Crystal Palace v Sheffield United matchday programme

Crystal Palace v Sheffield United Saturday 2nd January 2020 // 3pm

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

palace √ sheffield utd

Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director

02.01.21

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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joe whitworth

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 Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Dan Blazer, Will Robinson, 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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shaun derry

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ashlee hincks

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fixtures & results

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premier league

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official matchday programme

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I hope you all enjoy a bright start to 2021 and that this year brings you back to the stands sooner rather than later

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elcome to Chris Wilder, his staff

Of course, with the calibre of our squad

and players and hello to each of

and the performances we have been able to

you reading this. I hope you have

show at times, we are hoping to have ensured

had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Christmas was a bizarre time for all of us. After no doubt preparing plans to spend the period with loved ones, many of us here

this goal is met sooner rather than later and, at that point, we can begin to look upwards with more compelling intentions.

We have 22 challenging matches

in London and beyond were forced into a

left in which to achieve what we wish to

late change. That said, I hope you had as

accomplish, and I have no doubt that each

enjoyable a time as possible and that you are

of them will prove to be the testing force that

safe and well today.

every game in the Premier League is.

I am writing before we became embroiled

Today will be no different. Sheffield

in the thick of the festive period and am not

United have indeed not started the season

aware of the outcome of our latest results yet.

as I am sure they would have liked. However,

In the recent programme for the Leicester

they are still a very strong opponent with good

City match, I discussed my views on the last

discipline and team organisation. It is seldom

12 months as a whole and took the chance

possible for most teams to sustain their

to reflect on 2020 before we entered the

success over many months and every football

New Year. I now have the opportunity to look

club endures periodic losses of form.

forward to 2021, a year that will hopefully

It would, therefore, be remiss to regard

bring less discomfort in everyday life across

this game in any way other than a significant

the world.

hurdle we must overcome. The players and I

In football terms, we are looking first and foremost for another season in the

shall be tackling it in the manner we approach every match.

Premier League. Speaking candidly, that

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy a

is and always will be the first aim for the

bright start to 2021 and that this year brings you

majority of clubs in this competition and, until

back to the stands sooner rather than later.

that is mathematically secured, there is little advantage in discussing other ambitions.

Enjoy the game.

The manager

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If we are fortunate, you will be able to return in some numbers to Selhurst Park and other grounds across the country before too long

H

appy New Year to each of you reading

a group before the Leicester match. Defeats

this. I hope that you, your family and

and below-standard performances hurt us

loved ones have a good start to 2021.

players as much as they do supporters and

We can hope that this year will be better

for football off the pitch. If we are fortunate, you will be able to return in some numbers to Selhurst Park and other grounds across the country before too long. Of course, a lot of

management, and we were determined to put things right at the first chance.

It was not perfect, but I think this was managed against Leicester.

Today, we face another challenge, even

patience must be had before then, but with

though Sheffield United are in a very different

any luck we will see you on the stands again

position to Leicester. That does not make

this season.

any game easier, because every team has

On the pitch, we had some good results

something to fight for whatever position they

and, more importantly, good performances

are in. For us, at the moment, that is breaking

in 2020. Yes, there were spells we were

in to the top 10. For Sheffield United, that is

frustrated by and games which we could have

getting away from the relegation places. We

taken more from but, mostly, we competed

know from our own experience that this is

well in the world’s most difficult division.

sometimes the best reason to fight.

We ended the year with what I thought

So this afternoon we face another

was a good result against Leicester City, who

tough match at the end of the Christmas

sat second in the league at the final whistle.

schedule and we must compete with the

The first-half performance was not good

commitment we showed in the second-half

enough but I was proud that the boys turned

against Leicester.

things around in the second-half and played much better to secure a point.

But we also knew there were issues to deal with after our games with Liverpool and Aston Villa and we spoke about this as

After this, we enter the FA Cup and then face a very difficult end to the month. I will not be able to write to you all here until then, so, in the meantime‌ Make some noise!

The captain

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a wonderful pinpoint cross from Andros, but Wilf’s sheer strength and determination in the beginning of the move was hugely impressive and typifies his attitude

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appy New Year to all our matchday

Like the rest of the football world, I

programme readers; I hope that you

have been surprised by our visitors’ start

are watching the match today in good

to the season – especially after their

health and spirits. Welcome to the directors,

extraordinary efforts in the last campaign.

players and staff of Sheffield United to south

But I have absolutely no doubt that today’s

London for the first match of the year.

match will be extremely competitive and

I’d like to begin by praising the players for the performance against Leicester City. I’m hugely pleased about how the group reacted

that Chris Wilder’s team will be desperate for a positive return.

It was concerning for all clubs to see the

to the two losses in quick succession, which

Everton v Manchester City game postponed

everyone was hurting from. Whilst we’d be

due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases

within our rights to bemoan a clear missed

in the City camp, and I hope that this will be a

handball in the box, and conceding late on, a

rare incident.

point is a good return from this match against an in-form Leicester.

Huge credit must go to Vicente for

I would like to praise the efforts of our club doctor, Dr Zaf Iqbal, and his staff for ensuring that our infection rates have been

his penalty save, which was hugely

low by comparison, but the news served as a

important in the context of the game and

timely reminder for us all to do our utmost –

recent weeks for us. Once again Wilf will

individually and collectively - to minimise risk

be fully deserving of the plaudits for his

to our squad and staff in the coming months.

simply magnificent goal. The strike itself

I am really excited about the year ahead.

was clinical, connecting with a wonderful

Everyone here is focused on delivering

pinpoint cross from Andros, but Wilf’s sheer

progression on and off the pitch, but what I’m

strength and determination in the beginning

most looking forward to is welcoming as many

of the move was hugely impressive and

of you as possible back to Selhurst Park.

typifies his attitude.

Stay safe, and Up the Palace.

The chairman

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Jeffrey Schlupp has earned his reputation as the league’s finest utility man. After a year defined by change, Will Robinson asks how he handles a life replete with variation. main interview

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n a sport which prizes consistency above much else, change is less often a

friend than a foe. But for Jeffrey Schlupp, it’s simply an inevitable part of existence.

“The thing with change is that most of the time, you can’t control it,” he says, matter-of-factly but characteristically laid back. “It’s out of control. I’m not a worrier about the things you can’t control. It just causes more stress if anything.”

For a career in which change has been an almost constant feature, these are surely good words to live by.

Growing up in Germany before moving to England at the age of 10, Schlupp met upheaval head-on from his earliest years: “I feel like that’s one of my attributes: I’ve got the ability to adapt to different situations.”

However his first year at Palace was characterised by great discontinuity, even by Schlupp’s standards. Joining in January 2017, he played under three managers in his first eight months at the club.

Of course, changing managers is nothing unusual, but such a frequency while trying to find your feet can’t be easy.

“Obviously when a manager brings you in,” Schlupp begins another laissez-faire response, “you’re hoping they’re there for the duration of the time I’m there, but it wasn’t meant to be. These things happen in football.”

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Brought in by Sam Allardyce, he worked briefly with Frank de Boer before the arrival of Roy Hodgson.

He concedes the pragmatic turnover had its challenges.

“That was a bit hard. It was new for me, the [short] amount of time that was between those managers, but I’ve been in football quite a long time – I’ve been with a lot of managers. It’s unfortunately something that’s quite normal nowadays, especially with the way the game’s going. You just have to get used to it.”

With the arrival of Hodgson came stability. As Schlupp settled in – “the guys were so welcoming; I’d played against them a few times but they made it nice and easy to settle in,” – his self-identified ability to adapt to new situations became an asset on the pitch as well as off it.

the guys were so welcoming; I’d played against them a few times but they made it nice and easy to settle in

Many players are described as a manager’s dream, but few would have as strong a claim as Palace’s man for all occasions. In three years in south London he’s filled just about every position on the pitch, be it operating as a full-back, a winger or a central striker.

“I enjoy it. I say it all the time: I don’t mind playing anywhere as long as I’m playing and helping the team.”

As Schlupp says, the thing with change is that it’s out of your control.

Instead of reacting with concern, he has simply adapted his game: “It’s something I’m getting used to – it’s been the case for the last five or six

main interview

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years in my career where I’ve played in different positions.

“But I felt in whatever position I’m thrown into I’ve always done

But consistency and progression are not mutually exclusive, and it’s clear that this Palace team is becoming something to be feared.

“It’s exciting,” he says. “You can see in our

well. Throw me in at left-back,

fluidity and attacking intent that we’re all on similar

right-midfield or up-front, I feel like

wavelengths. Every time we get the ball we’re

I’ll do a job for the team. I’ll definitely

looking forwards and trying to make something

give it my all, and I think I’ve got the

happen out of nothing.

quality to play in those positions for the team.”

Like with so much in life,

“Things start to click. At West Brom it was the first time that specific front four had all played together. We trust each other, you can tell in our

incorporating versatility into his game

play: one-twos and getting to know each other’s

is a psychological challenge Schlupp

movements. But it takes time. Ebs [Eze] has just

has not shielded from: “Mentally you

come in and he’s starting to play really well, but it

have to adapt differently.

took us time to get to know his game, how he likes

“If you’re playing in defence against a tricky winger, then playing

to play. Now we’re on the same wavelength.”

Such attacking options have spawned another

further up the pitch… up front

change in Schlupp’s – and Palace’s – mindset:

against centre-halves, it’s almost

there is no team too strong, no ground too

roles reversed. Mentally you’ve got

intimidating. “When you’re in a team with those

to get it right.”

attacking ‘flair’ players they make something

It means taking preparation

happen, especially in the big games where you

seriously: “Normally leading up to the

might have less of the ball. We’ve got plenty of that

games I’ll have a chat with the gaffer

in our squad.”

if he’s about to put me in somewhere

It was that mentality that produced a confident

else, so I’ve got enough time to get

victory at Old Trafford in September (Schlupp

my head around it and prepare well

started that day on the left-wing; if it matters):

for whatever position I’m playing.”

“We know the quality and ability we have in our

In three years under Hodgson,

team, and we’re going to try and use that to our

Schlupp has valued that element of stability in south London – more than that, it’s allowed him to grow.

“We’ve got a lot of the same

advantage every time we play.”

Not even a global pandemic can shake Schlupp’s eternal belief that uncertainty is merely something to overcome: “I’m quite laid back – it

faces still, the same philosophies,

was obviously a lot of information to take in and we

and I feel like that’s one of the main

had to be really careful with COVID out there, but

things. We’ve got our identity and

I just kept myself to myself and looked out for the

we stick to that as much as we can

news that I could get back to some training.”

– that’s one of the reasons we’re

Although most changes have produced an

consistent in where we finish and in

opportunity for progress, some are simply a recipe

our playing style.”

for regression. In June that was the case as the

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main interview

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league resumed behind closed doors, the first time since playing youth football that Schlupp had played in front of all-but-empty stands.

He spent the first few weeks injured, watching the eerily quiet games take place from home. “It was weird,” he says. “Watching it was different – but then when I got back into the stadium it was strange for me.”

Although he did his best to revert to old habits – adapt and keep going – this was one change which no amount of reasoning could make

Obviously it was only 2,000 fans but at Selhurst it was rocking. We were all saying that it felt like a full stadium with the noise that they were making

feel positive.

It’s why when supporters returned to Selhurst Park against

of fans were there but they definitely made themselves

Tottenham Hotspur, albeit only a

heard and helped us get the draw in that game.

relatively small number, it was a real highlight. Upon scoring a late equaliser, he sprinted towards the

“Unfortunately we only got a short taste of it, but it was still great to have them back that day.”

With matches back behind closed doors for the

touchline and slid on his knees

short-term at the very least, it may be some time until

towards the fans, as a familiar roar

Schlupp experiences that feeling once again. So how

filled the south London air.

will someone so aware of change’s unpredictable

“It felt amazing,” he laughs.

“Obviously it was only 2,000 fans

nature deal with his desire to get back to life as normal?

“Positivity. You’ve got to look at the positive in

but at Selhurst it was rocking. We

everything regarding football otherwise it could get

were all saying that it felt like a full

really tough.

stadium with the noise that they

“You’ve always got to take the positive out of

were making. We managed to

anything. In football there are so many highs and lows.

score late at the end and the place

The lows you take in your stride, but being positive is

erupted, so it felt extra special.”

the main thing. It’s the same as being confident; you

Playing without fans is something Schlupp will never get used to, and

play without confidence and you’ve got no chance.”

In an increasingly uncertain world, there is no

he doesn’t want to either: “Everyone

doubt that such a positive outlook on change is one

knows about the atmosphere at

of Jeffrey Schlupp’s most important attributes, and

Selhurst, and it was so long ago since

it’s one which keeps him going come what may. Who

it felt so good. Just being able to

knows where it can take him next; after all, it’s got him

celebrate with them! A small number

this far.

main interview

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Michy batshuayi

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Shop the matchday look search: cpfc shop

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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 untold stories throughout the 2020/21 season.

darren ambrose

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A congested Christmas Returning to a ‘normal’ Christmas The fixture schedule between mid-December and New Year and now, the New Year, is always a challenge but I used to love it. Until I got a little bit older

When you’re young and starting out in football

and found it difficult on the body, I loved that

with no kids, the festive season is okay. You

you can shoot up the league in such a short

want to be with your missus around Christmas

space of time.

and New Year but they understand. They can

Look at Palace in mid-December, the

always travel to watch and my wife used to do

schedule gave them the chance to move up

that regularly. After all, it’s your job and I loved

to sixth, seventh or eighth in a matter of days.

playing football, so it was absolutely fine.

Obviously the teams below – the Brightons and

However when you become a dad and your

Arsenals – were looking to catch Palace. It

kids want you to be there on Christmas Day, it’s

works both ways.

a little bit more difficult. But they grow up in that

Boxing Day for me was often an enjoyable event – I liked scoring around Christmas and

environment, so they understand as well.

Having no fans this year will have made

have bagged quite a few on the 26th. As you get

it more difficult for everyone involved. When

older, though, this period becomes harder on

you’re struggling a little bit on Boxing Day or the

the body. The manager and fitness guys work

28th, the fans really lift you. They’re normally

around the schedule; they’ll know exactly what

the busiest games – tickets get given out as

they’re doing and keep training light. There will

Christmas presents, so you have full stadiums

have been a bit of set plays and team shape but

and they always lift the place.

nothing too hard.

I’ve said it many times already, squad depth

This season will have been a little bit tougher but that’s the way of the world at the moment.

is going to be massive this season, more than

These players are professional, they know it’s

any other. Inevitably, teams will get injuries

their job and they need to pick up points.

around this time and so it’s brilliant Roy could

My first Christmas after leaving the game

start rotating his squad as far back as West

was odd. Of course, it was nice to spend time

Ham, resting Nathaniel and Gary when he didn’t

with family and be amongst my kids. But I found

necessarily have to. It’s clever to be able to do

it the strangest part of the year because it’s

that and still collect points.

normally so hectic. That was a little bit hard to

When you’re young, you seem to be able to play every minute of every game and

handle in the early stages.

I suppose your kids get you through it, really.

you could do so every day. Roy’s just been

They love you being at home and you’re setting

alternating the older players. They won’t want

stuff up all day. After that, you can actually eat

to be out of the team but this period makes or

and have a couple of drinks having not been able

breaks seasons. If you come into the middle

to for 16 or 17 years. It’s nice but it can be tough.

of January with a few points, you’re heading

Players will tell you when they leave the game

towards the top of the table. If you’ve lost a

that it’s hard to handle. You need a strong family

lot, you’re suddenly in a scrap.

around you and thankfully I had that.

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More fond memories In the last programme, I spoke about how much I enjoyed facing Leicester City. It’s the exact same with Sheffield United. They’re probably my two favourite teams to play against, along with Man United, of course.

I played a game for Ipswich that was voted as their greatest comeback in history. It was against Neil Warnock’s Sheffield United at Portman Road. We went down to 10 men when Pablo Couñago got sent off, conceded two and went 2-0 down within 50 minutes.

We didn’t look great initially but something just clicked and we came out fighting. Darren Bent scored quickly, I scored next and then in the last minute, I crossed the ball and Benty scored again to win 3-2. The atmosphere was tremendous.

I can’t remember how it went but United had a song they often sang and from then on, every time we scored the Ipswich fans sang it. We lost 4-3 to them in the cup the same season when Michael Brown scored two absolute worldies and I obviously scored the volley against them for Palace.

Sheffield United were always a good team for me to face but it’s different now – they’re not playing well and are desperately fighting for points. It’ll be a tough game but it’s one I can see Palace getting something out of.

Finally, I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and a great New Year despite the circumstances. 2020 has been extremely difficult for everyone; they teased us by

I spoke about how much I enjoyed facing Leicester City. It’s the exact same with Sheffield United.

They’re probably my two favourite teams to play against, along with Man United, of course

allowing fans back in and then changing the decision but, with the vaccine, hopefully everyone will be back in the near future and we’ll have some normality. Stay safe.

darren ambrose

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Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles

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Schools In Focus Greenvale Primary School

really useful and prompted some great discussion

At Greenvale Primary School the Foundation

between children.”

have been delivering a new six-week programme

The Foundation’s Primary School Girl’s Officer,

focusing on equality, with topics including

Charlie Spencer, added: “I have been really impressed

diversity, stereotypes, critical thinking, the media,

to see such enthusiasm and discussion from the

discrimination and equality for all.

children surrounding these important, relevant topics. I

In the final lesson students presented posters to each other highlighting individual topics. Part

have enjoyed delivering this programme, and I believe the children have enjoyed participating too!”

of the Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars programme, data collected to measure the work’s impact included 100% of students saying they enjoyed the lessons and 100% of students involved saying they were proud of themselves for developing their understanding of these important topics.

Greenvale Primary School headteacher, Daniel Bowden, said: “The sessions have been

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players from today’s

Can you work out four of Neil Warnock’s

opponents in the below face mash-up?

former clubs from the mixed up badges?

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official matchday programme

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03

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29 Check out the answers at the bottom of this page!

wordsearch

spot the difference

Can you find the six hidden football-themed

Can you find the five differences in these

words below?

two Palace pictures?

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Junior EAgles

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W88 logo missing W on Ayew's top number on ManĂŠ's shorts 4 Palace badge on Ayew's shorts missing 5 missing on Matip's shirt 2 Green football boot on Matip 3 Wrong 3 Cardiff City 4 Huddersfield Town Spot The Difference: 1 Nike logo John Fleck. Badge Jumble: 1 Leeds United 2 Queens Park Rangers Guess Who: 1 Aaron Ramsdale 2 Phil Jagielka 3 Oliver McBurnie 4

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Happy birthday Dave! Have a

To another year of cracking

good one. Come on the Eagles!

content. Cheers.

Have a word with the shirts.

Happy 11th Birthday to my boy

Happy Birthday JC!!

Ryan. Have a good day buddy.

Happy Birthday biggest fan

Happy 11th birthday Harrison

Sorry you had to spend

Steven Cowell, 37 on 4th Jan.

Stannard! Selhurst misses

Christmas at home, Smithy.

Have a great day, Dad, Layla,

you! Take care of your

Make up for it next year pal x

Dexter and Crystal the pug

new puppy Cooper! Xx

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Happy Birthday, Steph x

UTP.

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Speedy recovery, Daniel.

To my mate Rey, have a good

Dom, happy birthday from

Essex’s largest Eagle!!!

day from all your closest pals.

the Lower Holmesdale lads.

Sorry not to be with you x

Happy birthday Craig! Hope you

Come on boys we can do

have a great day! Love from

this!! MERRY CHRISTMAS

Birthday Dad. From your

Dad, Mum, Liam and Megan x

to every stay at home Eagle.

loving Bad Seeds Daniel,

Alfie in Peterborough.

Oliver and Thomas.

For Graeme Martin: Happy

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

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Est.

1889 opposition

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Sheffield match preview One of the toughest teams to break down in last season’s Premier League after conceding the competition’s fourth-fewest goals, Sheffield United have started 2020/21 on a different foot entirely.

The Blades sat bottom this Christmas with just two points from 14 games and had conceded an uncharacteristically high number of goals. However, it is going forward where their most glaring concerns lie. Top scorers Oliver McBurnie and Lys Mousset

Chris Wilder

People talk about shapes and systems and between the lines. At times, it’s a simplistic game; you want that ability to score a goal.

only managed to net six each last season, so the issue has always been apparent. Now, it urgently

recent outings

needs addressing.

Some hope could be taken from the Blades’ 2-3 loss to Manchester United, the first time

1-1

d {a) 20.12.20

2-3

l {h) 17.12.20

3-0

l {a) 13.12.20

all season they’d managed to net twice in the league. This was followed with more cause for optimism when Chris Wilder’s men secured a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

If they are to sustain their top-flight status, Sheffield United must, however, regain the form that saw them impressively finish ninth last season. official matchday programme

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d united premier league wins

all-timers Paul Beesley

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Carl Bradshaw

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Alan Kelly

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Dane Whitehouse

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Adrian Littlejohn

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Dane Whitehouse

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Jostein Flo

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premier league goals

Brian Deane

last time out 1 19 12 6 3 23 22 2 24 17 14

Ramsdale Robinson Egan Basham Stevens Osborn Ampadu Baldock Brewster MŠGoldrick Burke

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6 22

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19 23 3

17

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player profile

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Age

22

Height

1.88m

Joined

19th August, 2013

Debut

6th November, 2016 v Leyton Orient

PREVIOUS CLUB: AFC Bournemouth

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Aaron Ramsdale POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

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A Sheffield United Academy graduate, Ramsdale left the Blades to join then-Premier League Bournemouth in 2017.

However, the ‘keeper was loaned down to Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon respectively in consecutive seasons.

George Baldock

Enda Stevens

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND

He became the Cherries’

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No.1 in 2019/20 before returning to South Yorkshire for 2020/21. Aged just 22, he has over four years’

13

competitive experience already.

52 apps 5 clean sheets official matchday programme

John Egan

Max Lowe

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

37

19

20

Jack Robinson

Jayden Bogle

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

22

74 apps 12 clean sheets

06 07 Chris Basham

Ethan Ampadu

John Lundstram

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: WALES

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

player profile

A United regular since competing in the 2014/15

Age

32

Height

1.9m

lead the Blades to promotion in

Joined

5th June, 2014

match of their first campaign

Debut

9th August, 2014 v Bristol City

League One, Basham helped 2018/19 and then played every back in the Premier League.

He earned the Blades’ Player of the Season award for 2019/20 as his side finished ninth in the top-flight.

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Bolton Wanderers & Blackpool.

opposition

38

08

Sander Berge

Oliver Burke

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: NORWAY

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

16

14

39 apps 10 wins

04 23

Ben Osborn

John Fleck

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: N. IRELAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

player profile

Oliver Norwood

After starting with Rangers, where

Age

29

Height

1.7m

Fleck agreed a loan move to

Joined

8th July, 2016

the deal fell through.

Debut

6th August, 2016 v Bolton Wanderers

he graduated from the Academy, Sheffield United in 2011, however He finally arrived at Bramall Lane in 2016, where he has become a stalwart part of midfield. His late winner against Northampton Town in April 2017 secured the Blades’

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

League One title and wrote his name

Rangers & Coventry City

into club history. He has since been named Player of the Season twice.

official matchday programme

17

player profile

39

Age

33

Height

1.83m

Joined

24th July, 2018

Debut

4th August, 2018 v Swansea City

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Notts County, Southampton, Nottingham Forest & Ipswich Town.

09

David M©Goldrick POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: IRELAND

10

McGoldrick has been in the game since 2004, making his professional debut just weeks into the year. He has since made over 460 competitive appearances, scoring 119 goals.

The frontman’s return of 15 in 2018/19 was a key part of the

Oliver M©Burnie

Billy Sharp

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

Blades’ promotion to the top-

11

flight, with his contributions in that first season accounting for almost 20% of their total.

41 apps 6 goals

24

Lys Mousset

Rhian Brewster

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: FRANCE

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

opposition

40

#25

#14

eze

Burke

player comparison

Age 22

position Midfielder

nationality eng

Age 23

position Midfielder

nationality sct

apps

goals

big chances

apps

goals

big chances

2

4

Interceptions

Recoveries

Shots on target

Cross accuracy

Passes per match

Interceptions

Recoveries

0

Passes per match

24

Cross accuracy

1

Shots on target

14

6

28%

29.8

10

73

3

18%

10.5

8

27

official matchday programme

41

#09

#09

ayew

MŠBurnie

player comparison

Age 29

position Forward

nationality gha

Age 24

position Forward

nationality sct

apps

goals

assists

apps

goals

assists

Big chances created

Passes per match

Tackles

Interceptions

Crosses

1

Crosses

7

Interceptions

65

Tackles

9

Passes per match

26

Big chances created

149

12

21.1

231

81

152

3

15.5

53

21

15

opposition

42

LIGHT

SPEED

FINISHING

official matchday programme

43

Crystal Palace lost both Premier League meetings with Sheffield United last season – they’ve not lost three consecutive league games against the Blades since April 1973.

19

Outside of 2019/20, Palace and Sheffield United have only faced one another in one Premier League season: 1992/93. Palace won both meetings.

24 2

2

match facts

19

8

GOALS

141

119

SHOTS

15

14

25

25

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

40

13

37

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

19

23

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

6

1

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

1

1

0

CLEAN SHEETS

4

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

11

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

5

3

0-15

3

3

16-30

3

5

16-30

1

4

31-45

2

3

31-45

0

4

46-60

2

3

46-60

0

2

61-75

4

2

61-75

1

5

76-90

3

9

76-90

3

7

opposition

44

what’s the storey @danielstorey85

goal. This season, they have lost eight of their 14 league matches by the same margin.

There has also been recent improvement, of which Palace must beware.

They nominally start in a 3-5-2 formation with wing-backs, but that shifts when they attack

Sheffield United took the lead at Brighton despite

Chris Basham and John

Columnist, Daniel Storey, can be

being reduced to 10 men in

O’Connell (the two overlapping

heard on The Totally Football Show

the first-half, took the lead

central defenders) created 28

and seen in the Irish Examiner, the

against Manchester United

chances in the 19/20 Premier

i paper and many more.

and only lost to Leicester

League. That might not sound

City thanks to an injury-time

a lot, but they ranked second

Jamie Vardy goal. The wins

and fifth in the division of all

haven’t come yet, but Wilder

centre-backs by that measure.

is confident that the margins

In a team for which creating

are gradually being reduced.

chances were at a premium -

Beware Sheffield United’s improvement Sheffield United are enduring one of the poorest starts to a season in English football’s

The overlapping central defenders remain, but…

United ranked 19th for chances created and those two players accounted for 10% of all those they did create - it was an effective weapon. Crucially, their

top-flight history. They took just two points from their first

Sheffield United’s innovative

runs also dragged full-backs

14 league matches. Even if

tactical plan enabled their

towards them to cover the

they match their performance

consolidation in Premier League

threat, creating spaces that one

across the whole of last

mid-table after promotion and

of the wing-backs could push

season until the end of the

earned Wilder merited plaudits.

into and exploit.

current campaign, it would still

They nominally start in a 3-5-2

barely be enough to stay up.

formation with wing-backs, but

this season. Why would it, given

But that does not mean

That plan has not changed

that shifts when they attack.

its success? But it has clearly

Palace can afford to be

Rather than the two wing-

not been as rewarding. The

complacent. Chris Wilder has

backs overlapping the central

loss of O’Connell has hit the

continued to insist there has

midfielders to provide the width,

Blades hard, with neither Jack

been no devastating drop in

they often actually tuck back to

Robinson nor Enda Stevens able

standards at Bramall Lane;

form a central defensive three

to mimic his role effectively.

this is merely the result of

with the middle central defender.

It is a specialist position with

fine margins shifting from

The other two centre-backs

exacting demands that takes

one season to the next. In

surge forward and look to

time to learn. It’s impossible to

2019/20, Wilder’s side won

provide crosses into the box.

simply sign a player and assume

10 league games by a single

It worked brilliantly last season.

that they can succeed.

official matchday programme

45

Win the midfield, win the game?

The other great issue Sheffield United have endured this season is diminishing returns from their central midfielders. John Fleck and Oliver Norwood were fantastic in 2019/20, comfortably the Blades’ two highest chance creators despite Fleck starting only 28 league games.

Norwood’s tenacity was also reliable - he made 66 tackles and 47 interceptions.

Unfortunately, that form

Only two players have had more headed shots than M©Burnie despite him only appearing in 62% of Sheffield United’s league minutes

has declined. Norwood and Fleck have only started 13 of between them this season, with Norwood in particular dropping down to the bench.

The Northern Irishman created a chance every 63 minutes, made a tackle every 47 minutes and intercepted a pass every 66 minutes last season. So far in 2020/21, those averages have each dropped off considerably.

That may well send a message to Palace’s players: Win the midfield battle, harrying Sheffield United’s central midfielders and stopping them from settling, and you can hope to dominate the game and create chances.

That will be the key to victory.

Prepare for an aerial assault Given the struggles with creativity in midfield and absence of their most effective overlapping central defender, it’s little surprise that Sheffield United’s chances created, shots and shots on target have all dipped from last season. But it’s the quality of those chances that is most worrying (and they have also been guilty of missing presentable opportunities).

With the central defenders unable to get into the final third and teams stymieing midfield, Sheffield United’s most obvious tactic has been to use Oliver McBurnie’s aerial threat. The striker is a threat at set pieces and is asked to win headers for midfielders to connect with. But United have also increasingly crossed the ball from deep positions after being unable to find their way closer to goal.

This is something Palace must be wary of. No player in the Premier League has won more headers than McBurnie this season and only four teams have had a higher percentage of their shots with headers. Only two players have had more headed shots than McBurnie despite him only appearing in 62% of Sheffield United’s league minutes.

daniel storey

Statistics correct as of December 25th

a possible 28 league games

46

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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 Last season’s Premier League meetings

Which former Blade and Eagle’s career

between Crystal Palace and Sheffield United

started like this: Crystal Palace – Southend

were the first between the sides since which

United (loan) – Luton Town (loan) – Grimsby

Championship season?

Town (loan) – Sheffield United – Watford

07

02

Palace overcame Wolverhampton Wanderers

John Pemberton left Crystal Palace for the

to reach Wembley in 1997 by what aggregate

Blades. But from whom did the Eagles first

score?

secure the defender’s services from? Here’s a clue: he also retired with that club.

08 03

Who captained Palace in the famous 1996/97 Pemberton was recently manager of which

play-off final against Sheffield United?

former Football League club?

09

04

Can you remember who started in goal for

Glyn Hodges played for three London clubs

Steve Coppell’s side that day?

during his career: Palace, Watford and who?

10

05 How many times have Sheffield United and

Palace didn’t use any substitutes in that final

Crystal Palace played one another in the

but can you remember the trio that Coppell

Premier League?

named?

answers Nash 10 Ray Houghton, Carl Veart and Leon McKenzie 1 2010/11 2 Crewe Alexandra 3 Chesterfield 4 Wimbledon 5 4 6 Steve Kabba 7 David Hopkin 8 4-3 9 Carlo opposition quiz

48

49

fantasy dinner party This week, club icon Mark Bright invites four of sport’s greatest names to share

Muhammad Ali For obvious reasons: charismatic, engaging, the best of the best. Funny, witty, intelligent.

Michael Jordan If you watch the documentary The Last Dance, it tells you exactly what he was about, what the team was about and what the era was about. You see how driven he

a table with a former President… Well,

was. You have to understand greatness and

how else would he do it?

its forms.

righty

You see how driven he was. You have to understand greatness and its forms Tiger Woods I like a bit of golf and I’d like to sit with him, have a chat about his experiences and how it all happened for him.

Mike Tyson I read a book on him when I was playing, about his training, his desire, his hunger and how he cried when he was going into a big fight because he thought he might lose all his belts. Not because he was scared. He’s been through a lot in his life.

Barack Obama Obviously the significance of the first black President, the politics involved. If you have lots of good stories to tell, I think all of those people will.

fantasy dinner party

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51

Over the road at Copers Cope

Joe Whitworth Copers Cope Road is home to Palace’s firstteam 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

or most true Crystal Palace supporters, their story begins early in life. Most remember

their first game, peering out from hiplevel and standing on seats wondering who, exactly, to cheer for.

It’s a case of lineage and early Under-18s goalkeeper, Joe Whitworth.

“The whole of my mum’s family are generations of Palace fans,” he explains. “My mum’s a Palace fan, her parents are Palace fans, my grandad’s parents were Palace fans. It’s gone back a long, long way.

“As a kid, I went to as many games as possible - my mum would take me and I’d love it. In fact, the day before I was born my mum was at a Palace game and her waters broke in the stadium. We were playing Gillingham at home in Division One, we won 1-0 and the next day I was born.”

Whitworth’s precision is commendable – including the correct competition, the Championship not forming till the following season – as he recalls a story clearly shared often among family.

But then, player or fan, Palace runs through much of the teenager’s life. He continues on the nostalgia trip, detailing memories this time a little clearer to himself.

“Every time I went I loved it.

Most of my memories are of watching Darren Ambrose play, Glenn Murray, Wilf Zaha in his early years. I remember watching Ambrose’s strike against United at Old Trafford.

official matchday programme

randon oe ierrick hitworth

inheritance, but perhaps few can out-do

53

“I went to the play-off semi-final and the final against Watford. I went to the FA Cup semi-final and we obviously lost to United in the final, but I went to that as well. They were all great moments.

“My old man’s actually a United fan… I can’t remember if he went to that game. He was loving it at home when they won, though.”

The transition from replica shirts on south London’s terraces to full kits on its pitches is a unique one for any supporter. With Whitworth, it arose perhaps still more uniquely.

“I was at AFC Wimbledon in the Under-13s,” he explains. “We played Palace in a friendly and lost something

Making my debut at Selhurst would be a dream come true.

From when I was so young coming to Selhurst, seeing the crowd, hearing the atmosphere, watching the players, it would be amazing to step out and make my debut with the lads in front of all the fans

ridiculous like 8-2… In that game, I made a lot of saves and did well despite conceding eight goals. Palace

be when they get older. But Harry, who’s getting

liked that.”

older, is starting to give it large and say he’s

That step to joining the club didn’t change Whitworth’s fandom, however,

better than me.

“In lockdown I did a lot of training with

and the goalkeeper today says he

Harry and I did a bit of coaching with Will. I try

would finish training on Saturdays and

to help them as much as I can, really, if they

head straight to Selhurst to take in the

have any questions.”

match that afternoon.

Naturally, a professional debut for an

But he isn’t the only young

aspiring 16-year-old with Palace connections

Whitworth working his way through

back to his great-grandparents would mean

the Eagles’ Academy ranks:

more than it could to most.

“I’ve got two brothers, Harry and William. Harry’s in the Under-13s and Will’s in the Under-10s. Harry came to

There’s a long road ahead, but we encourage Whitworth to briefly indulge the thought.

“Making my debut at Selhurst would be

Palace when I did but he was in the

a dream come true,” he says. “From when I

pre-Academy and Will’s just recently

was so young coming to Selhurst, seeing the

joined. We’re all ‘keepers.

crowd, hearing the atmosphere, watching the

“I think because they’re much

players, it would be amazing to step out and

younger there’s not as much

make my debut with the lads in front of all the

competition between us as there might

fans. Amazing.”

over the road at copers cope

146 LIVE GAMES

55

From the club’s current or past employees 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, Club Photographer of over four decades, Neil Everitt, reveals how his work with the club began, where it’s taken him and how he’s sustained his passion for so long.

Voices of south london

56

“I

t’s a boyhood thing,” Crystal Palace’s

they thought I was going with friends. Even

long-serving Club Photographer, Neil

to away games.”

Everitt, reveals that, like so many of the

A loyal home and away Palace

club’s employees, his connection with the south

supporter he may well have been, but

Londoners is a merging of business and pleasure.

how does that transcend to becoming an

However, back on November 2nd, 1968, it was still strictly pleasure for Neil, who was attending his first game at Selhurst Park aged 12-years-old.

The affection was instant: “The whole place

official Club Photographer for 42 years and counting?

“The photography started out as just a sideline – a hobby,” he explains. “But I did

and the whole day just blew me away – I couldn’t

have items such as dark room equipment

believe how much I enjoyed it,” he excitedly

that people didn’t tend to have.”

recalls. “I said to my next-door-but-one-neighbour who I went with: ‘We must go again.’”

Neil had picked an ideal time to support the

The first steps to becoming Club Photographer were being taken.

“After the cup run of 1976, I said to my

south Londoners: the end of the 68/69 season saw

mate, Geoff, who still does all the pre-season

the Glaziers reach the top-flight for the first time

tours to this day: ‘Look, are you properly up

in their history.

for this? Because there’s a chance Palace

The start of 1969/70 was a game Neil should be remembering fondly as he was meant to be there for that iconic first game in Division One: “Having been promoted we found out we had

could go on a European tour.’

“We were both up for it,” Neil adds that like there was ever any doubt.

“Within a week the club announced

Manchester United at home,” he says, “which

they’d be going to Holland and Germany,”

was the biggest tie you could have had as a

Neil continues. “A guy called Harry Elsdon

season-opener.

used to run the Social Club and he had

“The fixture list news broke during the

been invited on the tour by Malcolm

school day and Croydon Tech, where I was

Allison – who actually didn’t go himself as

attending, just erupted with it – the place went

he was sacked just before.

mad with excitement.

“It was like Christmas and your birthday rolled

“However, the Commercial Manager said to Harry: ‘If you see anybody out there

into one for us fans: going to see Palace but also

taking photos, can you talk to them about

players like George Best and Bobby Charlton.”

us using them for the programme?’ Harry

However, after being giddy with excitement all week, Neil’s next-door-but-one-neighbour knocked the night before with some bad news: “His parents weren’t letting him go due to their fears over the number of fans going.

“That also meant my parents said I couldn’t go by myself,” a still-gutted Neil recollects.

“I vowed then to never miss another game; I used to go by myself without my parents knowing -

official matchday programme

replied: ‘Neil Everitt.’”

And with just two simple words from Harry, Neil’s dream job was on the horizon.

“Keith Payne was the Club Photographer at the time but nobody used to snap Palace away from home,” Neil details his journey from the terraces to pitch-side.

“Therefore, I used to phone up the local newspapers to let them know I would be

57

attending next week’s away game at wherever it was and asked if they would like me to send them my pictures.’

“I did that throughout the 76/77 campaign and then when Keith Payne left in the 77/78 season, the job was offered to me.”

It’s easy to sense Neil knows our next question is coming, and it’s one he knows he’s unable to answer: from thousands of games, please choose your favourite photo…

An impossible task, he confirms: “If you ask me today and ask me again next week, no doubt I’ll give different answers. There have just been so many moments.”

Neil does eventually offer an answer, however it’s one that catches us off-guard. It’s not his photo.

“There’s one from the 1990 semi-final at Villa Park that is taken from outside the ground – presumably close to kick-off time,” Neil describes.

“There are a couple of red and blue balloons floating in the air outside Villa Park – it’s so simple but tremendous.

“It’s in one of my many sport photography books: The Homes of Football, by Stuart Clarke.”

Neil has been such an ever-present at Selhurst Park for over half a decade that it’s fair to say SE25 is his footballing home. But despite all the memories and time spent at the heart of Croydon, one question permanently hangs over him: “There will come a time where either I give up Palace or Palace gives up me! And I wonder: could I go back to the stands?

“But then I remember back in 2000 when a broken elbow meant I missed a couple of games

If you ask me today and ask me again next week, no doubt I’ll give different answers.

There have just been so many moments

as photographer: a 3-2 win at home v Tranmere Rovers before we then drew 2-2 with Stockport County at Selhurst the following week.”

And where was Neil, with his broken elbow, for those games? Back in the stands.

voices of south london

58

palace for life A message from CEO, Mike Summers Despite the enormous challenges 2020 brought our way, we pulled together like never before and continued to support our community, engaging thousands of south Londoners through the power of Palace.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck London in spring 2020, the lives of so many people were turned upside down. Elderly and vulnerable people could no longer leave their homes, thousands lost their jobs and feared being unable to put food on their families’ tables and frontline NHS workers were stretched to breaking point.

Meanwhile, children from low income families who were forced to stay at home were not getting access to the nutritious meals they needed,

official matchday programme

we pulled together like never before and continued to support our community, engaging thousands of south Londoners through the power of Palace

59

at the same time as having little access to physical activity essential for their development and positive mental health.

At this most difficult time, our coaches remained in primary schools, our mentors checked on young people at risk using gaming platforms and we moved a number of health and education courses online.

I am proud that we worked closely with Crystal Palace F.C. and food redistribution charity City Harvest to help feed those in greatest need, launching The Palace Kitchen in April 2020.

Club chefs prepared and packaged up to 1,000 nutritious and nourishing meals a week in the kitchens at Selhurst Park, following the strictest hygiene and social distancing measures.

These were then collected each day and distributed by City Harvest to groups across south London, such as homeless people, the elderly and vulnerable families.

The Palace Kitchen produced over 16,500 meals from April to July and then reopened in December to produce thousands more.

In conjunction, we ran a series of free holiday camps that were designed to keep five-to-18-yearolds safe, active and healthy during the school holidays. During the camps, 900 healthy lunches were served to children, as well as fruit and other healthy snacks being provided each day.

I am delighted that both The Palace Kitchen and our holiday camps are continuing this year, as the effects of the pandemic are far from over. We hope that with your support, 2021 will be a better

Why not start your year with a challenge? Sign-up for the Palace for Life Marathon March and join fellow fans and club legends for the unforgettable experience!

year and that together we can positively impact even more lives.

Mike Summers, Palace for Life Foundation CEO

Taking place on Saturday 9th October 2021, you can sign-up now by visiting palaceforlife.org or searching ‘Marathon March 2021’.

Find out more at palaceforlife.org or @PalaceForLife

palace for life

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

61

game that changed my career 1-2

A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved.

8th November, 2015 Premier League

However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest impact on a 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

Growing up as a Liverpool fan, when you know all your friends and family were in the stands, makes it extra special

their career.

This week it is Palace centre-back, Scott Dann, who recalls scoring in the sweetest of circumstances.

Yannick Bolasie had netted an early opener against Liverpool but then, after Phillipe Coutinho’s equaliser, it appeared the game was

ann

destined to end level. Step forward, Scott Dann…

“Scoring the winner at Anfield for Palace

is the game I always look back on. It was a tight game at 1-1, and I can remember the goal clearly.

Yohan [Cabaye] has swung a corner in, and the ‘keeper saved the first header but I’ve followed up the rebound with another header.

“Growing up as a Liverpool fan, when you

know all your friends and family were in the stands, makes it extra special.”

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

63

1997/98 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss reviews 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, Vicente Guaita models the goalkeeper kit from the 1997/98 season.

kit or miss

64

1997 C rystal Palace never went fully

David Seaman at Euro ’96 with

their goalkeeper kits, but this wild

effort a year later is a nice example of the club letting its pony-tailed hair down. It’s fair to say Nigel Martyn was forced into a few eccentric designs, but 97/98 was our only season to truly embrace the lawless world of goalkeeping jerseys.

What we like: The jersey is pretty left-of-field in itself, but having ‘adidas’ across the neck and not the chest, or a Premier League badge for each arm (?) with a central crest and colour scheme never seen before or again make it just a little more special. Fittingly eccentric for the position.

And what a world it was. Lava-like honeycomb and that famous central

Even better if:

badge on a white shield made this a

It’s insanely bold, but, designed with today’s

jersey to remember. It was eye-catching

technology, it could stand out even more.

enough to match the home and away

Neon-like material and a harsher distinction

strips of that stylish campaign, but that is

between black and colour would take it that

perhaps the reason it’s overlooked.

extra step.

Poorly documented and under bought, goalkeeper shirts are an endangered part of any club’s stylistic tapestry.

Wore it best: Not a hard one, as Kevin Miller was the only ‘keeper to play in 97/98. So close and yet so far, Carlo.

official matchday programme

Story of the season 97/98 saw Palace playing comfortably in mid-table until

1998

Christmas dawned. Then, with financial unrest behind the scenes, Steve Coppell’s star-studded squad lost their momentum and collected just three league wins from 24th November onwards.

Management changed from Coppell to talisman Attilio Lombardo, but the Italy international was unable to prevent relegation, and Ray Lewington was left to see out the season in the dugout.

Undoubtedly, this season’s kits

The finest hour: Beating Wimbledon 1-0 at Selhurst (away), with Miller making a fine stop in the final minutes to ensure a Palace victory. It would be just one of eight by the season’s conclusion.

provided fans with their highlights.

Where are they now?

Miller departed Palace in frustrated circumstances. Having not been paid for two months amidst the club’s administration, the talented shot stopper went ‘on strike’ in August ’98.

Fraser Digby took his place between the sticks and Miller moved to Barnsley.

Buyers’ guide: Palace goalkeeper kits are readily available online, even the whackier designs from the 1990s. But this one seems impossible to find.

Anyone got Miller’s eBay details?

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

one chance and that was midway through the first-half.

John Salako was able to deliver a cross from the left for Mark Bright who, on his 200th first-team appearance for the club, stole in and nodded the ball home for his ninth goal of the season.

The previous day Tottenham Hotspur had lost at Manchester City, so this singlegoal victory took Palace back into third place and that is where they stayed. Off the pitch, former Palace goalscoring ace Johnny Byrne received a warm welcome after making the trip from his home in South

I

n the week leading up to a home

Africa to open a suite named after him.

fixture with Luton Town on Sunday, 16th December, Nigel Martyn, Geoff

Thomas and Ian Wright featured in the England B international game in Algeria.

Martyn only played the first-half in this somewhat tetchy goalless draw that was plagued by torrential rain, with gale-force winds and an electrical storm leading to a floodlights failure.

Back at Selhurst Park, Palace spent £100,000 on Stafford Rangers’ 19-year-old striker Stan Collymore as defender Mark Dennis was suspended by the club for ‘a

Two days later the Eagles started

breach of internal discipline’. Collymore

their first game in this season’s Zenith

announced his arrival the following week

Data Systems Cup with a Second

in a Reserve game, scoring the fourth goal

Round home tie against Bristol Rovers,

in the dying minutes having just come on

who were managed by Gerry Francis

as a substitute.

and fielded former Eagles ‘keeper

Against the first-team, Luton fielded Iain Dowie and came to play with a

Brian Parkin.

A crowd of just over 5,000 inside

five-man defence that allowed Andy Gray

Selhurst came to see the same Palace

and Geoff Thomas to control the midfield.

XI that had started the last two games,

Although the Eagles had most of the ball

but uncharacteristically they handed the

against the Hatters and created a number

impetus to the Pirates, who took the lead

of opportunities, they only capitalised on

on the half-hour mark.

official matchday programme

69

With Bright and Wright having an ‘off’ night it was left to the likes of Gray and Salako to carry the Eagles through. Gray brought Palace back into the game with a trademark shot from 25 yards that took a deflection past Parkin while Salako, early in the secondhalf, cut-in from the left to curl home a shot from a similar distance.

His attention back on league matters after

IAN WRIGHT

progressing against the Rovers, during the week Steve Coppell said: “We have surprised everyone by getting to third place by mid-December. It would have made a lovely bet at the start of the season.”

Three days before Christmas it was pantomime time at Maine Road, where the fall guys were the home team Manchester City. Eight minutes before the end of a bruising first-half Martyn launched the ball upfield. As it dropped towards the City penalty area, left-back Neil Pointon inadvertently steered it past onrushing goalkeeper Tony Coton – a harsh moment for the player who had so far been the only one to trouble the Eagles.

Joined from: Greenwich Borough, August, 1985

After the break City piled on the pressure,

Debut:

hoping to maintain their record of scoring in every

31st August, 1985 v Huddersfield Town (H)

league game that campaign. But as the game progressed through its final quarter, Wright landed the killer blow with a goal of real class.

Latching on to a return pass from Eddie McGoldrick, the striker quickly controlled the ball, jinked his way into the City penalty area, flummoxed skipper Steve Redmond and shot low past Coton to ensure Palace added another three points in the Christmas sack.

Final Palace game: 21st September, 1991 v Oldham Athletic (A) Left for: Arsenal, September, 1991 Palace appearances: 277 Palace goals: 117

1990/91 season

70

official matchday programme

71

W

e played our final game of 2020 against Newcastle United shortly before Christmas, so I’m going to

use this opportunity to reflect on the season so far as a whole.

Firstly, we signed a number of new recruits in the summer. We brought in six new players who have all contributed to the Under-23s in different ways. Ultimately, we’ve gone up into a different level of football – into Category 1. With that different level, you get tougher competition.

We’ve faced better players and come up against better teams, so we’ve had to raise

When you get recognised more and go over the road, you can take your skillset to the senior management team and have a chance of staying with them

our levels. At times so far this season we’ve been able to do that and, at others, we’ve

us to look at results because I need the lads

been disappointed.

to understand that, in football, they do matter.

But I would say my overriding feeling on

Winning breeds confidence and confidence

the first part of the season is pride. It’s pride

breeds higher performance levels and when

at being able to compete at this higher level

you have those you get recognised more.

and play at the standard we’re playing at.

If you rewind the clock 12 months, we

When you get recognised more and go over the road, you can take your skillset

had a predominantly Under-18s team playing

to the senior management team and have

Under-23s football. It was a challenge for

a chance of staying with them. That’s the

them because it was a lot more physical, but

primary objective.

it helped in terms of their development as

Finally, with the ongoing Academy

young footballers. It’s allowed them to adapt

work, we’ve benefitted from seeing the site

to a full-time programme as Under-23s and

develop around us and strides are being

push themselves a little bit more.

made every day. We’re now playing home

Of course, we know not all of the lads

games on the new show pitch and more

will become the player they want to be. This

often than not we’re training on the new

is, after all, an uncompromising line of work.

training pitch. They’re both game-changing

But we also know there are some brilliant

enhancements.

highs and they, as coaches, are seeing some

When you’re training on those surfaces

of the boys recognised with training on the

and recognise there’s a fantastic development

first-team site.

taking shape around you, you quickly realise

Looking at 2021, I regard our aims in three

that if you’re smart, your levels are going to

ways: performance, results and recognition.

dramatically improve. It’s a brilliant time to be

If you can keep performing at a high level,

involved with Crystal Palace and I have no

that allows results to be favourable. I want

doubt a brilliant year lies ahead.

Shaun derry

Ashle

72

official matchday programme

Hinck

73

I now need to look for 90 minutes in the next three games. I’m raring to go halfway through a really positive season

A

fter 15 months recovering from injury, I

When we returned to training I was,

am finally ready to make my return for

thankfully, able to start running again. That

Crystal Palace.

meant I could see the team and, while I

I injured my ACL, MCL and meniscus in

a game against Lewes in September 2019

couldn’t train with them, they were really supportive of me.

and was unable to get surgery until February

We had a huge squad overhaul in the

2020. Then, of course, after just a few weeks

summer and it was tough being unable to

at the start of my rehab, the country was

work with the new girls but, when they

placed into lockdown.

saw me starting to run, starting to change

At first it wasn’t so bad. We thought the pandemic would affect us for three or four weeks and, at that point, I’d only recently had

direction and finally playing with a ball, they were really encouraging.

Now, I feel really fit, fitter than I have done

my operation and couldn’t do much anyway.

for a long time. I was in contention to make the

But when it dragged on as long as it did, my

Charlton game at the end of December but that

rehab was knocked back quite a bit.

was postponed and I now need to look for 90

I was in a brace for the first six weeks and then had to learn to walk again with no

minutes in the next three games. I’m raring to go halfway through a really positive season.

in-person contact from February until July.

We’re scoring so many more goals

I was doing Zoom calls with my physio for

and have a really good squad with so much

four months but she wasn’t able to physically

competition for places. It’s really exciting; any

assess my knee. That meant I couldn’t

successful team has competition and rivalry.

properly tell if I was on course to recovery

If you’ve got that competition for places, every

or not.

single training session is important to turn up

I must say, my physio Laila was amazing in the support she gave me despite the circumstances and, personaly, I couldn’t feel

to and compete at your maximum. I’m looking forward to working to get back in.

This is only our third season in the

sorry for myself. I just had to do what I could

Women’s Championship and, given where we

and not dwell on the situation too much. I

were when we first joined, we’re really moving

stayed as positive as I could and tackled every

in the right direction. I’m excited to be a part of

day and week as it came.

that again.

ashlee hincks

74

First-team sponsors

Roy Hodgson

Joel Ward

2020/21

Patrick van Aanholt

Luka Milivojevic

James Tomkins

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

PALACE DETECTIVES Proud supporters of CPSCC

01737 225 711 |

Sponsorship Available

W S PA . C O . U K

logo-crystal-palace-dec-2017.indd 1

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

Nathan Ferguson

Jaïro Riedewald

Sponsorship Available

Christian Benteke

Sponsorship Available

Tyrick Mitchell

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 0-3 2-4 3-1

2-0 P-P

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

0-4

6-1

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 1-4 6-0

2-5 3-0

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 Fri 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

0-1

4-3

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

Norwich City Leicester City Reading West Ham United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotpsur Fleetwood Town 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 5 Fri 11 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

2-1

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

4-1

8th

Mon 23

Burnley

0-1

11th

Fri 27

Newcastle United

0-2

15th

Sun 6

West Bromwich Albion

1-5

11th

Sun 13

Tottenham Hotspur

1-1

11th

Wed 16

West Ham United

1-1

12th

Sat 19

Liverpool

0-7

13th

Sat 26

Aston Villa

0-3

13th

Mon 28

Leicester City

1-1

13th

Sat 2

Sheffield United

Fri 8

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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

15

9

5

1

37

20

17

32

2

Everton

15

9

2

4

26

19

7

29

3

Leicester City

15

9

1

5

28

19

9

28

4

Manchester United

14

8

3

3

30

23

7

27

5

Tottenham Hotspur

15

7

5

3

26

15

11

26

6

Manchester City

14

7

5

2

21

12

9

26

7

Aston Villa

13

8

1

4

27

13

14

25

8

Chelsea

15

7

4

4

30

17

13

25

9

Southampton

15

7

4

4

25

19

6

25

10

West Ham United

15

6

4

5

23

21

2

22

11

Wolverhampton Wanderers

15

6

3

6

15

20

-5

21

12

Leeds United

15

6

2

7

25

30

-5

20

13

Newcastle United

14

5

3

6

17

24

-7

18

14

Crystal Palace

15

5

3

7

19

28

-9

18

15

Arsenal

15

5

2

8

15

19

-4

17

16

Brighton and Hove Albion

15

2

7

6

18

24

-6

13

17

Burnley

14

3

4

7

8

20

-12

13

18

Fulham

15

2

5

8

13

23

-10

11

19

West Bromwich Albion

15

1

5

9

11

30

-19

8

20

Sheffield United

15

0

2

13

8

26

-18

2

Gameweek 17

premier league

All statistics correct as of 2:59pm Monday 28th December

everton √ west ham

west brom √ arsenal

1st January 17:30

2nd January 20:00

man utd √ aston villa

burnley √ fulham

1st January 20:00

3rd January 12:00

spurs √ leeds

newcastle √ leicester

2nd January 12:30

3rd January 14:15

crystal palace √ sheff utd

chelsea √ man city

2nd January 15:00

3rd January 16:30

brighton √ wolves

southampton √ liverpool

2nd January 17:30

4th January 20:00

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

sheffield united f.c.

Stuart Attwell Marc Perry Peter Kirkup Keith Stroud Andre Marriner Richard West

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 42

Aaron RAMSDALE (GK) George BALDOCK Enda STEVENS John FLECK Jack O’CONNELL Chris BASHAM John LUNDSTRAM Sander BERGE Oliver MCBURNIE Billy SHARP Lys MOUSSET John EGAN Max LOWE Oliver BURKE Phil JAGIELKA Oliver NORWOOD David McGOLDRICK Wes FODERINGHAM (GK) Jack ROBINSON Jayden BOGLE Michael VERRIPS (GK) Ethan AMPADU Ben OSBORN Rhian BREWSTER Simon MOORE (GK) Jack RODWELL Kean BRYAN Zak BRUNT