January 18 2004

Watford action

In his long history as a Palace supporter, Jamesey had never been present for a Palace victory at Vicarage Road. He still hasn't

There it lies, still forlornly pinned to my kitchen bulletin board. "Visiting Supporters. Nationwide Div 1. Sat 17 Jan 2004. Vic Road Away Fans. Row K Seat 103."

I bought the ticket a while back, not realising that a hospital summons would intervene. I was discharged on Thursday afternoon (Jan 15) and, to be honest, did not feel up to traipsing northward on a bitter winter's day.

(And many thanks for the goodwill messages from HOL members. They were deeply appreciated.)

And so it was, that instead of being there, I was glued to my radio at home , tuned in to BBC Radio Sport FM.

After the miserable bore draw at home to Burnley last week (Jan 10) we were all hoping for something a little more exciting. And did we get it?

I am sure Dr Pumphrey of St George's Tooting Cardiology Dept would have been horrified at my antics after each of the five Palace goals went in. "I did tell you to take it easy for a while, old boy," I hear him say reproachfully.

Such a cheerful result reminded me to take a glance at the booklet for season tickets 2004/05 that arrived recently. Incidentally a senior steward told me that all season ticket seats are included in the official attendance figures at Selhurst whether the relevant bum was on the seat or not.

According to Simon Jordan's introduction, we have about 11,000 season ticket holders, so this may explain why the "gates" sometimes seem at odds with the evidence of ones own eyes.

As an old-school supporter, it still seems strange to be thinking about next season in January. But there is no doubt that it pays handsomely to buy in advance. And even if you don't have the ready cash you can pay by instalments.

Admittedly, as a concessionary, my terms are far more advantageous than the overwhelming majority of HOL members out there. To buy my 04/05 season ticket in the Players Lounge area of the Main Stand before end-February is £225. The full price after June would be £495 (£305 concs).

This seems extraordinarily good value, particularly if we are playing in the Premiership (only joking, honest!).

Email Jamesey with any of your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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