéhi

Ethan Pinnock

Passes

Duels won

opposition

ambrose from the studio

In each programme, club legend Darren Ambrose provides his unique insight into the opposition – offering analysis and expert opinion as a player-turned pundit.

Dark horse’s dangerman The one player that stands out today is Ivan Toney; a magnificent player and an out and out goalscorer. What I like about him is his mentality. Recently he said his aim is to win the Premier League. People laugh at that and he knows they’re not going to, but if you don’t aim that high, there’s no point playing. We had him on talkSPORT and asked: ‘Brentford have missed out on a lot of play-off finals, one of the most in football. Will this affect the players?’ His answer was: ‘They’ve never had an Ivan Toney.’ And then he backed it up. He had a bit of hardship coming through at Newcastle and not making it there but he’s gone the hard route into the Premier League and seems hungry. He’s a player I’m looking forward to seeing – though not against Crystal Palace – throughout the season. How do Palace deal with him? It’ll be tough, but their whole back four has really impressed me throughout pre-season and I think Marc Guéhi is going to be a

fantastic signing. He looks the part, is strong, fast, can win possession and looks like he’s comfortable on the ball. I watched him a few times last season when he was at

He had a bit of hardship coming through at Newcastle and not making it there but he’s gone the hard route into the Premier League and seems hungry

Swansea and was very pleased we got that over the line. Looking past Toney, I believe Brentford are going to shock a few people this season; I’ve tipped them to have a half decent season. I think they have no fear. Thomas Frank will be saying the exact same thing, the reason being that a lot of people are tipping them to Darren ambrose

go down. Also, a lot of them have been put together and stepped back to come forward in their careers, so they’ll take the game to teams. Look at Fulham, they sat back and it didn’t work for them. It wasn’t the way to do it. Brentford will have the opposite approach.

Tough start for Vieira Patrick Vieira has a tough opening run: four London derbies in the first four games, supporters back in the stadium; the atmosphere’s going to be outstanding. Then we go to Liverpool and then it’s the main one: Brighton. It’s back with a bang. I was lucky enough to play against Patrick a few times and what an outstanding football player he was. I was 18 at Highbury making my debut for Ipswich and he was playing for Arsenal. I just remember picking the ball up in the centre of midfield and I was going to dribble but, face to face with Patrick, I felt: ‘There’s no way I can get round this guy.’ There was a mountain stood in front of me. If he can get some of his traits over to the players and we start seeing that on the football pitch, it’s going to be an exciting time for Crystal Palace. We’ve had a great window and brought in a lot of young players, but I think we’ve got to be patient with the new manager and players. They’ve come in and the club’s changing. It’s a transition period. I’d like to pick out Eze; it was massively disappointing him getting injured and I wish him all the best coming back as soon as possible. And the players that left were good servants to the football club over many years, particularly Andros. A lot of players have left who had great tenures at Crystal Palace, so I wish them well.

Once the season starts you just can’t wait to get going. That first game you walk out and think: ‘Right, points are on the line now. Let’s go for it.’ I’m really looking forward to this season, it’s going to be exciting

Shaking off the cobwebs I started my career in a period where pre-season was a bit old school: you just go away, have six-eight weeks of complete down time, enjoy the summers and come back in not-great condition. I always liked to keep myself in half decent shape. But my career stretched from that era to the current one, so I experienced old-school pre-season and had a few new-school pre-seasons. Old-school was just the first two-four weeks with no footballs, bring your running trainers and run on whatever you can find: hills, beaches, steps, rivers, anywhere. In one season with Ipswich we went to Holbrook and it was a big golf course. We just ran around it every day. Towards the back end of my career, the new-school approach was based around sport science, GPS, questionnaires, your heart rate. They could pick and choose what they were doing in terms of intensity. Once the season starts you just can’t wait to get going. That first game you walk out and think: ‘Right, points are on the line now. Let’s go for it.’ I’m really looking forward to this season, it’s going to be exciting. darren ambrose

writers aspiring writers

After widespread job cuts caused by the pandemic, it’s harder than ever for journalists to find work. This page offers three aspiring writers space to display their views and skills. Today, we hear from Alexa Terry.

Today marks the long-awaited moment many fans are again welcomed back to Selhurst Park since the coronavirus pandemic began. It has been 17 long months and seven arduous days since SE25 last felt the thunderous roar of a full stadium, and last witnessed the stands flooded in red and blue. After three lockdowns, one-andhalf Premier League seasons and a whirlwind summer nervously watching the Euros, football is finally back at Selhurst. And we couldn’t be happier about it. Four-hundred-and-seventy days ago at Selhurst, Palace were victorious in a 1-0 win against Watford. This was the day most of us unknowingly said farewell to Selhurst for over 17 months. This afternoon, longing fans eagerly flock back to their estranged seats to finally witness the sport they love in person again. Listen to the distant conversations of Season Ticket holders reuniting, chatting about being back and the special Palace moments watched through our TV screens; such as a certain Manchester United victory we all wish we were there to see. Not

to mention the first time Season Ticket holders are welcomed by their new neighbours. Louie, aged 25 (Block Q, Upper Holmesdale), is an adoring fan of the Eagles and has attended games since 2003. He describes his feelings about returning to Selhurst,

This afternoon, longing fans eagerly flock back to their estranged seats to finally witness the sport they love

saying: “I’m of course looking forward to the whole day and being back with my friends, but mostly I can’t wait to feel those pre-match nerves that I always get as I walk up the Holmesdale Road. That feeling of celebrating a goal in the stands surrounded by my friends is second to none, it’s one of the best feelings aspiring writers

in the world and when Palace win, it makes the day absolutely superb.” Chris, aged 31 (Block F, Lower Holmesdale), has been making memories at Selhurst for 20 years. He reminisces: “For me, Palace means more than just football, it is the memories of time I spent with my dad as I grew up and the new memories I now look forward to making with my son when he has the pleasure and pain of supporting Palace with us!” Wearing the Palace shirt on your chest again, it’s time to get ready for the first game of the season. Notice the perfectly-kept grass stretching ahead and become engrossed for the next 90 minutes. Prepare to welcome your favourite team back to the pitch and prepare for Glad All Over. And lastly, welcome back to Selhurst Park. Welcome back to football, how it’s meant to be

Impressed by what you’ve read, and need work from a media professional? You can discuss work opportunities with Alexa and our other aspiring writers by emailing programme@cpfc.co.uk.

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inside the academy copers cope road

Inside Academy player with footballing heritage Johnny Byrne Issott’s insight

inside the academy

over the road The Palace Academy has produced players from Steve Kember to Wilfried Zaha, and plenty more in between. Here, we look at some of the talented prospects in the system today.

Noah Watson age: 18 / position: lb / joined: 2016

highlights so far Keeping a clean sheet at the start of the Under-18s’ Category 1 season against Chelsea, before going on to help the Under-23s in their promotion push as one of the squad’s youngest lads. If it weren’t for injury, Watson would arguably have featured in front of supporters as his teammates won two dramatic play-off matches.

Take note of Watson’s contrast between off- and on-the-ball approaches. Look for his physicality in the challenge and intention to pass out from the back when in possession – the first arguably more noticeable when playing at left-sided centre-back. inside the academy

getting to know noah watson -

Noah is a hard working young man with the right approach. He’s got plenty of family for inspiration and guidance, and you can see that in his attitude Paddy M©Carthy

It runs in the blood for Steve, Louie and Noah Watson – a father and two sons involved with professional football. For 18-year-old Noah, the footballing heritage that runs through his family has only served to forge a passion and talent for the sport, something which came to the fore when the Academy prospect signed professional forms in July this year. Watson’s father, Steve, represented Stevenage, Aldershot and AFC Wimbledon, and his brother, Louie, joined the Championship’s Derby County in 2020. “[Louie is a] role model, for sure,” Watson says, “but there’s also competition between brothers. “I look up to him, everything he does, and I think that’s been a massive asset getting where I am now. Being able to talk to him about things he’s been through where he’s two years older, he sees a lot of things before I do. “Where he’s more attacking – more of a No.10 – and I’m a defender, growing up and having to defend against him when we went to the park is the reason I’d say I’m a defender. We’d always be doing one-on-ones and things like that. “He helps me on that side of things, giving me competition and the level he’s playing at is a very good level – Championship. That demand of him being such a technical player and me having to defend against it helps me so much.” Inside the academy

Watson was one of eight Academy players to earn a professional contract with Palace last summer. There were Palace fans and prospects who’d been with the club for a decade amongst the group, but the achievement was somehow even more personal for Watson. He had a lineage to follow.

I’ve got two brothers. One plays football for Derby County… Dad was a footballer, too. And Mum’s got the footballing knowledge of Pep Guardiola

“We’ve been saying since I got my pro: I’ve got to finish what my dad started, because he was playing at Palace growing up at scholar age. I’ve always said to him I’ve got to finish off what he started and get to the first-team. “I couldn’t think of a better place to be, really. You see everything going on with the club last year – the building, everything. I can’t wait to kick-on from here.”

inside the academy

Gary Issott We’ve had a busy summer at the Academy which has been affected by the pandemic, a lot of players joining the first-team and the continued site redevelopment

veryone here deserves a lot of credit; coaching staff, sport science, medical, player care, everybody. It’s been a real test of team spirit. The biggest thing recently was the transformation of the buildings. We’re close to the Academy being complete with a full-size indoor dome, full-size outside Astro, all the classrooms and offices, a gymnasium, sport science and medical areas and dressing rooms. They’re all at the highest end of specification in youth football and are available for the players to use. We’ve also been building each group from Under-8s to Under-23s with player signings and releases. What a lot of people won’t have seen is that we continued the younger age groups’ coaching programme throughout summer. It would normally stop for all teams, but we lost six months of player development through the lockdowns. So we extended the younger boys’ programme by two months to claw back some of that time in their junior careers. We’ve also had scouts utilising the Astro,

inviting teams in to look at the best talent in south London. We’re really happy with the Under-18 and Under-23 squads and know the boys will have a lot

we’ve had a lot of boys working with the new manager. They’ve all had a great experience and exposure which they need to learn from

to do this season. We’d love to have a better run in the FA Youth Cup with the U18s, because it’s such a good tournament for young players. In the league, it was heart-breaking to lose out on first Inside the academy

place last year because it was a phenomenal race with Fulham. With the Under-23s, we’re really keen to stay in that top league. There’s no doubt it will help the players develop, because to be at your best, you have to handle the biggest test you can each week. Beyond the Academy site, we’ve had a lot of boys working with the new manager. They’ve all had a great experience and exposure which they need to learn from and apply to Under-23s football. We’ve also had Paddy McCarthy and Shaun Derry link-up with the first-team, which we’re really proud of. Everybody thinks academies just produce players, but they produce staff too. We’ve had a number of analysts, physios, sport scientists and coaches progress and grow from the Academy to the first-team over the years. You’re helping staff get to the levels they aspire to. Finally, we had a couple of positive results in pre-season and the boys are starting 21/22 in good form. That’s a huge credit to the terrific job done by the boys and all of the staff here

made in south london After a landmark season Club Historian Ian King looks back at Palace’s Academy history, recalling some of our proudest former graduates from the huge number to have made their name in SE25.

surrey’s sharpshooting finest -

Johnny byrne Born First-team debut

13th May, 1939 13th October, 1956

Appearances

259

Goals

101

inside the academy

Johnny Byrne was brought up in West Horsley, Surrey, and attended the nearby Howard of Effingham school where his prowess on the cricket and football pitches soon came to the fore. He captained Surrey Boys Clubs at cricket aged 14 and then played football with Epsom Town and Guildford City juniors, when he was recommended to Crystal Palace by former goalkeeper Vincent Blore. He joined the Palace groundstaff aged 15, playing for the club’s junior teams where he displayed his natural skills - scoring four goals in a 7-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in October 1955. At 16 Byrne was part of the England Youth squad that took part in the European Youth Championships and he signed professional forms on his 17th birthday in May 1956. That October Byrne made his first-team debut in a Division Three South fixture at Swindon Town in a goalless draw. National Service interrupted Byrne’s appearances until 1958,

and from then on he became a regular in the team. With his perfect balance and speed the youngster could play any attacking role and was adept at making goals for others as well as scoring himself. With the club now in the new Division Four Byrne was the team’s fulcrum under manager Arthur Rowe, being the ideal footballer for his ‘push and run’

Byrne’s 30 goals helped the club gain promotion in 1960/61 and he became the first fourth-tier player to gain a full England cap in March 1961. It was Palace’s first since 1923

style. Byrne’s 30 goals helped the club gain promotion in 1960/61 and he became the first fourth-tier player to gain a full England cap in March 1961. It was Palace’s first since 1923. The club realised they couldn’t hold on to Byrne forever, though, and in March 1962 he was transferred to West Ham United for a record £65,000 fee that included former player Ron Brett returning to Selhurst Park. Byrne flourished at Inside the academy

Upton Park while playing alongside Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters and gained further England caps despite being omitted from the 1966 World Cup squad. In February 1967 Byrne returned to Selhurst Park but his second spell was not a success as injuries and a weight problem took its toll, however his silky skills were still seen at times - such as in a 5-0 defeat of Plymouth. The club was returning from defeat at Blackburn in March 1968 on the same train as Fulham from Manchester, and the two sides arranged Byrne’s transfer during the journey. On Saturday, April 19th, 1969 Byrne was in the Cottagers’ team that Palace defeated 3-2 to gain promotion to Division One for the first time, a mission he had been part of at the start of the decade

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South London is a unique place to live, work and experience. In each programme, we shed light on a few of the names or events that have shaped and continue to shape our half of the city. In this edition, we welcome the new season on a sombre note, remembering those who lost their lives in the Lanfranc disaster 60 years ago.

Voices of South London

rystal Palace fans preparing for the first home match of the 21/22 season may be unaware that 60 years ago this month, Croydon suffered one of the most shocking tragedies in its long history. On 9th August, 1961, on their way to a summer trip in Norway, 34 boys from Lanfranc school in Thornton Heath died when their plane crashed into a mountain near the town of Stavanger. Two of their teachers and three air crew also lost their lives. Most of the boys were Palace supporters, good sportsmen themselves and, in their early teens, had their whole lives before them. Those lives were cut short when the plane crashed in bad weather, for reasons the British and Norwegian investigators never discovered. It was the first time the Lanfranc boys had flown on a school trip and, with money tight, families spent much of 1961 saving hard to afford it. The boys did Saturday and holiday jobs to help with the cost. Despite their efforts, some had to drop out at the last minute and opted for a cheaper holiday to Austria by rail instead. They were the lucky ones, as it turned out. With flying such a novelty at the time, parents were nervous and some had disturbing premonitions about the journey. There were bitter twists of fate. Thirteen-yearold Quentin Green correctly called heads on the toss of a coin to get the last place on the Vickers Viking aircraft which was to fly them to

Norway. His father, Ronald, died four months later of a heart attack, never able to forgive himself for letting his son go on the trip. The Green family, living in Norbury at the time, had four boys and one girl, Rosalind, who made it a lifelong cause to ensure the Lanfranc disaster was never forgotten. In two books, The Lanfranc Boys, published in 2011 on the 50th anniversary, and The Papa Mike Air Crash Mystery six years later, Rosalind Jones, as she became, told the story of the crash and its aftermath. She explained why she wrote the books: “Three years before the 50th anniversary I awoke one morning and felt as though a message had been ‘posted’ into my head telling me to write a Voices of South London

Most of the boys were Palace supporters, good sportsmen themselves and, in their early teens, had their whole lives before them

commemorative booklet about all the boys and masters from Lanfranc who had died. I was sure my late mother was instructing me! “Envisaging something quite short, I was amazed by the response from Lanfranc relatives

and friends, and I found myself writing a book which told their story, with personal memories from family and friends.” Rosalind wrote the second book hoping to solve the mystery of why the plane came down but, despite the efforts of two British pilots and a former air traffic controller in Norway, there has been no answer for 60 years. The last documents held in the Norwegian archives, to be released this month, may shed more light. Crystal Palace Football Club is a thread running through many Croydon lives, and those who died in the Lanfranc disaster are no different. One of Rosalind’s other brothers, Nigel, was a lifelong fan and, when he passed away in 2016, his coffin was draped in a Palace flag and the flowers of his funeral wreath were in the club’s colours. Barry Lee, who was at Lanfranc school at the same time as the boys who died, now watches every Palace game from his home in Australia. His mother Ruby had to tell him about the missing plane. He discusses the club’s fortunes with her regularly

at her home in Worcestershire and wonders whether at 96-years-old Ruby may be one of the oldest living Palace fans.

despite the efforts of two British pilots and a former air traffic controller in Norway, there has been no answer as to why the plane came down for 60 years

Lanfranc pupil David Randall was 14 in 1961 and chose to buy a bicycle over joining his school friends on the trip to Norway. Now aged 73 and living in Wallington, Voices of South London

he has experienced what is these days called survivors’ guilt. He has dealt with this in a remarkable way by tracking down as many Dinky Toy replicas of the original Vickers Viking aircraft as he could find on eBay, then repairing and re-painting them in their 1961 livery. They have been placed at the Lanfranc Memorial in Croydon cemetery, at the new Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, re-built but still in Mitcham Road, and on a monument at the top of the Holtaheia mountain, where the crash happened. But amid the grief of Stavanger, there has always been a shaft of light. The strong bond of compassion between the Lanfranc families and the Norwegians who helped the search all those years ago still runs today: they have kept in touch ever since. The start of any new season is always full of hope but 2021 is tinged with sadness when so many young Palace fans never got the chance to share the excitement of a new season at Selhurst Park. They shall always be remembered by those at the club and far beyond

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non-league neighbours Surrounding south London’s only Premier League club is a range of non-league sides. In each programme, we catch up with four – Beckenham Town, Bromley, Corinthian-Casuals, and Holmesdale F.C. – to cover the people who sustain south London’s rich non-league scene.

Non-League Neighbours

Corinthian-Casuals Corinthian-Casuals have one of the most poignant places in English football, and yet the amateur side continues to ply its trade in non-league. Here, we introduce the iconic south London outfit.

league table

recent results

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CLUB

Pts

CAR

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olders of Manchester United’s record defeat. Tottenham Hotspur’s most prestigious opponents. The only club to supply the entire England XI. Twice. You would be forgiven for thinking this column about nonleague football has strayed into fantasy. But not when discussing Corinthian-Casuals. The amateur side, still competing in England’s seventh-tier, can boast a history many higher up in the European game could only dream of. For this club in Tolworth, south London, that history is very much a reality. Which other non-league side, just days after losing 5-1 to Redhill in the Isthmian Division One South, could play in front of

nearly 50,000 Brazilians in São Paulo? We’ll get to that soon enough. Let’s start in the present. Corinthian-Casuals are unique in playing at such a high level, and yet remaining an authentically amateur club. That means the players, staff and manager – as well as the board of directors – are in effect volunteers. No contracts, no bonuses, no signing-on fee. It has its perks. The staff are there for the love of the game and often an attachment to the club - the same can be said of the players. During the coronavirus pandemic, the club was less impacted than its rivals by the lack of gate receipts: it had no salaries to pay. Non-League Neighbours

3-1 2-0 2-2 But it’s an incredibly limiting factor too: with no contracts, there is no protection when another club wishes to steal their best performers, and no transfer fee as reward for their development. There is no money to entice upand-coming youngsters to the side, and no way to compete with the league’s bigger spenders. To maintain their position at such a high level in the football pyramid – the highest-ranking amateur side in the country by quite some distance – is remarkable. Almost as remarkable as the journey that took them there. Corinthian F.C, where the club’s origins lie, is perhaps the most important side in the history of football. Palace aside,

of course. Founded on a belief in fair-play and sportsmanship, they helped popularise the game across the globe. Playing silky, attractive football, Corinthian were particular about how players should conduct themselves. “As far as they were concerned, a gentleman would never commit a deliberate foul on an opponent,” it was written of Corinthian’s attitude to spot-kicks. “So, if a penalty was awarded against the Corinthians, their goalkeeper would stand aside, lean languidly on the goalpost and watch the ball being kicked into his own net.” Their individualism won them admirers far and wide. In 1883 they invited Andrew Watson, the first black player to feature at international level, to join the side. In 1904 they put 11 past Manchester United, in what remains the Red Devils’ heaviest defeat. And perhaps most significantly, they spread the game to foreign shores. Real Madrid’s white kit was a tribute to Corinthian, while Corinthians in Brazil was founded by five São Paulo-based railway workers inspired by the south London side. And so we return to South America in the unlikely meeting of an Isthmian amateur side and Brazil’s most successful club. After merging with Casuals F.C. in 1939, Corinthian-Casuals continued to ply their amateur trade in an increasingly professional game.

But Brazil had not forgotten the glamourous English gentlemen who sent their continent football mad. Preparing to open their new stadium in 2014, Corinthians asked fans who they would like to play in a special ceremonial friendly. There were four options: Barcelona and Real Madrid, Chelsea – who Corinthians had recently faced in the Club World Cup final – and Corinthian-Casuals from the English seventh-tier. Corinthian-Casuals won the vote in a landslide. They had been on their way to tour Brazil in 1914 when the outbreak of the First World War caused them to cancel. A hundred years later, when better to reschedule? And so the squad departed, met at the airport by thousands of adoring fans desperate to catch a glimpse of their spiritual ancestors. The players were mobbed, autographs demanded Non-League Neighbours

and hospitality gladly extended. To no avail, for almost two years the club had sought sponsorship to help with running costs. Within half-an-hour of an appeal on Brazilian TV, they were offered nearly 20 options. They hosted an open training session which morphed into a charity appeal, raising six tonnes of food. The Brazilians ultimately won the match itself 3-0 in an extremely impressive result for the non-league side who played football for the love of the game. But next week was back to reality, competing with Sittingbourne and Chipstead for mid-table positions. The trip served as a reminder that in the seventhtier of English football, in a tiny stadium just off the A3 bypass, resides a living, breathing piece of footballing history, represented by a club that simply refuses to be forgotten

Crystal Palace v Brentford

Football League Cup (2nd Leg) 16/8/1977

Jim Cannon heads Palace in front at Selhurst in a 5-1 win (6-3 on aggregate) in the League Cup. Also in the photo is Brentford No.10 Andy McCulloch, later to play for Palace.

moment in time

Glenn Murray scores Palace’s first in a pre-season friendly at Griffin Park in 2014.

Pre-season friendly 2/8/2014

Brentford v Crystal Palace

moment in time

kevin phillips From its founding to the current day, Crystal Palace’s history is rich in stories and characters. Here, we look back at some of the best, starting with the day Kenny Sansom stepped-in to support Kevin Phillips at his lowest ebb.

or any youngster enamoured with football, their father is often instrumental in igniting a passion for the beautiful game when, as a small child they’re taken to their first match to begin a life-long journey. For former Palace and Watford forward Kevin Phillips, however, his father’s sparking of a footballing passion not only led to unremitting fandom, but also a career at the top of the game. But, aged just 21, having recently forced his way into professional football when signing for Watford from non-league Baldock Town, Phillips had just begun to realise his dream when his father, Ray, passed away. “It broke my world really,” the former forward says today. “I just felt: ‘Well I’ve turned professional now and my dad got me the seat, he’s seen me play professionally, he saw me score a professional goal. I don’t really want to carry on.’ “I always played with him in the back of my head, as you do. You see a lot of players who’ve From the Archive

lost people in their lives and when they score a goal they look to the heavens. I kind of had that inner strength because I knew he was watching over me.”

You see a lot of players who’ve lost people in their lives and when they score a goal they look to the heavens. I kind of had that inner strength because I knew he was watching over me Supporting Phillips through that time was a name familiar to the Crystal Palace faithful: Kenny Sansom. It was Sansom - then a 36-year-old veteran - who stepped

in for Phillips, 15-years his junior, as ballast. “I have nothing but good words to say about Kenny,” Phillips says. “We were away in Portugal [on a pre-season tour] at the time... Kenny flew back with me, he made sure I got home, he looked after me and took me under his wing. He was like a rock to me.” Recounting events himself, Sansom says: “I was the firstteam coach and I know what it’s like. When he said his dad passed away and the club said he best go home, I just said to the manager: ‘I’ll go with him because he’s not going to enjoy it.’ “He was pretty good, he kept a smile on his face even though I know he was hurting deep down. I got him home safely to his family. “When he was travelling home, I tried to talk football to him, try to make him forget about what had happened to his family and his father. He had to keep concentrating on football. I said: ‘It’s important, you’ve got to enjoy it.’

When he said his dad passed away and the club said he best go home, I just said to the manager: ‘I’ll go with him because he’s not going to enjoy it’

“I did it purely because I knew he was going to need someone sitting next to him. I didn’t do it for me or for anything else, I did it because I knew he needed that sort of help. I just wanted to make sure that he had someone by his side. I’m touched he appreciates it many, many years later.”

From the Archive

palace for life SHAUN DERRY JOINS 2021 MARATHON MARCH Palace coach Shaun Derry has officially confirmed his attendance for October’s Marathon March, in what will be his second consecutive year.

urvival Sunday hero and current coach Shaun Derry will again be joining Palace fans on the 26.2 mile walk around south London, helping to raise money to support vulnerable young people in the community.

Fresh off the back of a successful promotion season to the Premier League 2, culminating in a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Sunderland at Selhurst Park, Derry will be returning to SE25 on 9th October, 2021, with over

I’m always keen to get involved whenever there’s an opportunity to help the Foundation, so jumped at the chance to join this year’s Marathon March once I knew I was available

palace for life

130 Palace fans to take on the Marathon March challenge. Ahead of his second march, the former Palace captain said: “I’m always keen to get involved whenever there’s an opportunity to help the Foundation, so jumped at the chance

to join this year’s Marathon March once I knew I was available. “It was such a great day last year, bringing together so many Palace fans after many months apart where we raised a lot of money for Palace for Life to help support the local community. Let’s make this year even bigger!” The marathon-length walk is running for its fifth year, and we want to make it our biggest and best event yet. Every year the Marathon March brings together Palace fans, legends and supporters. The social event is open to anyone, and is non-competitive, where the primary aim is to raise money for Palace for Life Foundation. The four previous years have seen fans raise over £350,000 for the Foundation, directly supporting our work with vulnerable young people in south London

MARATHON MARCH 2021 5th anniversary

All participants are asked to pay a registration fee of £25 (£20 for a half route, £10 for under-18s) and to commit to raising a minimum of £300 each in sponsorship.

To join Shaun and march alongside over 130 Palace fans at the 2021 Marathon March, or to find out more information, visit palaceforlife.org and search:

marathon march 2021 palace for life

It’s a bold statement, but Crystal Palace Football Club has a legitimate claim to being the oldest league club in existence still playing professional football. Throughout the club’s 160th anniversary season, author and supporter Peter Manning explains the fascinating tale of Palace’s history from 1861 to 1915, a history acknowledged in their 1906 handbook, laying out in each edition why the club’s heritage stretches further back than ever thought.

cpfc 1861

ntil recently Crystal Palace Football Club had the legend, largely handed down by word of mouth, that there was a team of casual workers who played at the old Crystal Palace; that team disbanded and all trace of it was lost until our present team was founded in 1905. With the coming of the internet and, more recently, the digitisation of the British Library’s vast collection of Victorian and Edwardian

newspapers, that has all changed. A chance find of an old tankard at an auction led me to start digging into the newspaper archives to try to find out more about its background. Four years of research and travel, from the National Football Museum’s archives in Preston to Oxford University and reading thousands of pages of old newspapers in between, revealed that the ‘word of mouth’ history had been wide of the mark and

a completely different history of the club emerged - a rich and varied one completely unique in world football. Throughout the season, I will show that the club wasn’t formed by casual workers at the Palace, it didn’t disband as had been previously thought, and that its history can be traced from 1861 through to the origins of the club today. In the first four editions, I will detail our claim by answering several key questions.

Q: So, if the club wasn’t formed by

British industry and inventiveness and to promote world peace and trade. Britain was then the industrial powerhouse of the world, similar to the United States today, and the Crystal Palace was the first World’s Fair. The exhibition was a resounding success, drawing 6.2 million visitors in under six months. To put this in context, remember that in 1851 the population of Britain was just over 27 million, the car hadn’t been invented and the roads were poor, so most of the visitors arrived by another ground-breaking British

invention, the railway. But there was a problem. When the Crystal Palace was built in Hyde Park there was considerable opposition from local residents who feared the damage it would cause, so Parliament decided the building would be demolished and removed by 1st June, 1852. The exhibition had been a great success, and no one wanted to see it disappear, so what to do with it? Ultimately the Brighton Railway Company bought the building, dismantled it and moved it to a new site at Sydenham - then part of the Surrey countryside - and formed a new company to run it, the Crystal Palace Company Ltd. It is important to keep the Crystal Palace Company in mind because they are the constant link throughout this story that traces our history back to 1861. When the new Crystal Palace opened in June 1854 it was much larger than the original and was set in 200 acres of parkland (now Crystal Palace Park). The Crystal

casual workers, who formed it?

A: Let me take you back to the earliest history of the Crystal Palace. The story is worth telling because it is the small acorn from which our club today eventually grew; it has a unique history which we should be proud of. Most people will have heard of the Great Exhibition of 1851, nicknamed ‘The Crystal Palace’, and for good reason. It was the brainchild of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, and was erected in Hyde Park to showcase

cpfc 1861

‘muscular Christianity’ (good, clean, healthy outdoor sport) so the Company decided to use parts of the parkland to this end. The first sports introduced at the Palace were archery and cricket, and the Crystal Palace Company laid its own cricket pitch in June 1857 for use by visiting clubs and companies.

Palace Company controlled everything that happened within the building and the surrounding parkland. Like Disney today, visitors were charged an entry fee which allowed them to use or view all of the Palace’s facilities, making this the world’s first major theme park. The Victorians were heavily interested in what’s been called

sometime during 1861, the Crystal Palace cricketers set up their own team: a far cry from the casual workers who, we were always told, founded the club

the Crystal Palace Company decided to dip their toes into the world of football, then a completely disorganised minor sport

In August 1857, the pitch was first used for football when the brewery Truman Hanbury & Buxton staged two cricket matches for their employees’ day out, with the rest of the staff playing football on the edge of the ground. Always on the lookout for ways of drawing new visitors to the Palace, the Crystal Palace Company decided to dip their toes into the world of football, then a completely disorganised minor sport. An advertisement appeared in the Morning News on 23rd January, 1858, saying: ‘Experienced Players will be in attendance on Monday cpfc 1861

next to superintend the GAME of FOOTBALL to be played on the cricket ground.’ We’ll never know just who those ‘experienced players’ were as there were no organised teams in London then, but this shows the Company’s interest in football at a very early stage. In summer, 1859, the Company took a further step and set up its own cricket club, the Crystal Palace Club. They made Thomas Farquhar, the Chairman of the Crystal Palace Company, its first President and its first members were sons of the local gentry. Victorian sportsmen took their cricket seriously and dedicated cricketers kept themselves fit over the winter by rowing, organising athletics and playing football among themselves as there were no organised football teams. But, sometime during 1861, the Crystal Palace cricketers set up their own team: a far cry from the casual workers who, we were always told, founded the club

NEXT TIME In the next edition we’ll look at why we’re certain the current club was founded in 1861 and who its first players were. Peter Manning’s book, Palace at the Palace, is available online through the Club Shop.

Gracie Pearse I was with Arsenal from Under-9s to Under-21s, and have now started my second loan spell with Crystal Palace having signed for Tottenham Hotspur permanently this summer.

o be honest, I always thought I was going to leave Arsenal, especially after going on loan. I was coming to the end of the Academy stages and wasn’t being offered a professional contract. So, with that, I knew I needed to push myself to an environment where I was playing with women consistently. I had already prepared myself for it, but leaving Arsenal still felt a bit weird and surreal at first, having played there for so long and it being such a big part of me. I suppose I did feel a bit

I was coming to the end of the Academy stages... I knew I needed to push myself to an environment where I was playing with women consistently

palace women

upset, but I knew I needed to move forwards and that it was the right decision for me. But then, as bad as it sounds, I’ve always been a Spurs fan, and so have my family! We’re all massive Spurs fans, so when I was young I didn’t want to wear the Arsenal kit; I used to wear these Tottenham skins underneath it! When I got the offer for a professional contract with Spurs, I called my dad and he became really emotional. This really means a lot to me and my family.

Being with Palace for the second half of last season and returning again on loan for the new campaign is a fantastic platform and step in my career. Before joining earlier this year, I knew that Palace was a good environment, and I also knew there were some really good coaches like James Marrs. He’s very experienced and I like the way he coaches: he is straight to the point and blunt.

Being with Palace for the second half of last season and returning again on loan for the new campaign is a fantastic platform and step in my career

I am still young, but I am mature enough to realise that I can’t just walk in to professional football. I want to develop my skills further to become the best version my myself. So I’ve learned to change my game while with Palace. You understand palace women

how to play though the thirds, to do smaller passes, take fewer touches here and there, play long diagonals and certain tackles. Palace is a good place to gain the experience I need, and I find the environment to be really enjoyable; the coaches and girls create a familial and safe atmosphere for me to develop in. This is a crucial step towards what I want to achieve in my career at the very top of English football. I’m hugely appreciative for the ways Palace are helping me to develop, and this is a key move to reaching where I want to end up. I’m also thankful to a great club like Spurs for giving me a platform to perform in order to work towards these goals

The page for Palace supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. This week, Beulah Pickles wrote to us to share the below sad news of former ambassador David Theobald’s passing.

David Theobald: 2nd July, 1958 – 1st August, 2021 David was a lifelong Palace fan and Season Ticket holder, dating from 1964 where he would be present on the grass banks of the Whitehorse Lane End. He was an ambassador at the club from 2006-2008. With rapidly declining health in the 2012/2013 season, David thankfully had the strength to get to Wembley and see our famous win, taking us into the Premier League - also the first time I ever saw him cry, after the full-time whistle! During our campaign back in the Premier League in 2013/2014, he was still fighting on and was able to witness more special moments. Fittingly, his last game in the stands was that incredible fight back against Liverpool in May - better known as Crystanbul. In October 2018, after four years of being unable to attend Selhurst Park due to his health, we were able to arrange a special wheelchair for David to support

him and he was able to get into Legends for the home game against Wolves. The support David received that day from staff past and present, and special guest Darren Ambrose, was a real credit to the club. The time and attention he was given to make sure he was comfortable and enjoying his day was heartwarming to see and that is a memory I will forever be grateful for and cherish. That season David was also able to attend Legends with his wife Carole and sons Paul and Rob.

Although the 2018/2019 season was the last time David was able to attend his beloved Selhurst Park, he always kept himself up to date with the Palace scores, performances and general news about the club, including our 1-0 pre-season friendly win away at Ipswich Town, which was played the day before he passed away. David will be sorely missed by his wife Carole, sons Paul, Rob and George, and family and friends.

Got something to share? Email us on programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of no more than 200 words with a (printable) opinion or story. Alternatively, use #CPFC on Twitter and we’ll keep an eye out!

from the terraces

Good Luck at Chichester University Caitlin. Reach for the stars. Love Mum, Dad & Ben xXx

Happy 70th birthday to long-term Holmesdale Road Season Ticket holder Jane Kirby! Love from Chris, Nancy, Jensen and all your family and friends. Eeeaaagggllleeesss!!!

Dad brought me to my first match in 1968 and we’ve seen all the ups and downs since then. We spent most of our games in the Holmesdale, and the last few years in the Whitehorse. Apart from his family Palace were the love of his life. John Laporta, 1937–2021. Always in our hearts. R.I.P.

Welcome back Jack Fisher! And welcome to the Palace family SallyAnne Fisher! We have missed you at Selhurst! Enjoy the game and the season COYP!!!! Lifelong Palace fan Tony Longley from Pollards Hill, Mitcham sadly passed away this year.

Denis and Iris Bylett celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary on 7th August. Congratulations from Raymond and Teresa and the ‘POBs’ wish them well for the future and hope they enjoy their trip to Madeira in September. Happy 60th Birthday Tony! Here’s to a celebratory Palace Ale in the Red n Blue and 3 points back at Selhurst!

Tony was larger than life and leaves behind two new generations of Eagles fanatics and ‘Crystal’ - the lucky mascot before our 2013 Watford play-off final win. She also came out to play in 1997 at Wembley & 2004 in Cardiff!!! Tony Longley, 05/01/1952 – 27/04/2021

In loving memory of Keith Pett who sadly passed away on 22nd January 2021. Matchdays will never seem the same without you. Loved and missed everyday by all your family, friends and Palace supporters (especially those at the front of Block N, Holmesdale Upper).

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk Fred duCasse, who was a loyal and loving Palace supporter, tragically died of COVID and other complications. He and his brother supported Palace since 1968.

from the terraces

with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

quiz, games, brighty & more!

Put your Palace, opposition and Premier League knowledge to the test in our various challenges below. The perfect way to pass time pre-match - let us know how you fare via social media!

Guess who

Spot the image

Can you guess the ex-Eagle above just from their picture?

The above cut-out is taken from an image in this programme. Can you find what page it’s on?

matchday quiz 1

Palace and Brentford haven’t played competitively since 1977, when the south Londoners won 5-1. What competition was that game in?

Tyrick Mitchell joined Palace after the Brentford Academy’s closure. Against who did he make his Premier League debut?

Which of these players has represented Brentford? Jeffrey Schlupp or Andros Townsend

Ron Noades owned both of today’s clubs. Which other London-based side did he first own?

Name the four pubs which stood at each corner of Griffin Park.

GAmes

FAMOUS FAN

guess the ground

Can you work out which Football League club’s stadium this is?

Known for playing Robbie Jackson in EastEnders, this actor was born near Brentford. In 2001/02 – the campaign Steve Coppell and Chairman Ron Noades worked together – he said: “I think this could be our season.” He wasn’t far off: the Bees finished third. Can you work out who this famous Brentford supporter is?

BEAT BRIGHTY In each edition, club icon Mark Bright calls it how he sees it and predicts scores 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

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

ANSWERS Guess who: Shaun Brooks Spot the image: Page 39 Quiz: 1) League Cup 2) Leicester City 3) Schlupp 4) Southall 5) The Griffin, The Princess Royal, The New Inn, The Brook Famous Fan: Dean Gaffney Guess the Ground: Sixfields Stadium - Northampton Town

games

team stats: women / U23S / U18S Oliver Webber made an impressive 18 appearances in 20/21 - the second-most in the squad, despite having competition between the sticks.

Bianca Baptiste bagged 14 times last season from 25 games, making her by far the squad’s top scorer. Next up was Cherelle Khassal.

David Omilabu netted 20 goals from 19 appearances in 2020/21, making him joint-top scorer of the Southern league.

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

AUGUST Sun 29

Bristol City

SEPTEMBER Sun 5

London City Lionesses

Sun 12

Sunderland

Sun 26

Liverpool

OCTOBER

AUGUST Mon 16 Leeds United

L 1-3

AUGUST Sat 14

Leicester City

Fri 20

Arsenal

Sat 21

West Ham United

Fri 27

Everton

Sat 28

West Bromwich Albion

SEPTEMBER Mon 13 Leicester City

SEPTEMBER Sat 11 Aston Villa

Sat 18

Manchester City

Sat 25

Fri 24

West Ham United

OCTOBER Sat 2 Reading

Southampton

Sun 3

Sheffield United

Sun 10

Coventry United

OCTOBER Fri 1 Tottenham Hotpsur

Sat 23

Birmingham City

Sun 31

Watford

Fri 15

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 30

Arsenal

Fri 22

Derby County

NOVEMBER Sat 6 Chelsea

NOVEMBER Sun 7

Durham

Sun 14

Charlton Athletic

Sun 21

Blackburn Rovers

NOVEMBER Mon 1 Blackburn Rovers Sun 7

Chelsea

Sat 20

Fulham

Sat 20

Liverpool

DECEMBER Sat 4 Tottenham Hotpsur

DECEMBER

Fri 26

Manchester United

Sat 18

Sun 12

Lewes

DECEMBER Mon 6 West Ham United

JANUARY Sat 8 Norwich City

Sun 9

Sunderland

Mon 20 Derby County

Sat 15

Fulham

Sun 16

Durham

Sat 22

Birmingham City

Sun 23

Liverpool

JANUARY Mon 10 Everton

JANUARY

FEBRUARY Sun 6

Bristol City

Sun 13

London City Lionesses

Brighton & Hove Albion

Mon 17 Chelsea

FEBRUARY Sat 5 Tottenham Hotspur

Mon 24 Liverpool

Sat 19

Arsenal

FEBRUARY Mon 7 Tottenham Hotspur

Sat 26

Norwich City Leicester City

Mon 21 Manchester United

MARCH Sat 5

Sun 6

Coventry United

Mon 28 Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 12

West Ham United

Sun 13

Lewes

Sat 19

West Bromwich Albion

Sun 27

Charlton Athletic

MARCH Mon 14 Manchester City

APRIL Sat 2

Aston Villa

Sat 9

Southampton

Sat 23

Reading

Mon 25 Blackburn Rovers

Sat 30

Chelsea

MAY Mon 2

MAY Sat 7

Brighton & Hove Albion

MARCH

APRIL Sun 3

Blackburn Rovers

Sun 24

Watford

MAY Sun 1

Sheffield United

Mon 21 Arsenal APRIL Mon 4

Leeds United

Leicester City

women/u23S/u18S

W 3-1

Name

Apps

Goals

Name

Apps

Goals

Hannah Churchill Charley Clifford

Tayo Adaramola

David Boateng

Ryan Bartley

Malachi Boateng

Kalani Barton

Freddie Bell

Maliq Cadogan

Junior Dixon

Reece Hannam

Millie Farrow

Aoife Hurley Annabel Johnson Cherelle Khassal

Nya Kirby

Jake O'Brien

David Omilabu

Dan Quick

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Jackson Izquierdo 1

Cardo Siddik Aidan Steele

Kate Natkiel

Rob Street

Leigh Nicol

James Taylor Gracie Pearse Molly-Mae Sharpe

Siobhan Wilson

pos CLUB P W D

James Leonard

Joe Ling

Fionn Mooney

Ademola Ola-Adebomi

David Ozoh

Jadan Raymond

Kaden Rodney

Joe Sheridan

Dylan Thiselton

Basilio Socoliche

Noah Watson

Matthew Vigor

Oliver Webber

Lizzie Waldie

Kanye Jobson

Cameron Lewis-Brown

Sean Robertson Chloe Morgan

Owen Goodman

Danny Imray

Coral-Jade Haines

Victor Akinwale

John-Kymani Gordon Aimee Everett

Goals

Jake Giddings

Leanne Cowan

Apps

Scott Banks

Jay-Rich Baghuelou

Bianca Baptiste

Name

Jack Wells-Morrison

Joe Whitworth

Vonnte Williams

A GD Pts

BLA

Whu

che

bri

LEE

ars

CHA

COV

CRY

pos CLUB P W D

BHA

ful

BLA

CRY

CHE

whu

EVE

sou

DUR

LEI

bha

LEW

Mun

bir

3 -1 0

LIV

tot

avl

5 -2 0

10 liv

10 tot

4 -2 0

LON

10 SHE

mci

12 cry

3 -2 0

lei

3 -2 0

12 rdg

3 -2 0

SUN

13 der

2 -2 0

13 nor

2 -2 0

12 WAT

14 ars

6 -5 0

14 wba

5 -3 0

women/u23S/u18S

MAY

APRIL

March

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

Chelsea