On first paragraph i'll make one comment and that is NO its hasn't driven all the racist bigots out but its a hugely improved, hence the greater diversity of people seen at football matches (better since we became a world wide club to be honest). '' world wide club '' ? what difference has that made exactly in terms of who shows up to watch your games ? I guess more Corporates / Tourists ?? Would explain the ( lack of ) atmosphere...

The difference this makes is that the club is more diverse in terms of its supporters. This clearly has had a positive impact in terms of behaviour amongst the majority of fans (although still can be improved)

In terms of Abramovich investment I cant see how your argument holds true in terms of creating a mini league. All he has done is put US in that league. So is there one or not ?? You seem confused yourself.
Not confused. It was stated Abramovich created a mini league. I said this isn't true as there has been one for years!!!! All Abramovich did was put us in it!!

Prior to his arrival football was dominated for years by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. You have to go back pre-70's to find a wider range of winners. Wrong. Villa, Leeds, Blackburn....

You need to check your history. I stated wider range of winners. The clubs you stated won the trophy once or maybe twice max BUT the vast majority of winners were from the 'big' clubs. Prior to Abramovich 23 of the 30 championships were won by either Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal. Now if that's not a mini league of 3 I don't know what is!!

After that the 'big' clubs dominated.
On the contrary I would argue that Abramovich has been fantastic for the premier league and Palace should be grateful for his investment, as should English football as a whole.
A main reason that the premier league is such a fantastic product world wide, which generates huge amounts of TV money, is that it is so competitive!! Its competitive because the big clubs have invested millions in bringing and nurturing talent and developing their business in the world market! Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United are world wide products that attract huge support wherever they go. 83 000 watched us play in Sydney. This in turn means TV money is massive from international TV companies! This TV money is distributed throughout the Premier League teams, hence the lowest team in the premier league is in the top 40 richest clubs in Europe. Palace is benefitting directly from the success of the big clubs (unlike Spain where Barcelona and Real Madrid pocket their own TV deals). They can spend significantly more money on players and their academy due directly to the success and benevolence of the big clubs.
In actually makes me laugh a little when I hear other supporters complain about the investments made by the big clubs. The main reason their club is doing so well financially and hence on the pitch is due to the money they receive from the 'premier league product'. That product would be significantly diminished without the Abramovich's of this world. All he has done is to drive prices up !! And those that can't afford to match his money - 95% of football - can't compete. To quote Jose Mourinho '' the contenders will always be the same, the same teams who have

economically the potential to buy the best players ....get it ??

You are kidding?? Drive prices up?? What prices?? Palace pocket over 100 million in the new tv deal. A TV deal built on the back of the Premier Leagues success. Why is it so successful? Because of the massive investment that people like Abramovich has put in. This has meant clubs investing more in their own product ie stadiums, players, academies. Palaces brand is now 30th, I believe, in Europe in terms of its worth!!!
With this new wealth you can now buy top quality players.
In terms of competing! Yes only a few may win the league (as always) BUT the league itself is very competitive (hence its attraction). This happens due to the equal distribution of money.

Edited by NEILLO (09 Jun 2015 5.00pm)

Edited by NEILLO (09 Jun 2015 5.01pm)

Christ on a bike, are you still here?

The world and his wife knew you needed a creative midfielder and a striker. It was so bloody obvious you couldn't break teams who sat deep down (look at your loss against us at Selhurst Park). Having said that, Mourinho is obviously a fantastic manager and deserves his plaudits and the league is a better one for having him.

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

[Link]

There is a hell of a lot more stories.

He is a dodgy man that gained through the proceeds of crime

PALACE TILL I DIE!!!

PS Div!!