May 8 2011

Dean Moxey

Selhurst was bathed in sunshine for Palace's staying-up celebrations. But Nottingham Forest somewhat soured the day, reports Jamesey.

Getting stuffed 0-3 at home is not a happy event (May 7) at the best of times although it didn't matter too much for the Eagles. The draw with Hull the previous week ensured second tier football next season.

On the other hand, Forest were out to ensure a play-off position and they certainly did that with some aplomb.

The sending-off of Dean Moxey for a dangerous foul on Marcus Tudgay in the first half did nothing to help the Palace cause. Although many of the 18,443 crowd made their feelings known about Mr Tudgay for the rest of the game, the incident occurred right in front of my own seat and it did look like a sending-off to me despite the Forest player making a king-size meal out of it.

It was gratifying to this veteran supporter to see two unexpected outbreaks of sporting behaviour. First, well done the Forest brigade who generously applauded our Academy kids' lap at half time. And, second, at full time, after the exit of Tudgay to a salvo of booing and jeering, the home fans gave a hearty ovation to the Forest team for getting to the play-offs in style.

As for the game itself, well. Most of the Palace players looked as though they were already mentally on holiday planes to Dubai and Florida. It was disappointing that they couldn't have given us at least a performance to be optimistic about for next season.

It was a great pleasure to see three of our greatest ever players on the field at half time - Terry Long, Jim Cannon and Geoff Thomas. Those three would never have rolled over so easily for a 0-3 bruising in their day and I would love to know what they thought about our display.

Terry and Jim accumulated well over 1,000 appearances between them in their respective eras, and those sort of figures will never be repeated. Since their day, the agents have taken over the game and players move clubs at the drop of a hat as long as the cash bells are ringing.

As for Geoff, one hardly needs to repeat his achieverments on the field and in the battle against cancer. His personal fight against the disease and efforts to raise funds to fight it are all well chronicled.

The seasons come and the seasons go and I always get a little nostalgic at the end of another one, so, as the game ended early doors, I decided to join the nest of HOL-ers who assemble in the White Horse pub afterwards.

Sadly, walking past one of my old stamping grounds, the Selhurst Arms, I observed that it was no more and the metal grilles were up. Another pub gone.

One must admit that the Selhurst was never going to be Evening Standard boozer of the year, but I had been partaking of the odd pint in there for many a year. It was also the venue of some of the first HOL meet-ups in the early and mid Noughties.

In the White Horse, despite the ear-shattering musical background, it was a genuine pleasure to meet and put faces to some HOL-ers in their lair.

Apologies for not mentioning everyone but it was particularly enjoyable to chat to AlanEagle and Slovenia Dave.

Despite a little tiff in the past Alan and I tend to agree on most matters Palacial and it was fascinating to hear Dave's views on Balkan politics and languages. Dave mentioned that he is now based in Macedonia so the legend on the back of his shirt is not strictly accurate.

The assembly is a regular event before home games, and if the smiles and welcome are anything like I received, I am sure any HOL-ers who want to talk football and Palace would be well received - and if you buy a round, extraordinarily well received.

See you next season...

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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