July 17 2008

Dougie Freedman

Ahead of Dougie Freedman's testimonial at the end of the month, we profile the highs and lows of the Crystal Palace star's career.

1974

Douglas Freedman born in Glasgow on May 25.

1992

Begins his footballing career as a trainee with QPR where he signs professional forms.

1994

After failing to make a first-team appearance for the West London side, Freedman is released and joins Third Division Barnet on a free transfer.

1995

September - Freedman scores 32 goals in 57 appearances in just over one season for the Bees. His scoring exploits earns him an £800,000 move to Crystal Palace.

Makes his Palace debut at Birmingham City on September 9.

November - Nets his first Palace hat-trick in the 3-2 triumph over Wolves.

1996

March - Scores an 11-minute hat-trick in the 5-0 home win over Grimsby - the fastest in Palace history.

May - Freedman grabs a brilliant 20 goals (from 42 games) in his first season with the Eagles and finishes as top scorer. Palace lose in the play-off final to Leicester City.

1997

May 10 - Freedman comes off the bench to score two goals in the last two minutes to put Palace in the driving seat in the play-off semi-final first leg 3-1 win at home to Wolves.

May - His 14 strikes during 1996-97 help Palace to the Premier League after beating Sheffield United in the play-off final. Freedman missed the showpiece at Wembley due to suspension.

October - The Scotsman makes just three starts and six sub appearances for Palace before joining Wolves, initially on loan, just two months into the new Premier League season for £800,000 plus Jamie. Smith.

1998

May - Freedman ends his first and only campaign at Molineux with 11 goals in 35 appearances.

August - He joins Premier League Nottingham Forest in a £950,000 move.

1999

May - Freedman finishes up with 12 goals for Forest from 36 games but they are relegated from the top flight.

2000

May - At the end of his second and final season with Forest, Freedman grabs 11 goals in 41 matches.

October - Freedman makes five appearances at the start of the new campaign for Forest before Eagles manager Alan Smith lures him back to Selhurst Park for £600,000.

2001

May 2 - Freedman scores two massive goals in a 4-2 win at Portsmouth in the Eagles' penultimate game of the season to give them a huge chance of escaping relegation to Division Two.

May 6 - He puts himself into Palace folklore by scoring an 87th minute winning goal against Stockport on the last day of the season which ensures the Eagles avoid relegation.

His tally for the season is 11 goals from 28 matches, but his final three were by far the most crucial.

October - Freedman scores on his international debut for Scotland in a 2-1 victory over Latvia.

2002

March - Wins his second and final Scotland cap in a 5-0 defeat by France.

May - A 21 goal return for Freedman at the end of 2001-02. Wins Palace's Player of the Year award and named in the PFA Division One Team of the Season.

July - Signs a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace.

2003

May - 11 goals in 34 appearances during the Championship campaign where the Eagles finish in midtable.

August - Scores his third Palace hat-trick in the opening day 3-2 win against Burnley.

2004

May - Hits 15 goals in 40 appearances helping Palace win promotion to the Premier League after victory over West Ham in the play-off final.

2005

July - Pens a two-year extension to his current contract.

May - Three goals in 23 apps during Palace's unsuccessful Premier League campaign as manager Iain Dowie uses just one striker in Andy Johnson.

November - Scores his 100th and 101st Crystal Palace goals with two strikes in the 3-2 away win over Brighton.

2006

Febuary - Makes his 300th appearance in a Palace shirt against Millwall.

May - Eight goals in 41 appearances for the season as Palace lose to Watford in the Championship play-off semi-final.

2007

May - Three goals in 37 apps as the Eagles end the campaign in midtable.

June - Rejects a £1million deal to play in Brunei in order to sign a new two-year contract with Palace.

November - Appointed part-time reserve team coach.

2008

March - Joins Leeds United on a two-moth loan with his six goals playing a major part in helping them reach the League One play-offs.

April - Wins League One's Player of the Month award.

May - Hardly featuring in the team, Freedman nets two goals for Palace over the season.

June - Granted a testimonial against Fulham on July 29 after spending 10 seasons over two spells with Palace.

* Dougie Freedman's testimonial match is against Fulham on Tuesday, July 29 at Selhurst Park. Ticket prices are £10 adults, £5 concessions and are on sale at the box office. Call 08712 00 00 71 or book online at www.cpfc.co.uk