Palace v Nottingham Forest 2425 programme

cover story

cover story#18 Welcome back to Selhurst Park – and welcome back to the matchday programme, where we are celebrating 100 years of football at this very stadium, from 1924 to the present day. Every edition of the programme this season will feature a special handillustrated cover, marking one of the many landmark dates that have made this such a unique place over the last century.

t

his week we’ve arrived at 2010 – a pivotal moment in Crystal Palace and Selhurst Park history.

Palace had been docked 10 points for entering administration in January and for much of the first half of that year were teetering the brink of a crisis as League One beckoned. The events of ‘Survival Sunday’ – a dramatic 2-2 draw away at Sheffield Wednesday, perhaps the most important game in club history – ensured that the Eagles had survived relegation.

But just over four weeks later, the future still appeared bleak. On 31st May, it was announced that if a deal wasn’t struck within 24 hours, the club would be liquidated. Cue major protests from supporters, at both Selhurst and Lloyds Bank’s headquarters in London, who effectively owned the stadium.

The protests, represented on today’s cover, ultimately made the difference.

These efforts prompted a response of further talks with Steve Parish and the CPFC 2010 consortium – which would ultimately save the club.

Illustrated alongside the four members of the consortium and the protesters is our feature interviewee for this issue, Nathaniel Clyne. Now well into his second spell with the Eagles, Clyne was also part of the squad that achieved survival in the Championship that season. The eagle-eyed amongst you have probably also spotted a young Wilfried Zaha and a hero of ‘Survival Sunday’ also protesting.

Remember, you can keep collecting each original illustration throughout the campaign as we journey through our timeline from 1924 to the current day – make sure you get the matchday programme each week. You can also shop for previous editions at shop.cpfc.co.uk.

03

Dave Flanagan @daveflanagan

@daveflanagan77

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04

contents

Crystal Palace √ nottingham forest mon 5 may 2025 | 8:00pm k.o.

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Mitesh Velani Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U21 Development Mark Bright Chief Operating Officer Sharon Lacey Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber General Counsel David Nichol Chief of Staff Noah Abrams Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Foz Bowers Head of Marketing Matt Franks Head of Safeguarding Laura Baptiste Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

Editor Jack Lacey-Hatton Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer, Lucas Gough Front cover David Flanagan

06 08 12

25 10 chairman 36 HALL OF FAME 38 EAGLE EYE

56

41 STATS 44 DOC BROWN 46 MACCA 50 academy section

Contributors Robin Johnson,

54 PALACE women

Toby Jagmohan, Ed Dowling, Doc Brown, James McArthur, Ian King, Tommy Macarthur Photography Neil Everitt, Peter Hurn, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Kontent Haus, Toby Jagmohan, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

56 PALACE for life

64

60 100 years of selhurst park 70 eagle arcade 72 WHAT’S ON?

05

Manager

oliver glasner Welcome back to Selhurst Park, and welcome to Nuno Espírito Santo and his Nottingham Forest staff and players for this afternoon’s game.

I

t’s our first game back at home since a very memorable day at Wembley against Aston Villa.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the fans, for your incredible support throughout that brilliant weekend.

The preparation and effort I thought was superb. I saw some videos of some of our supporters at Covent Garden from before the game. It was amazing and inspired me. We wanted to give back a performance that would help make it a memorable day.

The team all felt the effort invested from our fans and I’m so glad they got their reward. We’ve said all season: we are at our strongest when we’re totally aligned as one, between the pitch and the stands – that was the case in the semi-final. We push each other onto the next level, our performances have been helped with the energy from the stands and viceversa. We will need this again for the final in a few weeks.

I enjoyed my first game managing at Wembley. Of course it’s a very different environment, a huge stadium – but I think the players adapted really well.

06

The preparation and effort I thought was superb. I saw some videos of some of our supporters at Covent Garden from before the game. it was amazing and inspired me. We wanted to give back a performance that would help make it a memorable day

Manager

We will need to be at our best to get the win – but the players have given me confidence, through our recent performances, that they are ready to hit the levels required.

Thank you, once again, for your support. Let’s make it a night to remember under the lights

The first 20 minutes was a little cagey, it felt like both teams didn’t want to make a mistake. Then after JP’s disallowed goal it was like the game truly started, the players put the occasion to one side and were incredibly focused on the game plan.

They were unbelievable – and now we have an FA Cup final and hopefully another memorable day to look forward to.

The first 20 minutes was a little cagey, it felt like both teams didn’t want to make a mistake.

Then after JP’s disallowed goal it was like the game truly started, the players put the occasion to one side and were incredibly focused on the game plan However, since then we have all switched our focus completely to today’s fixture with Nottingham Forest and won’t be thinking about Manchester City until the day after the Tottenham game on Sunday.

The best thing that will help us for that final is going into it in the best shape possible, full of confidence and belief. We certainly had that from our performance at Arsenal and that really helped us in the semi-final against Villa.

For now, all our energy will go into producing a performance here against a strong Nottingham Forest team.

Stylistically, they are a little similar to us. They can be very direct, are well organised and strong physically. They are having a great season as well and Nuno deserves a lot of credit for that. When we played them earlier in the season, we were not in our best moment, but the team have grown a lot since then.

We will need to be at our best to get the win – but the players have given me confidence, through our recent performances, that they are ready to hit the levels required.

Thank you, once again, for your support. Let’s make it a night to remember under the lights

.

07

Captain

marc Guéhi Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this evening’s game against Nottingham Forest, our penultimate home game of the season.

I

’d like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your incredible support at Wembley last weekend.

Over the last few years, as a team we’ve played in some big games – but that atmosphere was on another level entirely. We felt you were with us from the moment we stepped out at Wembley. To see such a wall of colour and noise behind us in the first-half and then again to celebrate with you after full-time, they are moments I’ll cherish for the rest of my career and beyond.

It was phenomenal support and I’m grateful we were able to deliver a performance to match the occasion.

I thought what you saw was a proper team performance. Every player in red and blue stepped up and were outstanding after crossing the white line. Of course, special mention to Ebs and Ismaïla for producing the moments of quality in front of goal. Players capable of that are so often the difference in the biggest matches and it proved to be the case on Saturday.

To put in that level of display after a challenging few weeks in the Premier League, once again shows

08

Over the last few years, as a team we’ve played in some big games – but that atmosphere was on another level entirely.

We felt you were with us from the moment we stepped out at Wembley

Captain

We’ll have to be at our very best to get the three points.

However, as we showed at Wembley, when everything comes together as a unit, we’re a powerful team who can get a result against anyone

the resilience and determination we have in this team.

Naturally there will already be a lot of excitement over the cup final.

But as a group we’ve been firmly focused on tonight’s game against Nottingham Forest. Both this and the upcoming game at Tottenham are hugely important.

Naturally there will already be a lot of excitement over the cup final. But as a group we’ve been firmly focused on tonight’s game against Nottingham Forest.

Both this and the upcoming game at Tottenham are hugely important

There are still lots of points to play for and we can still finish in the top half, which, particularly considering the difficult start we endured, would be a great achievement. We are also within touching distance of setting a new club record total for Premier League points. That motivates us as we want to continue raising the bar for what this club can achieve.

Today we welcome a Forest team who have proven themselves to be a very good team over the course

of the season. Few would have predicted them to be in and around the Champions League places at the start of the season. But they’ve shown every club in the league that it is possible to challenge for those places, regardless of where you finished the previous season.

We’ll have to be at our very best to get the three points. However, as we showed at Wembley, when everything comes together as a unit, we’re a powerful team who can get a result against anyone.

Enjoy tonight’s game – and I look forward to seeing you all at Wembley again in a few weeks’ time

.

09

chairman

steve parish Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this evening’s match, and welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Nottingham Forest.

I

Imust start by offering my congratulations to the team – and every one of our staff and supporters – on last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa.

What a memorable day it was at Wembley. I travelled there on the Tube, and it was amazing being amongst everyone. It was a real carnival atmosphere throughout the afternoon, and another day on which Oliver, his players and you, the supporters, came together to rise to the occasion.

From the very start of the day, you were superb. Great credit to the Holmesdale Fanatics for their incredible display before kick-off – a show which perfectly encapsulated precisely what it means to be a Palace fan, embedded in the family ethos that defines South London. Thank you to everybody who contributed to their fundraiser; another is currently open for their Final display, and I know it will give everyone just as big a lift as the world watches on.

At the front of the display, the lyrics “take my hand, take my whole life too” – from the Elvis Presley song Can’t Help Falling In Love – took me back to hearing it emanating from the

10

What a memorable day it was at Wembley. I travelled there on the Tube, and it was amazing being amongst everyone. It was a real carnival atmosphere throughout the afternoon

Chairman

It was great to see so many of you enjoying the moment and, now, we have an FA Cup Final to look forward to – the third in club history. The Final is always a special day in the English football calendar, and I am sure we will – once again – make it a day to remember

Arthur Wait enclosure during the late 1970s and early ‘80s. The anthemic song will be played again ahead of tonight’s kick-off at Selhurst Park, so do join in.

You could see how much last weekend’s win meant to everyone connected with Crystal Palace. As I said after the game, clubs our size don’t work unless everybody is pointing the same way, and moving in the same direction. That was never more prevalent than at Wembley:

clubs our size don’t work unless everybody is pointing the same way, and moving in the same direction.

That was never more prevalent than at Wembley: everyone around me – neutrals and Villa fans included – were full of praise

everyone around me – neutrals and Villa fans included – were full of praise for the backing which you created for the team.

It was great to see so many of you enjoying the moment and, now, we have an FA Cup Final to look forward to – the third in club history.

The Final is always a special day in

the English football calendar, and I am sure we will – once again – make it a day to remember.

Elsewhere, our Under-21s have secured two fantastic results to progress to the semi-finals of the new Premier League 2 format play-offs.

Let’s hope they too can make it all the way!

It will, of course, be a very busy final month of the season ahead, so do stay close to the club’s channels for all the latest information and updates.

Today’s visitors Nottingham Forest have enjoyed an excellent season and remain in the hunt for Champions League football. That means we’ll need the full support of Selhurst Park behind the team if we are to get a result. Do get behind Oliver and his players from the first whistle to the last this evening.

Up the Palace

.

11

12

It’s fair to say both Nathaniel Clyne and Crystal Palace have come a long way since the defender’s debut back in October 2008. Clyney has won major trophies and played on the global stage in between his two spells at Selhurst Park. Yet one more career highlight could still be to come...

Interview: Jack Lacey-Hatton

13

nathaniel clyne

O

ctober 2008. To some it may not feel long ago, to others the distant past.

For context, Barack Obama was campaigning to become American president, Android had just launched their first smartphone, while Lewis Hamilton was still a month short of winning his maiden F1 World Championship.

Aged 17, Nathaniel Clyne is still a boy, but about to step into the adult world of professional football.

There would be no time for the defender to ease into the top level of the game. Crystal Palace were looking to climb back into the top half of the Championship, after going out in the play-offs the previous season.

It speaks volumes that Neil Warnock – a manager known for not suffering fools gladly – is willing to throw Clyne into his team.

Against Barnsley, on 18th October, the youngster was in from the start, in front of a packed Selhurst Park.

“I just remember wanting to keep it simple,” reflects Clyne. “You can’t overcomplicate things in your first game.

But as my confidence grew, I was able to express myself more on the ball.

“I actually felt ready instantly.

It helped of course that there were players around the first team I had played with in the Academy. That gave me a head start.

“We had Sean Scannell, Victor Moses in the team – so I saw some usual faces. It was really good to have them there as that support.

“We won 3-0 [v Barnsley], so it was a decent start. I even got Man of the Match.”

Although regular right-back Danny Butterfield returned from injury to take

I just remember wanting to keep it simple, You can’t overcomplicate things in your first game. But as my confidence grew, I was able to express myself more on the ball. It helped of course that there were players around the first team I had played with in the academy. That gave me a head start

14

his place the following week, Clyne had held his own and shown that he belonged.

In fact, if you look at any footage from Clyne’s early matches, you can already see the first elements of what would become the trademarks of his game.

The shirt may be a touch baggy and the squad number may read 43 – yet the full-back was already showing a trademark willingness to get forward in attack, a composure on the ball, and defensive solidity.

By the end of that first season, he was already making waves, awarded Palace’s Young Player of the Season.

The following campaign he was even more in at the deep end. Clyne made 22 league appearances during what would prove one of the most difficult campaigns in the Eagles’ history.

nathaniel clyne

We had Sean Scannell, Victor Moses in the team – so I saw some usual faces. It was really good to have them there as that support

15

nathaniel clyne

The hard work doesn’t get spoken about enough. We had to really graft to get the points that we needed to stay in the division. It was a great outcome

16

nathaniel clyne When Palace went into administration midway through the season, 10 points were docked.

Overnight the team went from playoff hopefuls to a relegation battle.

This, though, was not just a normal relegation battle; the future of the club was at stake.

There were rumours Clyne, as a young talent with clearly a bright future in the game, would be sold for muchneeded income. But he was desperate to stay.

“During that time, it was really difficult,” he said. “It wasn’t just that we were struggling to stay up, but obviously in terms of the administration.

“In terms of my situation, I just wanted to stay at the club where I was enjoying my football. I was still on a smaller wage at the time, so it didn’t really affect me as much as some of the others.

“I know for some of the senior players it was pretty tough for them.

They’ve got their mortgages and stuff to pay for, it’s never a nice situation.

As a group it’s credit to everyone – but particularly the senior pros – that we stuck at the task.”

And ‘stick at it’ Palace certainly did.

Rather than jump aboard the Oblivion Express straight to League One, the players dug in and picked up results.

A last-gasp Neil Danns winner away at Scunthorpe would eventually prove vital, as would Alan Lee’s strike to win three precious points against Sheffield United.

However, a run of just one win in five towards end of that season meant that Paul Hart’s team headed to up to Yorkshire to face relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday on the final of

I was still on a smaller wage at the time, so it didn’t really affect me as much of some of the others. I know for some of the senior players it was pretty tough for them. They’ve got their mortgages and stuff to pay for, it’s never a nice situation.

17

the season, still in need of at least a draw to stay up.

As no South Londoner needs reminding – what followed was one of the most nerve-jangling, agonising 90 minutes in the club history. Thankfully, it resulted in joy and relief. Alan Lee and Darren Ambrose both scored in a 2-2 draw, writing themselves and their teammates into Palace history.

Against all odds, Palace – and Clyne – had survived.

“The hard work doesn’t get spoken about enough,” he adds. “We had to really graft to get the points that we needed to stay in the division. It was a great outcome.

“Going to Sheffield Wednesday on the final day was such a big game, such a massive moment for us. I remember the lads really showed up in that game, and for us to finally secure our status in the division was really good, credit to that team.

nathaniel clyne “The post-game celebrations that day were up there with anything I’ve experienced in my career.

“As soon as we finished the game, you could see what it meant to everyone at the club. I remember the celebrations in the changing room going on for ages, everyone was jumping up and down for joy.

“The fans were involved as well, we felt together and were all very happy – it was a great moment.”

With Palace saved less than a month later by the CPFC 2010 consortium, Clyne’s immediate future was secure.

An excellent 2010/11 season then saw him play every game, winning Palace Player of the Year, and meant he remained on the radar of other clubs.

Clyne would move to Southampton the following year, just before the Eagles embarked on their own promotion campaign.

The next eight years would take him around the world; Champions League, Europa League and Wembley Cup finals, a major tournament with England and everything in-between.

However, in 2020 he was back in SE25, reuniting with former England manager Roy Hodgson.

“It was nice coming home,” added Clyne. “But it was completely different. I could tell straight away that the whole structure of the club had changed in the right direction.

“Palace went from a Championship side to a wellestablished Premier League side, with a Premier League structure.

“You can just tell with the players we’ve got now. Loads and loads of internationals – real topquality players.

It was nice coming home, But it was completely different. I could tell straight away that the whole structure of the club had changed in the right direction.

Palace went from a Championship side to a wellestablished Premier League side, with a Premier League structure

18

“You can see what the ownership have done with the Academy. The set-up is magnificent with the new training ground.

“But I think regardless of that, it was always on my mind to come back and continue playing for Palace. I’m local, I’m a South London boy. This is my home.”

Initially signing on a short-term deal, Clyne is still very much playing his part five years later.

His career may have come full circle in some ways. But he has never stood still – always pushing and progressing.

Since Oliver Glasner’s arrival in 2024, the defender has often been deployed more centrally in a back three, outside of his full-back ‘comfort zone’.

The first time he was thrown into that role was away at his former club, when Palace travelled to Anfield last year.

nathaniel clyne

it was always on my mind to come back and continue playing for Palace. I’m local, I’m a South London boy. This is my home

19

nathaniel clyne

Hopefully this time we can get it done and win some silverware.

“We’d be making history for Palace, everyone would go down as a club legend.

That would be special

20

nathaniel clyne

Unflustered, Clyne was excellent as the Eagles pulled off a 1-0 win over Liverpool – the catalyst for a superb run at the end of the season.

“That was probably the first time I’ve ever played in that position,” he laughs. “The gaffer showed real confidence in me. He told me that I had the ability to play there because of my style and the way I play.

“I want to be aggressive in defending and when we do have the ball, I was in a slightly familiar position.

“But the manager gave me all the confidence. And when I had the opportunity to play there, I think I did well.

“I managed to stay in the team after and found some consistency with my performances.”

It’s clear that Clyne rates his manager highly, a big compliment considering some of the coaches he has worked under.

“He’s definitely up there as one of the best I’ve had,” Clyne says.

“He’s a manager that loves the game.

He’s very enthusiastic in training and on a match day.

He’s definitely up there as one of the best I’ve had, He’s a manager that loves the game. He’s very enthusiastic in training and on a match day.

He wants the best out of his players at all times. He never lets off in training, he always wants everyone to be focused and ready for the next game

“He wants the best out of his players at all times. He never lets off in training, he always wants everyone to be focused and ready for the next game.”

Clyney and Palace may have come a long way since that October Saturday against Barnsley, 17 years ago. But the best moment for both could be yet to come, on 17th May at Wembley Stadium.

So, what would it mean to the defender and the area he knows so well?

“It would mean so much I think.

I know when the club got to the final a few years back, the team were very, very close to getting over the line.

“It shows how hard it is to finish the job. Hopefully this time we can get it done and win some silverware.

“We’d be making history for Palace, everyone would go down as a club legend. That would be special.”

To win a trophy would mean so much to everyone who has an affinity for the Eagles. None more so than to the local lad who continues to be Crystal Palace’s rock – through good times and bad

.

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captain

SHARE GOOD TIMES WITH

GREAT PILSNER GRAB A BEER THAT’S CRISP, BRIGHT AND REFRESHING 22

And finally...

and finally...

with nathaniel clyne

A born and bred South Londoner with 237 appearances – and counting – in red and blue, Nathaniel Clyne has played with over 125 teammates over the course of his Eagles career.

So we asked him to pick four teammates from his time at the club to build his ultimate Palace five-a-side team. It’s fair to say he’s gone for all-out attack!

Victor Moses I might have to do a lot of the defending in this team – but I can just sit back and let them work their magic. Victor was supremely talented and I really enjoyed playing with him.

Wilfried Zaha I can’t not have in him can I? Playing behind him was a joy to watch.

Ebere Eze

Michael Olise

He is always wanting the ball. When you’re behind him it makes your life so much easier. You just know you have to get the ball to him. His confidence is next level.

Olise was the same, in terms of he was looking to get possession at every opportunity. He had such a great end product as well – simply a fantastic footballer.

23

FOR THE CLUB captain

PLAY NOW PLAY NOW PLAY NOW

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The World’s Game

nottingham forest

25

nottingham forest

nottingham forest

tricky trees 1865

high-flying forest Nottingham Forest are currently enjoying their best season since the turn of the century. Despite losing the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City, meaning tonight’s game isn’t a dress rehearsal for the final, they are still enjoying a campaign to remember.

Nuno Espírito Santo took over midway through a relegation battle last season, not helped by a points deduction for financial issues.

But after securing safety, he has overseen a remarkable improvement in just 12 months.

Finishing 17th last year, Forest now lie sixth with just four games to play.

THIS Season Position

6th

Points

60

Top Scorer Chris Wood

19

Most Assists 10

home

Anthony Elanga

i believe in miracles

third

away

Finish in the top five and Forest will secure a return to the biggest tournament in European club football, for the first time since the Brian Clough era at the City Ground.

Back when the Champions League was known as the European Cup, Clough’s miracle men won it twice on the trot in the two years that followed winning the league in 1977/78 (only a year after the Reds were promoted!).

Although it’s near impossible for Nuno to match that achievement, taking Forest back into Europe’s premier club competition, in only their third season back in the top-flight, would be something of a modern miracle.

26

nottingham forest

head2head

2-1 √ aston villa Villa Park

forest

draw

palace

30

22

16

√ Everton City Ground

1-2 √ Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

0-2 √ manchester city Wembley Stadium

0-2 √ Brentford

lastfive

0-1

1-0

12th November 2022 City Ground

1-1

28th May 2023 Selhurst Park

0-0

7th October 2023 Selhurst Park

1-1

30th March 2024 City Ground

1-0

21st October 2024 City Ground

City Ground

0-2

“It was a bad night, it was a bad game. I'm not really worried about the table – I'm more concerned about the mistakes that we are making, and how to correct them.”

Nuno Espírito Santo

forest √ brentford Thursday 1st May / The City Ground

14

Substitutes 33

C. MIGUEL

4

MORATO

15

H. TOFFOLO

11 wood

21

10

hudson-odoi

elanga

gibbs-white

8

22

anderson

yates

6

I. SANGARé

9

t. awoniyi

7

31

5

34

16

n. domÍnguez

williams

milenkovic

murillo

aina

20

j. silva

24

r. sosa

44

z. abbott

goal cards

26 sels subs

27

nottingham forest

key players Nottingham Forest are chasing a return to the Champions League under Nuno Espirito Santo – here we look at some of their key players…

safe hands -

gk matz

sels age

26 Height

33

6’2

joined

from

2024

There was a fair amount of scepticism when Sels arrived at Nottingham Forest on a quiet January transfer deadline day in 2024. His previous taste of English football with Newcastle United was far from a roaring success, where he was displaced by Karl Darlow as first choice only two months into the season.

After returning to native Belgium on-loan at Anderlecht, then moving permanently to France with Strasbourg, Sels’ chance to become a Premier League goalkeeper looked to have passed. But since returning to England, he has proven one of Nuno’s best signings at the City Ground.

At the time of writing, he leads the Premier League Golden Gloves chart, awarded to the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets at the end of the season. His remarkable point-blank save against Liverpool earlier this season earned him the Premier League Save of the Month award – the first Forest keeper to claim the gong. Whether Forest go onto achieve Champions League qualification or not, Sels has played a huge role in a successful season.

28

07

mid neco

williams age

Height

24

6’0

joined

from

2022

A Liverpool academy graduate turned Wales international, Williams has been an integral part of the Forest side ever since the Reds were promoted back to the Premier League in 2022.

Born in Wrexham, Williams spent a total of 15 years with Liverpool, having first moved to Anfield in 2007.

A first-team debut followed in June 2020, although he had already been part of the squad to win the 2019 Club World Cup, albeit without stepping onto the pitch. Williams later moved to Fulham on loan in 2022, as the Cottagers went on to claim the Championship title.

Making his senior international debut in September 2020, Williams was part of the Wales side who reached the World Cup finals in 2022, starting all three group games for the Dragons in Qatar.

nottingham forest

prolific kiwi Born in Auckland, Wood was something of an EFL journeyman until recent years. He enjoyed spells with Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall and Leicester City in the lower leagues with varying degrees of success.

But an impressive two years of form at Leeds saw then-Premier League Burnley sign the target man in 2017, and he would go onto have five excellent years at Turf Moor.

Newcastle United triggered his release clause in 2022 and Wood help them achieve survival that season.

With starting opportunities at St. James’ Park limited, Wood moved to Forest and appears to have taken his game onto a new level. He became the first player in Garibaldi to score a hat-trick in the top-flight since 1987, in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and his excellent form has been vital to Forest’s Champions League push.

Ahead of this weekend's round of matches, Wood holds the highest Shot Conversion Rate in the Premier League this season (33.9%) – so Palace's defenders will need to be on their toes to deny him space.

fwd chris

wood age

11 Height

33

6’3

joined

from

2023

Fast, skilful, with a high-quality end product, Hudson-Odoi remains one of the most unpredictable wingers in the league. He arrived at the City Ground having made 126 appearances for Chelsea, winning the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League during a 16-year association with the club.

The winger impressed as a youngster, winning two FA Youth

29

fwd callum

14

hudson-odoi age

Height

24

6’0

joined

from

2023

Cups and an Under-18 Premier League title with Chelsea, and was also part of the England U-17 squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 2017.

Since moving to the banks of the Trent, Hudson-Odoi has continued to flourish and is important piece of the Reds’ counter-attacking set-up.

Earlier this season, the winger scored a stunning winner at Anfield, the champions' only home league defeat.

nottingham forest

13

gk wayne

hennessey age

joined

38 2022

def george

from

36

murray-jones age

from

20

academy

def

7

neco

williams age

joined

24 2022

from

gk matz

sels age

26 joined

33 2024

4

def

morato age

from

joined

23 2024

from

15

def harry

toffolo age

joined

29 2022 30

from

33

gk carlos

miguel age

joined

26 2024

def

murillo age

joined

22 2023

from

5 from

17

def eric da silva

moreira age

joined

19 2024

from

nottingham forest

19

def alex

moreno age

from

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joined

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def wily

boly age

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from

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abbott age

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academy

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morgan

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def nikola

Milenković age

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sangaré age

joined

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from

6 from

16

mid nicolás

gibbs-white domÍnguez age

joined

25 2022 31

from

age

joined

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from

nottingham forest

mid ryan

yates age

22 from

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academy

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age

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awoniyi age

joined

27 2022

fwd jota

SILVA age

20 joined

25 2024

from

28

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joined

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chris

wood joined

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fwd anthony

elanga age

joined

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cahill age

11 from

age

from

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joined

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23 2020 32

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hudson-odoi joined

24 2023

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from

nottingham forest

squaddepth st Chris WOOD Taiwo AWONIYI lw

rw

Callum HUDSON-ODOI Ramón SOSA

Anthony ELANGA Jota SILVA

am Morgan GIBBS-WHITE Elliot ANDERSON

cm Nicolás DOMÍNGUEZ DANILO

Dm Ryan YATES Ibrahim SANGARé

lb Neco WILLIAMS Àlex MORENO Harry TOFFOLO

Rb Ola AINA Zach ABBOTT

CB

CB

Nikola MILENKOVIC Willy BOLY

MURILLO MORATO

GK Matz SELS Carlos MIGUEL Wayne HENNESSEY

Loaned In

Academy Graduate

33

New Signing

nottingham forest

through time 1977/78 -

A year after becoming European Champions when defeating Malmo in Munich, Forest do the unthinkable and claim a second European Cup in-a-row. John Robertson, who assisted Trevor Francis’ winner in the first final, scores the only goal as Hamburg are beaten 1-0 in Madrid.

Forest match Liverpool’s feat to become only the second English club to retain the European Cup/ Champions League. They also win the UEFA Super Cup in the same

1879

1898

Forest become just the fifth club in Football League history to become champions of England in their first season following promotion to the top-flight. Clough and assistant Peter Taylor build a defensively resilient side, who play attractive football light years ahead of their time. Built around Peter Shilton, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time, captain John McGovern and John Robertson, Forest win the league by eight points. Their unbeaten run carries into the following season, eventually stretching to 42 games.

That record would stand for 26 years until Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles.’

1979/80 -

1865

season, defeating Barcelona over two legs.

2021/22 -

1958

Billy Walker’s Reds defeat Luton Town to claim a second FA Cup in club history

1972

Relegated from the top-flight

1975

Brian Clough is made manager at the City Ground, sparking a turnaround in fortunes

1978

In their first season back up after winning promotion, Clough leads Forest to the league title

1979

Mid-season signing Trevor Francis scores the winning goal as Forest defeat Malmo to win the European Cup

1980

A remarkable threeyear spell is complete with Forest retaining the European Cup – John Robertson scoring the only goal against Hamburg

1989

In their 156th year in existence, Forest experience one of their most remarkable seasons to date.

Taking just one point from their first seven matches, Forest sack manager Chris Hughton and lie bottom of the Championship table.

Steve Cooper’s appointment sees a sudden upturn in fortunes – with the Reds losing just one game

34

Nottingham Forest FC is founded by group of shinty players met at the Clinton Arms Forest enter the FA Cup for the first time and beat City rivals Notts County on a run to the semi-finals Forest defeat Derby 3-1 in FA Cup final at the original Crystal Palace – to claim first major trophy

1993

2021

Clough wins the League Cup for the second time as Forest boss Forest struggle in the newly formed Premier League and are relegated – with Clough ending his incredible spell as manager by retiring After a 23-year absence, Forest a promoted to the top-flight under Steve Cooper

nottingham forest

dreamfive GK Peter Shilton Simply one of the best England goalkeepers of all-time.

Shilton’s signing transformed Forest from an exciting newlypromoted team to one of the best teams in the country.

cb Des Walker Club Player of the Year three times and played in seven cup finals at Wembley for the club – Walker is a Forest legend and one of best defenders of his generation.

mf Johnny Quigley Produced a heroic effort in the 1959 FA Cup final to ensure Forest won the trophy, when injuries left the Reds essentially down to nine men.

ST John Robertson Perfectly described by his European Cup winning teammate John McGovern: “Like Ryan Giggs – but with two good feet.”

st Garry Birtles Many would go for Nigel Clough or Stan Collymore in this role. But we’ve plumped for Birtles who, in just three years, went from non-league to double European Cup winner.

between 15th September and Boxing Day. Another incredible run of just two defeats in their final 16 league games sees Forest finish fourth and secure a play-off place. A penalty shootout win over Sheffield United sets up a Wembley showdown with Huddersfield, where a Levi Colwill own goal decides a tense game – and ensures a miraculous promotion.

35

nottingham forest

kitstory

celebrity garibaldis

best

worst

Home: 2011/12

Home: 1996/97

Your view on this probably depends on whether you have a thing for the classic 2010s Umbro design. If you do – you’re in luck.

As regular readers will know, we come down hard on an ill-fitting sponsor. The Umbro sign encroaching on the stripe completes a dreadful design.

best

worst

stuart broad England’s second-highest wicket taker of all-time can often be spotted at the City Ground.

ken clarke A big Forest fan – Clarke also attended the 1966 World Cup final and claims to have persuaded the linesman to award England’s controversial third goal.

carl froch away: 1979/80

away: 2022/23

Simply one of the best alternative strips of all-time – just look at those colours. Befitting of a European Cup winning-side.

I guess some people will like this, even though it’s fundamentally awful.

The Coldplay or Mrs Browns Boys of football kits, if you will.

36

A Soccer AM regular back in the day – the Cobra is a former Super-Middleweight World Champion, and supports his hometown club.

nottingham forest

greatestgames 1-2 Classic Cup tie When Palace travelled to the City Ground in the FA Cup fourth round back in January 1995, the hosts were firm favourites. An exciting, attacking side with Stan Collymore up front, Frank Clark’s team were flying high in the Premier League at the time. But Palace pulled off a excellent away performance to stun the Reds in an end-to-end Cup tie. Chris Armstrong gave the Eagles the lead – and despite an equaliser from Forest, Iain Dowie got the winner not long after the break. The two sides would have contrasting finishes to the season. Alan Smith’s Palace were relegated from the topflight, while Forest would go on to finish third and qualify for Europe.

0-2 Eagles soar at City Ground Palace secured a first away win of the season when visiting the banks of the Trent in October 2008. Forest were struggling at the time, and dropped to the foot of the Championship table with the result. Paul Ifill opened the scoring for Palace after Ben Watson's free-kick unnerved the home defence, leaving Ifill to pounce. Shefki Kuqi then came off the bench to finish the game in the final 10 minutes. Despite the defeat, Forest would recover to survive relegation.

2-2 Murray at the double The two sides played out a four-goal thriller at the City Ground back in December 2012, in Alex McLeish’s first game in charge of Forest.

Glenn Murray, who scored the winner in the same fixture the previous season, was on target twice for the Eagles. His goals sandwiched a stunning volley from Andy Reid on the stroke of half-time. Palace were on the verge of three points, until a late Billy Sharp intervention earned a point for the hosts. Thankfully the dropped points didn’t cost the Eagles a play-off spot – and eventual promotion!

37

nottingham forest

eagle eye

@Sarah_Clapson

Sarah Clapson is the Nottingham Forest correspondent for the Nottingham Post. She has covered the Reds since 2015, having joined the Post the previous year. Being involved in the coverage of everything from Evangelos Marinakis’ takeover of the club to Forest winning promotion at Wembley.

At the start of the season what were your expectations for Nottingham Forest? And have performances matched how you thought it would go?

Before a ball was kicked, anything representing progress would have been a good season for Forest after successive relegation battles. They have more than matched that!

Even those with a crystal ball would have struggled to predict how things have gone. Nuno Espirito Santo has said himself it has been a surprise. But it is no longer a shock to see Forest up there – they have proven they deserve to be challenging at the top end of the table.

What has been the highlight of Forest’s season so far?

It is difficult to pick one as there are quite a few possible contenders. The 7-0 rout over Brighton & Hove Albion has got to be up there, but it is really difficult to look past the 1-0 win at Anfield in September.

Beating Liverpool on their own patch was quite the statement by Forest. It was their first win there since 1969 and marked the start

38

there are quite a few possible contenders. The 7-0 rout over Brighton & Hove Albion has got to be up there, but it is really difficult to look past the 1-0 win at Anfield in September

nottingham forest of a few landmark moments they have ticked off this term. The defeat seemed to rankle Arne Slot for quite a while, too!

What have you made of the job Nuno Espirito Santo has done since his appointment midway through last season?

He had a tough time of it in the second half of last season as he had quite a few challenges to deal with. Forest were in the middle of a relegation scrap, had a points deduction to contend with and there was a lot of noise about refereeing controversies.

Pre-season proved to be huge for Nuno and he has done a tremendous job this time around. He has managed to build a strong team spirit, with every player committed to doing their bit for the cause, and he has developed an effective way of playing. You cannot argue with the results.

Based on what you’ve seen this season, do you believe the team can qualify for the Champions League this season?

It is going to be tough as a few quality teams are in contention, and most of them have more experience than Forest of being in this type of situation. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if the battle for the top five goes right down to the wire.

But Forest have absolutely shown they are capable of qualifying.

They have been right up there for the majority of the season. It will take a huge effort to get over the line – but it is something the whole club is fighting for.

Who is Nottingham Forest’s most important player and whose contribution flies under the radar?

Morgan Gibbs-White is the man who makes Forest tick. He has magic in his boots and is always capable of popping up with something when it matters, even if he hasn’t necessarily been at his best on the day. He is also a leader and is a big influence in the dressing room.

As for someone whose contribution goes under the radar (although not with Forest fans), I would say Neco Williams. He has been consistently excellent for a while now, even if he doesn’t attract the headlines – after all, defenders rarely do.

Give us a name for the future to keep an eye on…

He might not be involved today – but Zach Abbott is a player to keep a look

39

out for. Forest has a proud tradition of developing academy players and he has the attributes to have a very bright future.

Nuno handed the teenage defender only his second start for the club against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final and he more than held his own. He could hold his head high after that one as he handled himself well on the big stage against high-class opposition.

Finally, let’s have your score prediction for today’s game…

Palace away brings back fond memories for Reds fans, after the party atmosphere on the final day of the 2022/23 season. Points are vital for Forest now, but they will know they are coming up against a really good team.

I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.

.

west ham united

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nottingham forest

HEAD TO HEAD

ismaïla

sarr age

POSITION

27 fwd

nat

callum

5

Goals

9

1

Penalties won

0

0

Penalties scored

0

hudson-odoi age

POSITION

24 fwd

nat

Apps

84

1

Clean sheets

4

Apps

130

Goals

17

12

Yellow cards

12

Goals

17

Assists

10

0

Assists

14

Shots

132

Shots

145

Mins per goal

370

Mins per goal

430

Big Chances Created

24

Big Chances Created

22

Mins Played

6,285

Mins Played

7,315

0

Red cards

10

Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 10 goals in his last 14 Premier League appearances, all in 2025.

1991

The year of Palace's last top-flight win against Nottingham Forest.

48

Three points today would take Palace onto a haul of 48 for the season – only one short of last season's total, which was a club Premier League record.

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41

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In the office.

At the school gates.

Even on the terraces.

Kick off a conversation

about menopause.

Why? Because half the population experiences menopause. And it affects everyone – partners, friends, family, colleagues. So we really need to talk about it.

It doesn’t matter where you do it. It’s time to tackle the taboo, head on.

The Menopause Charity is here to help. For trusted information visit

themenopausecharity.org 42

doc brown & james m©arthur

NEXT SEASON WE’RE GOING UP FROM 128 TO

LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES

43

doc brown

doc brown Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, does it all – acting, rapping, writing, directing, you name it. The multifaceted Palace fan is also a patron of Palace for Life Foundation. In each edition, he offers his unique take on the world in SE25...

NOW AND BEN Wow. I don’t know about you but I am still – STILL – buzzing from Wembley. I know! It’s pathetic. Get on with your life man! I can’t, I’m sorry. Everything is on hold until 18th May – the ultimate Morning After the Day Before, when I’ll be doing one of two things: 1) Wistfully talking of “what might have been,” finally reaching acceptance, having worked my way gradually through the Seven Stages of Grief.

2) Chartering a flight of Palace fans to Vegas baby.

I’ve been wracking my brains for a week now, trying to think of any experience in my life as a Palace supporter that can even stand on the same street as that semi-final, let alone come close. 1990 I was too young and only watched on TV; I wasn’t there for promotion in ’94; surviving relegation in 2010… oooh, that is up there, but more in terms of profound relief than unfettered joy.

Promotion in 2013 – maybe closest?

Our recent FA Cup forays (Chelsea semi and Man United final) both

flattered to deceive to some extent – I’m not sure I ever truly believed we would win those...

No, after deliberation I think I can say this with some confidence: Saturday, 26th April was my greatest ever day as an Eagle.

I woke up super early, decked my house and garden front to back in Red and Blue (hanging up pompoms, old shirts, bunting – the works), cooked a huge Jamaican breakfast for around 40 supporters, and we all travelled to Wembley together where I had a great view, up high, sat next my daughter (we never lose when she comes to watch).

But even as I sat there, a feverish mix of excited and nervous, I was completely unprepared for the unbridled emotion that was headed my way. I expected drama. I expected tears. I expected fantastic support. But every one of my expectations were surpassed with such strident force that it was almost overwhelming. I mean I nearly cried more than once. The beautiful tribute from the Holmesdale before kick-off, the balloons, the flags, the insane level of noise… It was like dying and going to Palace Heaven. Everything

44

The beautiful tribute from the Holmesdale before kick-off, the balloons, the flags, the insane level of noise… It was like dying and going to Palace Heaven

doc brown

about that day up until that first whistle was pure perfection, I mused – surely that means things will take a horrific turn for the worse now?

Nope.

nothing that occurs on 17th May can EVER take away what happened on 26th April. I’ll remember it with love and affection forever Turns out we’re just going to calmly thrash a team that went toeto-toe with PSG. We’re gonna make it comprehensive – three goals, but all beauties. And we’ll sing and we’ll dance and we’ll hug each other, in the stadium, outside the stadium and on

the trains back to SE25. If for some bizarre reason you weren’t there, the best way I could describe that entire 24 hours is if Glastonbury Festival was Eagles only. Absolute love-in.

I went to bed that night with the satisfaction of that old farmer at the end of the Sheep-Pig movie Babe.

That’ll do Palace, that’ll do.

And yet we’re not done. There’s one more challenge, one more obstacle between this squad and immortality. And wouldn’t you just know it, bloody Haaland and Rodri are back in training. Big whoop.

Yes, Manchester City await like some horrific final boss from a dark revenge thriller, wielding an arsenal of artillery on a rooftop, flicking a half-smoked cigarette over the side and saying something like “Crystal Palace… nice of you to join us,” in a really sinister voice.

For the inexplicable fear of jinxing it, I’m not going to breathe

45

another word of what might happen in this almighty David & Goliath struggle so I’ll just say this: nothing that occurs on 17th May can EVER take away what happened on 26th April. I’ll remember it with love and affection forever and it’s all thanks to you lot. The Palace family, who – just like a real household – make me feel warm and welcome and loved.

And hey, isn’t that a trophy in a way?

No. No it isn’t. I want a real one. But for now and forever, I’ll take this club and its unbelievable support as my metaphorical silverware. Love you guys.

Right, I’ve only got space left for about 20 words so I’ll just end with a brief note to today’s visitors: Dear Nottingham Forest, For the love of God, please don’t injure any of our players.

Kind regards, Ben x

.

James M©arthur

james m©arthur Palace legend James McArthur made 253 appearances for the club, playing over 19,000 minutes in all competitions across nine years.

Below, he discusses an unforgettable day out at Wembley; playing in an FA Cup Final against Manchester City; and why he feels this just might be Crystal Palace’s year …

What a day Last Saturday was a very, very good day.

It was actually the first Palace game I’ve been back to, and it was a really nice feeling. Obviously, it was a massive game for the club to be part of. It was really, really exciting and lovely, to be honest. I went to the Fanzone before kick-off and spoke to lots of fans, which was so nice.

As for the game, I think the start of it was probably a bit cagey, no team really wanting to make any mistakes. When you play against Aston Villa, you need to get that first goal, because if you don’t, and they get it, then they are so patient with the ball and they force you into coming out, and then they create an overload, and it makes it really difficult for you. So to get that first goal was brilliant for the lads – and from there, I thought they were outstanding.

It was up there with one of the best performances of the season.

To perform like that in such a tough game, but also with the pressure of

potentially getting to the Final, was a real plus for the players.

The right mentality I think it’s something that the manager has instilled in them: don’t get caught up by the emotions of what happens in the game, and keep doing the right things.

If you've got a team who can do that, it's hard to stop them. You think about the team that Manchester City have had – their run of winning four Premier League titles in a row – and you can see that they were the same: they didn’t let anything impact the way they played football. They just kept doing the right things.

Palace showed great character, great resilience, and great belief in each other to keep doing the right things, to go and capitalise on a team who left a lot of spaces. It was an incredible win because Aston Villa, you can't get away from it, are a fantastic team, and to have the record we have had this season, against that quality of opposition, shows you how good a team Crystal Palace are.

46

Palace showed great character, great resilience, and great belief in each other to keep doing the right things, to go and capitalise on a team who left a lot of spaces

James M©arthur

Kamada quality Especially for a more attacking player, to sit in there with Adam Wharton, I thought Daichi Kamada played really, really well – not only with his quality on the ball, because we know about that, but with his defensive work as well.

When you're doing your job so well, and being so structured in a team, then that natural ability obviously shone through in the semi-final. He was a big player on the day, and he stepped up for the team and the manager.

It shows you that, with the Palace squad just now, anyone can really come in and take their opportunity.

There’s a good structure to it and the lads are playing really well.

What it means Every fan naturally wants to win something, especially the FA Cup, which would be an amazing achievement for the club.

The one thing I would say, and we were speaking about it before the game: Crystal Palace are a club which really deserves to win

something. The fans really deserve to get that special day, and that special moment, which will be in their heads and their hearts forever.

I'm really hoping – not just for the players and the staff and the Chairman, but also for the fans – that Palace can go one step further.

city omens I think there will be lessons for Palace to learn from last month’s defeat to City. It's quite funny, because I kind of think about when I won the FA Cup with Wigan, in 2012/13… there are a lot of similarities.

We played against Man City the month before the Final, and it was a great performance. We didn’t quite get a result – we lost 1-0 – but we learned a lot from that game. Then in May 2013, it was, of course, Man City, who we beat in the Final – so with that omen, I’m hoping it’s going to be an equally special day for Crystal Palace.

Being based away from London, it’s obviously tough to get down.

Being honest, I’ve probably not missed being away from football so much, but when I was back, seeing all the fans, being there to support all the lads, it was such a nice feeling – and obviously I’m going to try and take in a good few more games this year and next year.

Fantastic Forest I think Nottingham Forest have been fantastic this season. To transform their team from last year, being in a relegation battle and with it not

47

looking good at certain points, to becoming a team who are fighting for Europe and making the semi-final of the FA Cup, it speaks a lot to where they are as a club just now.

They have got a base and foundation of really good players, but within a very good structure that the manager’s got them in.

To win this game, Palace need to make sure they stop the transitions, the counter-attacks. That's probably where a wee bit of experience comes into play: you need to be clever to stop counter-attacks. If you do that, you have a really good chance of winning.

Whenever we played against a top team, like Manchester City, we were a counter-attacking side. Wilf Zaha was our main outlet, obviously, and every time he got the ball and we were countering, the opponent would commit a small foul to stop the play high up. It stopped that transition from you attacking to conceding a corner or a goal

.

captain

RedBull_UK3383_ZERO_Crystal Palace Match Day Programme_148x105mm_AW.indd 1

48

08/01/2025 09:51

INSIDE PALACE

49

inside palace

palace academy With so much talent coming through at Crystal Palace, it’s time to grill the next generation on the key questions past, present and future. This week, Under-18s goalkeeper Harry Whitworth – younger brother of Joe – tackles the quickfire questions…

FACT FILE

past childhood idol?

David de Gea or Joe Hart. De Gea made so many brilliant saves and Hart’s aura and mentality is something to aspire to.

present strongest attribute?

I’d say my distribution and communication. Those are really important in a modern-day goalkeeper.

i model my game on...

My brother Joe. I’ve gone to see him a few times at Exeter this season. He’s been brilliant – he’s now the blueprint for smaller goalkeepers. Other than him, maybe David Raya or Ederson.

Favourite Palace player?

Dean Henderson, got to be.

pre-match music?

Sirius, the Chicago Bulls theme song. It gets me in the right mindset pre-match.

future in five years time...

first team?

Burpham Juniors in Guildford. After that, I went to AFC Wimbledon, and then joined Palace at Under-8s.

harry whitworth age

first position?

I was a striker! In Sunday League, I played any position to be fair, but it was Under-8s when I became a goalkeeper properly.

nationality

17

first shirt? position

goalkeeper

It was a Palace shirt – Julián Speroni’s yellow goalkeeper kit from the season we got promoted.

50

I want to be playing professional football, hopefully at Palace, maybe out on loan, but just playing consistently week in, week out, at a professional level.

champions league or world cup?

The World Cup, 100 percent.

i want to improve...

My shot-stopping and also my character.

It helps to be a confident goalkeeper, but I don’t want to be arrogant.

manager or pundit?

A manager. I’d like to give it a go on the touchline one day!

inside palace

fixtures&results

pos Club

P

W

D

L

GD Pts

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

1

mci

20

15

2

3

38 47

2

ful

20

14

3

3

19

45

3

che

20

12

2

6

21

38

4

whu

20

12

2

6

6

38

5

mun

20

11

3

6

14

36

6

cry

20

10

5

5

9

35

7

sou

20

10

4

6

7

34

8

ars

20

10

3

7

6

33

9

new

20

10

2

8

2

32

10

lei

20

9

4

7

9

31

11

bha

20

8

6

6

17

30

12

eve

20

8

5

7

-2 29

13

sun

20

8

4

8

13

14

wol

20

8

4

8

-6 28

15

nfo

20

8

3

9

4

16

liv

20

7

6

7

-2 27

u21s

u18s

AUGUST

AUGUST

Tue 20

Stevenage

L

0-1

Sat 17

Tottenham Hotspur

L

4-6

Fri 23

Blackburn Rovers

W

7-2

Sat 24

Southampton

D

1-1

Fri 30

Leeds United

D

1-1

Wed 28 Birmingham City

W

3-0

Sat 31

W

3-0

SEPTEMBER Tue 17

Real Sociedad

D

2-2

Reading

SEPTEMBER

Fri 20

Reading

D

1-1

Sat 14

Norwich City

W

4-2

Tue 24

Gillingham

W

3-1

Sat 21

Fulham

L

0-6

Mon 30 Nottingham Forest

W

2-1

Sat 28

Aston Villa

L

1-3

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

Sat 5

Brighton & Hove Albion

L

0-10

Sat 5

Liverpool

L

2-5

Fri 18

Sporting CP

L

1-2

Sat 26

Leicester City

D

1-1

Fri 25

Southampton

W

2-0

NOVEMBER Fri 1

Tottenham Hotspur

W

5-1

Tue 5

Peterborough United

L

1-4

Fri 29

Newcastle United

L

0-1

december Tue 10

RSC Anderlecht

Mon 16 Liverpool

NOVEMBER Sat 2

Arsenal

D

1-1

Sat 9

West Bromwich Albion

D

2-2

Sat 23

Arsenal

W

2-0

Sat 30

Brighton & Hove Albion W

2-0

DECEMBER W

3-1

D

3-3

JANUARY Mon 6

Fulham

L

0-1

Fri 10

Leicester City

W

2-0

Fri 17

RB Leipzig

L

1-2

Mon 20 Wolves

L

0-1

Mon 27 Norwich City

D

2-2

FEBRUARY Mon 10 Stoke City

W

2-1

Mon 17 Aston Villa

W

3-0

Mon 24 West Bromwich Albion

W

2-0

Fri 6

Manchester City

L

0-1

Tue 17

Chelsea

W

4-2

Tue 14

West Ham United

W

5-0

Sat 18

Leicester City

W

2-1

Sat 25

Tottenham Hotspur

D

1-1

JANUARY

Mon 3

Arsenal

D

2-2

Sun 16

Manchester City

W

3-2

APRIL

7

-5 25

4

9

-9 25

19

mid

20

7

1

12 -16 22

20

rea

20

6

3

11

21

bla

20

6

2

12 -16 20

22

tot

20

6

1

13 -12 19

23

der

20

5

4

11

24

nor

20

5

3

12 -20 18

25

sto

20

4

3

13 -17 15

26

avl

20

2

6

12 -25 12

-19 21

-16 19

1-1

pos Club

P

W

D

L

D

0-0

1

avl

22

14

2

6

12

2

sou

23

12

6

5

22 42

3

ars

22

12

5

5

13

4

che

23

13

2

8

12

41

5

cry

23

10

7

6

9

37

6

tot

21

10

6

5

18

36

7

ful

22

10

3

9

5

33

8

rea

23

8

5

10 -13 29

Sat 15

Norwich City

L

1-4

Sat 22

Aston Villa

W

4-1

Sat 1

Fulham

W

2-0

Sat 8

West Ham United

W

3-1

Sat 15

Chelsea

L

0-1

Sat 5

West Bromwich Albion

W

2-0

Mon 28 Brighton & Hove Albion W

3-1

Thu 17

Arsenal

L

1-2

MAY Chelsea

7

7

D

2-4

Fri 2

6

20

Reading

L

may

20

wba

Southampton

APRIL

Mon 14 Chelsea

lee

Sat 8

5-2

West Ham United

17 18

Sat 1

W

Fri 4

27

FEBRUARY

MARCH

MARCH

28

Sat 3

Brighton & Hove Albion

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 2nd May.

51

GD Pts 44

41

9

bha

23

6

5

12

-9 23

10

lei

22

6

5

11

-13 23

11

whu

22

5

7

10 -12 22

12

nor

23

5

5

13 -19 20

13

wba

21

2

6

13 -25 12

inside palace

palace academy Going on loan is a golden opportunity for any youth player at the start of their career. It’s an introduction to first-team football, giving them the chance to develop themselves and their game at a rapid rate...

g

oalkeeper and boyhood Palace fan Joe Whitworth headed south-west to join Exeter City in the summer, ahead of their 2024/25 campaign.

Palace’s Under-21s Player of the Year adapted quickly to life in south Devon, earning the No. 1 shirt and quickly establishing himself as first choice between the sticks at St James Park.

The 21-year-old features in the third instalment of Palace TV’s documentary series Loan Life, where we go behind the scenes and enjoy a remarkable insight into his loan spell and how he is adapting to life away from his boyhood club.

We also hear the thoughts of his goalkeeping coach and former Palace man Kevin Miller, as well Director of U21 Development Mark Bright, midway through his loan spell.

“I think all the Palace coaches, people above were all on the same page, really wanting to get me out on loan and help me,” explained Whitworth when discussing the move.

“The Chairman [Steve Parish], the gaffer [Oliver Glasner], Dean Kiely, everyone was on the same page.

“So that was the next step for me. We were looking at it in the summer at the start of this season when I came back to Palace. I did a few weeks training and then this came about.

“I spoke to a few other clubs as well, but when I spoke to the manager here [Gary Caldwell], this was the perfect club for me to come in and show what I can do.”

Bright echoed this sentiment, saying: “There’s several departments involved, and we try to let the player pick the club.

“We can guide them and push them to a club, but in the end they have to have a feel for the manager.

“With Joe, there were a lot of clubs that really wanted him, but Exeter really stood out for him. The one thing the manager said to him was: ‘You’ll make mistakes, you’re young and we expect that. “‘I don’t want you to change the way you play – I want you to join in, you’re great with your feet, you’re technical and if you make a mistake, I will still pick you.’ I think that was a big factor for Joe.” Having made his debut against fierce rivals Brighton & Hove Albion

52

I just take each game as it comes and try to play as consistently as possible and, obviously, play as many games as possible in 2023, Whitworth has been in and around the first-team ever since, training and featuring in matchday squads alike.

The move to the Grecians is therefore Whitworth’s first taste of first-team football outside of SE25, and he has gone from strength to strength throughout the campaign.

“I spoke to Dave Cooper with the Under-21s at Palace and Dave gave rave reviews about him,” said Miller.

“We went and watched him last season at the Premier League International Cup final. I also watched a lot of clips on WyScout and I couldn’t believe how good he was with his feet. At 20 years of age, there’s not many better than him, even in the Premier League.

“He’s settled in with the group, the lads love him, he’s a great character…he’s knuckled in, he’s worked hard, he carries equipment in, so he does everything on a dayto-day basis that anyone else does.”

inside palace

Whitworth settled in incredibly well, making his mark early on with a run of five consecutive clean sheets through September and October and even topping the EFL stats tables for the most clean sheets.

“As a goalkeeper, people look at your clean sheets but it’s not just me, it’s the whole team.

I just take each game as it comes and try to play as consistently as possible and, obviously, play as many games as possible.

“When I first came in here, I’d said multiple times that I want to play as many games as possible – 40, 50 games, and play consistently well.

“I feel like I’ve been doing that so far and I just need to keep putting in good performances for the team. As a club, we want to be at the top side of the table, hopefully pushing for the play-offs.

“That’s what I want to do, and the clean sheets are going well at the moment. So, hopefully I can get as many as I can to be at the top of that list as well at the end of the season.”

.

Scan the QR code below to watch the Loan Life series.

u21s Name

u18s apps goals

Name

apps goals

Kai-Reece ADAMS-COLLMAN

26

1

Dean BENAMAR

19

1

Rylan BROWNLIE

4

0

0

Benji CASEY

27

12

18

1

Freddie COWIN

7

0

14

1

Euan DANAHER

18

2

Justin DEVENNY

11

2

8

1

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

0

0

Matteo DASHI

Malcolm EBIOWEI

3

0

Jesse DERRY

12

12

Chima EZE

0

0

Joel DRAKES-THOMAS

12

1

Craig FARQUHAR

0

0

Billy EASTWOOD (GK)

2

0

Chris FRANCIS

0

0

Jacob FASIDA

13

0

Joe GIBBARD

20

0

Jake GRANTE

17

0

Zack HENRY

17

2

Sean GREHAN

18

1

Marcus HILL (GK)

19

0

Jackson IZQUIERDO (GK)

5

0

Mofe JEMIDE

2

0

Mofe JEMIDE

16

1

Jasper JUDD

13

1

George KING

6

0

Caleb KPORHA

14

3

Joe KHOSHABA (GK)

0

0

19

2

Asher AGBINONE

8

2

Victor AKINWALE

3

0

Cormac AUSTIN

11

0

Dean BENAMAR

1

0

Luke BROWNE

26

Rio CARDINES Jesse DERRY

Finley MARJORAM

8

0

George KING

Zach MARSH

23

4

Enrique LAMEIRAS

7

0

Jack MASON (GK)

7

0

David MONTJEN

9

0

Joshua MUWANA

10

0

Roshaun MATHURIN

1

0

Louie MOULDEN (GK)

23

0

Kurai MUSANHI

1

0

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

27

9

Adler NASCIMENTO

8

1

David OBOU

3

1

Stuart ODURO

2

0

Chuks OKOLI

12

2

Jerome OSEI

24

5

1

0

David OBOU

1

0

Ademola OLA-ADEBOMI

12

9

Luke PLANGE

4

2

Jadan RAYMOND

7

0

Dylan REID

14

2

Caleb REDHEAD

Kaden RODNEY

21

0

Sean SOMADE

23

0

Joe SHERIDAN

5

0

Charlie WALKER-SMITH

12

1

Franco UMEH

14

5

Harry WHITWORTH (GK)

0

0

Jemiah UMOLU

16

13

Jack WELLS-MORRISON

7

0

Tyler WHYTE

23

1

Seb WILLIAMS

3

1

Seb WILLIAMS

23

5

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 2 May. nd

53

inside palace

palace women Crystal Palace’s relegation from the Women’s Super League was confirmed following defeat to West Ham United last weekend...

t

he result meant that the Eagles were no longer able to catch Aston Villa in the table, with the Midlands side having won three back-to-back matches to pull clear of the relegation zone – and so Palace will compete in the Barclays Women’s Championship for the 2025/26 season.

Everyone at the club would nevertheless like to thank our supporters for their unwavering commitment throughout this historic first-ever WSL campaign.

Your passion, patience and pride in this team have not gone unnoticed, and we will be counting on that same energy as we move forward into a new chapter together.

Manager Leif Smerud said after last weekend’s game: “I said to the players that, over a year, you get the results you deserve – not always in a single match, but across a season.

54

inside palace

“We have to come back – that’s the main thing. We have to, the club and the team and everyone around the team, learn as best we can, and come back.

That’s the focus.”

On the wonderful backing the side have received this season, Smerud added: “I think the supporters have been brilliant all season.

fixtures&results Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) SEPTEMBER

“They bang the drum and support our players, even in a game like this – and that says a lot to me.”

With this programme going to print before our last home match of the season, against Leicester City yesterday afternoon, we reflect that pride we hold in our supporters – the pride of South London – in a selection of our best supporter photos from throughout the season…

.

Name

apps goals

Chloe ARTHUR

10

0

Izzy ATKINSON

8

0

Sun 22

Tottenham Hotspur

L

0-4

Annabel BLANCHARD

23

3

Fri 27

Chelsea

L

0-7

My CATO

25

3

Aimee EVERETT

15

0

Mille GEJL

19

4

Fliss GIBBONS

12

0

Josie GREEN

18

0

Shanade HOPCROFT

3

0

Elise HUGHES

8

0

Clarissa LARISEY

10

0

Abbie LARKIN

24

1

Milla-Maj MAJASAARI (GK)

7

0

Hayley NOLAN

10

0

Aniek NOUWEN

4

1

Ria ÖLING

5

0

october Wed 2 Sun 6 Sun 13 Sun 20

Aston Villa

L

Leicester City

W

Brighton & Hove Albion Liverpool

L D

0-2 2-0 0-1 1-1

november

We have to come back – that’s the main thing. We have to, the club and the team and everyone around the team, learn as best we can, and come back.

That’s the focus

playerstats

Sun 3

Manchester City

L

0-3

Sun 10

Everton

D

1-1

Sun 17

Aston Villa

L

2-3

Sun 24

Charlton Athletic

W

2-0

december Sun 8

West Ham United

L

2-5

Lexi POTTER

21

0

Wed 11 Tottenham Hotspur

L

0-2

Indiah-Paige RILEY

19

2

0-1

Molly-Mae SHARPE

18

1

Katie STENGEL

24

4

Allyson SWABY

8

0

Katrine VEJE

19

0

Ashleigh WEERDEN

26

6

Lily WOODHAM

23

0

Annis-Clara WRIGHT (GK)

0

0

Shae YAÑEZ (GK)

19

0

GD Pts

Sun 15

Manchester United

L

january Tue 14 Sun 19 Sun 26

Sheffield United Arsenal

W L

Tottenham Hotspur

L

6-1 0-5 2-3

february Sun 2

Brighton & Hove Albion

D

1-1

Sun 9

Newcastle United

W

2-0

Sun 16

Manchester United

L

1-3

Sun 2

Liverpool

L

0-1

Sun 9

Chelsea

L

0-1

Sun 16

Aston Villa

W

Sat 22

Everton

L

Sun 30

Arsenal

L

march P

W

D

L

1

che

20

17

0

3

41

2

ars

20

14

3

3

37 45

3-1

3

mun

20

13

3

4

26 43

0-3

4

mci

20

12

5

3

18

0-4

5

bha

20

7

9

4

-6 25

6

liv

20

7

9

4

-12 25

7

whu

20

6

9

5

-2 23

8

eve

20

5

10

5

-10 20 -15 19

april Wed 23 Chelsea Sun 27

L

West Ham United

may Sun 4

Leicester City

Sat 10

Manchester City

L

0-4 1-7

pos Club

39

9

avl

20

5

11

4

10

tot

20

5

11

4

-17 19

11

lei

20

4

12

4

-18 16

12

cry

20

2

15

3 -42 9

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 2nd May.

55

54

inside palace

palace for life In the same week our DS Eagles released their magical cover of Glad All Over, 43 Palace fans cycled 120-miles from Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium to Selhurst Park and raised over £50,000 in the process in our Bike From Bournemouth challenge.

d

ue to the way the fixtures have landed for Palace this year, the number of miles that’s feasible to take on and daylight hours at this particular time of year, we decided to mix it up for our fifth cycling fundraiser and travel from a Premier League stadium back to our home in Croydon – appropriately titled Bike from Bournemouth.

This fundraiser was generously sponsored by Crystal Palace and Palace for Life sponsor Concept Building Services.

The challenge began with a bang as all 43 riders tackled the longest and toughest leg of the journey – a 104-mile ride from Vitality Stadium to Thatchers Hotel in East Horsley.

The route included well-earned pit stops at Bramshaw Village Hall, just beyond the New Forest, and Ropley Village Hall, where the riders refuelled with lunch. The final stretch of the day featured a quick pause at Tilford Village Hall before the group headed to the hotel, ready to relax with a well-deserved drink (or a few!) at the bar.

56

donate to palace for life below

inside palace

Despite the less-than-ideal weather, with strong winds proving particularly testing, spirits remained high and camaraderie kept everyone moving.

After a slightly later start around 10am, riders set off on the final, shorter leg: a 20-mile (ish) ride into Selhurst Park. Excitement built as they approached their destination, eventually crossing the finish line through the Whitehorse Lane gates – just in time for kickoff against Bournemouth.

43 riders took on this challenge this year, our best attended cycling fundraiser to date. The group included riders of all ages and abilities, yet every single one completed the challenge, a true testament to their passion for South London and determination.

We’d like to take a special moment to celebrate Jim King, who, at the age of 73, completed the remarkable 120-mile cycle, made all the more impressive by the fact that he’s taken part in all five rides since 2020 – this time he took on the challenge with his daughter Penny, also a keen cyclist.

Money raised from the riders will go towards three vital areas of our work: • Keeping more young people away from knife crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.

• Helping more young people find career & job opportunities.

• Supporting more young people with their mental & physical health

.

Our group of riders are still raising money for Palace for Life, to help open more doors for young people in South London, you can donate using the QR code below.

57

Inspired by our riders?

Register your interest for next year’s ride* using the QR code below. *the location and distance will be determined once 2025/26 fixtures have been released.

58

100 years of selhurst park

59

100 years of selhurst park

100 YEARS OF Selhurst Park

As Selhurst Park celebrates its 100 th year during the 2024/25 campaign, club historian Ian King is looking back at a century of history from 1924 to the current day. This week Ian delves into the 1980s and 1990s, two decades that transformed the stadium...

selhurst park under threat In the summer of 1997, following our return to the Premier League, new club director Mark Goldberg’s arrival was announced and he began financing transfers, the most notable being Attilio Lombardo.

As the season progressed speculation gathered that Goldberg was in conversation with Chairman Ron

Noades to purchase the club outright with a figure of around £30 million, with an option to acquire the ground and a down payment of £3 million paid.

Completion was to be by the end of February 1998, but by then Goldberg was struggling to raise the capital.

It was reported that the terms were rearranged to pay in instalments up to the next five years – not quite ‘The Five Year Plan’ that Goldberg had in mind.

60

Goldberg was also involving himself in decisions such as making Lombardo manager without consulting Noades. The club passed to Goldberg in June 1998 for a lesser figure of £22 million, leaving the ground with Altonwood, but he had negotiated a 125-year lease, and, following the inevitable relegation, Terry Venables was announced as the new manager.

100 years of selhurst park

As early as September, Goldberg appeared to be in financial difficulties with rumours of Noades suing Goldberg for non-payment.

In 1999 Venables departed, wages to staff and players were not being paid and Steve Coppell was installed again as manager.

At the end of March, the club went into a voluntary administration (no points deduction back then) with debts of £22 million and a number of staff terminated, leading to a protest march by supporters before the last home game of the season against Huddersfield.

Chaos reigned in the summer as wider details emerged of this financial difficulty. The original administrators had already withdrawn in favour of another company with Simon Paterson in charge.

Various groups were supposedly showing interest, before Goldberg resigned as Chairman – replaced by Peter Morley.

Despite no immediate signs of a resolution, the Football League was persuaded that the club could fulfil their fixtures for 1999/00 and in November a Supporters Trust was founded to try and buy the club.

61

By the following March, liquidation was a possibility as the whole season was played in administration – relegation avoided with a game to spare.

By now, the mysterious Jerry Lim was being associated with buying the club, while Simon Jordan was also preparing a bid.

In the end, Lim made the purchase and sold it straight on to Jordan with the club coming out of administration on 5th July, 2000, with the cost thought to be around £10-and-a-half million, with a ten year lease on Selhurst Park

.

100 years of selhurst park

ian king’s Selhurst Squad

More than 900 players have graced the turf at Selhurst Park across a century of special memories, but who makes Ian King’s squad of the finest in each position?

h

aving been rejected by Brighton, Wright went back to non-league football in Greenwich when he was recommended to Crystal Palace by Dulwich Hamlet.

Following a trial, manager Steve Coppell signed Wrighty in August 1985, a few months short of his 22nd birthday, and he made his debut from the bench against Huddersfield at the end of that month. The following October, Wright netted his first goal, again as a substitute, and started the final 10 games of the season.

Wright still wasn’t truly the finished product and that remained the case until the arrival of Mark Bright in November 1986. It was only then that the mercurial Wright was able to hone all his abilities and make the most of his potential.

The successful duo scored the goals to take Palace back to Division One, with Wright notching a brace against Blackburn Rovers in the second leg of the Play-Off final as Palace overcame a two-goal deficit.

However, a twice cracked shinbone early in 1990 kept him out for the FA Cup run to the final, only for Wright to be fit enough to be a substitute and come on to net twice with two more trademark skilful goals in dramatic

ian

Wright position

nationality

st

fashion. The Eagles fell seven minutes short of winning the Cup itself as Manchester United equalised again and went on to win the replay.

The following season witnessed the club producing its best placing in the top-flight when finishing third and winning the Zenith Data Systems Cup with Wright again at the forefront of the team, scoring twice at Wembley.

In the penultimate game, at Wimbledon’s Plough Lane ground, he claimed a hat-trick in 18 minutes, the first Palace player to do so on an away ground since 1963 which included an outlandish strike from 40 yards – over the Dons keeper.

62

During that same season, he completed his century of Palace goals as well as gaining his first full England cap.

With the Eagles denied European competition due to the sanctions on English clubs, Ian became unsettled and apparently there was a clause in his contract that he could leave for a club which offered that to him.

The season had started well until a heavy home defeat by Arsenal before Wright then scored in our 3-2 win at Oldham Athletic.

Throughout that weekend the rumours were rife that Ian was on his way to Arsenal and the following Monday, the club announced that he had departed for a £2.5million transfer fee.

During his time with Palace, Wrighty scored 117 goals, including four hat-tricks, from 277 first team appearances.

100 years of selhurst park

honourable

Mentions GERRY QUEEN Joining from Kilmarnock in the summer of 1969 ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the top-flight, Gerry scored against Manchester United in the first game.

He was one of several Scottish League footballers that Bert Head brought south to Selhurst Park during his time as manager.

The brave and willing forward battled for the club over the next three seasons during which he became then our leading Division One scorer with 24 goals, many of them point-saving or matchwinning such as the vital victory at Manchester City in March 1970.

Gerry left the club for Orient in September 1973 as Palace began another extensive player overhaul.

mark bright Arriving initially on loan from Leicester City, Bright began his goalscoring partnership with Ian Wright by netting on his debut against Ipswich in November 1986 and earned the Division’s ‘Golden Boot’ in 1987/88.

Back in the top-flight it was Bright’s equaliser against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final that started the revival and then his seven goals in 10 games cemented our third place in 1990/91.

The following season he missed only 16 minutes of all 54 fixtures and his 17 Division 1 goals was the best by a Palace player at that time.

In September 1992, Mark moved to Sheffield Wednesday with a final record of 113 goals from 286 appearances for the Eagles.

selhurst

Squad JOHN GK JACKSON

1964-1973

Coming through the Junior ranks, Swindlehurst was given his debut

by Malcolm Allison when aged 17 in August 1973, but it would be a year until he established himself as the main striker for the next six seasons.

Tall and brave in the air with a physical presence – many of his goals were vital in the club’s two promotions as he scored against Wrexham in May 1977 and Burnley in May 1979, not to mention the only goal at Leeds in the FA Cup run to the semi-final in 1976.

nigel gk martyn

1989-1996

chris armstrong

DAVID SWINDLEHURST

Palace had struggled to find a suitable replacement for Wright until Armstrong arrived from Millwall in September 1992.

He soon became popular with supporters, but his 15 goals were not enough to stop the Eagles dropping out of the Premiership in the league’s first ever season.

In Division One, the goals flowed starting with a hat-trick at home to Portsmouth and he ended the season with 23 League goals and promotion back to the top-flight.

Following a second Premier League relegation, Chris moved across London to Spurs where he spent seven years.

In our next ISSUE Ian King makes his final selection for his ultimate Selhurst 100 squad...

63

RB

Paul HINSHELWOOD 1973-1983

rb

joel ward

2012-

kenny lb sansom

1975-1980

lb richard shaw

1987-1995

CB MEL BLYTH

1968–1974 1977-1978

cb jim cannon

1973-1988

cb eric young

1990-1995

rm peter taylor

1973-1976

rm attilio lombardo

1997-1999

cm steve kember

1963–1971 1978-1980

cm geoff thomas

1987-1993

cm james m©arthur

2014-2023

lm don rogers

1972-1974

lm wilfried zaha

2010-2013 2014-2023

peter st simpson

1929-1935

st

ian wright

1985-1991

?

..................... .....................

100 years of selhurst park

stories of Selhurst Park

“Take my hand, take my whole life too”: the lifelong journey of a football fan, encapsulated in just one line, but beamed around the world to a global audience of millions on the grandest of stages.

f

ew watching inside Wembley Stadium, and from further afield, would fail to have been moved by the performance of Palace’s supporters that Saturday afternoon.

Their pre-match message, followed by a constant wall of noise emanating from a sea of Red and Blue, celebrated not just what makes Crystal Palace Football Club, but also what makes South London, so special.

It was matched – in feeling, in quality and in desire – by the Eagles

on the pitch, who came together with the fans to achieve what BBC Sport commentator Steve Wilson declared as “up there with the greatest days in the club’s history.”

The semi-final supporter display was produced by the Holmesdale Fanatics, with Palace fans raising over £13,000 to fund it. A fundraiser has been opened for a display for the Final which has already surpassed that total.

Can’t Help Falling in Love – a love song first recorded by Elvis

64

Presley in 1961, from which the lyric on the banner was sourced – had been played at Selhurst Park the week prior, in the moments preceding kick-off against Bournemouth.

But its connections to Crystal Palace hark back much further.

The song was a popular anthem among football grounds from as early as the 1960s, including with supporters of Sunderland, Swindon Town, Hull City, Huddersfield Town, Preston North End, Swansea City, Airdrie United and Raith Rovers.

100 years of selhurst park

Selhurst Park connections Can’t Help Falling in Love became a regular fixture of the supporters’ songbook at Selhurst in the late 1970s and early ‘80s – a spell which saw us secure promotion, in front of a record crowd in SE25, against Burnley in May 1979; briefly sit top of the First Division; and bring through the youthful South London talent of the Team of the Eighties.

It was particularly popular among the standing-only Arthur Wait enclosure, who frequently leant the song full voice in the moments prior to kick-off, before that section of the stadium was converted into seating in the summer of 1990.

With typical South London wit on show at Selhurst, there was even a humorous edition reserved for our greatest rivals, with fans in the enclosure heard singing: “Wise men say… only fools rush in… (like Brighton!).”

On a day when supporters, squad and South London alike came together to show what Palace is all about on the global stage, there was plenty to fall in love with at Wembley.

lyrics With the song due to be played again at Selhurst Park ahead of kick-off tonight, brush up on the lyrics below...

Verse 1 Wise men say only fools rush in But I can’t help falling in love with you.

ethan’s story Depicted in the supporters’ display at Wembley on Saturday was an image of then-seven-year-old Ethan.

Seven years ago, the young boy was brought along by his South London-based grandmother, Jane – encouraged by his sadly now late grandfather, Christopher – to see Palace defeat league champions Manchester City.

Ethan ended the day clutching with glee the shirt of Andros Townsend, whom he’d witnessed score an incredible goal to inspire an against-the-odds away victory.

It was the kind of moment which so many of us will recall fondly amidst our own experiences of the sport: the start of a lifelong relationship between supporter and club, inspired by family to fall for the beautiful game.

It was truly fitting, then, that last weekend’s supporter display was accompanied by the lyric: “Take my hand, take my whole life too.”

Who knows – of the millions of people around the world watching events at Wembley unfold – how many experienced their own ‘Ethan moment’, on a day that will live long in the memory?

.

65

Verse 2 Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin If I can’t help falling in love with you?

Chorus Like a river flows surely to the sea Darling so it goes Some things are meant to be.

Verse 3 Take my hand, take my whole life too For I can’t help falling in love with you.

For I can’t help falling in love with you.

Songwriters: George Weiss / Hugo Peretti / Luigi Creatore

Got a Selhurst story to tell?

Let us know by emailing selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk!

2018 from the 2 100 years of selhurst park

Archive

A South London story – illuminated on the world’s stage. It was the tale of young Ethan which served as the heart-warming inspiration to the Palace supporters’ pre-match display at Wembley last weekend – so here, we revisit that incredible tale…

3 man city √ palace 22nd December 2018 / Etihad Stadium

b

ack in December 2018, after scoring Crystal Palace’s Goal of the Season – and indeed what would come to be named Premier League Goal of the Season – against Manchester City, Andros Townsend made one young man’s day in more ways than one.

Having helped Palace to one of their greatest Premier League victories to date, a 3-2 win at the home of the reigning champions, Townsend then handed his shirt to Ethan, a Palace-mad youngster who was watching at the Etihad with his grandmother, Jane Sithole-Sadler.

For Jane, Selhurst Park continues to hold huge emotional significance. Her husband, Christopher Sadler, had been a Season Ticket Holder for decades.

“He started coming here when they were still standing up around the ground,” Jane said, speaking back in 2021. “When these seats were put up in the Holmesdale End, he and his friends paid for their seats, and they got their first Season Tickets.

“He had been supporting Crystal Palace for about 56 years by the time he died.”

Grandad bought him his Season Ticket when he was three, but he was really scared of the noise, so we used to bring him – but he used to fall asleep!

66

When their grandson Ethan was born, they made it their mission to turn trips to Selhurst Park into a ritual.

“Grandad bought him his Season Ticket when he was three, but he was really scared of the noise,” she remembered, “so we used to bring him – but he used to fall asleep!

100 years of selhurst park

“A couple of minutes into the game he would fall asleep, so I always carried a blanket. I still carry a blanket, up to now!

“His Grandad took him. Even though he was a gentleman who was born here in Croydon, he was white, but that colour never showed. He was Grandad to Ethan from the day he was born, and they had a very strong bond.”

Soon Ethan was the Palaceobsessed boy that his Grandad had always hoped he would become.

In his bedroom hangs Townsend’s framed shirt from that famous victory at City, after the winger handed it personally to Ethan at full-time.

With his image capturing the imagination of the world on social media, Ethan was called back a few days later to lead the Eagles out alongside Townsend as Palace faced Cardiff City at Selhurst on Boxing Day 2018.

“I felt like being a player that was about to play a football match on the pitch!” Ethan beamed, speaking a year later at a Palace Junior Member Day. “I felt happy, and I felt like everyone was looking at me!”

Ethan admitted then that the incident inspired him to strive to become a professional himself, saying: “[I want] to be a footballer and score loads of goals and be one of the best in the world by playing for Palace.”

And just how much did he love Andros Townsend? “A lot – as much as I could!”

The story of that love extended beyond just an aspiring footballer

and his idol, however – because Jane and Christopher were more than just grandparents to Ethan.

“I have been looking after Ethan since, really, when his mother was pregnant with him,” Jane explained in 2021.

“Support that comes from social services stopped at the age of five. My daughter couldn’t look after Ethan, so he used to go to school late and unkempt, not having been bathed or fed.

“I offered – at that point, myself and my husband – to put in a special guardianship request with social services, which had to be done through the courts.

“We applied and, whilst it was still in progress, my husband died.

He had lung cancer.”

As he said goodbye, Christopher thought of Ethan.

“When he was dying, all he wanted was for Ethan to be there.

He asked me: ‘Can you continue to take Ethan to the football?’ “‘To bring Ethan to the football,’ I promised him, ‘that I will do.’

“It’s lovely, it just fulfils. I’m sure wherever my husband is, he’s very happy to see that.”

With Ethan’s visage beamed on television screens around the world again last weekend, it was a powerful reminder – emphasised by the supporters’ incredible display – that the lingering power of the game will always surpass just 90 minutes on a football pitch.

Its significance can last so much longer, and come to mean so much more.

67

ethan now Following last weekend’s display, we were delighted to speak to Jane again, who smiled: “It was such a heart-warming sight for me and Ethan. We both felt humbled when we saw the display – I have no words to express how I felt.

“Ethan is now 14 years old, and is still attending most home and away matches. At present, he is training with the Palace boys emerging talent squad. He was sitting the level above the display on Saturday, and looked at the display in disbelief!

“I would like to say thank you to Andros Townsend again, wherever he is, for spotting Ethan and giving him his shirt; the photographer and the media team, who put the story together; Troy Townsend, who put out a message searching for ‘The boy with the shirt’; and the whole Palace club, for following Ethan.

“Finally, I would like to say a very big thank you to the Crystal Palace fanbase – for putting up such a fantastic display at Wembley.”

.

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68

round-up

69

round-up

eagle arcade

10 letters shipperley 9 letters freedman henderson hennessey

Another matchday is upon us at Selhurst Park, so it’s time to get your heads in the game – can you tackle all our tough teasers below?

wordfit Can you fit these 10 names to have played for both Palace and Nottingham Forest into the puzzle?

8 letters williams 7 letters bamford kouyatÉ 6 letters turner murray watson

career ladder t u r n e r

Guess the ex-Palace player based on their former clubs!

SPOT THE BALL Prove that you are eagle-eyed – which ball is the real one?

70

round-up

quiz-talpalace 1

Where do Nottingham Forest play their home games?

2

What year did Forest first win the European Cup?

3

Who is Nottingham Forest’s top goalscorer this season?

today’s mascots

age: 7

4

Which country does that player represent?

5

Who defeated Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend?

6

Who did Forest sign attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from?

7

Who do Forest contest the Brian Clough Trophy with?

8

Prior to taking over at Forest, manager Nuno Espírito Santo had previously managed two other Premier League clubs – Wolves and which other side?

9

The second time Forest won the European Cup – which German team did they beat in the final?

10

Who scored the winning goal in that same final?

jenson ward 3-1

prediction:

age: 11

Max Shephard 2-1

prediction:

8) Tottenham Hotspur 9) Hamburg 10) John Robertson 4) New Zealand 5) Manchester City 6) Wolves 7) Derby County 1) City Ground 2) 1979 3) Chris Wood age: 11

Quiz:

sam smith

Spot the Ball: B Career Ladder: Cheikhou Kouyaté

prediction:

71

3-1

round-up

what’son?

Every day is a busy one at the Palace, from matchdays – Men’s, Women’s and Academy – to anniversaries, birthdays and events. Keep track of everything happening at the club right here…

palace √ nott’m forest

spurs √ palace

mon 05 may | 20:00

sun 11 may | 14:15

premier league

premier league

LIVE audio commentary

LIVE audio commentary

palace √ man city

palace √ wolves

sat 17 may | tbc

tue 20 may | 20:00

emirates fa cup final

premier league

LIVE audio commentary

LIVE audio commentary

To follow Palace’s Premier League clashes, the hunt for Academy silverware and our first season in the Women’s Super League, subscribe to Palace TV+ by scanning here:

72

round-up

Early May bank holiday.

Crystanbul.

Clinton Morrison turns 46.

Monday, 05 may

05 may, 2014

14 may

Kenny Sansom’s Palace debut.

Julian Speroni turns 46.

saturday, 17 may

07 may, 1975

18 may

Championship play-off final.

Last game for the Holmesdale terrace.

Yannick Bolasie turns 36.

saturday, 24 may

08 may, 1994

24 may

73

round-up

from the terraces The page for supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. Want to get in touch? Use the details below.

Happy Birthday EDMUND!

Happy 18th Megs, hope you’ve had a great 18th.. all our love Dad, Tracy and Tom xx

My husband, Thomas Braithwaite, did the Brighton marathon in a Palace top the day after they beat Brighton! He did it in 4.31hrs and his family are so unbelievably proud of him. Thank you to all the Palace fans cheering him on and the Palace Podcast giving him a shout out! X

Derek, what an evening! Hospitality, football, and a thrilling match ahead.

Enjoy every second - hope Palace make it even more special for you with a win!

Joe O’Leary hosts his extended family in our executive box today. His first game was vs Derby in 1966 and most memorable match our 2013 play off win vs Watford. Three generations have now been inspired to follow Palace, some still local and others as far as California, and all are excited to reunite at Selhurst Park again today.

A big welcome to Stephen Allen, lifelong Palace fan and his first time in Speroni’s Restaurant.

Happy 70th Birthday Dad.

74

Happy 90th Birthday Jim! Devoted lifelong Palace fan. Have the best day.

With love from the all the family xx

round-up

Happy 20th Birthday, Joe Odell. With love from all your family.

Happy Birthday to Georgia Seaton who turns 12 today. Lots of love from your whole family.

We were all saddened to hear of the passing of Patsy Gordon, mother of our former player, Dean and a big favourite of so many here at Selhurst Park. RIP Patsy.

Happy Birthday to Jack 21 and Martin 50.

Here’s hoping for a Palace win to make your day. Love Rachel, Megan, Jordan and family.

Martin Ashdown – Congratulations on completing the Bike from Bournemouth Cycle! We are all very proud of you! With all our love from Heather, Laura, James, Ben and all the extended family xxxx

Crystal Palace are mourning the loss of former forward Peter Burridge, who passed away at the age of 91. Burridge joined Palace in the summer of 1962 and finished top of the club’s goalscoring charts for the following two seasons, helping us to win promotion to Division Two for the first time. The club extends its deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this sad time.

Happy 100th birthday Doris! From all of her family and everyone at Crystal Palace Football Club.

Dr Mervyn Yewe-Dyer a lifelong Palace supporter from short trousers till his passing on 6th April. Having survived VAR, he is sitting comfortably on a cloud in his Palace scarf!

75

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

round-up

24/25 fixtures & results

ALL-TIME

may

april

march

february

january

december

november

october

september

august

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) Started Used sub Unused sub Goal(s) Yellow card Red card Date

Opposition

Sun 18 Sat 24 Tue 27 Sun 1 Sat 14 Tue 17 Sat 21 Sat 28 Sat 5 Mon 21 Sun 27 Wed 30 Sat 2 Sat 9 Sat 23 Sat 30 Tue 3 Sat 7 Sun 15 Wed 18 Sat 21 Thu 26 Sun 29 Sat 4 Sun 12 Wed 15 Sat 18 Sun 26 Sun 2 Mon 10 Sat 15 Sat 22 Tue 25 Sat 1 Sat 8 Sat 29 Wed 2 Sat 5 Sat 12 Wed 16 Sat 19 Wed 23 Sat 26 Mon 5 Sun 11 Sat 17 Tue 20 Sun 25

Brentford West Ham United Norwich City Chelsea Leicester City Queens Park Rangers Manchester United Everton Liverpool Nottingham Forest Tottenham Hotspur Aston Villa Wolverhampton Wanderers Fulham Aston Villa Newcastle United Ipswich Town Manchester City Brighton & Hove Albion Arsenal Arsenal Bournemouth Southampton Chelsea Stockport County Leicester City West Ham United Brentford Manchester United Doncaster Rovers Everton Fulham Aston Villa Millwall Ipswich Town Fulham Southampton Brighton & Hove Albion Manchester City Newcastle United Bournemouth Arsenal Aston Villa Nottingham Forest Tottenham Hotspur Manchester City Wolverhampton Wanderers Liverpool

attendance/KICK-OFF 16,988 25,099 12,503 39,298 25,124 13,945 25,172 38,954 25,185 29,443 25,108 34,851 29,505 25,142 42,175 25,101 29,533 25,142 30,893 59,298 25,167 11,129 25,130 25,179 21,014 29,766 62,469 25,066 73,751 12,739 25,108 26,777 24,712 21,263 25,155 26,222 29,366 24,564 52,489 52,197 25,185 60,167 82,301 20:00 14:15 TBC 20:00 16:00

palace Career Appearances palace Career goals

76

Result L L W D D W D L L L W W D L D D W D W L L D W D W W W L W W L W W W W W D W L L D D W

1-2 0-2 4-0 1-1 2-2 2-1 0-0 1-2 0-1 0-1 1-0 2-1 2-2 0-2 2-2 1-1 1-0 2-2 3-1 2-3 1-5 0-0 2-1 1-1 1-0 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-0 2-0 1-2 2-0 4-1 3-1 1-0 3-0 1-1 3-1 2-5 0-5 0-0 2-2 3-0

Position 13th 17th Second round 16th 16th Third round 16th 18th 18th 18th 17th Fourth round 17th 18th 19th 17th 17th 16th 15th Quarter-final 16th 16th 15th 15th Third round 12th 12th 12th 12th Fourth round 13th 13th 12th Fifth round 12th Quarter-final 12th 11th 12th 12th 12th 12th Semi-final

Joel Ward Tyrick Mitchell Rob Holding Maxence Lacroix Marc Guéhi Ismaïla Sarr Jefferson Lerma Eddie Nketiah Eberechi Eze Matheus França Daniel Muñoz Jean-Philippe Mateta Jeffrey Schlupp Nathaniel Clyne Daichi Kamada Will Hughes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 28 29 30 31 34 42 46 55 58 63 64

59 363 185

1

38 152 42 68 32 162 17 57 147 247 238 38 119 41

6 103 9

67 61

31

4

1

3

1

0

25

4

0

2

0

0

1

1

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

6

3

8

11

1

5

35

1

6

46 19

1

2

2

77

0

21

0

0

Asher Agbinone

Zach Marsh

Caleb Kporha

Justin Devenny

Franco Umeh

Kaden Rodney

Chadi Riad

Remi Matthews

Matt Turner

Naouirou Ahamada

Cheick Doucouré

Chris Richards

Ben Chilwell

Odsonne Edouard

Romain Esse

Adam Wharton

Dean Henderson

round-up

round-up

table

week35

pos Club P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

fri 02 may 20:00

1

34

25

7

2

80

32

48

82

etihad stadium

2

34

18

13

3

63

29

34

67

3

34

19

5

10

65

44

21

62

sat 03 may 12:30

4

34

18

7

9

66

43

23

61

5

34

17

9

8

59

40

19

60

6

33

18

6

9

53

39

14

60

7

34

16

9

9

54

49

5

57

8

34

14

9

11

50

46

4

51

9

34

13

12

9

56

55

1

51

10

34

13

11

10

53

41

12

50

11

33

13

7

13

56

50

6

46

12

34

11

12

11

43

47

-4

45

13

34

12

5

17

51

61

-10

41

14

34

10

9

15

39

47

-8

39

villa park

sat 03 may 15:00 goodison park

sat 03 may 15:00 king power stadium

sat 03 may 17:30 emirates stadium

sun 04 may 14:00 gtech community stadium

sun 04 may 14:00 american express stadium

15

34

8

14

12

34

41

-7

38

sun 04 may 14:00

16

34

11

4

19

62

56

6

37

london stadium

17

34

9

9

16

39

58 -19 36

sun 04 may 16:30

18

34

4

9

21

33

74 -41

stamford bridge

19

34

4

6

24

27

76 -49 18

mon 05 may 20:00

20

34

2

5

27

25

80 -55

selhurst park

21 11

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Wednesday, 30th April.

nextthree

home away neutral

sun 11 may 14:15

sat 17 MAY tbc*

TBc*

tottenham hotspur stadium

wembley stadium

selhurst park

78

*Date/time to be confirmed.

Crystal palace f.c.

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 17 18 19 20 21 23 25 26 28 30 31 34 42 46 55 58 63

Dean HENDERSON (GK) Joel WARD Tyrick MITCHELL Maxence LACROIX Marc GUÉHI Ismaïla SARR Jefferson LERMA Eddie NKETIAH Ebere EZE Matheus FRANÇA Daniel MUÑOZ Jean-Philippe MATETA Nathaniel CLYNE Daichi KAMADA Will HUGHES Adam WHARTON Romain ESSE Malcolm EBIOWEI Ben CHILWELL Chris RICHARDS Cheick DOUCOURÉ Matt TURNER (GK) Remi MATTHEWS (GK) Chadi RIAD Kaden RODNEY Franco UMEH Justin DEVENNY Caleb KPORHA Zach MARSH

nottingham forest f.c.

A. Madley M. Wilkes C. Taylor T. Robinson J. Bell L. Betts

4

MORATO

5

MURILLO

6

Ibrahim SANGARÉ

7

Neco WILLIAMS

8

Elliot ANDERSON

9

Taiwo AWONIYI

10

Morgan GIBBS-WHITE

11

Chris WOOD

13

Wayne HENNESSEY (GK)

14

Callum HUDSON-ODOI

15

Harry TOFFOLO

16

Nicolás DOMÍNGUEZ

17

Eric da Silva MOREIRA

19

Àlex MORENO

20

Jota SILVA

21

Anthony ELANGA

22

Ryan YATES

24

Ramón SOSA

26

Matz SELS (GK)

28

DANILO

30

Willy BOLY

31

Nikola MILENKOVIĆ

33

Carlos MIGUEL (GK)

34

Ola AINA

44

Zach ABBOTT

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