July 1 2001

Crystal Palace

Every Palace fan has their own story about the time they saw the light and became an Eagles fan...

dazza_eagle

My family are from Croydon and all support Palace, so I never really had to 'choose' Palace, I just WAS Palace. I was actually brought up in north London, so being a Palace fan was unusual in my area.

Just about old enough to remember promotion in 1989 season and of course the cup run and final of 1990! We were the team of the time - 3rd in league, ZDS winners, Wright + Bright, Nige, Ninja, ahh the memories. PALACE 'TIL I DIE!!!!

Joey

Reading the other stories, I don't think I have much right to write why I became a Palace fan cause I haven't been born into it and I have never lived in South London or anywhere else in England, but I'll do it anyway.

As some of you already know I am from Holland, born in Enschede and always been a big fan of local football club FC Twente, who have always played in the Dutch Premier Division (except one season).

Anyway, in the 80's, the only English footie on TV here was the FA Cup final so I always watched that with great enthusiasm. I always tended to support the underdog in the final, I think I can remember Coventry playing Spurs and Wimbledon playing Liverpool and I wanted the smaller clubs to win.

Then in 1990, I was 15 years old, a football club I had never heard of before was going to take on the big Manchester United. That football club was Crystal Palace.

Everything about the club intrigued me, the name, the strip, the fans, the players. I chose Palace to be the team to cheer for in the final.

Unfortunately, they didn't win that final (and the replay) but the club made enough impression on me to follow them in the future. That wasn't easy cause there was not much English football on TV in Holland at that time.

I had to follow them through BBC Ceefax (when we got BBC on cable) and later on Match of the Day, only when Palace were in the Premier League. It was hard getting any info on the club but I always found myself looking for the result on BBC Ceefax on Saturdays.

Now there's the Internet and I am able to keep up with what's going on at the club much easier. The bad situation the club is in now has made my feelings stronger and also my trip to London last summer, visiting Selhurst Park and going to the Millwall friendly at the Den have made me love the club more.

Through the net I have also met a lot of Palace fans and I can follow (most of) the games through live commentary.

I am planning to go to London at the start of next season to attend a League game at Selhurst Park (not Wimbledon of course). Hope to meet some of you then...

AussieEagle

Unlike the rest of you I wasn't born into being a Palace fan. I was born in Canberra (Australia) and moved to Croydon when I was seven in about 1992. Before I moved, I couldn't give a damn about footie. Once there, I straight away went for Palace.

My friend actually lived next door to Nigel Martyn. Those were the days when the Holmesdale was terraced. Another great experience was being ballboy against Spurs and even got to go into the changing rooms.

Anyway, now I'm back in Australia and get jack all info on Palace except on the net. All the soccer coverage is given to Man Utd. Mainly because that's the only team anyone supports.

I'll be back there soon even though you have bad weather. Ah it's so warm here. I hope Sagi Burton gets hit by a bus!

Palace_Guard

Seems like all our dads support Chelsea well mine does. When I was young and I didn't know anything, I supported Chelsea, but I soon came to my senses and supported the mighty Eagles about two seasons before we got promted to the Premier.

This is because my mum lived in South Norwoodand went to some Palace games. My aunty was a Palace cheerleader aswell. My only game was in 1998 at home against West Brom 1-1.

selhurst

My dad got me into Palace since I was young enough to understand which was about three/four. I first liked them when we were on tele against Middlesbrough in the Endsleigh League First Divison and we won 3-2 and that game I think confirmed automatic promotion.

Since then I have seen them play at Wembley, Villa Park etc. I saw them play at Wembley in the 1997 play-off final when we won 1-0.

I have never seen Palace lose when I have been up to see them and I seen them about 35 times. My first game was against Oxford and we won 2-1. I am 12 now.

Delroy

I've been Palace since 1989 when I was seven. My two brothers both support Sunderland and they have the cheek to give me stick!!!

Justin_Credible

I'm 16 now and my first game was at Villa Park against Liverpool, in the FA Cup semi final and I've loved the club ever since.