We’re not far away from Crystal Palace’s full first appearance in the Community Shield against Liverpool (Sunday, 10th August, 15:00 BST).
As is tradition, the FA Cup holders will meet the Premier League champions at Wembley for what is the unofficial curtain-raiser of the new English domestic football season – with Members and Season Ticket holders able to purchase up to three tickets per client reference number.
The Eagles may have qualified for the match for the first time – but it won’t actually be the first time an active Palace player has competed in the match.
Here’s the story.
The modern format of the Community Shield – then known as the Charity Shield – truly began in the 1930s with a regular slot in the calendar, played between the cup winners and league champions. From 1974, onwards it was also usually played at the national stadium of Wembley.
But there were some exceptions including, notably, in 1961. Tottenham were the dominant team of the time and had become only the third team win the league and cup double the year before.
In modern times, that would mean playing the league runners-up, but back then the games’ bosses had a better idea.
Tottenham would instead face something of an England all-star side – without the Spurs players of course – playing under the banner of the Football Association.
The one-off FA XI was born, managed by then England manager Walter Winterbottom.
In the side was a Palace player, one Johnny Byrne. Byrne was the only representative from the third tier.
The striker took would lead a stacked attack, alongside Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton and Fulham’s Johnny Haynes, who also captained the side.
You can see why he was included. The previous season, Byrne had netted 30 of Palace’s 110 goals as Arthur Rowe’s side won promotion from Division Four - a post-war record for the club that wasn’t matched until Glenn Murray in 20212/13.
‘Budgie’ was one of the hottest prospects outside the First Division at the time and was able to make his mark on the big stage.
The FA team also featured the likes of Jimmy Armfield, future England manager Bobby Robson and Wolves hero Ron Flowers – yet Byrne more than held his own.
Despite Tottenham being on their own stomping ground in the form of the old White Hart Lane, the FA XI raced into an early lead through Fulham star Haynes after just ten minutes.
Eventually, the Champions would show their class. Robert Smith equalised five minutes before the interval.
Then forward Les Allen hit a quickfire double to put Spurs firmly in control. Yet there was still time for Byrne to have his say.
Finding space in trademark style, the Palace forward slammed the ball home with ten minutes remaining to pull a goal back for the FA XI.
The game would finish 3-2 to Tottenham, who lifted the Shield, but Byrne had done himself and South London proud.
Although he would leave Palace the following year to join West Ham, Byrne returned to the Chairty Shield in 1964 after the Hammers won the FA Cup the previous season.
Once again he scored, and this time avoided defeat. Geoff Hurst was also on target as West Ham drew 2-2 against league champions Liverpool and shared the shield.
Hopefully another Palace player can follow in Byrne’s footsteps and score in the Shield match when the Eagles take on Liverpool under the Wembley Arch!
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
