Sorry eic. I don't buy that. Madden was on the bench many times watching the Barbers and Pardews of this world playing the full 90 mins. I'm convinced it was personal.

I am sure if Coppell had bought him on in the final for the last 15 minutes we would have won. I understand it was a personal with him and Madden

Sorry mate..Whilst Steve was here I did get to speak with him on many occasions and was lucky enough to know him pretty well.

He would often talk about all things Palace and was a lovely fella and very loyal to both the players and the club...as it was here that he was given his first chance of football management...so much so that he never ever asked for a contract and told me that he never needed one,he was happy.

Of course he wouldn't divulge any significant details regarding certain players,he would at time generalise about the playing staff.On one occasion I was speaking about the fact that Dave Madden wasn't able to fulfill the potential he clearly had because of his injury,leaving him stuck on the bench at times.
At his previous clubs Southampton,Bournemouth,Arsenal,Charlton and Reading he only played a handful of games apart from a good few at Charlton,I believe it was.

We are all aware of the rumours but I can assure you that Steve had no comment about those,and why should he? However,he had a very high regard for David and was sorry that he missed out..appearance wise for us.

But he had serious reasons why he didn't play more games for us and Steve told me the reasons for this but I really can't go into more details.Steve chose not to elaborate on his reasons and it would be totally out of order for me to do so.

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

That's fair enough eagle in cornwall, totally respect that. Talked to Coppell a few times myself and always will hold him in the highest esteem.

I had a long chat with Madden myself once down at the training ground. It was about February 1990 - the FA Cup Final year - and chatting about why he wasn't in the team and he said, quite genuinely i felt at the time, that he hadn't a clue. Maybe he was bullsh*tting me.

Anyway, at the end of our conversation he kind of shrugged his shoulders and with a mischievous grin said: 'Maybe i shagged Coppell's wife or something....'
I took that as confirmation that the rumours were not true.

I personally felt at the time - and still did until i read your intriging post cornwall - that it was a purely footballing decision. Coppell had a certain way of playing and expected his players to adhere to the letter, which is why the likes of Barber and Pardew played constantly.

I think Madden was too much of a maverick in a midfield position where taking risks could be so costly. For example, i can imagine those amazing times he used to dribble his way out of trouble from deep within our box used to drive Sir Steve up the wall.

'Better stop dreaming of the quiet life 'cos it's the one we'll never know'

Not quite as easy for a Yes/No answer...but he didn't leave him out for 'footballing reasons' as such!
I can assure you of that!