My most painful memory as a Palace fan was our relegation in 1993 after supposedly being safe , and with a massive 49 points. I remember my growing fear as Oldham won their remaining games in hand, and I remember listening to that final day on the BBC World Service, and hearing that Oldham had beaten Southampton, while we lost to Arsenal. I’ll never forget the presenter’s words “Saints did Palace proud”. Southampton to their credit played their hearts out in a game where they were already safe.

Why am I posting this depressing memory? Probably because in my heart of hearts I’m fearful of more pain this season, and hoping that this time around we don’t leave our destiny in the hands of the likes of a Southampton!

Play off final against Leicester, first time at Wembley and crying at the final whistle. I was only 8!!

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Claridge shinning it in.

Two bad memories that oddly mirror eachother. Firstly Palace had a spell in the old 3rd division under Malcom Allison. Palace 'won' the division three years on the trot, but on the first two season they tailed off badly after leading the division by 10+ points. Went down to Bournemouth, not a particularly difficult fixture, but were stuffed 4-0. The ball came into the crowd and we held onto it for ages, trying to stop the game for a while.
Following season exactly the same. Well out in front of the division, then a game at Gillingham, an even easier game than going to Bournemouth. Again completely mashed 4-0.
At times like this I was terribly gutted. What was Palace to do to get out of that dead man's league?
The following season went to Gillingham with a few supporters and Palace won 1-0, an own goal settled it. That was the luck Palace needed. Promotion, Samson and the team of the 80's came along. The best of feelings. Just goes to show where there is total despair there is also elation. Like Marriappa says today, do not get too excited with a win, nor too low in defeat.

Cup final replay, we were the form team from the fist game and couldn't reproduce that form for the replay, they also kicked the living sh!t out of us and accused of doing precisely that to them, bribed the ref and got in an on loan keeper.

Play offs, been there and done 'em, cup finals rarely come around for us.

Being relegated by Charlton in 2005 although in general it kills me when we sell our best players