November 8 2004

Matthew Wright

Mark Welfare put questions from HOL users to TV presenter, former Mirror showbiz columnist and Palace fan Matthew Wright.

How long have you supported Palace? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

27 years.

Did you grow up around Selhurst Park? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

I grew up in Croydon – Crystal Palace is the only team Croydonians should support!

How did you get into supporting Palace? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

I went to school at John Fisher in Purley and supporting Palace was really the only option unless you wanted aggro from the older kids! If Aldo Navarro reads this, he’ll know what I mean!

Do you remember your first ever Palace game? If so who was it against? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

The stand-out game the old memory serves up was the FA Cup semi-final against Sunderland. We lost but it was an amazing journey getting there.

Do you get to many league games during the season? Asked by: ‘Worzel Ron’ and ‘eagles #1’

I only saw a couple last year and I’m ashamed to say none this season – but I’m hoping that will change after Christmas when my weekends are freed up again from work commitments.

Do you enjoy being a Palace fan? Asked by: ‘palace guy’

I love it! I think football has really suffered because of the media’s fixation with a handful of clubs and players. You’ve got to stick to your roots because that’s where the passion lies. And without passion there’s no football.

Who is your all time favourite Crystal Palace player? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

That would have to be my brother – well, namesake actually – Ian Wright, one, because he was so gifted, though Arsenal got the best of him, and two, because I know him. He calls me brother whenever we bump into each other.

And both of us get called by each other’s first names which is hard to believe but true! I see him a couple of times a year, he’s such a good bloke, he really is, and he’s the sort who gives footballers a good name! He’s not bad on the telly, either. Bastard.

Who is your current favourite Crystal Palace player? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

Andrew Johnson, what a star! Or Neil Shipperley for the goal that took us up.

What is your favourite all-time Palace game? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

That would be Palace’s 4-3 win over Liverpool in 1990, the FA Cup semi-final, which came not long after the all time worst game when Palace lost to Liverpool 9-0.

We all have dreams of playing football for our teams; did you ever want to play for Palace? And were you any good? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

Never crossed my mind. Never fancied it and am woefully inadequate as a player.

What’s your record at keepy-ups? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

LET’S NOT EVEN GO THERE!

Where do you think Palace will finish the season? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

I’m a pragmatic supporter. I think without West Ham’s help we’d have struggled to get up to the Premier League at the end of last season.

That said even if we go down this season – and it’s early days still - the financial benefits from even one year up should mean a stronger side and a much better chance of climbing back up the Premier in the future.

If you could sign any player in world football, which would it be? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

The way he’s been playing this year? Wayne Rooney. There are so many foreign players out there but few contain as much potential.

Do you know of any other celebrity Palace fans? Asked by: ‘Sires’

Eddie Izzard! We were talking about it on Radio 2 the other day!

Do you think Crystal Palace should stay put at Selhurst Park, or move stadium? Asked by: ‘Tarquin’

What a nightmare question. In my heart I wish the club would stay at Selhurst park. In my head, I’m not so sure.

Have you ever made love to a girl when she's been wearing a Palace top and if so which one? Asked by: ‘Checkers’

Not yet! But now I’ve got something to do this weekend!

Finally a non-Palace related question.

Do you still do theatre reviews? Asked by: ‘SelhurstParkFlyer’

Ha! Only invisibly.

More celebrity Palace fans