Hi all

As a Palace season ticket holder I would like to take this opportunity to promote this forthcoming exciting fixture for a couple of reasons.

Merstham is my local community club and I know many people involved with the club whom work very hard to not only run it, but have brought the club on in recent years. Most recently reaching the 1st round proper of the FA cup and playing Oxford Utd. This was a live televised match last season and a brought a huge sense of pride to what is essentially a small village football club. Unfortunately the result did not go Merstham's way which was not unexpected.

[Link]

Merstham are due to play the mighty Eagles on Tuesday evening 8th August in a pre-season under 23 friendly. Tickets are on the gate at £5 on the night and under 16s free.

[Link]

[Link]

The other reason I am using this opportunity to raise interest in this fixture, is because of my other passion. That is my local boozer called the Limes. The Limes pub is located adjacent the ground and was designated away pub for the Oxford Utd game. A great thanks was received from the Oxford Utd Chairman after the game for the warm welcome there supporters received.

The Limes pub however, is currently battling the owners whom are trying to sell it to property developers. So far, planning permissions have been rejected twice, but we think they are going to appeal against the last rejection. We are using all opportunity to raise the pubs awareness as a community asset.

[Link]

As a part of this on going battle, the pub is keen to continue using events such as these to hi-light the value of the pub in the local community. A pile of Palace fans in the pub on the evening would be a great photo opportunity and tool to continue with this battle.

Please make an effort to spread the word and get down for the game on the evening. It's easy to get to and Merstham train station is only a ten minute walk from the ground. There is also plenty of parking options for those driving.

Finally and just to clear something up which appears to cause some confusion. It's pronounced Merstham with a "T" and not Mersheeerrm.

Also I have been unreliably informed by some of those involved with Merstham FC ;_) that we may also see some Senior Palace squad players getting a 20-30 minute pre-season run out. Wouldn't that be great.

I believe that a process exists to register pubs as community assets. CAMRA should be able to point you in right direction.

Good luck.

Older members on HOL might recall our former player 'Gareth Graham' who was heralded as a real prospect when he played for our youth team in the 90s but alas a broken leg hampered his progression and Noades signed him for Brentford.

Gareth once played for Merstham - I believe after coaching at 'Croydon Athletic' he is now coaching at Chipstead.

Only been to Merstham FC once and that was quite a while back to watch an U18s game.

Good evening all

Just a reminder of this fixture tomorrow night. I have had a call this evening from a very reliable source at Merstham Foootball club, that Palace will in fact be playing an almost full strength team. Amazing, don't miss it. £5 on the gate. Stick your head in The Limes pub if you get in earlier enough and ask for Nick.

Thanks