Boxed in on Boxing Day

Southampton at home at St Mary’s is a different proposition then when you are against them on your own patch this season, and so it proved in this festive Boxing Day fixture as we lost 2 – 0. Southampton are the best passing team in this seasons Championship, deservedly top of the league for a lot of the time they passed circles around us yet it says something for the quality of the Palace defence that it took them half an hour to break it down. Even when they did score over the match they still only managed to score twice with Brazilian centre forward Guly do Prado netting two accomplished headers providing the breakthrough with his strong and diminutive physique. Palace should have had a penalty in the second half and Glenn Murray went close to reducing the deficit but when put through twice in the box he was closed down and his shot was weak.

Palace and Southampton have differing priorities on the pitch this season. As Southampton are playing their way hard towards promotion, Palace fortunately are safe in mid table with the opportunity of a League Cup semi final and the chance to go through and play in a Wembley final. Minds of supporters and players therefore could be forgiven for wondering towards this match as well as one of the biggest games of the season, little own just the festive period against bitter rivals Millwall at the Den. (A ground Palace have not won at in ages.)

Obviously it is disappointing to lose to Southampton especially as I thought we had the tools and form, (and possibly luck) to turn them over. This would have been no mean feat when you consider Southampton’s unbeaten home record for the calendar year 2011. Despite the fact Palace lost like throughout this season we pushed Southampton close, were defensively solid and certainly did not disgrace ourselves. The good thing though despite losing is that the festive period is the busiest of the season and is packed with matches and a supporter blogger is kept busy as Palace look forward to Millwall and Leicester in very quick succession. Indeed being brutally honest though as an obsessional Palace fan I can deal with losing to a team with the footballing principles of Southampton under Nigel Adkins if we stuff Millwall.

I want to beat, indeed thrash Millwall not just because they are a bitter local rival second only to Brighton but also because we were better than them for ninety minutes at Selhurst in November. We should have won comfortably and had Palace’s domination been rewarded with more than Glenn Murray’s missed penalty in the second half we would have. Zaha and Scannell had opportunities that on other days they would have taken but Millwall’s keeper that day played very well. It will be interesting to see whether Millwall will be that lucky again this time round at the Den If Palace are as dominant. Millwall will have to work hard to cope with Palace’s attacking potency, yet good recent results against Portsmouth Doncaster and Bristol City have given the lions breathing space at the bottom of the Championship so there can be no doubt this will be a big battle. Palace will be desperate to make their superiority on the pitch this season count double at the Den to force one over their bitter local rivals on their own patch for the first time in a while because for supporters this is the most important game of the season outside of Brighton and this seasons League Cup run.

So the festive period continues at pace with games at Derby in the FA Cup and Leicester at Selhurst to come but now our attention shifts to the footballing festivities of New Year’s Eve and into 2012. A year on from the departure of George Burley and his last game as Palace boss at the Den on that miserable New Year’s Day 2011, Palace return looking to right some wrongs and in a much healthier state on and off the pitch. There can be no doubt Palace will be looking to record one last moral boosting three points in 2011 in a rivals backyard to assert their superiority at the Den a place yielding few rewards over recent years. Get ready for fireworks! Come On!!

Murray Christmas One and All (Even Brighton – 3 Goals around the Ammex Tree Ho Ho Ho!)

So it has arrived three points against Birmingham at Selhurst on Monday means Christmas day will pass with Palace in a healthy position in the League on 33 points from 22 games in 8th place with a League Cup semi Vs Cardiff to look forward to. We go into the busy festive period with matches against Southampton, Millwall, Leicester, and Derby in the cup with much to look forward to,a massive change on this time last year when we were in the bottom three on New Year’s Day after defeat at Millwall. The reason for this turnaround is in no small measure down to the impact of Dougie Freedman since he took over as manager from George Burley after returning to the club as Coach/Assistant Manager in 2009. After saving us from relegation at Hull last season, this season he has really built a platform to go on from with a fantastic blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Clyne, Scannell, and Zaha being guided by McCarthy, Wright, Gardner and Ambrose to create a team spirit capable of moving mountains.

The Birmingham match itself the last home game of 2011 ended as a 1 – 0 victory thanks to a late KG Dikgacoi header from a pin point Darren Ambrose cross. The match was quite dour and attritional and Birmingham were clearly tired after their European exertions on Thursday night. Palace conversely had clearly benefited from the ten day break since the Forest match in order to recharge their batteries from the busy November schedule. By the end the difference between the sides in what was a poor game was the slightly greater attacking energy and desire to win the game shown by Palace in the last twenty minutes. Add to this the calming influence of excellent substitute Jermaine Easter who slowed the pace of the game, calmed nerves and helped forge pressure onto the Birmingham goal, helping produce enough chances to eventually force a winner.

For large periods of the game the goalkeepers were on top and Birmingham keeper Boas Myhill made some cracking saves from Mile Jedinak whilst Birmingham’s creative midfielder Chris Burke made the blues best chances testing an on form Julian Speroni. Yet rather predictably Birmingham reverted late on to long balls back to front up to tall 6”7 striker Nicolas Zigic to set up attacks by knocking the ball down. Unfortunately for Birmingham his touch and control let him down and Gardner had his number in the box. Paddy McCarthy hit a post with his head in the second half but Palace won the game for a very satisfying end to 2011 off the back of showing great improvement from a difficult beginning to the year.

The festive period begins on Boxing Day against Southampton a personal return to my university town so it would be especially nice to see Palace get the victory. It will be the biggest test of the Championship season so far as Southampton are top of the league and are undefeated at home, but they have dropped points recently away including against south coast rivals Portsmouth in a 1 – 1 draw. If we can take our good form and tight defence to St Mary’s it will be a good game and should be a Christmas cracker! Merry Christmas.

Lumberjack Murray Cuts Forest Down To Size!

12/12/11;

Palace recovered from the disappointment of a 2 – 1 defeat at Barnsley to beat Forest 1 – 0 to record their first win in eight matches in the league. In a game where Palace exploited a lack of confidence in a struggling Forest side that now have not scored in four matches and remain in the bottom three. Yet the City Ground is a difficult place to play and we came under pressure and yet our defence dominated the Forest attack and the match was won on the counter attack. Indeed a feature of Palace’s strong season in the first half of 2011/12 campaign has been defensive ability and the partnership between Gardner and McCarthy at centre back. The return of Clyne from injury and the solidity of Dean Moxey and Jonathon Parr has meant Palace have prospered off a mean defence including setting a club record for time on the pitch without conceding a goal.

In the first half Julian Speroni had to be on top form to deny the Forest attack however Palace were aided by an injury to Wes Morgan which allowed the pace and creativity of Wilfried Zaha to exploit Forests insecurities at the back and gave chances to Glenn Murray to test the Forest backline. The goal that decided the game came in the second half after a strong defensive display in the first half allowed Palace to build as Murray, fed by Zaha showed Forest how it was done to capitalise on his opportunity to win the game for Palace. The goal, a crisp finish across Lee Camp inside the far post showed excellent touch ending our seven game winless streak in the Championship producing Palace’s first win in eight league matches.

The win was important as it is a sign Palace are stabilising their league form and moves them to 11th, 5 points off the playoffs and 10 points clear of the drop zone on 30 points. Compared to last season this is a great improvement giving us a shot of the playoffs and when you factor in the cup run and the Utd result this season for us fans is both memorable and enjoyable.

8 Seconds.

9/12/11;

8 Seconds. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. The time it took to be bought back down to earth after the magnificent night at Old Trafford that will live in my memory forever. There can be no doubt that league form has suffered since been drawn against United at the end of October. Since then we have not won in seven matches, drawing 0 – 0 with Reading, Portsmouth, and Millwall, 1 – 1 with Derby County, and losing 3 – 0 to Leicester, 2 – 0 to League Cup rivals Cardiff, with the latest defeat coming at Oakwell on Tuesday against Barnsley. In terms of the league Palace may be levelling out though. Last season we avoided relegation by a fortnight, this season a lot more consistancy has been shown on the road illustrated most clearly by the result at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Yet the reality is promotion is unrealistic and being mid table and in with a shot of Wembley reflects progress with performances from O’ Keefe, Wright, Zaha, Williams, Easter and Price all impressing. And of course who could forget Murray!

Tuesday was cold and the journey home took ages mainly because every time we tried to get off the motorway the exit was blocked. Trying to get across to the M40 from the M1, whether it was being diverted back to the M1 from the M69 or staying on to the M25 because the A43 was closed, even the entrance to the M25 from the M1 was closed. Point being it took ages because of diversions caused by road works so credit to my carer Maureen for eventually getting us home. Credit too to the 226 who made the trip to Oakwell after Old Trafford, despite the defeat and the early goal the good feelings from Manchester overflowed manifesting itself via comical chanting. Barnsley fans cries for ridiculous hand balls were mimicked by the Palace Oakwell 226 for most of the second half. Easter’s goal was the highlight and although Barnsley won and were impressive the fact is the time to recover the result will be later in the season at Selhurst Park on a reciprical Tuesday night.

The highlight of the week remains Old Trafford then, and indeed it is up there rather obviously as one of my best memories of an away day since I started supporting the club at the age of 8yrs old in 1990 and that includes my trips to Sweden and America with Palace. League form needs to improve or remain consistent thirteenth place is acceptable but thanks to Dougie, Glenn, Paddy, Darren and Wilf a dream is emerging onto the horizon and that could be the greatest memory of this truly unexpectedly remarkable season. Massive credit and a deserved reward for the board of Palace 2010 who have turned Palace’s fortunes around since taking over the club.

On Saturday we play Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in a match important to stabilising our dip in league form. Hopefully the dip in form is only temporary and after freshening up the squad for Derby County and Barnsley Dougie will get things back on track.

A lot has happened to Crystal Palace FC over the last fortnight, not so much in the league but a historic result against current Champions of England, Manchester United at Old Trafford gives us an historic opportunity to play at Wembley as a club in a cup final. The opportunity is there to possibly write a new and positive chapter in the Palace history books but more importantly it presents Dougie Freedman and the Palace class of 2011/12 the chance to write their names into the fabric of the club forever with this unexpected shot at Palace folklore.

What a Week! Champions Toppled! Historic?

8/12/11;

Ok so it is nigh on three weeks since I last blogged and for that I apologise. Yet I am not sure how wide this blogs audience is, and frankly having Millwall come to Selhurst and going to Old Trafford back to back in the same week, I wanted to experience the moment and take it in before writing about it. Glenn Murray is forging a unique position for himself in Palace folklore and I think I love him. After arriving from Brighton and scoring the winner against his former club (What a Legend!!) he goes on to grab the winner at old Trafford just days after worrying us all by missing a penalty against Millwall in the goalless draw a fortnight ago. He is fast becoming a fans favourite and with crucial goals like the winner away to Manchester United at Old Trafford he is starting to rewrite Palace history.

Talking of that penalty miss, no one is perfect Glenn! Despite dominating the Millwall match another home draw was to follow. In what was a spiteful match off the field no love is lost off the field between supporters but that has always been the case with Millwall. Personally I have nothing to add and I am not going to dwell here on my opinions of some Millwall fans behaviour. Instead Oh Happy Days let us celebrate through the power of the written word our trip to Old Trafford, Manchester that undermined the Champions and stunned the Football World!

Remember, Remember the 30th November because I shall never forget it! Eleven heroes! Especially Stuart O’Keefe, Lewis Price, Darren Ambrose, KG, and Jonathon Parr all excelling themselves matching Utd in terms of endeavour and share effort, Palace were fully deserving of the victory. Despite being matched against nine internationals, full commitment meant they never disgraced themselves and midway through the second half the reward of something to hold onto. Take a bow Darren Ambrose what a goal, 45yds out a bending drive to the top corner giving Ben Amos no chance. Professionals like Wright, Gardner, and McCarthy realised they were in with a shot of Wembley and the highlight of their careers and therefore on share effort they matched Utd stride for stride on that pitch and fully deserved to come off winners after 120 minutes. Boy what a feeling when we did hold on. As a feeling of pride this was like no away game I’d experienced with Palace, we have toppled the Champions and now we face a Championship side in Cardiff City for a shot at Wembley Unbelievable!

I went to Old Trafford draped in Palace flag and wearing red and blue jester hat more in hope then expectation. Then I saw the team sheet and my hope and expectation levels began to rise as I honestly thought Utd have undercooked this and we have a chance. Watching a Palace side made up of youth and academy products such as Scannell, Zaha, Clyne, and other youngsters like O’Keefe matching a young and inexperienced United side that still contained nine internationals shows the difference in attitude to youth football between Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Whilst Palace have built an academy to develop players bringing them into the first team, while United play their youngsters in reserve fixtures or on loan at lower league clubs.

In my opinion this meant on the night the gap between the teams was closed because the likes of Zaha and Clyne backed by the experience of Wright and match winning ability of Ambrose were more use to competitive football then United’s youngsters. Diouf, Gibson, and the Da Silva twins were not used to the hustle and bustle of regular competitive football because unlike the Palace youngsters their path to the first team is blocked by bought talent. My point off the back of this is the Elite Player Performance Programme (EPPP) and the reorganisation of youth football should not stop Palace and other Football League Clubs using their academies to bring on players, because done properly the products of these academies are capable of effecting such historic results for clubs like Palace as they did against the English Champions.

Where does this result sit in Palace history? It has given us a historic opportunity to get to Wembley for only the second time in our history discounting Playoffs, or our magnificent ZDS Cup victory over Everton in 1991. Simply it is our best shot of reaching Wembley in a major domestic cup final since 1990. A League Cup Semi Final Vs Cardiff City gives us such a great opportunity to get to the final because we are not drawn against one of the two big Premier League Clubs left in the competition. So to Dougie Freedman and Palace history, as a player he played a decisive role in keeping the club up at Stockport in 2001, and as a manager he has moulded a team that emerged from the ashes of administration in 2010 to survive at Hull last season. Now he has moved the team forward to credibility of mid table security in the league and a famous victory in the derby at the Ammex and most impressively of all he has the feather in his managerial cap of a victory against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup! Magnificent.

Get Well Soon Joniesta

23/11/11;

48hrs prior to the disappointing defeat at Leicester city, a ground incidentally we have never won at since they moved there from Filbert Street came bad news about our exciting youngster Jonathon ‘Joniesta’ Williams. While playing for Wales U21 Williams broke his leg. The initial prognosis is he will be out for three months and although it will be a hard road back, the break was below the knee and could have been a lot worse. I, like you reading this, and every Palace fan wishes Joniesta the best with a speedy and full recovery.

Without Williams’ creativity and following the disappointing 3 – 0 defeat away on a Sunday to Leicester City, we now face the prospect of what will no doubt be a feisty local derby encounter. Encouraged by the positive outcome at the Ammex earlier in the season against Brighton, Palace should have nothing to fear in a game at the right time against Millwall. Victory would arguably set up the most successful and enjoyable start to a season in years. Stability in the league being backed up by a local derby victory at a rivals new home, and an exciting cup run to boot with the possibility of a giant killing against Manchester United at Old Trafford next week. Even a draw would not be disastrous as Palace’s impressive home record would be preserved and a draw would mark an improvement on the Eagles recent record against the Lions.

The big rivals in the eyes of all Palace fans are obviously Brighton and holding a good record against them in recent times proves how enjoyable it can be to dominate on the pitch. Yet the ferocity of the Millwall rivalry comes from geography and Millwall’s tough doggedness on the field in recent encounters with Palace has seen them come out on top in terms of results and there is therefore nothing Palace fans want more than a positive result on Saturday. Should we gain a positive result on Saturday it shows a shift in the balance of power against Millwall is changing as Palace under Dougie’s tutelage are regaining their competitive edge. Beating Millwall will be the highlight of the season for all Palace fans! Final words – Bring It On!!!

Burchy’s Palace Blog Extract 9 11/11/11 Reality Check;

It has been a great season for Palace so far but at the start of November things have got a little tougher. A goalless draw with Reading was followed on November 1st by a dull and attritional goalless draw with Portsmouth and last Saturday we lost 2 – 0 away at Cardiff City for the first time in eight games. On a positive note though at half time in Wales when it was 0 – 0 Dougie’s boys had gone a club record of over ten hours without conceding a goal so it is not all bad, there are definite signs of improvements from last season with greater defensive resilience running through the side and that confidence been reflected by better results. Although it was certainly disappointing to lose to Cardiff, a defeat was always bound to come eventually and despite we have now not scored in three matches had we not lost it would have been over a month without conceding a goal.

After the luxurious surroundings of the Reading game it was back to the normality of the Arthur Waite stand for the Portsmouth match. To be fair Portsmouth played better and possibly deserved the win, but Palace fought doggedly and were running on empty after a busy run of games (only to get busier) and despite running on empty held on for a battling point. This was a game we would have probably lost last year or in recent seasons so it was good to notice the improvement. Indeed it was enjoyable to go to a match with my friend Phil who was between teaching jobs abroad and was in the UK for four days to witness two goalless draws and state; ‘not much has changed then’ the reality though is things are changing for the better both on and off the pitch.

Last Saturday (to the date of originally writing) I went to the Welsh capital for an away day at the Cardiff City Stadium. Although Palace lost it was an enjoyable day as I had not been to Cardiff’s new stadium and it was a very different experience from the older, less welcoming, somewhat backward experience of Ninian Park. For starters the new ground has disabled toilets – an improvement on the porter cabin loos of the old more antiquated yet strangely missed Ninian Park. The day itself was an interesting test of independence for my new wheelchair as I toured around Cardiff city centre with friends before the game. The match itself could have been different had we been more clinical in the first half, yet to be fair in the second half there was little we could do as both goals were fantastic finishes that changed the game. Indeed Freedman summed it up quite succinctly ‘undone by moments of brilliance, but equited themselves well as a team, also conducting themselves well for a young side.’
After the international break we travel to Leicester and then we have a massive local derby grudge game against Millwall and an exciting League Cup tie away at Old Trafford against Manchester United. In many respects the Millwall game is more important because in my memory I cannot remember the last time we beat Millscum and indeed last time we played at the Den we lost 3 – 0 and it saw the demise of George Burley and the return of club legend and saviour Dougie Freedman on a fulltime basis. It will be a great opportunity for the three Steve’s and 2010 alongside Freedman to show Palace’s exciting progress and by thrashing Millscum the excitement and satisfaction generated among us fans would be an early Christmas present to go with the famous victory over Brighton at the Ammex.

The Manchester United cup tie will be very enjoyable as I am overnighting in Salford Quays and credit to Utd for not charging disabled fans. It will be like a cup final because for fans like us who nearly lost our club completely eighteen months ago it really is a day out deserved by the whole club and the board considering the way the club is been run and the positive fashion in which the team are working hard and moving forward. Indeed a shock victory or even just a good performance will illustrate the progress being made and the stability of the whole operation behind the club, and this can only be recorded positively in the press and wider media. Besides we may get thrashed but a lot of good teams get hammered at Old Trafford but we have such a strong youth in the team that outcome is unlikely. We have shown we have earned our shot at the Champions as a club by quietly working hard so I say bring it on, besides should be fun! SB

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Eight: Undefeated October Gives Way to Cup Draw Excitement

31/10/11;

Wow how good are Palace! Top performance lads! Unbelievable all the superlatives are not quite enough for what I am feeling towards Crystal Palace, the boys, and of course the Doog at the moment as this incredibly enjoyable but equally unexpected season is developing. Two wins and a draw in a week sets up an unexpectedly high league position and a league cup quarter final place. The only disappointing thing is I was looking forward to Barnsley away on a Tuesday night guess it will wait as Palace are destined for a bigger more high profile game night.

What a week starting against Ipswich at Portman Road I got an insight into the Carling Cup line up as goalkeeper Lewis Price told me he was likely to start. I also had a quick chat after the game with ex Ipswich and current injured Palace midfielder Owen Garvin who was in high spirits about the victory, results and Palace’s current form. The result against Ipswich started a great week that ended for me in an executive box at Selhurst Park watching the League Cup quarter final draw after our 2 – 0 victory in the fourth round against Southampton. I am writing this after the 0 – 0 draw against Reading that completed an undefeated October for the Doog and followed the exciting news of an away tie at Manchester United. Your prayers from now to the football gods would go down well and be appreciated. First however I want to look to where the good week started away to Ipswich.

Our victory at Portman Road was based around a solid central defensive partnership between Paddy McCarthy and Anthony Gardner being protected by David Wright and Mile Jedinak sitting in front the back four in the midfield and playing the ball to the pace of Scannell, Zaha, and Williams to attack beyond them. It worked too as second half pressure led to a rare goal for the accomplished Paddy McCarthy who up from the back for a free kick swept home a Scannell cross who sent in a centre after his free kick had come back off the Ipswich wall. The significance of the Ipswich result is it sent Palace into the Southampton cup tie brimming with confidence but in terms of the league it meant four wins by the end of October away from home surpassed the entire number of wins on the road all last season (a mere single victory!)

And so to the Southampton victory a solid 2 – 0 win over the league leaders seeing Palace advance to the League Cup quarter final. The win was inspired by the industry, majesty, guile and shear class of Palace’s academy prospect Jonathan Williams who won a penalty and set up the first goal for Darren Ambrose with a pin point cross. A well deserved victory set up by a strong young side produced by the Crystal Palace academy hopefully the proposed new EPPP Youth Development Programme will not be too damaging to its future. It is important therefore our fans voices were heard as part of a national fans protest on Saturday against Reading. At least Freedman and Parish know the value of giving young players a chance in the first team and Palace have a history of giving young players a pathway to playing on a regular basis giving the club a chance to point to precedence to make Palace always attractive to young footballers into the future. The future is uncertain but in the meantime the current crop of Palace youngsters have set up a deserved League Cup quarter final with Man Utd at Old Trafford what a prospect. Credit to my Saints following friend Ash who watched the game with me for not being too disappointed even if he could not accept it that yes, Zaha was “just too good for you!”

After the cup draw against Manchester United on Saturday came the 0 – 0 draw at home to Reading. Reading is always a big match for me as I lived in the area around Reading since 1991 and currently live in Wokingham. Saturday’s game was especially exciting and enjoyable though as it formed the prize won by a friend at last seasons fans forum and so courtesy of John Walker I was in an executive box with my friend, carer for the day and Reading fan/club employee Stuart Croucher. We all had a very enjoyable day thanks to the club for the prize and John for including me and Stuart. Despite being goalless it was memorable it was memorable for disallowed goals on both sides, penalties that were not given as well as fouls that could have been red card offences but were not. Eventful enough that even a fox wanted to watch.

Tomorrow Palace faces Portsmouth at home at the start of a November that if it is a month that follows the pattern of an undefeated October could be the lift off to a stable and successful season. If you factor into this a continuing cup run the season could go beyond successful and become historical but let us not get ahead of ourselves there is a long way to go. It will be exciting though! S B

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Seven; 19/10/11 Its Easter time before Christmas!

Blog Extract Seven:

19/10/11

It is not even Christmas time yet but it was Easter time for Palace at Vicarage Road last Saturday. A cracking injury time strike from substitute Jermaine Easter wrapped up a comfortable 2 – 0 victory. A sunny autumnal Saturday afternoon at struggling Watford began around midday as this is a local away day for me, and a refreshing English breakfast at the Vicarage Road Cafe with a nice cup of tea really set me up for the match. Indeed this was the first match that I had my new manual/joystick wheelchair and although I tried it out more on Tuesday when I used it to get to Selhurst for the Bristol City match, of which more later. Anyhow I tested my new chair at Watford by meeting the players and management off the coach and indeed imagine my delight that while wishing David Wright well my arm was captured by TV cameras to appear on TV later that night. – How good is that!

The game itself was an example of how Palace has improved under Freedman. To be fair to Watford they are obviously struggling but tactically Palace were set up well from the back and without making the best of their chances in the first half Palace were in control and were never really threatened. The building of pressure in the second half eventually told and it was a moment of individual brilliance from Wilfrried Zaha who is fed in off a Scannell through ball and a wonderful first time finish won the game. The result was underlined by an equally good stoppage time goal from Jermaine Easter a player who is always smiling and it was a great way to cap the performance in a professional display, and it shows the great spirit existing around the club at the moment. It is also nice to see the clubs young players playing football with smiles on their faces and enjoying their football.

Following on from Watford I went to Selhurst with my new wheelchair to watch the Bristol City match under lights on Tuesday night. Unfortunately the game was notable for being ruined for both sides by the referee. I do not like criticising referees as we all know they have difficult jobs to do but in all honesty I do not think there are any good referees in the Championship. Yes some referees are better than others, and others produce okay performances but recently I become more resigned to leaving matches thinking about bad refereeing decisions. A 1 – 0 win secured by an 81st minute penalty by the fantastic Glenn Murray was probably the least we deserved thanks to the youthful creativity and pace of Sean Scannell and Wilf Zaha. The fact the penalty was won by the tenacity of Williams, even if it was soft, was an example of the poor refereeing on show as bad decisions had already disallowed two legitimate Palace goals. On the basis of chances created despite its attritional nature this was a match Palace deserved to win.

Our good start is due in no small measure to the creative brilliance and pace of Wilfried Zaha. It will test the resolve and ambition of our new owners both in January and at the end of the season as they deal with big offers from the Premier League for the likes of Zaha, Clyne, Scannell, and Williams. It would show true ambition if they could turn down good money to see the academy products develop at the club. The fact we are financially secure and do not need to sell is a real advantage because if they do decide to take up an offer and sell it will be for proper money, and in Zaha’s case any transfer fee would be in excess of £10 million. My point here is this there will be no knockdown sales like Victor Moses to Wigan in 2009 when Palace were in administration and financially on its knees.

I close by saying good luck to the lads in what is a massive week next week for Palace. A league cup 4th round tie Vs Southampton on Tuesday night, and before that an away trip to Ipswich on Saturday afternoon I always enjoy Ipswich away because as a disabled fan I am sat by the tunnel and you never know which Palace players you can meet, but you usually get to talk to a fair few players. Southampton in the cup is the exciting one for me, the prospect of a league cup quarter final whilst beating Southampton (my university town) at the same time and getting one over on my saints supporting mate who will be watching the match with me should be very exciting. Good Luck Palace! S B.

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Six 11/10/11; What's the Fuss About Fabio? Lets Look Forward To Watford!

Blog Extract Six:
11/10/11

I do not often write much around international breaks, but I must reflect over the fuss around nothing with England. We qualified after all didn’t we? For that I say credit Fabio, he has after all qualified us for the two tournaments he has been in charge for. Even if the World Cup in South Africa was an unmitigated disaster he qualified in this campaign undefeated and top of the group, a clear improvement which is all you can ask for. Capello is also an intelligent enough coach to improve England’s performance at Euro 2012 compared to the World Cup. It is also worth considering England’s record in getting to tournaments before the millennium and the appointment of Sven Goran Erikson, it was not that good. Anyhow 2 – 2 well done England and good luck next summer!

Anyway Palace play Watford on Saturday before a midweek match at Selhurst vs Bristol City, hopefully a reinvigorated Palace post Brighton should pick up six points, but are things ever that straight forward with Palace? It is worth reflecting what a great job Dougie Freedman is doing at the moment. Playing great football and giving youth a chance, while frustrating managers with the experience of Sam Allardyce before standing up for his footballing beliefs and the clubs development in the press room after the match. I have to say I was unsure what game big Sam was watching when I read his post match comments I did not see either team enjoy the level of dominance or chances he thought the hammers enjoyed, to me it was an even game and a draw was a fair result. Well done to Freedman for standing up for how he saw the game develop, he is clearly showing signs of becoming a quality strong willed manager.

It is a big week prior to Watford as I get a new wheelchair, same size and weight as the old one but a lightweight electrical system opens up the possibility of independent train travel to football again, the kind of which I have not enjoyed in years. It will make a big difference though as to how you shall see me getting to the football in the future because I will not get as tired, and it will also make attending disability forums at the club easier. This is an exciting development that could make a big difference going forward into the future. In an earlier blog (4) I talked about new skiing opportunities and these continue this week as when I pick up my wheelchair from Hemel Hempstead on Thursday, I will enjoy my second lesson. - Should be fun.

A couple of quick Watford experiences I have enjoyed with Palace to close this section. Both relate to different parental reactions to my football. The first was during my illness in the early Millennium and my father, wanting to aid my recovery and despite not liking football in a selfless act he took me to Selhurst to watch Palace beat Watford 1 – 0. Yet this did not stop him being so bored that he read the Times newspaper from cover to cover taking absolutely no notice of the match or what was going on on the pitch. This is a great illustration that my dad just wanted to make me happy and aid my recovery. My second experience was in slightly different circumstances. A cracking 5 – 1 Palace win at Vicarage Road in early 2004 in the promotion season. I had just dropped out of Nottingham University and my parents were probably justifiably less than impressed with me, angry enough anyhow not to drive me to the match – a 40 minute car journey. As a result I embarked on an epic solo rail journey from Reading to Clapham Junction to Watford Junction, which took about two hours. On the way back I went from Watford to Reading via Willesden Junction and Richmond finally getting back to Reading three hours later around 8pm. Epic journey for a wheelchair but with a 5 -1 victory, (a Freedman hat-trick incidentally) I could not regret it, doing the trip on my own in my chair was very satisfying.

My parents need not have worried either I sorted myself out in the meantime. 2010’s survival act also started at Watford so I wonder what to expect on Saturday I am sure it will be exciting, do enjoy! Thanks for reading. S B

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Five 3/10/11 Oh What A Night Memorable For A Golden 10 Minutes;

Burchy Blog: Extract Five

3/10/11

I have to say I have not stopped buzzing since last Tuesday night. I woke up last Wednesday floating on air with a happy, life is good feeling running through my veins, and I have to say that feeling stays with me as I write on Monday after the West Ham match. It is of course the historical victory over Brighton on Tuesday that gives me, and every other Palace fan the previously described emotional feeling. Not only was it a first ever league defeat for Brighton in their new stadium but it was a defeat emphatically forced upon Brighton by their biggest rivals in a dominant fashion. Especially satisfying for us Eagles followers was that it was former Seagull hit man Glenn Murray who rounded off the scoring in stoppage time, reminding his old employees (who’s fans booed his every touch) where his bread is now buttered and where his loyalties now lie.

Yet clearly the most amazing and satisfying element of such an important result to Palace’s loyal away following was the dominant nature of the performance which writing earlier and against Brighton’s current good form I was not sure was going to come. The pleasing nature of the three goal comeback in the last ten minutes made it the most memorable and exciting ten minute spell Palace have played away from home in years. It made me forget the baron eighteen months previously endured on the road. The desperate away performances seem not to matter as Palace had scored three goals in ten minutes at their bitter rivals new stadium to record a historic away victory. It was certainly the best away day enjoyed by the Palace faithful since Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in 2010.

I maintain that key to the victory was our fans passion for the occasion, the noise from the away end was immense deafening all night, and Freedman’s greater understanding of this passion for this fixture from the fans compared to Gus Poyet contributed to the emphatic result. This passion was certainly understood by the players and permeated their performance in everything they did on the pitch. The desire for this result came from every part of the club, the fact we also crushed the holier than thou ego of our biggest rivals gives all palace fans an unrivalled sense of satisfaction. (Even if their stadium is quite nice)

On the night and in the week building up to the match no one was under more pressure then Glenn Murray because of his obvious successful previous Brighton association. His performance was all the more impressive and his goal all the more significant and painful to the home fans. He was one of the best players on the pitch, and his commitment to the Palace cause, desire for the fans could never be questioned. He showed a degree of dignity and class in choosing not to celebrate his goal despite the best attentions of Brighton’s boo boys on the night. He is on his way to legendary status at Palace,(like AJ and Dougie in this fixture) if he is not there already. A word also for the youngsters, Jonathon Williams and Wilf Zaha were fantastic making this season memorable and enjoyable for everyone, offering hope and a post administration freshness for the possibility of big things for the future. Again at the Ammex they were the best prospects on the pitch.

What a fantastic buzz, but I end my reflections on the Brighton thrashing with a question; I arrived early at the Ammex to secure a safe secured and disabled parking space to generally observe, stay safe and mind my own business. As part of this I did not where my usual colours and as a precaution I removed my Palace car stickers for anonymity. My question is now we have won should Brighton and Hove Albion pay for new car stickers? Answers on a postcard please.

So briefly to the West Ham United match, ahead twice early in each half as the buzz from the Brighton stuffing was creating an energetic atmosphere carrying the players and crowd through. The Holmesdale Fanatics excelled themselves with a ‘know your place Brighton’ banner but credit to West Ham who pegged us back twice and adjusted their tactics excellently to get back in the match. One of the best teams at Selhurst this season they will be a force in the Championship this year, and in the promotion shakeup. Having said that we were not under huge pressure at any point and in some respects we were unlucky not to hold on for a win. To me Manual Almunia is a poor goalkeeper but for Palace moving forward the significance of Murray and Ambrose going two from two and finding goal scoring form should not be underestimated.
S B

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Four 26/9/11 - And Now For Something Completely Different

Burchy Blog: Extract Four

26/9/11

Skiing is fun! Yesterday I took a lesson in the sport at the Hemel Hempstead Ski Dome. The reasons behind my decision to take up disabled bucket skiing and throw myself down a 100m hill are numerous and varied. The main reason though is I love the sensation of speed, being close to the snow flying down the hill at what may only be 20-30kph but the adrenaline rush is fantastic but then again I love roller coasters so I guess that is why I choose to do it.

I have to admit it though it is hard work, and despite having done it before on a mountain in Canada it took me a while to get the hang of it! (45 minutes out of the hour lesson to be precise to realise the elbow outriggers are better off pressed into the snow to give you direction and slow you down.) Seriously though I probably spent more time face first crashing into the snow as I struggled to remember my technique from previous lessons and stay upright.

I think my instructor thought I was mad as I began to enjoy my uncontrolled face flops but when I suddenly executed two consecutive turns boy was it satisfying and I think he was a little bit impressed. He certainly laughed when I accidently knocked into a snowboarder and took him out. Anyway after an hour I was certainly tired and now I ache all over but I guess that is exercise for you, but at least it is fun. Hopefully it will lead to skiing opportunities on mountains across the world; anyhow I will let you know how the skiing opportunity develops in future blogs.

Thanks for reading. S B

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Three 21/9/11; Reflections on a Cup Run In Sight Of Old Rivalries

Burchy Blog Extract Three:

21/9/11

Middlesbrough beat us 1 – 0 on Saturday but I had confidence we would win Tuesdays cup tie. Boro coped better with the second half weather conditions which saw the match take place in a deluge to win the game, but in the last 25 minutes palace’s youth prodigies gave us such pace they ripped boro’s back four to shreds. This led to Middlesbrough being reduced to 10 men as a defender was unlucky to receive a second yellow card, unlucky because had the referee played an advantage Zaha would have set up an equaliser and the ref would have fulfilled his duty to do all he could to keep 22 players on the pitch. There followed an example of the old adage when it is hard to score against 11 men, its impossible to score against 10 however well your team plays.

I am so impressed with the way Dougie Freedman has used the carling cup this season. We have been fortunate to have been drawn at home for three consecutive ties which has undoubtedly given us an advantage but Freedman has used the competition to build confidence and this has been reflected in Palace’s start to the league programme. Zaha and Williams have been fantastic and last night even Calvin Andrew got the winner a rarity in itself. Yet comparisons for me can be drawn between previous young starlets Ben Watson and Victor Moses now at Wigan and Jonny Williams and Wilf Zaha the difference being the club is in a better position to hold on to these players and develop them to the clubs advantage.

Because I am going to Brighton I will not be at Doncaster this weekend but my priority on Saturday lunchtime will be the league cup 4th round draw. I hope we are drawn away to a Premier League side. I think I shall end up in the north west, Liverpool, Bolton, Utd, Blackburn, or Stoke would be nice – watching Zaha or Williams light up the match scoring in a brave defeat as we bow out gracefully, the purpose of an exciting cup run served. Actually no! Sod it lets do it really go all out and you never know maybe our names on the cup!

And so to Brighton (seaweed s**m) yes I hate B******n as much as the next Palace fan but I understand the nature of the rivalries and how rivalries work. At one point in time one rival rises and is on top and at another point in time the second rival rises and challenges to be on top. For this reason I fear this meeting of two foes at the Tampax. At the time of AJ’s hat-trick and the 5 – 0, beautiful 5 – 0! We ended the season in the Premier League and homeless B******n were on their knees and got relegated. Our rivals are clearly on the up and our dangerous, League One Champions and top of the Championship and playing in a brand new stadium. Palace in this period as we know has struggled.

I was at the valley in 2005 when clown town sent us down from the Premier League and how they loved playing Tony Christie’s Amarillo with those mean words ringing in my ears so how sweet it is to laugh at what happened next. We will always enjoy the 5 – 0 it is in the record books and part of Crystal Palace’s history, stoking the rivalry. Yet we have dined out on 5 – 0 for a long time and it would be foolhardy not to respect regenerated B******n and Freedman will make sure the respect for the fixture is there. He scored his 100th Palace goal at the Withdean and understands the fans strength of feeling. Factor in the Glenn Murray effect and the fact he will play the hardest match in his career and his desire alone should guide us to at least a draw. GO PALACE!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what do I do in a rear match free weekend? The answer is skiiiiiiiiiiiiiii down a snow hill in Hemel Hempstead in a disabled ski. I hope to develop this as a new hobby so I can ski more regularly with my folks in Canada. I will let you know how this develops over the next few weeks in future blogs.
Thanks for reading S B

Burchy's Palace Blog Extract Two 14/9/11 Early Season Hope, Frustration, and Deliverence

Burchy Blog Extract two

14/9/11

My first extract tried to explain the history of why I love Crystal Palace so much. There is no doubt they are a massive part/love of my life, there is also no doubt that the Palace class of 11/12 have got off to a cracking start. Before the international break we followed an opening day defeat to Peterborough with victories over Burnley, Crawley, Coventry, Hull, and a come from behind draw against Blackpool when not playing well, with muscular ex seaweed striker Murray scoring a predatory first goal for the club. What struck me about this period of the season is how we proved pundits wrong and how the legend that is Dougie Freedman (see extract one) has got the team playing with a spirit of togetherness that has got Crystal Palace off its knees standing proud again toe to toe with the rest of the Championship.

Away from football during the international break I took the opportunity to visit my parents in Newfoundland Canada. I must admit how delighted I was to enjoy myself getting out there and back without worrying about my Wheelchair getting damaged. Credit for this must go to Air Canada for how helpful and friendly the cabin crew and ground staffs were during both journeys. As a disabled traveller being able to get around easily certainly relieves many travel stresses. The weather in Canada was fantastic ironically enough until we drove to Bai Vete in driving rain looking for Icebergs which we found which was fantastic but unfortunately cloud cover meant visibility was poor.

The driving rain which added excitement to the Iceberg hunt also played havoc further up the east coast in New York with the US Open. Now I am not the biggest tennis fan but American TV coverage of the open was laughably different from my experience of tennis at Wimbledon. Crowds were not quiet during play and music from other courts could be heard while other players were serving. Most laughably though TV coverage only followed a match until the change of ends and then flicked over to another match which made it complicated to follow if you nipped to the loo for example. Cultural differences are what make the world an interesting place I guess.

On my return to England I travelled to Leeds having missed our first success on the road against Hull in a long long time. (October 2010 to be precise) How unlucky we were against Leeds, 1 – 0 down to a scrappy goal, and then two goals in ten minutes meant I went ballistic and we deservedly led at half time. Yet an inability to score a third before half time meant we were punished in the last twenty minutes by the skills of Becchio and a lack of defensive concentration meant we lost 3 – 2. Although initially devastated there was true hope in the performance considering how low we have been in the previous eighteen months and the progress of Sean Scannell as a strong and fast centre forward is very exciting. Disappointingly Leeds fans en mass were ungracious as ever however at least individually many Leeds fans admitted the best team lost.

This made me realise how difficult it is to win at Ellend Road. The only time I have seen Palace win in Leeds was in 2006 when Jobi Macanuff scored the winner. I was critical of Jobi over the way he left the club for Watford straight after our playoff defeat to Watford in 2007. It is time now with hindsight that I gave him some credit because he scored a rare winner the last time we won at Leeds and he scored a crucial away winner against Brighton at the Withdean so Jobi please forgive me!

As for Leeds it is sad they are living of past glories from 20 – 30 yrs ago and while I can understand it I don’t think their 2011 offering were too hot and there are interesting comparisons with Ice Hockey’s Fliers of Philadelphia who won the Stanley Cup in the late sixties and early seventies, known as the ‘Broad Street Bullies’ both the Fliers and Utd’s physical style made them unpopular with their opponents.

I close this section of my blog by reflecting how good it was to see Palace turn over a Premier League even though it was lowly Wigan whose best players, (Moses and Watson) were arguably developed by Palace and Watson scored Wigan’s consolation. Jonathan Williams and Wilf Zaha are true prospects for the future and Freedman is creating victories while rotating goalies and the backline reflecting his confidence in the Palace squad. Who knows with a bit of luck we might make Wembley. Thanks for reading. S B

Palace Blog Extract One 22/8/11

Burchy’s Blog – A Lighthearted View Of Being A Crystal Palace Fan From A Wheelchair.

Blog Extract One.

22/8/11.

This is my first extract of what I hope to be a regular blog looking at life as a disabled Crystal Palace fan and the exciting adventures I sometimes have Following Palace around the country. This extract is made up of my audio script used on the FYP Podcast at the start of this season.

Significance of numbers;

1990 – First year as Palace fan after beating Liverpool in FA Cup Semi Final to reach Wembley for Cup Final 1st and only time in history 8yrs old.

1991 – Palace finish 3rd in top flight best ever league position Coppell’s finest spell as manager 8yrs old very impressionable age.

2000 – First period of Administration very insecure times combined with very difficult period in my own life serious illness where I am in a Psychosis and am Catatonic in hospital.

2001 – Recovery both in terms of Administration and my illness as I leave hospital for the last time in time to witness Portsmouth and Stockport and Palace’s survival Freedman’s last minute goal great moment of symbiosis with club.

2010 – Second period of administration great uncertainty 10pt deduction survival at Hillsborough and then brinkmanship over existence of club and very survival that July in City at Lloyds, relief at survival, honour at winning Fan of year, and thanking many of the players at Player of Year Awards. Gaining personal inspiration to fight on and pass my Masters.

2011 – Survival at Hull. Hope for future, end of administration uncertainty new start; Dougie Freedman’s role as club legend and figurehead there to save us when we the supporters really need him.

Why Crystal Palace? The above dates are clearly significant in the love of my club, the significance of 0 and 1 to mine and Palace's history is uncanny. Everyone knows you can easily get a divorce but you cannot ever change your football club allegiance so when your sneered your sneered, and to be honest I feel honoured Palace had me after the Liverpool semi in 1990. So big thanks should go to my Uncle and Auntie, David and Dorothy for coming over and supporting palace on tv that April Sunday. It could have been different of course everyone knows Steve Coppell managed Palace in arguably the most successful period in our history, taking us to Wembley thanks to that goal from ‘Super Al(an Pardew) and it was these two individuals who also had a remarkable influence on the history of my home town club Reading at the turn of the Millennium. Who knows had I been eight in 2000 and not eighteen it would have been Reading! Thankfully I was an 80’s baby, cracking music too.

Travel Stories:
Wigan 2003; 0 – 5 Kembers last stand, a depressing comedic value in defeat leading to arrival of Iain Dowie, frustration of smashing phone into brick wall of disabled section and wondering if I wanted to jump off. Total lack of interest in Wigan, expecting stick from locals all we got on way back to station was, ‘ where is the bowling alley?’

Sunderland Playoff Semi Final 2003/4 4 – 4 Palace win 4 – 3 on pens;
A memorable match was doing a photographic project showing access to football grounds with photographer and Palace fan Phil Colvin who was based in Sunderland. The photos were later exhibited in Croydon as part of Palaces centenary and are archived at the National Football Museum at Preston/Manchester. As Palace equalised Darren Powell Jumped into crowd and I got knocked out of my wheelchair and while caught in melee I copped an eyeful of policewoman’s arse. Club put out press release the next day to find out who I was and if I was ok, I got lots of phone calls and received a signed shirt from Shipperley and Powell v Everton at start of next season.

Stoke 2003; Memorable for my disorganisation missed last train to Nottingham after match stayed at Britannia Stadium Hotel being entertained in bar by other Palace fans AJ got winner

Blackpool 2003; Midweek carling cup game at Blackpool torrential rain had driven from Nottingham AJ won it memorable because my mate had not wanted to come, but I got tapped on the shoulder by a middle aged man who said; ‘...hello my name is John I believe you’re at university with my son Owen.’ First time I met friend John Walker long way from where I was meant to be.

Walsall 2003; Day England won Rugby World Cup 0 – 0 Uneventful game but for the unsettling tones of rugby songs at football and the fun that was had at The Bescott Station as we were arriving. Was going upstairs to get across to the stadium when there was a most amusing tanoy announcement; ‘Could someone please help the invalid (me) across the platforms stair bridge’. When over the shock what was funny was a septanogerian came running along looking like Ivor the engine driver, even more of an invalid then me. Haha.

Sweden Preseason 2007; Long Weekend to Gothenburg see Odevold v Palace in Oddesvala Unique experience of seeing Palace in Europe. Help of friend Richard Bamber, first foreign football trip. Arriving at airport expecting rental car to be Ford Focus – upgraded to Volvo next person expected car to be a Mercedes, downgraded to Volvo. Comedy value in realising every car at the airport rental car garage was a Volvo. Joking around on autobahn ‘get out of the way Magnus, get out of the way Helgar’ – first people we then meet in bar called Magnus and Helgar, they wondered why we laughed. Swedish TV following us in bar Swedish kids singing palace songs, being left on tram tracks a great trip.

Barnsley 2007; Travelled from Southampton on train with middle aged female carer from Eastern Europe. Did not have ticket as coach hadn’t arrived with returns needed loo and Barnsley kind enough to let me use facilities in their Disabled Supporters room and then they would not let me leave without sharing their Christmas Buffet. Extreme act of kindness rewarded by football gods as Barnsley played at Wembley that year in FA Cup Semi Final. Interestingly this trip for me was also memorable despite its goaless nature for the willingness of my Eastern European carer Georgia who despite being out of her comfort zone was so keen to enjoy a new experience she threw herself into enjoying a Palace northern away day like a regular. In fact despite driving rain she pushed me up and down a Yorkshire hill to get to the ground despite being well into her fifties. Never complaining her only comment was that in a good way Barnsley resembled Communist bloc Hungary. Truthfully one of my more enjoyable away days, Barnsley fans were great and I look forward to returning to Oakwell under lights on a Tuesday later this season.

USA Preseason 2009; Trip of lifetime played Palace USA and Harrisburg Islanders at Waldorf and Rochester Pennsylvania. Spent time in Baltimore and Philadelphia fantastic access to players and management spent 2hrs after Harrisburg match with Warnock, Fonte, Butterfield, Danns Derry, Hill, Carle, and rest of squad including youngsters like N’Daie. Warnock was nice guy clearly impressed by effort of fans. Met local press, surprised disabled had travelled misreported everything I said, (be wary of media) Said Richard was travel agent for entire group when in fact he only organised our trip, said I had cystic Fibrosis when I told them I had Cerebral Palsy. Richard was annoyed but we find it funny now. Story of Wanda Washington, carer in Philadelphia – turned up in nurses uniform slightly overdressed for football tour interacted really well with rest of group.
Superb!!
I will return to some funny moments from my Palace trip to the States in future blogs. S B

My Palace History - the Motivation Behind This Blog

Why I Love Palace – The Reasons Behind The Madness (explained as simply as I can I Promise)

I became a Palace fan in April 1990 after the FA Cup Semi Final victory over Liverpool. I visited Villa Park for the first time for a League Cup match in 2003, Kit Symonds scored an own goal and we lost 3 – 1 but the magic of the stadium was not lost on me. It was a bit like a pilgrimage to a special place and the fact I had made my way there on my own independently made the night feel special and that the result of the match I was watching did not actually matter.
1990 was a special year a cup final, followed by my first memory of international football, Italia 90 still my best memory of a World Cup, a cracking operatic theme and a brilliant (if basic) Amstrad Computer game. Perhaps surprisingly under influence from my German best friend I supported Germany. To all those patriots reading this I am truly sorry, but the facts are Germany won and 8yrs old is an impressionable age and as a Palace fan I have never had another chance to be a glory hunter.

As an impressionable 8yr old it was the bright contrast of the red and blue colours that attracted me to Palace that April afternoon and what a match! A 4 – 3 score line that took us to Wembley for the first time in the clubs history, we went back in playoff finals in 96 and 97 but this to me remains the most special time we played there, because Wembley as the home of English football holds a certain allure for Palace fans of my age and generation.
Who would have guessed that ‘big nosed’ Steve Bruce could make me cry in May 1990 as that impressionable 8yr old when he lifted the cup for Utd that painful Wednesday night following a 1 – 0 replay victory following on just days from the Saturday before when we threw it away. At the age of 20 in 2002 ‘big nose’ made me cry again when he walked out on the club I love for Birmingham nine weeks into a five year contract. A painful time to be an Eagle was made worse by the fact we were playing fantastic football were clear at the top of the league and all he left in his wake was the bitterness of supporters and potential unfulfilled. Despite later admitting mistakes Bruce’s actions had a long term negative effect on Simon Jordan’s chairmanship because had he stayed at least hypothetically Jordan’s time at the club would have been marked by more time in the top flight.

Steve Coppell was a historic figure at Palace throughout the 1990’s and then as a fire fighter during our first administration period in 2000. He was also Reading’s most successful ever manager which is important because I have lived in Reading since 1991 and Reading’s relative success for the period they were in the Premier League breathed new life into the town. Coppell though for me is responsible for building the Palace side I fell in love with that was responsible for the Cup Final, third place in the top flight as well as keeping us up on a shoestring in 1998/99.

Throughout the 1990’s despite school on a Saturday morning I loved Palace and because I could not attend matches (apart from v Reading or v Oxford) I was driven with a passion to love Palace and I followed the matches live on ceefax. I followed the different Palace sides of the 1990’s from Wright, Bright, and Martyn, to Southgate, Coleman, Dyer, Armstrong, Dowie, Ndah and Veart, screaming or crying according to how the goals went in as the page updated. Yet this made my first season ticket all the more special on my 16th birthday, appropriately brought by my Uncle as it was him who introduced me to the passion that changed my life.

One season to enjoy the likes of Lombardo, Jansen, and Curcic before they moved on to make way for many more seasons of trials and tribulations. I am so passionate about Palace because I had to wait a long time for the opportunity to watch Palace live. Over the years I have spent a lot of time apologising for, and justifying the reasons I love Palace, but it would be in the intervening years since 1998 I would slowly learn Palace were involved in some of the greatest one off moments of my life. Instead of being embarrassed I should be proud and if others want to judge or criticise me for loving Palace that is their loss.

The year 2000 changed my life on Millennium eve I was admitted to hospital in a state of acute depression I became catatonic and until May 2001 I would be in hospital dealing with the aftermath of my illness. It is at this point I must stress how important the love of my family and friends were in helping me recover but my life would not be my own if Palace did not play some part of my recovery. My dad read to me football results when I was catatonic hoping it would aid my recovery. Later and despite hating football my dad took me to Selhurst to watch a match v Watford and it was great, but him not being interested in football sat with me in the stand and read the Times newspaper from cover to cover showing no interest in events on the pitch. This shows how much he loves me and I will always love him for the support he gave me then and now and I hope I would be able to show the same level of selflessness towards any children I have.

Palace’s part in my recovery came the week I left hospital for the last time following my breakdown in May 2001. In the bottom three after struggling through administration and in poor form since making the League Cup Semi final at the turn of the year Alan Smith was out and Kember was in for the last two matches of the season. Away to Portsmouth and Stockport we stayed alive with a 4 – 2 win at Portsmouth thanks to an influential debut from Aki Riihilahti and goals from Mikel Forsell and Dougie Freedman. So I find myself with my brother at Edgeley Park in Stockport witnessing a match the like of which would not be seen again until Hillsborough and Sheffield Wednesday in 2010. 89 minutes on the clock when a brinkmanship winner from Freedman kept us alive in the second tier. Freedman’s brilliance was the reason for our escape and its worth reflecting that Huddersfield have not played at the second tier of English football since their relegation instead of us.

A key explanation of why I love Palace is the exciting times they go through on the pitch and the scary times off it, now I must mention in some detail the effect on my love of Palace of the phenomenon that is Dougie Freedman. For me the man is a legend on a par with Coppell and a big reason for my passion for Palace. His goal at Stockport gave me the courage to face the future and his influence as a player (100 goals in two spells) and as a manager when he was assistant at Hillsborough when the club survived at Sheffield Wednesday in 2010. For me Freedman is a kind of goal scoring guardian of the Palace and its supporters.

Had events at Stockport not materialised as they did it is unclear how I would have coped with the future effects of my illness. Yet it was in that moment at Stockport I felt a close symbiotic bond with the club and Freedman that I still feel to this day. What followed were magic moments with Palace from the promotion under Dowie in 2003 when AJ weaved his magic and I got up close to Darren Powell at Sunderland or later when I went on preseason tours to Sweden and America and learned the full capacities of what following a football team like Palace can be like.

I got to know players, managers, and supporters sharing a bond with other fans and becoming friends with the likes of Neil Warnock, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill, Neil Danns, Calvin Andrew, and Danny Butterfield. Life has taught me being a Palace fan is exciting and something to be proud of, and I hope by reading this, whoever you are you have a better understanding of my motives for writing this part of my blog and I hope you can relate it to experiences with your football team whoever you support. Thanks for reading.

Samuel

September 2011