CPFC v Leeds United

Crystal Palace v Leeds United Saturday 7th November 2020 // 3pm

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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander

palace √ leeds

Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director

07.11.20

Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell

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Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning

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luka milivojevic

Scott Guyett

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steve parish

Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal

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darren ambrose

Academy Director

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junior eagles

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Daniel storey

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fionn mooney

Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

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Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Head of Content & Production

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James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness Editor Dan Blazer Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Ben Mountain, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Grace Cullen Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers

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palace for life

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1990/91 season

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paddy m©carthy

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bianca baptiste

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fixtures & results

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premier league

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ello and welcome to Marcelo, his staff and players and to each of you reading this. I hope you are well.

We have enjoyed a mixed set of results since

We have remarked time and again on how much we want the fans to return to their rightful places in our stadia

I last wrote for this page. But I am positive as we enter the international break and then prepare for

this subjective and late red card compounded my

the tough December run-in.

negative feelings about the match, but, as with

Securing only a point with Brighton was, I

the Fulham goal, time can be a great healer in this

felt, somewhat unjust. Our defensive performance

sport and in recent days the squad and I have

warranted more, however we failed to protect

been able to reflect on a respectable performance

our advantage through a lack of offensive

that should encourage us against Leeds today.

opportunities. That was something we remedied

Staying with that topic, I have a lot of

the following weekend, when we looked sharper

respect for Marcelo Bielsa. He has overseen

going forward against Fulham.

commendable accomplishments at many of his

I was satisfied with that all-round display,

clubs and is replicating such success with Leeds.

but conceding so late in the game was, of course,

I have enjoyed watching him from afar – partly

frustrating, especially as it came after the Brighton

through the documentary aired earlier this year –

goal the week before. In football, on occasion, it

and highly anticipate competing with his team at

takes time to benefit from a more holistic, objective

closer quarters today.

view after conceding late – and this is something

Lastly, I must end on a more serious note

that does not wane with time or experience.

away from football. We have remarked time and

Finally, our defeat against Wolves was

again on how much we want the fans to return

a tough pill to swallow for multiple reasons.

to their rightful places in our stadia. Now that the

Wolves are an excellent team, with a fine squad

country has entered a second lockdown, that

and a good coach, however, we could have

feeling has only intensified and outside of our

ended the evening in a far stronger position

sport, I sincerely wish each of you reading this –

and should have used a brighter second-half

indeed, every Crystal Palace supporter - and all

performance to our advantage.

of your loved ones the very best for the

Additionally, Luka’s red card was a cruel decision, especially after seeing Wilf’s penalty

coming months.

The day we shall be reunited seems further

appeal dismissed which came on top of a penalty

away still, but now is the time to again protect

awarded and then overruled and a goal from

those dearest to us to ensure a swift and safe

Michy also overruled for a tight offside decision.

return to one another’s company.

To be without our captain today and in the next two games is a significant handicap. I felt that

Do take care to remain safe and, in the meantime, enjoy the game.

The manager

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We know what we need to do today.

And it starts with letting you know that we hear you

I

have to start with my red card against

he scored, the assist for Jaïro was a special

Wolves. It is a decision that I, the team

pass that not many players see. He has that

and the manager feel was a harsh call

real quality.

from the referee when we watched back in the dressing room.

I read Jeff’s comments after the match,

In Jordan’s absence due to self-isolation, Michy has performed excellently, just like he did when he was on loan before. His

and I had to agree: I can’t tackle someone

goals will come, he and we know that; he

and then pull my leg out the way or make my

has world-class instincts in front of goal.

leg disappear. I won the ball and never have

But he has many skills to his game that are

any desire to purposely injure an opponent.

important to the team - the link-up between

Football is a contact sport.

him, Wilf, Andros, Ebere and Jeff is pleasing

But these decisions happen. It is just frustrating when you add that to the VAR decisions that continually went against us –

and highlights the many options we have now throughout the squad.

The benefit of having many of our

some rightly, of course, but that doesn’t make

injured players back now will be important

them any less frustrating.

in us overcoming a Leeds side who are an

I will now miss today’s game against

opponent with a unique style of football.

Leeds United, which disappoints me because

I watched them play Villa, and that game

I always want to be available to help the team

showed the positives in their approach.

and, after my 90 minutes against Fulham, I felt

However, the match against Leicester

back to full match fitness and was enjoying

highlighted the risks in the game plan they

starting football matches again for this club.

use, and how we can take advantage of that.

The Fulham score perhaps did not reflect

We know what we need to do today.

our dominance in that game. The team

And it starts with letting you know that we

deserved a clean sheet for our resilience, but

hear you, despite the beginning of a second

sometimes you have to admit the quality of a

lockdown in the country. Never doubt what

strike is special.

role you still play for us.

Wilf carried on his great start to this season in that match. And away from the goal

Make some noise!

The captain

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hank you for buying today’s matchday programme for the visit of Leeds United.

I’d like to welcome today’s opposition back

to Selhurst Park for the first time since 2013, who under new ownership in Andrea Radrizzani and management with Marcelo Bielsa have done magnificently to return to the top-flight.

I hope you are reading this in good health and spirits, despite the lockdown circumstances we find ourselves in once again. I’m pleased that professional football has been allowed to continue, and that we all have the opportunity to enjoy games from the comfort of our own homes.

It remains of bitter disappointment that we

We continue to protect our players and staff with a rigorous testing regime alongside the most stringent of safety measures on site

can’t welcome fans back, but we will continue to work with the government to accelerate your return as soon as feasibly possible.

We continue to protect our players and staff

a state of the art gym and changing rooms, the facility is really coming on. The artificial pitch

with a rigorous testing regime alongside the most

already has a constant flow of local schools and

stringent of safety measures on site. Indeed, if we

colleges in the evenings when our teams are not

could mirror the work of the Premier League in

active; this really is a game-changing facility for

other businesses and walks of life around testing,

south London.

I’m sure many people could return to work and

Last week we formally signed up to the FA’s

have some semblance of normality much sooner

new diversity code. I was fortunate enough to be

than is currently envisaged.

on the steering group and I would like to commend

We are having several discussions internally

Paul Elliot and Mark Bullingham for their huge

about how we can support those in need in our

amount of work on this, as well as all the others

community during the winter months which may

that made a massive contribution, and also the

be even more challenging than usual. As always

Premier League for their support.

we will do everything we can to help, including

We publicly demonstrated our commitment

looking to extend Palace Kitchen - our programme

to continue providing opportunities and promoting

for meals in the community.

talent throughout the organisation, regardless of

After the Wolves game on Friday night, I

ethnicity or gender. We want the club to reflect the

spent Saturday morning in howling conditions at

rich diversity of our community, both on and off the

our Academy site watching our Under-18 side win

pitch, providing role models across the business

their fifth game out of six, taking them joint-top.

and inspiring young people, in particular, to believe

Despite the weather, it was heart-warming to see yet another positive result from an exciting

every pathway is possible for their future.

Stay safe, and enjoy the game.

group of players, but also keep to up with the progression on site – with pitches now in use,

Up the Palace.

The chairman

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11 Nathan Ferguson is edging closer to making his Palace bow. Here, with Dan Blazer, he talks FIFA 21, playing Leeds United’s HÊlder Costa and plenty more.

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an I call you back in 13 minutes, please? I’m finishing off icing,” Nathan

Ferguson opens up. Not 10, not 15; Ferguson wanted us to phone again in exactly 780 seconds, highlighting the precision in which his rehabilitation programme has been orchestrated, and the seriousness in which the defender is taking his road to recovery.

It has been a tough period for the recently-turned-20-year-old: arriving injured, during a global pandemic, and living away from his family home for the first time.

Thankfully for Ferguson, across staff, players and fans, Crystal Palace is a family- and communityfirst football club. Therefore, it was no surprise to hear that like so many of us during the extra time at home and restricted outdoor availability, Ferguson found camaraderie with his new teammates via online gaming.

“I was playing Call of Duty: Warzone with Luke Dreher the other day and I will be again tonight,” he says. “We are trying to get our first Palace win together.”

Wins are coming easier for Fergie on the recently-released FIFA 21, though. “I know I’m going to get FIFA every year – it’s tradition,” he says, no doubt to the agreement of millions worldwide.

“I like it. It is way better than last year’s and some of the stuff they’ve done has made it way

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more realistic. They could do more, though.

“I was playing NBA (2K20) towards the end of last season, whilst waiting for the new FIFA to come out, and thought they could do some of the stuff on that game on FIFA – we could do one-v-ones on FIFA; that would be class.”

On FIFA 21, Ferguson is rated 69, with a potential of 82.

It is customary for footballers to take umbrage with their ratings.

And in this case, Ferguson would have every right to be tweeting EA Sports in complaint. However, catching us off guard, Ferguson says: “My rating is cool; I’m happy with it and it gives me something to work towards.”

If you take all of Ferguson’s mentality stats from the game and find the average, you come out at 57. However, with a grounded and focused mindset, it’s clear that aspect of the England youth international’s game is far better

I was playing Call of Duty: Warzone with Luke Dreher the other day and I will be again tonight, We are trying to get our first Palace win together.

than given credit for.

Perhaps wanting to have something to drive him on and work towards comes from Ferguson having been surrounded by toptier talent for several years at international level.

In his most recent outing in a Three Lions’ shirt, Ferguson played his part in a squad featuring Tottenham Hotspur’s Jack Clarke and Japhet Tanganga, Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe, Angel Gomes,

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then of Manchester United, and Newcastle United’s Matthew Longstaff. Word count means we can’t name all the highprofile talents amongst Fergie’s international age group, but Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher have been teammates in previous Under-18 and Under-19 squads, too.

Ferguson is fully aware of the talent around him when he is called-up at youth level for England: “I always knew my age

A lot of the players around me speak French. And I thought I could speak French but now I’m listening to these guys I know I can’t dabble in French. I got a B.

group was a good level because it was hard for me to even get my first international cap at Under-17 level,” he says. “They’d just won

going to tackle in, hopefully, my long journey in

the World Cup a year before, so it

football,” he says.

is hard to break in to that team and stay in it as well.

“If anyone is going to do it [win the World Cup] it will be that age group,” he adds.

It has been a while since

But the right-back’s transition from West Bromwich Albion to Crystal Palace has been aided by the defensive unit he’s joined.

“This is why I‘m so happy I am at the club: we’ve got Joel Ward hitting appearance levels that I would like to hit, we’ve got Tyrick

Ferguson last linked-up with his

Mitchell who is basically on the same journey

international teammates, with a

as me and then we’ve got the experienced

long-term knee injury putting a

centre-backs – those guys are really good to

small speed bump in a career that

talk to and to help me understand the game

was – and still is – on a sharp,

before I get the chance to get back out there

upward trajectory.

again,” Ferguson says.

Despite remaining positive and

Asked then if he tries to place himself

targeting that first appearance in

next to the likes of Gary Cahill, Scott Dann

the famous red and blue, Ferguson

and Mamadou Sakho in the changing room,

admits it has been slow, long and

Ferguson reveals: “I sit next to Wilf [Zaha] on

frustrating since arriving in south

my right. And Cheik [Kouyaté] on my left.

London and being unable to play.

“Coming in to a new club

“A lot of the players around me speak French. And I thought I could speak French but

injured is one of the most

now I’m listening to these guys I know I can’t

challenging experiences that I’m

dabble in French. I got a B!” Ferguson laughs.

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Despite currently being unavailable to Roy Hodgson for his matchday squads, it is clear that Ferguson has thrown himself, wholeheartedly, into every other aspect he could have in his new surroundings.

“I went to watch the Under23s play at Selhurst Park against West Bromwich Albion,” he says.

“I was interested to see the upand-coming U23s that I may have crossed paths with and the talent behind me. I’m always looking forward and wanting to challenge

If you are not up for a battle then it will be a long game but not because they are a big, physical team but their fitness is their strength and they will not stop running.

those ahead of me, but you have to be aware of the talents behind you, too.”

Looking ahead to Palace’s game today, Nathan Ferguson is

not all they do but that’s their main philosophy.

Even if it is going wrong, they stick to it.

“If you are not up for a battle then it will be a

one of a few that will know what

long game but not because they are a big, physical

to expect against Marcelo Bielsa’s

team but their fitness is their strength and they will

Leeds United.

not stop running.”

The Whites have returned

At Elland Road, when Ferguson faced the

to the top-flight after almost two

Whites, Palace’s future-full-back came up against

decades bouncing between the

Hélder Costa – an opponent he ranks as one of

Championship and League One. And

the toughest of his fledgling career.

the early signs are encouraging

“He was a good challenge,” Ferguson says. “It

for Bielsa’s side. Therefore, it is

was a game where I think the first-half he might have

understandable that Ferguson

got the better of me but second-half I was on top.

begins with a warning for his

“I enjoyed that game. I haven’t really had a

teammates ahead of today’s game:

game that has been that bad. But he was certainly

“It’s easy to underestimate Leeds,”

up there in the higher echelons of players I’ve

he admits.

come up against.”

“At West Brom, I played them

Ferguson’s attitude and commitment are

once and we only lost 1-0. In fact, we

exemplary and it is why you know that, if he

could’ve got a draw, maybe even won

wants to, he will hit 250 Palace games like Ward,

the game, but that would’ve been

why he will be rated higher on FIFA 22 than FIFA

unfair on Leeds.

21 and why he will finally get that Call of Duty:

“They work so, so hard. That’s

Warzone win with Luke Dreher.

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leeds prep wilfried zaha

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Copers cope

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Club legend Darren Ambrose has gone from the squad list on the back page to guest columnist. The Eagles icon will be bringing you his opinions, insight and never-told-before stories throughout the 2020/21 season.

darren ambrose

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Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign

don’t think those outside the game appreciate.

At Ipswich, I remember Joe Royle and George Burley referred to Darren Bent and me as ‘The Twins.’ And that relationship between us was

I remember going away with England Under-21s

harnessed because I grew up with Benty from

to play Turkey in 2003 as part of our qualification

Ipswich’s Under-13s.

campaign for the European Championships, and

I started at centre-forward with him, but I’d

the hostility towards my black teammates was

always be the one to drop-off. The amount of

absolutely horrific.

times I’d play a through ball without even looking,

Part of that squad was my best mate, Darren

because I knew that Benty would already be

Bent; a person I’d grown up with, joined Ipswich

running, was countless. And it was amusing how

Town’s youth team with and moved into digs

often Joe Royle would speak to me about trying

with. To see him go through that, along with my

to understand how I knew where Darren would

teammates such as Glen Johnson, Jermain Defoe

be without looking up – he couldn’t get his head

and Shaun Wright-Phillips was sickening.

round it.

Because this was nearly two decades ago,

It helped that we lived together for years, but

the events weren’t as well-publicised due to the

we also put in the extra hours. Our accommodation

lack of social media. But I’ll never forget how my

wasn’t too far from Ipswich’s Training Ground, so

teammates, who were the subject of the abuse,

towards the end of the session we would hide a

reacted: they were so used to this, they were

few balls in the bushes.

almost numb to the taunts. I couldn’t process that.

We came into the dressing room at half-time and discussed whether we should refuse to return for the second-half. Looking back now, without a

After the place was locked up, we’d jump the fence, find the balls we’d tucked away and continue to practice.

I always felt our partnership in the Ipswich

moment’s hesitation, I would walk off the pitch with

first-team was broken right before it could truly

the full backing of the squad and staff.

flourish. But I remember linking back up at

To still have situations like that today is

Charlton, and the first thing I did in the game was

outrageous. You can’t educate some people but

cut inside and play the ball over the top without

you can educate the future. And that is down to me

looking; Benty controlled it and found the back of

when speaking to my four children and down to

the net.

you - everyone has their role in helping eradicating racism from future generations.

Link-up play

Match-worn shirts I’ve seen that the club have been running lots of match-worn shirt competitions this season. And

It’s great to see how fluid Palace’s front players are

it actually prompted me to get a few of the shirts I

this season, with Michy coming in and setting up

have collected from my playing days out of storage

Wilf, while Andros has several assists already and

– Instagram post incoming!

Jeff and Ebere real threats. How hard nurturing that understanding between players is something I

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I tried to collect a lot of No.8s as it was my now-wife’s favourite number – it was mine, too, but

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now that is seven for obvious reasons.

I ended up getting players like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and

I tried to collect a lot of No.8s as it was my nowwife’s favourite number – it was mine, too, but now that is seven for obvious reasons

Wayne Rooney – he was No.8 when he scored that ridiculous volley against Newcastle United (I also scored that day but for some reason that isn’t as widely remembered!).

Getting Freddie Ljungberg’s shirt sticks in the memory because it showed what a classy bloke he was. I asked for his No.8 shirt when we were walking off at half-time, and he agreed. However, he got injured in the second-half and went off.

After the game, I’d got changed and was leaving the dressing room when the kit man stopped me and said Freddie left me his shirt. I had a lot of respect for him for doing that.

I played against France Under-21s and grabbed Mathieu Flamini’s shirt. I’ve got Jay-Jay Okocha’s and Ivan Campo’s from their Bolton days, too.

But the shirt that means the most to me is the one from my Newcastle United debut, which I have framed in my house. I got the team to sign it, but the reason it is special is because it has Sir Bobby Robson’s signature on it – he always signed shirts right at the top, and everyone knew that was his place, so no one ever took it.

As you get older, that desire to grab the big-name shirts wanes and you then have it the other way. I seemed to get a lot of players wanting my shirt during my Championship days at Palace and that meant a lot to me, as I remember being that player.

darren ambrose

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CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-21/game-and-offer-disclaimers FOR DETAILS.

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Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles

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Schools In Focus Throughout Black History Month (BHM), Palace for Life Foundation ran workshops in primary schools across south London. The workshops focused on the origins of BHM, with pupils discussing the barriers faced, the characteristics demonstrated when faced with adversity and discovered the stories of several unsung heroes, including: Benjamin Odeje: The first black man to play football for England at any level.

Mary Seacole: A nurse who self-funded her support of soldiers during the Crimean War. Dame Jocelyn Barrow: Co-founder of the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination.

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players in this face

Can you guess the four clubs from these

mash-up?

mixed up badges?

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wordsearch

spot the difference

Can you find the seven hidden football-themed

Can you find the five differences in these

words below?

two Eberechi Eze pictures?

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Seven words to find:

Michy, Wilf, Vicente, Eberechi, Luka, Andros & Mamadou Now make a sentence that includes all of the words you’ve found!

answers

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now blue. missing from shirt 4 Eze’s boots are now pink 5 Red panel on shirt is missing from Eze’s shirt 2 ‘8’ in W88 is now yellow 3 Fulham badge

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Junior EAgles

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Brighton & Hove Albion. Spot The Difference: 1 Crystal Palace badge A

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4 Roy Hodgson. Badge Jumble: 1 Everton 2 Southampton 3 Chelsea 4 Guess Who: 1 Nathaniel Clyne 2 Eberechi Eze 3 Patrick van Aanholt

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Happy Birthday, Jim Luke.

From all the family.

Mattie “Moozle” McLaughlin - Sky

Happy 50th Birthday to lifelong fan

Blues superstar! Have a great

Tony Chinnery. Hope you’re feeling

season. Lots of love Uncle Josie,

Glad All Over on your special

Aunty Caroline and wee Conan.

day. Love the Palace Family

In loving memory of Mark Barry

Happy 11th Birthday to Jake

In memory of Warren

Woolley, soar high buddy. RIP.

Warsop (1st November). I

“Bunny” Sillett, who passed

hope Palace give you the

away 31/08/2020. A proud

best present ever with a win!

& loud Palace devotee for

Love Mummy and Daddy.

over 60 years! RIP Dad X

In loving memory of Rob Fox

To James, congrats on your

Happy Birthday, Aaron.

(1942-2020), a Palace fan for life

25th Birthday and on recently

Love from Mummy, Nannie,

who is now watching the games

passing your Masters in Law.

Grandad Bubbles, Ruby,

with Colin. Grandchildren will be

Many happy returns and lots

Sara, Wayne, Joe, Rose, Oli,

carrying on the Season Ticket.

of love from your family!

Emily, Rory and Jimmy xx

Missed by family and friends who travel up from Polegate.

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The Irish Eagles will fly again soon.

Happy Halloween to the

To my mate Brian (left), a

Big welcome in Selhurst for David

world’s cutest pumpkin

lifelong Leeds fan, from

Keane and Michael Gaughran.

Ian. Come on Palace.

Happy Birthday, Clare! With

Big love to the Palace community.

love, the Yeha Noha Crew

Be kind to everyone x

In memory of lifelong Palace fan, Colin Doughty, who tragically passed away 8th October 2020, aged 43.

Thoughts with his family & friends. RIP buddy!

In memory of John Neale.

-

What we’d give to go back to

Man of The Palace in every

Fly high and shine bright

our pre-COVID days. Happy

sense. He leaves behind fellow

like the star that you are

Birthday, Big Man x

Eagle, daughter Phoenix,

R.I.P Colin Doughty - it’s

who misses him every day.

okay not to be okay.

Send your message (max 25 words) with a picture to programme@cpfc.co.uk for a chance to be in a future edition. messageboard

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Est.

1919 opposition

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leeds uni match preview Venture ahead if you like unrelated statistics from Leeds United’s last time in the Premier League (2003/04), with the Whites looking to win three consecutive top-flight away games for the first time since August, 2002.

But trips to the capital have rarely put a smile on Leeds fans’ faces, with the Whites having won just one of their last 20 away league games against London sides (D6 L13) – that one victory coming in a 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers in December, 2017.

Regarding the Eagles, it is a mixed bag for the south Londoners when it comes to facing promoted teams. Although Roy Hodgson’s side

Marcelo Bielsa We haven’t been doing anything different with him (Patrick Bamford); he’s been doing exactly the same things he has always been doing - the only difference is now he is converting the chances.

have lost two of their last three Premier League meetings with promoted sides, that is the same number of defeats they had in the previous 14.

last three

If either of today’s teams are to break or continue statistical quirks then it is likely their in-form front men will be key.

Wilfried Zaha’s five league goals this

1-4

l {H) 02.11.20

0-3

W {A) 23.10.20

0-1

l {h) 19.10.20

season have been worth seven points to Crystal Palace – no other players’ strikes has been more valuable to their team so far this term.

Patrick Bamford has scored five goals in his three away appearances this season. If the striker finds the back of the net today, he will be the first player to score in four consecutive topflight away games for Leeds since Mark Viduka in August, 2002.

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ited f.c. premier league wins

all-timers Gary Kelly

131

Ian Harte

102

Nigel Martyn

99

Lee Bowyer

96

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Harry Kewell

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Rod Wallace

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Lee Bowyer

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premier league goals

Mark Viduka

last time out 1 2 5 6 15 43 22 19 48 17 09

Meslier Ayling Koch cooper Dallas Klich Harrison hernĂ ndez shackleton Costa Bamford

1-4 1 2

5

6

15

43 48

19

17

22 9 opposition

01

player profile

36

Age

20

Height

1.97m

Joined

8th August, 2019

Debut

6th January, 2019 v Arsenal (FA Cup)

PREVIOUS CLUB: Lorient

13

Illan MESLIER POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: FRANCE

02

Illan Meslier arrived on a season-long deal in the summer of 2019, and was originally brought in to provide backup for Kiko Casilla. However, an eight-game suspension for Casilla saw Meslier take his chance, keeping seven clean

Kiko Casilla

Luke Ayling

POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

sheets in his 10 Championship

05

appearances and therefore securing the No.1 spot for the Whites during this campaign.

07 apps 02 clean sheets official matchday programme

Robin Koch

Liam Cooper

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: GERMANY

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

06

37

10

21

15

Ezgjan Alioski

Pascal Struijk

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: N. MACEDONIA

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: NETHERLANDS

24

07 apps 01 goal

04 Stuart DALLAS

Leif Davis

Adam Forshaw

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: N. IRELAND

player profile

Established at international level, with 46 caps for Northern

Age

29

Height

1.83m

enough ever-present since

Joined

4th August, 2015

The defender-cum-midfielder

Debut

8th August, 2015 v Burnley

Ireland, Dallas has been a near arriving at Elland Road in 2015. made an immediate impact at Leeds United, winning the Players’ Player of the Year in his debut season, and he also collected the award in the

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

club’s promotion season back

Crusaders & Brentford

to the top-flight.

opposition

38

07

Ian Poveda-Ocampo

Hélder Costa

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

22

17

61 apps 13 assists

19 23

Kalvin Phillips

Pablo Hernández

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

player profile

Jack Harrison

Pablo Hernández was brought

Age

35

Height

1.73m

manager at Swansea City,

Joined

2nd August, 2016

six-month loan deal. One-

Debut

10th August, 2016 v Fleetwood Town (EFL Cup)

to Leeds United by his former Garry Monk, initially on a hundred-sixty-two league appearances and 36 goals later, the former Valencia winger has been pivotal in the Whites’ long-awaited return

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Valencia, Getafe, Swansea City & Al-Arabi

official matchday programme

to the Premier League.

09

player profile

39

Age

27

Height

1.85m

Joined

31st July, 2018

Debut

11th August, 2018 v Derby County

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Nottingham Forest, Chelsea & Middlesbrough

43

Patrick Bamford POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

46

Leeds United represent Patrick Bamford’s fourth permanent club, however, the former Chelsea striker has had a further six loan spells at MK Dons, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley.

Mateusz Klich

Jamie Shackleton

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: POLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

11 34 apps 07 goals

20

Tyler Roberts

Rodrigo Moreno

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: WALES

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: SPAIN

opposition

40

#10

#19

townsend

Hernรกndez

player comparison

Age 29

position winger

nationality eng

Age 35

position winger

nationality esp

apps

goals

shots

apps

goals

shots

shots on target

hit woodwork

assists

through balls

big chances created

83

big chances created

5

through balls

61

assists

338

hit woodwork

22

shots on target

216

105

6

23

13

42

21

2

13

25

12

official matchday programme

41

#25

#22 harrison

player comparison

Age 22

position winger

nationality eng

Age 23

position winger

nationality eng

apps

shots

crosses

apps

shots

crosses

Duels won

Duels lost

36

Recoveries

33%

7

Big chances created

%

6

Cross accuracy

Duels lost

6

Duels won

Recoveries

5

Big chances created

Cross accuracy

6

4

20

32

45

% 0

22

23

21

19%

opposition

Statistics shown are all-time Premier League

eze

42

official matchday programme

43

Crystal Palace have scored with 14% of their efforts so far, their best shot conversion rate in a Premier League season on record (since 1997/98).

12

Leeds United will be aiming to become the first newly promoted top-flight side to win at least three of their opening four away games in a season since Hull City in 2008/09.

9 1

0

match facts

8

13

GOALS

57

96

SHOTS

7

11

11

EXPECTED GOALS

36

13

10

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

GOALS CONCEDED

59

14

12

13

0

1

1

2

CLEAN SHEETS

2

0

SHOT CONVERSION POINTS GAINED AFTER POINTS DROPPED TRAILING RATE % AFTER LEADING

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

3

1

0-15

2

2

16-30

2

2

16-30

1

3

31-45

0

1

31-45

1

2

46-60

0

1

46-60

5

0

61-75

2

1

61-75

3

3

76-90

1

5

76-90

1

3

opposition

44

what’s the storey @danielstorey85

under Bielsa.

Roy Hodgson will stress

Leeds push both full-backs forward and play in a shape that

the importance of both making

looks something like a 2-6-1-1.

quick decisions when receiving

When only one full-back pushes

the pass and of moving into

on, the other drops into central

space to demand the ball and

defence to make it a 3-5-1-1.

provide options for the player

That tactical flexibility

in possession. If that requires

is key to Leeds’ attacking

Columnist, Daniel Storey, can be

attacking midfielders to drop

success. They look to surprise

heard on The Totally Football Show

a little deeper to pick-up the

opponents by altering the

and seen in the Irish Examiner, the

ball and interchange passes

point of attack and creating

i Paper and many more.

quickly with each other, it

overloads in various areas

may prove to be the key to

of the pitch in the space of

bypassing the press.

the same 15-minute period.

Expect a relentless press There is no secret to Leeds United’s intentions under Marcelo Bielsa, but knowing their plan is far easier than stopping it. Bielsa expects his players to hound the opposition in possession, block passing lanes and cutting off the options in an attempt to either

Hodgson’s Palace are generally

Bielsa expects his players to hound opposition players in possession, blocking passing lanes and cutting off the options

tactically rigid (not a criticism), but they may have to prepare to compromise if they are intent on ceding possession to Leeds.

Leeds will create moments of danger We typically expect a promoted team to struggle

or speculative passes that end

Prepare for the unexpected

in Leeds winning back the ball

Throughout his time at Leeds,

holding midfielders and

in their own half.

Bielsa has favoured a 4-1-4-1

central defenders, but Leeds

So far in the Premier

formation. That shifted to a 4-4-

are not a normal promoted

League, Bielsa’s plan has

1-1 against Aston Villa because

side. They have already

worked perfectly. Leeds rank

Kalvin Phillips was absent,

scored more goals in their

first in the Premier League for

and Phillips will also miss the

first six Premier League

tackles. They also routinely

game at Selhurst Park. Jamie

games than any promoted

cover more ground than any

Shackleton is the most likely

side since 1992.

other team and complete more

replacement. He was brought on

sprints. This high-intensity

after just 20 minutes at Villa Park

explained by Patrick Bamford’s

pressing surge has been the

with Pascal Struijk struggling.

brilliant chance conversion

force turnovers in the final third

foundation of their success this

But Leeds’ starting

with chance creation against far more accomplished

While that can partly be

this campaign (26% vs 11% in

season and during their two

formation only tells part of the

the Championship last season),

seasons in the Championship

story. There will be times when

Leeds also create a huge

official matchday programme

45

number of chances. They rank second in the division for shots (behind only Liverpool). They are second for chances created (almost double Palace’s number)

Patrick Bamford’s chance conversion this season:

and are third for the number of touches in the opposition’s penalty box. That’s not just down to Bamford - Hélder Costa, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison all make a top 30 of players with the most penalty-box touches in the

26% √ 11% in the Championship last season

Premier League this season.

That last statistic offers

Statistics correct as of 29th October

another piece of advice to Palace: expect Leeds to attempt to take shots as close

But the whites will also pass up chances to Palace

to goal as possible. It’s a direct

If that all sounds a little daunting, it need not be. Until their 3-0

result of their pressing in the

win at Villa Park, Leeds had not yet found the perfect balance

final third, but Leeds take a lower

between attack and defence and their press had been often

percentage of their shots from

bypassed by opposition teams. Even against Villa, they were

outside the penalty area than

fortunate not to go behind before blowing away their opponents

any other team (24% compared

in the second-half.

overload the penalty area and

to the league-average of 37%).

In purely numerical terms, Leeds play chaos football. They may create a high volume of chances but, perhaps inevitably given the style, they also allow the opposition chances to score at a slightly worrying rate. Only Newcastle United have faced more

Expect Leeds to overload the penalty area and attempt to take shots as close to goal as possible

shots this season (although Palace do rank third on that same list). Sixty-two percent of those shots are allowed in their own penalty area, also well above average.

With Palace ranking low for shots so far this season, there must be an intention to address that against an opponent like Leeds. This may be a more open game than Hodgson would usually like as Leeds have failed to score in only one of their last 22 matches in all competitions. But Hodgson should embrace that and prepare his forwards for quick counter attacks and ask them to overload attacking areas when Palace get the chance to break. That is the way to expose Leeds’ weaknesses.

daniel storey

46

47

Questions linking Palace and today’s opponents that will test even the biggest Eagles fan. Time to earn your ‘Palace Encyclopaedia’ nickname.

01

06 Prior to the current campaign, which Premier

Palace won the first Premier League clash

League season was the last to have both

between Leeds United and the Eagles, 1-0.

Crystal Palace and Leeds United in it?

Can you remember which defender scored the only goal?

02 During the campaign that is the answer to

07

question one, Palace defeated Leeds United

I used to play for Leeds United and joined

2-0 at Elland Road. Paul Warhurst opened the

Palace from Manchester City in 2001. Who

scoring but who got the Eagles’ second?

am I?

03 The Whites and the south Londoners’ last

08

league campaign together was the 2012/13

Which future Palace manager had a loan

Championship season. The clash at Selhurst

spell with Leeds United whilst at the Eagles?

Park resulted in a 2-2 draw, with two players scoring all the goals. Can you remember who?

09 Whose playing career went: Palace - San Jose Earthquakes (loan) – Luton Town –

04 Which Palace midfielder had a brief loan

Portsmouth – Leeds United – Stoke City –

spell with Leeds United in 2012?

Exeter City – Waterlooville

05

10 Which former Palace player’s career had

In 372 Premier League appearances, how

a spell that went: Portsmouth – Palace –

many clean sheets did former Eagles and

Nottingham Forest (loan) – Leeds United

Whites player, Nigel Martyn, keep?

answers 6 Andy Thorn 7 Danny Granville 8 Dougie Freedman 9 Vince Hilaire 10 137 1 1997/98 2 Attilio Lombardo 3 Glenn Murray and Steve Morison 4 Andros Townsend 5 Shaun Derry opposition quiz

48

49

fantasy dinner party Crystal Palace players past and present will be inviting guests to dinner each week, with no restrictions and no judgements on who they

Billy Connolly “My favourite comedian and a great storyteller.”

Sir Alex Ferguson “An amazing manager. How he won the league consistently was incredible - when he left they were never the same with the same players. What he did with that club makes them what they’re now.”

choose – after all, Come Dine With

My wife, Louisa

Me is always better viewing when

“So we could talk about those experiences

personalities and ideologies clash.

we had with other guests together. Rather

This week, James McArthur and his wife, Louisa, are getting round the

acca

table with a few of Macca’s icons.

than just saying: ‘This happened, and this happened.’”

He was such a big name all over the world.

And you know he could definitely tell a story.

Tiger Woods “Football has always been amazing but what he has done for golf was amazing – everyone started doing what he was doing.”

Paul Gascoigne “He probably would’ve been one of the guys, when I was younger, that I’d get star struck on. He was such a big name all over the world. And you know he could definitely tell a story.”

fantasy dinner party

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51

Over the road at Copers Cope

Fionn Mooney Copers Cope Road is home to Palace’s first-team Training Ground and, just a few steps down on the other side of the road, you’ll find the Eagles’ Category 1 Academy complex.

over the road at copers cope

52

F

ionn Mooney cites Diego Maradona and Paul Gascoigne when speaking about his

footballing idols. He’s then asked, with fumbling inaccuracy, if he could ‘do the flick against...’ and, sensing the struggle of a less-honed footballing mind, interjects: ‘Scotland. Yeah, I could do that.’

For a teenager not born until 2003, Mooney missed Maradona’s final game by almost six years, and entered the world with Gascoigne in between China’s Gansu Tianma and then-League Two Boston United.

He would grow up as both players battled private demons, and so, we assume, developed his admiration for them through an obsessive attitude to football: hearing stories, trawling the sport - even that from 20 grainy prior years - as he could.

This inherent love for football proved its worth in October this year as Mooney signed professional forms with Crystal Palace. It’s clear how his passion led him to that moment.

“When I was at school [last year], it was really hard,” he explains, detailing what the average day balancing GCSEs and the Palace Academy looked like.

“I’d get up at six, get the bus at seven to Croydon, be at school from half eight to three-forty-five and it was intense seven lessons.

“I could get to Palace for about five.

Then training until half seven and I’d get home most nights about half eight or nine.

“It was 100% dedication. I never really thought ‘this is hard’ or ‘this is

official matchday programme

ionn ooney

archives and consuming as much of the

53

normal’, it was just: ‘I’m playing football, and I enjoy that.’”

That hunger to play and succeed in both walks of life allowed Mooney to not only attain “very good” results (including grades in Chinese and Spanish) but to secure his first real step on the path to professionalism. For Mooney, as with

Our chemistry is really good and we’ve all got each other’s back. We’d run through a brick wall for each other

so many south Londoners in the club’s Academy, that path began at an early age, but in a more unusual way than most: “[I played for] Wimbledon at Under10s. I walked out. I felt I needed to be challenged a little bit so I walked out…

“Our chemistry is really good and we’ve all got each other’s back. We’d run through a brick wall for each other.”

As part of their footballing and more holistic

It was professional and I wasn’t too

education with the club, the Under-18s have

bothered about the facilities - it was more

travelled the world together - competing in Miami,

the actual level. I wasn’t being challenged

Sweden, Israel and elsewhere. Mooney, usually

enough. I thought I could go higher so I

accompanied by a supportive onlooking father,

went for it.

has enjoyed further tastes of international football;

“Then I played for Stephen Gale’s Soccer School and scored seven against Palace’s Development side at the National Sports Centre. There was a Palace scout there and he told me on the night: ‘We want to sign you.’ The next day I went and joined. One day, grassroots.

The next, Palace.”

Mooney progressed swiftly at Palace and, after two years, began playing up an age group, joining the crop of Under-14s

competing with both England and Ireland at various age groups.

Earlier this year, he had just 10 days between landing home from Tel Aviv and flying to Marbella.

“I love travelling,” he says. “It’s nice to get out and see the world.

“When I was younger it was harder. Now it’s easier, but I prefer being at my house! But being around the lads all the time is pretty cool and I get on with everyone.

“My heart’s set on [playing for] England - I just

who largely comprise today’s highly-rated

feel a bit more English [than Irish]. At the moment,

Under-18s. Mooney, an “exciting” No.10,

I’m thinking about Palace and if international football

is part of this team’s core, and explains

comes, it comes. It’s an honour to play for England,

what makes the young prospects such a

but I’m focused on Palace - I’ve just got my contract

promising group.

and I want to get my head down and work.

“I’ve been with that team since Under-14s… It’s not just on the pitch but off the pitch, we’re all really tight. We’ve

“I want to continue to progress and make a name for myself - at Palace.”

If all continues going to plan, perhaps Academy

grown up with each other so we’re a bit

players of the future will be citing their own retro

like a family.

idols: Fionn Mooney being one of them.

over the road at copers cope

54

SCAN TO BID!

BID ON POPPY SHIrtS - STRAIGHT FROM KICK-oFF

55

From current or past employees of the club to unsung heroes, people looking to make a difference to those who have found fame: south London is a special place to live, work and experience.

This week, Palace fan, Mark Bellingham, discusses the unique matchday programme-based gift he sent to Chairman Steve Parish.

Voices of south london

56

A

friend of mine had heart surgery right at

would look tacky if I opened

the start of the pandemic and the club

it up and then stitched it back

sent a really nice personal video from

together.

Jim Cannon and Darren Ambrose; it was lovely,”

“What I’d made is like

Croydon-born Mark Bellingham begins to explain

anything else in terms of that

why, on the morning of the Chelsea game in July,

it might not be to everyone’s

he and his son delivered a heavily packaged box

taste; that’s why I left my

to Selhurst Park. “It was a genuine thank you; I

contact details because I’d

think the club does some excellent things.”

sooner have it back than it

Inside the box was something so bespoke in design and eye catching in style that Steve

ending up in a skip!

“But I will see it one

Parish is planning on showcasing it in one of the

day,” Mark says with hope.

lounges at the home of the Eagles.

And he will, once it’s proudly

Programmes from the 2010/11 season – the first campaign of CPFC2010 - displayed in a way that Mark likens to “those fortune teller origami items you used to make in the playground.”

The artist, Emily Jones, is someone Mark knows well, with the Palace fan a proud owner of a similar piece of artwork, this time made from atlases.

So why not own the distinctive programme collection himself? “I don’t spend money on myself,” Mark begins to explain why Parish is the proud owner of the special piece of art.

it might not be to everyone’s taste; that’s why I left my contact details because I’d sooner have it back than it ending up in a skip somewhere!

“I’m not a big social media user but I like the Palace forums and it came up that it was going to

displayed at Selhurst Park,

be a decade since CPFC2010 had taken over and

and fans return again.

basically saved the club,” he adds further context.

“Off the back of that, within two minutes, I

Mark’s gift warmed the offices of those working at

decided that I could justify spending the money

Selhurst Park; a sincere,

on the programme artwork if it was a gift for

selfless and special gesture at

somebody else – I’d long wanted to get it done

a time when many don’t have

but couldn’t bring myself to do it just for me.

much to give with uncertainty

“And then it occurred to me that it would be

within the community across

a nice way to say thank you to Steve and for me

wellbeing, jobs and finances.

to also see the artwork created.”

Well, that was the plan at least: “I actually

The reason for Mark wanting to thank Steve will

haven’t seen it still,” Mark laughs. “It came

put a knowing smile on every

packaged up via an art courier! I thought it

fan who follows the south

official matchday programme

57

I realised United weren’t the team to follow that day and Palace were going to be the best team in the land. I left the ground an Eagle Londoners: “Yes, fans moan. But we all know the club is part of the family – and when haven’t we said stuff to family members that we’ve regretted, taken back and forgiven?”

Talking of apologies, now it is our turn: up until the age of eight, Mark was a Manchester United fan due to his parents’ affinity with the Red Devils after the Munich air disaster.

However, Mark’s aunt, a staunch Palace supporter, took him to his first red and blue game in 1972: a 5-0 win over Manchester United.

“I realised United weren’t the team to follow that day and Palace were going to be the best team in the land. I left the ground an Eagle - it’s not about the trophies anyway,” Mark jokes.

Let’s forgive each other, Mark. Love from Crystal Palace Family Club.

You can view Emily Jones’ unique artwork here: www.foldem.co.uk

voices of south london

58

palace for life Last month, Eddie Izzard joined Mark Bright, Shaun Derry and 130 Palace fans for the 2020 Marathon March, powered by Utilita. Together they walked 26.2 miles across south London and raised more than £60,000 to support Palace for Life Foundation’s work in the community.

Stand-up comedian, actor and lifelong Crystal Palace fan Eddie Izzard said: “It was great going all around the area and knowing that we’re helping kids. We passed the Academy and to see the kids

Palace for Life Foundation go out and help young people to overcome obstacles in their lives and to overcome insecurities, they help them get jobs or into education, they just help in any way they can

playing there was wonderful.

had lots of people cheering for us along the

I really believe in the ambition

way as well. We do some great work in the

of this club, for the kids and

community and this is all to support the kids.

for the future, it’s onwards and upwards.”

Mark Bright, who took

“Palace for Life Foundation go out and help young people to overcome obstacles in their lives and to overcome insecurities, they

part in the Marathon March

help them get jobs or into education, they

for the third year running,

just help in any way they can. So we support

added: “I want to thank the

them and they support the community.”

people who sponsored us. We

official matchday programme

The Marathon March was raising

59

money to support vulnerable young south Londoners, in particular those who have been

cooked by the chefs at Selhurst Park.

Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell joined the

affected by the pandemic. One of the projects

children at the holiday camp over a video call

that has taken place thanks to this fundraising is

and was pleased to see how much fun they were

a holiday camp that offered children a safe place

having, particularly after such a difficult year: “It

to enjoy sport and other activities during the

was enjoyable to meet them and hear how open

October half-term. Almost 60 children attended

they are and see how happy they looked. This

each day, taking part in DJing, dance and a

programme has given children the chance to be

circus workshop, amongst other fun sessions.

with others their own age again, smiling laughing

Every child was also given a hot, healthy lunch

and having fun.”

We would like to thank everyone who took part in or donated to the 2020 Marathon March and to our sponsors, Utilita.

Marathon march 2020 Julian Tucker, Samantha Smith, Andy Lucey, Simon Gamble, William Deasy, Kent Salomon, Mikael Westerback, Crispin Chapple, Ben Cloves, Mark Drew, Keith Funnel, Andrew Kemp, Mark Silverstein, Ben Russell, Dan Morey, James Winton, Susan Tucker, Liam Hockham, Christopher Hall, Simon Daley, Martin Hollands, Michael Lacey, Alex Morrall, Jane Sparks, Tony Waters, Say Leddington, Luke Townsend, Jessica Booker, Julian Chenery, Matt Swallow, Damien Terry, Scott Beveridge, Guy Deasy, Harvey Jones, Patrick McNamara, Mark Kaczmarczyk, Paul Clark, Mary Barnett, Tania Bushell, Catherine D’Rozario, Lisa Murphy, Ann Paterson, Juliet Mason, Jackie Staples, Sarah Wilson, Jessica Connolly, Paul Funnell, Wayne Stevens, Luke Stevens, Daniel Clarke, Charles Nkrumah, Kate Thompson, Simon Higgins, Neil Witherow, Sue Witherow, Paul Signoretti, Paul Price, Beulah Pickles, James Taylor-Nye, Pete Trainor, Charlie Trainor, Evan Warren, Richard Tate, Ian Waite, Simon Jupp, Andrew Hobbs, Andrzej Moyseowicz, Tom Moyseowicz, Ian Goodwin, Martha Goodwin, Grace Adamson, David Adamson, Paul Adamson, Amanda Ersser, Gemma Brown, Alex Cue, Paul Jones, Emma Wright, Steph Fuller, Spencer Holmes, Katey Murray, Craig Constantinides, Luke Gillin, Jim Daly, Kevin Day, Andy Street, Robert Sutherland, Jesse Boyce, Chris Denton, Adam Bani, John Symes, Ed Warner, Christine Gausden, Steve Sewell, Robert Cooper, Luke Cooper, Jennifer Cirone, Kieran Bailey, Kate Neilly, Richard Cronk, Sarah Millward, Michael Middleton, George Brake, Kirk Sands, Faye Grady, Simon McHardy, Molly Butler, Lisa Butler, Chris Kaczmarczyk, Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Oli Blackburn, Angie Smith, Joe Bignell, Mike Summers, Susan Patterson-Smith, Eddie Izzard, Mark Bright, Shaun Derry, Lynne Darley, Holly Britton, Liam Connery, Sophie Storer, James Varcoe, Clare Anderton, Nigel Clibbens

palace for life

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GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

61

game that changed my career A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved. However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest impact on a

3-1 14th April, 1991 FA Cup semi-final

player’s career.

Throughout this season, we will be talking to past and present Eagles to find out which match has had the biggest bearing on their career.

This week it is former Palace man, Paul Stewart, who reflects on joining Tottenham

I was able to push on and make the midfield position my own at Spurs

Hotspur as a striker, but then being asked to change position.

“I’d have to say it’s when I played in the semifinal of the FA Cup for Spurs against Arsenal.

Not only had Arsenal been very dominant in the league and all the major trophies, but we didn’t seem to be able to get the better of them.

“We had a decent Spurs side and drew them in the semi-final of the FA Cup. We had to play at Wembley because it was the only stadium that could hold all the fans from both sides and I feel I sort of grew in stature in midfield in that game.

“I felt like I played well enough against a great Arsenal midfield, and it just gave me the confidence to play in that role even more, knowing I was comfortable in that role and I was able to push on and make the midfield position my own at Spurs. For me, that feels like a pivotal moment in my football career.”

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

63

1991/92 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss will review those desirable gems, those best-forgotten strips and do a bit of market research for those of you looking to snap up some of the Eagles’ iconic shirts.

This week, Nathaniel Clyne models the home kit from the 1991/92 season.

kit or miss

64

1991 T he 1991/92 kit marked such a classy design that Palace hardly changed it for three seasons. First worn in

‘90/91 with Virgin as the sponsors, this

What we like: A proper collar, buttons et al.

mainly red, buttoned shirt lasted through to 1993. It knew its class.

The shirt bore two different sponsors and two different designers, but the first

Even better if:

Tulip strip by Bukta stands out. 1991/92

Buttons that fastened properly – messy,

may have been the beginning of the end of

flapping collars detract from this kit a touch.

an incredible few Palace campaigns, but it continued their late ‘80s-early ‘90s legacy of being one of the best dressed teams in the country.

This strip is arguably the best ‘more red than blue’ effort the club has managed and the slightly shining pattern is a ‘90s treat we all wish would still work today.

Inoffensively audacious.

The shorts for this kit provide an uncommon highlight, too, with both Tulip and Bukta branded across the left leg – a break from the usual uninterrupted norm.

The blue hems are a subtle but smart addition, too.

official matchday programme

Wore it best: Ian Wright

Story of the season Palace were riding on three remarkable highs by the time they reached ‘91/92: promotion in ’89, the FA Cup final in ’90, finishing third in ’91 and, of course, claiming the Zenith Data Systems trophy that same year. 1991/92, then, was never going to beat its predecessors.

1992 The finest hour: Securing a league double over Liverpool with a 1-0 victory at Selhurst. A Bruce Grobbelaar howler allowed Eric Young to slot home and earn Palace’s fourth win in five games against the Reds.

That said, it was no failure, with the Eagles finishing in a respectable 10th place to secure their berth in the inaugural Premier League.

The writing, however, appeared on the wall with the departure of a host of club icons, most notably Ian Wright.

Where are they now?

Dutch computer manufacturers Tulip didn’t just sponsor Palace in the sporting world, additionally adding their name to Spanish and Belgian cycling teams, Tulip Computers.

Tulip underwent a name change in 2008 and eventually went bankrupt the following year.

Buyers’ guide: You’ve got three seasons to pick a shirt in this design, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one for sale. The ‘90/91 shirt is probably the easiest to lay your hands on – but bizarrely it seems the yellow away shirt from this time is even more common.

kit or miss

65

66

We’ve made the beer better.

Worth a try? Probably.

Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

Rebrewed for a crisper taste.

67

Club Historian, Ian King, looks back at the 1990/91 campaign that saw a Wembley return and confirmed Palace, for one season at least, as the third-best club in the country.

1990/91 seaon

68

in a commanding position.

Manager Steve Coppell replaced Barber with Glyn Hodges at the break and the Wales midfielder was on hand to net the third just four minutes after his introduction.

The floodgates opened in the final 20 minutes with Bright and Wright completing their hat-tricks and substitute Thompson scoring from Hodges’ assist.

T

he Eagles were handed a home draw against Third Division pacesetters Southend

United, who included ex-Eagles Chris Powell, Andy Ansah and ‘keeper Paul Sansome, in the Second Round first leg of the Rumbelows League. For the crowd of less than 10,000 it turned out

That 8-0 victory was Palace’s biggest since a 9-0 win over Barrow in October, 1959.

Furthermore, the last time the Eagles had two different players score hat-tricks in a game was 20th August, 1960 v Accrington Stanley at Selhurst Park. It was the opening game of 1960/61 season in Division Four, with the Eagles winning 9-2 -Johnny Byrne scoring four, Alan Woan baging a hat-trick and Ron Heckman netting a brace.

to be a ‘I was there’ moment.

After the game Mark Bright The trio all spent part of their youth careers in the Palace Academy. However, only Powell managed to register a first-team appearance (five).

looked ready to sign a new contract, commenting: “The fact that Ian has signed for another four years is an influence and it is better to be a big fish in a small pond than the other way.”

Mark Bright made the starting

Four days later the Eagles

lineup, with Garry Thompson dropping

travelled to the Baseball Ground of

to the bench, but it was a personnel

Derby County, who were bottom of the

change that had instant rewards with

table, with the possibility of the club

Bright opening the scoring on two

registering its 1000th victory in the

minutes, after being sent through by

Football League.

Phil Barber.

Barber was the provider again

With England manager Graham Taylor looking on, Wright opened the

when Ian Wright outpaced the

scoring on 10 minutes with an angled-

Shrimpers’ defence midway through

shot inside former England ‘keeper

the first-half to put the south Londoners

Peter Shilton’s post. The milestone

official matchday programme

69

the Eagles to settle for a point.

Afterwards, Leeds’ manager Howard Wilkinson commented on the size of the pitch at Selhurst Park: “It’s such a small pitch. It must be the shortest in the league.”

The result kept Palace in fourth-place At the time, there was no shorter pitch in Division One. However, seven others were the same length, whilst Chelsea and Arsenal had the narrowest. behind Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham victory was secured when a kneeling Bright beat

Hotspur. Something was happening.

a startled Shilton with a glancing header.

The following week, Alex Dyer was allowed GLYN HODGES Steve Coppell and Peter Shilton played together 16 times for England, losing just one competitive match against hosts Italy in the group stages of the 1980 European Championships. to join Charlton Athletic on loan and a small fee was paid to Grays Athletic for central defender Tony Witter.

Newly-promoted Leeds United offered a sterner test back at Selhurst Park seven days

JOINED FROM:

later and, with Andy Thorn recovering from

Watford, June, 1990

a groin injury sustained against the Rams,

DEBUT:

manager Coppell named the side that had

25th August, 1990, v Luton Town (A)

finished the game against Derby.

Difficult conditions in a goalless first-half v the Whites all changed nine minutes into the second-half. The Eagles broke from a spell of Leeds pressure with Bright sending Wright away, who in-turn set-up skipper Geoff Thomas for his third goal in five matches. However, the Yorkshire team drew level when Gary Speed headed home Gordon Strachan’s corner forcing

FINAL PALACE GAME: 1st December, 1990, v Coventry City (H) LEFT FOR: Sheffield United, January, 1991 APPERANCES: 11 GOALS: 1

1990/91 season

70

official matchday programme

71

It highlighted to us all how the levels have significantly raised around the Academy

I

’m not surprised at all by our start to life

we can get him to a good place to continue

in the Under-18 Premier League. We are

developing and progressing.

a bit disappointed to have only won five

Fionn has done incredibly well due to the

of our first six league games; the defeat to

fact he has stiff competition in his position.

Arsenal was a game we deserved more from.

He has added so much to his game in recent

The players and staff all spoke at the

months. His mentality is unbelievable, which

beginning of the season about how we are

I feel came across in his excellent interview

going to attack every game. We believed from

with Palace TV - his belief in himself is

the off that this is the level we should be at

phenomenal and it is something that rubs off

with the setup and players at our disposal.

on his teammates.

It was great for us to be able to return

We are in two cup competitions this

to Copers Cope Road and to play on our new

season, and last week saw us start our U17

show-pitch against Leicester City.

Premier League Cup campaign with a draw

There’s still a lot of work to go at the

against West Ham. Millwall and Brighton are

Academy complex, but it was a massive and

also in our group. The 1-1 result was a bit of a

exciting occasion for me, the staff, the lads

tough one to take, with us conceding late and

and the club as a whole. It highlighted to us

against the run of play, but performance-wise

all how the levels have significantly raised

it was very pleasing.

around the Academy.

Before that, I was delighted to see Jadan

It was a chance to play some of the younger boys, and with it being half-term we

Raymond and Fionn Mooney sign their first

had a couple of Under-16s get some game

professional contracts with the club.

time – Kadan Rodney started and impressed

Jadan is an exciting prospect who has

throughout. We also had Under-15s player

been unlucky with injuries recently. But what

David Obou come off the bench for the last

has been really encouraging is his approach

half an hour and he coped brilliantly.

to his rehabilitation; he has been incredibly professional for such a young player.

He shows an unbelievable tactical

Having cup competitions like that offers the younger lads vital opportunities, and allows us to continue a smooth transition

knowledge of the game. Jadan has all the

across the age groups and highlight the

attributes to make it as a top player. We are

excellent pathway through the Academy on

on top of his injury concerns and believe

offer to all.

paddy m©carthy

72

official matchday programme

73

I

’m now in my second season with the club after leaving Tottenham Hotspur and I will admit it was a bit difficult for me to

gel instantly. However, with a season under my belt and with the players that came in over the summer, my confidence has improved and I’m delighted to have scored five goals.

it is a safe environment, it is a viable sport for women and that every day we are all making huge steps towards equality

It helped that former Spurs teammates, Coral-Jade Haines and Chloe Morgan, have signed. Both of them have been friends of

down, the way we were playing and the way

mine for years, and I spoke at length with

the game plan was falling in to place nicely. I

them about what the club is about before they

knew we’d turn it around.

signed; it is great to be linking up again.

Last month, we had the beginning of

Furthermore, new coaches coming

the #TakeAStand campaign, which fell on

in have tweaked our game and added an

our home game v Leicester City. Those

attacking impetus to our approach, with a big

movements are the most important thing for

emphasis on taking our chances earlier.

me when it comes to women’s football.

Before joining Palace, I had always been

It is why this Sunday’s game v Coventry

coached to drive down the wings but now

United has added importance. Last season’s

there’s a real desire for me to cut-in and drive

game at their ground saw our then-

towards the box to create scenarios where I

goalkeeper, Lucy Gillett, suffer sexist abuse.

find myself in one-v-ones with a defender.

It was disheartening, not just for us, but for all

The Conti Cup game v Lewes highlighted the tactical fluidity in our game this season,

involved in women’s football.

The 90 minutes tomorrow represents a

too. In that match, I was on the bench as

chance for both teams to work together to

we looked to test a new style of play, and it

demonstrate what we, they and our sport is all

worked well.

about. It isn’t about us seeking retribution for

The players that started tired the

the abuse Lucy suffered. We need to continue

opponents in the first-half, which was

to show the huge and rapid developments that

exactly what we wanted to do. Then, in the

are happening at our club and in the game as

second-half, Dean made a triple substitution

a whole.

opting for pace by bringing on Cherelle,

It is all about making sure the younger

Siobhan and myself, to target a tired

generation realise it is a safe environment, it is

backline. We had plenty of opportunities

a viable sport for women and that every day we

and, despite coming on when it was one-nil

are all making huge steps towards equality.

bianca baptiste

74

First-team sponsors

Roy Hodgson

Joel Ward

2020/21

Patrick van Aanholt

Luka Milivojevic

James Tomkins

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL 01737 225 711 |

Sponsorship Available

W S PA . C O . U K

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29/12/2017 09:17

Scott Dann

Max Meyer

Cheikhou Kouyaté

Jordan Ayew

Andros Townsend

Wilfried Zaha

Mamadou Sakho

Wayne Hennessey

Jeffrey Schlupp

James McArthur

James McCarthy

Michy Batshuayi

Gary Cahill

Eberechi Eze

Vicente Guaita

Martin Kelly

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Sponsorship Available

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Sponsorship Available Contact liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk to discuss our player sponsorship packages.

official matchday programme

Sep

oct

nov

dec

jan

2-3

0-2 1-4

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Lewes

Durham

Leicester City

Sheffield United

Bristol City

Coventry United

London Bees

Liverpool

Lewes

Charlton Athletic

London City Lionesses

Durham

Leicester City

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Sun 27

Sun 4

Wed 7

Sun 11

Sun 18

Sun 1

Thu 5

Sun 8

Thu 19

Sun 6

Sun 13

Sun 20

Sun 10

Sun 17

Sun 24

Sun 7

Sun 14

Lewes

Coventry United

Sun 25

may Sun 2

Sheffield United

Sun 4

Liverpool

1-1

London City Lionesses

Sat 12

0-3

2-1

4-1

2-2

Charlton Athletic

Result

Opposition

Sun 6

mar Sun 7

feb

apr

Sep oct nov dec JAN FEB MAR

1-0 2-1

Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United Reading Sunderland Stoke City Fulham Newcastle United Middlesbrough Fulham West Bromwich Albion Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United Reading Sunderland Stoke City

Mon 19 Mon 26 Sun 1 Mon 9 Mon 23 Mon 30 Mon 04 Mon 21 Sun 10 Mon 18 Mon 25 Mon 1 Fri 5 Mon 15 Sun 21 Mon 1 Fri 12 Mon 22 Mon 12

STATS

1-4

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

Middlesbrough

Newcastle United

0-1

Aston Villa

Fri 2

Mon 26

0-3

Norwich City

Fri 25

3-3

West Bromwich Albion

Mon 21

Result

Opposition

Date

may Mon 3

APR

Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may

Date

1-0

Norwich City Leicester City Reading West Ham United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotpsur Brighton & Hove Albion West Bromwich Albion Fulham Southampton Arsenal Fulham Chelsea Norwich City Leicester City Reading West Ham United Aston Villa

Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 31 Sat 7 Sat 28 Sat 12 Sat 19 Sat 9 Sat 16 Sat 23 Sat 30 Sat 06 Sat 13 Sat 20 Sat 27 Sat 13 Sat 20 Sat 17

Sat 8

Sat 1

West Bromwich Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion

Tottenham Hotpsur

1-0

Chelsea

Fri 2

Sat 24

3-2

Arsenal

Sat 26

1-0

2-3

2-1

Southampton

Sat 19

Result

Opposition

Date

75

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

Date

Opposition

Result

Position

Sat 12

Southampton

1-0

7th

Tue 15

Bournemouth

0-0

Sat 19

Manchester United

3-1

Sat 26

Everton

1-2

6th

Sat 3

Chelsea

0-4

12th

Sat 17

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

14th

Sat 24

Fulham

2-1

8th

Sat 31

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-2

13th

Sat 7

Leeds United

Sat 21

Burnley

Sat 28

Newcastle United

Sat 5

West Bromwich Albion

Sat 12

Tottenham Hotspur

Tue 15

West Ham United

Sat 19

Liverpool

Sat 26

Aston Villa

Mon 28

Leicester City

Sat 2

Sheffield United

Tue 12

Arsenal

Sat 16

Manchester City

Wed 27

West Ham United

Sat 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wed 3

Newcastle United

Sat 6

Leeds United

Sat 13

Burnley

Sat 20

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 27

Fulham

Sat 6

Tottenham Hotspur

Sat 13

West Bromwich Albion

Sat 20

Manchester United

Sat 3

Everton

Sat 10

Chelsea

Sat 17

Southampton

Sat 24

Leicester City

Sat 1

Manchester City

Sat 8

Sheffield United

Wed 12

Aston Villa

Sat 15

Arsenal

Sun 23

Liverpool

official matchday programme

(10-11)

R2 5th

Cheikhou KouyatĂŠ

Card Red Card

Max Meyer

Yellow

Scott Dann

Goal(s)

James Tomkins

Unused Sub

Luka Milivojevic

Used Sub

Patrick van Aanholt

Started

Joel Ward

Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture - Palace score shown first.

Jack Butland

76

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jordan Ayew Andros Townsend Wilfried Zaha Mamadou Sakho Wayne Hennessey Jeffrey Schlupp Nathaniel Clyne James McArthur Stephen Henderson Christian Benteke James McCarthy Michy Batshuayi Gary Cahill Eberechi Eze Tyrick Mitchell Vicente Guaita Jaroslaw Jach Martin Kelly Sam Woods Nathan Ferguson Nya Kirby Brandon Pierrick JaĂŻro Riedewald

77

9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 40 44

Fixtures & results

78

Club

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Liverpool

7

5

1

1

17

15

2

16

2

Leicester City

7

5

0

2

17

9

8

15

3

Tottenham Hotspur

7

4

2

1

18

9

9

14

4

Everton

7

4

1

2

15

11

4

13

5

Southampton

7

4

1

2

14

12

2

13

6

Wolverhampton Wanderers

7

4

1

2

8

8

0

13

7

Chelsea

7

3

3

1

16

9

7

12

8

Aston Villa

6

4

0

2

15

9

6

12

9

Arsenal

7

4

0

3

9

7

2

12

10

Manchester City

6

3

2

1

9

8

1

11

11

Newcastle United

7

3

2

2

10

11

-1

11

12

Leeds United

7

3

1

3

13

13

0

10

13

Crystal Palace

7

3

1

3

8

11

-3

10

14

West Ham United

7

2

2

3

13

10

3

8

15

Manchester United

6

2

1

3

9

13

-4

7

16

Brighton and Hove Albion

7

1

2

4

11

14

-3

5

17

Fulham

7

1

1

5

7

14

-7

4

18

West Bromwich Albion

7

0

3

4

6

16

-10

3

19

Sheffield United

7

0

1

6

3

10

-7

1

20

Burnley

6

0

1

5

3

12

-9

1

Gameweek 08

premier league

Statistics correct as of 3rd November

brighton √ burnley

West ham √ fulham

6th November 17:30

7th November 20:00

southampton √ newcastle

west brom √ spurs

6th November 20:00

8th November 12:00

everton √ man utd

Leicester √ wolves

7th November 12:30

8th November 14:00

crystal palace √ leeds

man city √ liverpool

7th November 15:00

8th November 16:30

chelsea √ sheffield utd

arsenal √ aston villa

7th November 17:30

8th November 19:15

Crystal Palace and the rest of the Premier League will not tolerate racism, anywhere, and we are taking action to combat all forms of discrimination.

But we can all do more.

Challenge it, report it, change it, and together we can make a positive impact.

Visit premierleague.com/noroomforracism to find out more. #NoRoomForRacism

Challenge it.

Report it. Change it.

Crystal palace f.c.

(GK) Jack BUTLAND Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Max MEYER Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Jordan AYEW Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO Jeffrey SCHLUPP Nathaniel CLYNE James McARTHUR (GK) Stephen HENDERSON Christian BENTEKE James McCARTHY Michy BATSHUAYI Gary CAHILL Eberechi EZE Tyrick MITCHELL (GK) Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Sam WOODS Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 31 34 35 36 44

Leeds united f.c.

01 02 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 35 43 46 49

Illan MESLIER (GK) Luke AYLING Adam FORSHAW Robin KOCH Liam COOPER Ian POVEDA-OCAMPO Patrick BAMFORD Ezgjan ALIOSKI Tyler ROBERTS Kiko CASILLA (GK) Diego LLORENTE Stuart DALLAS Hélder COSTA RAPHINHA Pablo HERNÁNDEZ RODRIGO Pascal STRUIJK Jack HARRISON Kalvin PHILLIPS Leif DAVIS Elia CAPRILE (GK) Joe GELHARDT Charlie CRESSWELL Mateusz KLICH Jamie SHACKLETON Oliver CASEY