Crystal Palace √ leicester city sun 4 may 2025 | 2:00pm kick-off
it’s matchday
For the final time this season, a very warm welcome to the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton, as Crystal Palace host Leicester City in the Women’s Super League.
Recent results mean that Palace will compete in the Championship next season – but Leif Smerud’s side are determined to finish this campaign as strongly as possible, starting today in front of our fantastic fans.
Everyone at Crystal Palace would like to thank our supporters for their unwavering commitment throughout this historic firstever Women’s Super League campaign.
Your passion, patience and pride in this team have not gone unnoticed, and we’ll be counting on that same energy as we move forward into a new chapter together.
Today, we once again encourage you to get down to Sutton to support the team and – for those arriving early – to experience our Fanzone, situated just beyond the Collingwood Road Stand at the far side of the stadium.
In the Fanzone will be an ice cream truck, a photo booth, and lots of fun, games, activities, refreshments and music – the perfect way for the whole family to warm-up ahead of kick-off.
Then, as the action draws near, for the last time here this season, get behind the team – and be loud, be proud… be Palace!
14
14
8
2-1 Rosie Meredith
2-1 Fitzwilliam Nelson
3-1
Thomas Clark-Dearing
2-1 Holly Parsons
3-1 Reya Iles
2-0
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Happy birthday, Elizabeth!
Happy birthday, daisy!
leif smerud
As we head into our final home match of this historic campaign, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a season full of lessons, memories, and important milestones – for both the club and for me.
It has been a privilege to manage this team in Crystal Palace Women’s first-ever season in the Barclays Women’s Super League. From the moment I arrived, I knew what a proud and ambitious club this was, and I have seen that every day in the way the players train, the way the staff support each other, and in the passionate backing of our supporters.
Of course, this season hasn’t gone the way we all hoped. Our relegation was confirmed last weekend against West Ham, and that was a moment of deep disappointment for everyone involved. When you work as hard as this group has, and invest as much emotionally as we all do, it’s difficult to face the reality that we came up short.
But I said after the match – and I’ll say again here – over the course of a season, you get what you deserve. That can be painful, but it’s also honest. We haven’t hit the level consistently enough to compete in this division. We have to acknowledge that, take responsibility, and learn from it.
That said, there have been moments of real pride, with our 3-1 victory against Aston Villa in March standing out. That game, in particular,
felt like a big step forward for the group.
Those highlights are important because they show what we’re capable of. They show the spirit and quality this team possesses on its day. But they also remind us how small the margins are at this level. In a lot of matches, we’ve been competitive, we’ve created chances, and we’ve defended bravely, yet we’ve come away with nothing. Sometimes that’s football.
What has stayed strong through every match – home or away – is the support from you, the fans. I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has backed us this season.
Whether you travelled to away grounds across the country, stood behind us at Sutton, or sent messages of encouragement online, you’ve been part of this journey. Your passion and your belief in this team mean a great deal. There’s one memory that really sticks with me. I was at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final recently and saw the incredible support for the club, the banners, the noise, the pride. And I thought: this is Crystal Palace. That enthusiasm, that connection between fans and players, is something that makes this club special. It’s something
we must build on as we move forward.
Our focus now is on finishing the season with the pride and fight that Crystal Palace stands for. We owe it to ourselves, to you the fans, and to the badge.
Today’s match against Leicester is another opportunity to show what we’re about, and to end our WSL season at home in front of you with a performance to be proud of.
I want to thank all the players, staff, and everyone behind the scenes who have given their all this season. I know it hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve seen commitment and character every single day.
Finally, thank you once again to you, the supporters. You’ve been a credit to this club throughout the season. Whether we were winning, losing, or battling for every ball, your voices carried us. That’s something we never take for granted.
Let’s give everything we’ve got today. Up the Palace.
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aimee everett
As we come to the end of what has been a truly historic season for Crystal Palace Women, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve all been on together.
This year was our first in the Women’s Super League. That sentence alone is something I’ll always hold onto with pride. It was the culmination of years of hard work from so many people –players, staff, and supporters alike. Wearing the captain’s armband for this club as we walked out for our first WSL match back in September will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Sadly, last Sunday’s result against West Ham confirmed our relegation. It’s hard to put into words how that feels, and to be honest, it still hurts. We knew how tough this league would be – the quality, the pace, the depth in every squad. We came in ready to compete and to learn, and we’ve done plenty of both. But over the course of the season, we haven’t been consistent enough, and ultimately, that is what has cost us our place in the league.
That said, it hasn’t all been disappointment – far from it. Beating Leicester City away in October was a huge highlight – our first-ever win in the WSL, and a performance which gave us real belief. I remember the feeling in the dressing room
afterward – it was pure joy. The 3-1 win over Aston Villa in March was another special day. The fans were unbelievable that day – loud, passionate, and right there with us for every tackle and goal.
And then there was the FA Cup. Getting to the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history was something really special.
This season, we’ve had our share of setbacks. Injuries haven’t helped –we’ve been without key players at key moments, and that’s something any squad would struggle with, especially in a league this strong. But no one in this team wants to use that as an excuse. We own our results.
What I will say, though, is that the group of players in this dressing room are some of the most resilient, hard-working, and united people I’ve ever had the privilege of playing alongside. We’ve kept fighting every single week. We’ve supported each other through setbacks, and shown up every day trying to improve. That says a lot about the character of this squad. And through it all – win, lose or draw – the fans have been with us. To everyone who’s followed us this
season, whether it’s been at home, away, or from afar: thank you. You’ve made a real difference. You’ve sung for us, stood by us, and helped lift us when we’ve needed it most.
I also want to thank the staff –coaches, medical team, analysts, and everyone behind the scenes – who’ve worked tirelessly to help us compete at this level. So much goes unseen in football, but there has certainly been no shortage of effort or commitment.
Now, as we look to the final games of the season, we have a duty to finish the campaign with pride. Yes, we’re hurting. But we still have something to play for – our pride, our fans, and the standard we want to set going forward.
This may be the end of our WSL chapter – for now – but it’s not the end of our story. We’ve made history together. We’ve grown together. And now we’ll take those lessons and come back stronger.
Thank you, Palace fans. Enjoy today’s game.
palace women
Crystal Palace’s relegation from the Women’s Super League was confirmed following the defeat to West Ham United last weekend...
the result meant that the Eagles were no longer able to catch Aston Villa in the table, with the Midlands side having won three back-to-back matches to pull clear of the relegation zone – and so Palace will compete in the Barclays Women’s Championship for the 2025/26 season.
Everyone at the club would nevertheless like to thank our supporters for their unwavering commitment throughout this historic first-ever WSL campaign.
Your passion, patience and pride in this team have not gone unnoticed, and we will be counting on that same energy as we move forward into a new chapter together.
Manager Leif Smerud said after last weekend’s game: “I said to the players that, over a year, you get the football you deserve – not always in a single match, but across a season.
“We have to come back –that’s the main thing. We have to, the club and the team and everyone around the team, learn as best we can, and come back. That’s the focus.”
On the wonderful backing the side have received this season, Smerud added: “I think the supporters have been brilliant all season.
We have to come back –that’s the main thing. We have to, the club and the team and everyone around the team, learn as best we can, and come back. That’s the focus
“They bang the drum and support our players, even in a game like this – and that says a lot to me.”
With this programme going to print before our last home match of the season, against Leicester City yesterday afternoon, we reflect that pride we hold in our supporters – the pride of South London – in a selection of our best supporter photos from throughout the season… .
leicester city
the foxes 2004
MIQUEL’S FOCUSED FOXES
Leicester City Women have approached the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League season with determination and tactical clarity under manager Amandine Miquel. Under the former Stade de Reims manager, the Foxes have built on their experience and developed a more consistent rhythm, with a blend of international talent and homegrown promise driving their campaign forward.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Palace defender Allyson Swaby will recognise a familiar face in blue on Sunday, with her younger sister Chantelle turning out for Leicester City. Similar to Allyson, Chantelle started her career in the USA and has since played for a number of different
clubs in Europe, including Rangers and Fleury. A defender just like her sister, Chantelle will be looking to make her presence felt at the back for the Foxes.
MACE, THE LIONESS
History was made for Leicester in December 2024, as defensive midfielder Ruby Mace became the first Leicester City Women’s player to make an appearance for England. Mace started and played 63 minutes for the Lionesses in a 1-0 win over Switzerland, marking a special day for herself and her club.
MAKING THE KING POWER HOME
This season has also marked a significant step forward in the club’s ambition and visibility, with Leicester City Women playing all of their WSL fixtures at the King Power Stadium, home of their respective men’s team.
“We
Jutta
A. Miquel
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Katrine VEJE
Fliss GIBBONS
Chloe ARTHUR
Aimee
Lexi POTTER
Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)
Indiah-Paige RILEY
Clarissa LARISEY
Mille GEJL
Lily WOODHAM
Shanade HOPCROFT
Aniek NOUWEN
Abbie LARKIN
Katie STENGEL
Allyson SWABY
Shae YAÑEZ (GK) Annis-Clara
(GK)
Janina LEITZIG (GK)
Courtney NEVIN
Sam TIERNEY
CJ BOTT
Sophie HOWARD
Saori TAKARADA
Deanne ROSE
Jutta RANTALA
Lena PETERMANN
Noémie MOUCHON
Janice CAYMAN
Asmita ALE
Olivia CLARK (GK)
Hlín EIRÍKSDÓTTIR
Julie THIBAUD
Denny DRAPER
Missy GOODWIN
Hannah CAIN
Sari KEES
Karla TORRES
Shannon O’BRIEN
Shana CHOSSENOTTE
Yuka MOMIKI
Ruby MACE
Chantelle SWABY
A. Soneye
L. Catchpole
L. Bowles
A. Byrne