This is for the older ones amongst us.

I was wondering what memories any of you have of our first season in the top flight of English football in 1969-1970?

Since then, although it may not always seem like it, we have been a fairly successful club. 13 seasons in the top division, an FA Cup Final etc.

However, prior to our promotion from Div.3 to Div.2 in 1964, the start of our ascendancy, we had spent most of our history grubbing around in Div 3, Div 4 and the old Div 3 South. We were an unfashionable side that was largely indistinguishable from all those other league clubs around the country who had spent most of their existence in the lower divisions.

Consequently, to the followers of the club, at that time, it was almost surreal to find our ourselves in the top division. I can remember looking with something verging on incredulity at the opening day fixture list for 1969/1970. Crystal Palace v Manchester United. Surely only a dream!

How we survived that first season was something of a miracle. It was an almighty struggle. We really didn't have a first division line-up of players. We only won 6 games, but a tally 15 draws was enough, just, to keep us up and send down Sunderland and Sheff Wed.

So, what do you recall from that initial season in the old First Division?

I remember the Man U game pretty well...I was 12 years old !

We then had another home game in midweek and beat Sunderland comfortably enough by 2-0.

That season was about enduring some real pastings - losing to Arsenal and Chelsea by 1-5 at Selhurst Park - and any wins were by the narrowest of margins.

Overriding memories are of Jack's goalkeeping heroics ( in just about every game ) and John McCormick's dogged defending.

Old, Ungifted and White

My first ever game was the home game against Leeds in October 69 when John Sewelll's long range punt embarrassed Gary Sprake, somehow finding its way into the net to make it 1-1. I've been a fan ever since.

First post, long time follower of the Palace.

My memories as a 13 year old of that season was our first game against Man Utd. There were red and white scarves wherever you turned in and around Thornton Heath that morning. I arrived at the ground mid-day to find Man Utd fans breaking down the corrugated entry gate at the Whitehorse end (no Sainsbury’s at that time). It was a long wait in the hot August sun for the game to start and the ground was full to the rafters by kick off at 3 pm. I went home happy with a 2-2 start to the season. Unfortunately, darker days were ahead that season.

Yes, I went with a mate to the Whitehorse end, can't remember why as we always went to the Holmesdale and still do.

Seemed to be surrounded by Moan Utd fans so probably made the wrong decision, but at least we were at the end where we scored our 2 goals.

Attached is a photo of Jacko saving a shot from Best, with Law and craggy Scot Johnny Mac close by. Big Mac signed it a few years ago but (as he said) only if Law hadn't scored from the rebound (which he didn't).

A second mail follows about our game v Man City which we won and stayed up.

Attachment: CP v Man Utd 69-70.jpg (834.62Kb)

Zaha, Williams, Murray, Ambrose, Scannell.

A 5-man forward line who scored 3 goals in 10 minutes on 27th September 2011 at .......................

Wollongongeagle....yes Beulah was my first school.. Was that a guess or do we know each other? Funny how us ex Brits still follow this football club from a far. I have promised myself a trip back if we make the playoffs this year. I also remember the Man Utd fans walking across to the Holmesdale before game. For some reason that game and the last game of the previous season when we beat Fulham to go up stick in my memory. Running on the pitch after the final whistle and watching the players throw their kit from the stand was magical.