On this day, April 19th. 1969. we beat Fulham 3-2 in front of over 36.000. to reach the top flight of English Football for the first time in the Club's history.

We were unbeaten in the League since January - a run of 14 games - whilst Fulham were bottom of the table already doomed to relegation.
The theory was that the Cottagers had nothing left to play for, yet we were shocked after only six minutes when Dear put the visitors ahead.

We fought back but could not penetrate the Fulham rearguard which included Johnny Byrne in mid field, returning to Selhurst after leaving for West Ham seven years earlier, then Large made it 2-0 to Fulham at Half Time.

I recall walking up to the toilets at the top of the Whitehorse terracing in total dismay, talking to others on way who were feeling the same.

In the second half Steve Kember pulled a goal back which lifted the teams spirit and on the hour Mark Lazarus put us on level terms.
We were now in full voice and Cliff Jackson wrapped up the game with the winner four minutes later.

For the first time in our 64 year history we were in the Top Flight.
The only sad point was to see Johnny Byrne, carrying so much weight, that he looked a different player to the one who was our hero seven years earlier.

I remember the pitch invasion on Full Time and the players throwing items of clothing down from the Directors Box to us fans but I narrowly missed out on getting one of John Jackson's socks.

What a day to remember!!

........................Then along came Johnny Byrne! and the rest, as they say, is history.....................

That makes two of us, good wasn't it!?...

........................Then along came Johnny Byrne! and the rest, as they say, is history.....................

Still remember guy going on the pitch to give John Sewell champagne before the game being ejected. great atmosphere in the imcomplete arthur wait.

I was there what a great day (and night) that was. First time into the old Div 1. They were in Div 4 when I saw my first Palace game.

About 36,000 there on the day from memory and I was on the Holmesdale Terrace.

That day has left one great abiding mystery for me. At the end of the match the Palace team went up into the Main Stand and threw their shirts to the fans below.

They must be among the greatest of Palace memorabilia but I have never seen any mention of them since.

They're never mentioned by fans on the chat boards and I've never seen one for sale, and I would guess they would fetch a hefty price now.

Does anyone know the whereabouts of any of these shirts today? Surely, some of them must exist somewhere.

The crowd is outstanding, and especially with the penalty after 44 minutes it was clear when we came out after half-time the welcome would be pretty loud and not too friendly. Crystal Palace wanted to strike back, so that was all clear. This is a wonderful place to play football - Jurgen Klopp

i was there too, fantastic scenes, loved cliff jackson!

And a wave to his mum - or at least that's what I was told at the time!