One of the more common questions Crystal Palace fans face – when it comes to discussing the Eagles’ biggest rivals, and given the two teams’ relative lack of proximity – is, of course: [**“Why Brighton?”**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/crystal-palace-brighton-hove-albion-the-rivalry-explained/)

But whilst the fixture is often jovially referred to as ‘the A23 derby’ or ‘M23 derby’, it is one whose tradition extends far beyond just the hour’s drive separating Selhurst Park and the Amex Stadium.

Palace against Brighton has, in fact, reached the other side of the world – thanks to a recent charity match-up between the two teams’ respective Sydney Supporters’ Clubs.

Taking place on a Saturday afternoon in mid-February – but still in temperatures likely much higher than those in SE25 today – the game came about following a conversation between Lewis Dew, who co-runs the Palace group, and his friends.

Lewis was, in fact, South London born and raised – “a Bromley boy through and through,” he describes himself – and started supporting Palace as a four-year-old thanks to his Grandad. 

At the age of 10, Lewis became a Season Ticket Holder, and attended Selhurst weekly right up until he moved to Australia in 2018.

“I wanted a bit of a change,” Lewis recalls. “I first came here in 2010 and loved it, but I just didn’t get the chance to move out here. 

"But then I met my now wife, and she wanted to come to Australia to travel and study, so we said: ‘we’ll just see what happens.’ It’ll be seven years in July!

“We try to go back to England every year or 18 months to see our family, and we’ve got a baby on the way as well in August, so we’ll be taking them back for Christmas to meet the family – and to go to Selhurst Park as well!”

Lewis makes a sliding tackle in the game

Lewis recalls fondly his own many years of sitting in the Arthur Wait – his first match being a Palace win over Sheffield United, and his personal highlight 2014's 'Crystanbul', which he says "among loads of good memories, will always stand out."

It was a passion which followed Lewis to the other side of the world: “When I first moved out here in 2018, my wife came across [**the Sydney Supporters’ Club on Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/cpfcsydneysupporters/). It was started in 2010 by a guy called Jordan.

“At first, I just went to watch a few games with them. Kick-offs are terrible times here – they can be anything between midnight to 4.30am in the morning. The Fulham game in the FA Cup was 11.15pm – so not too bad, we can cope with those!

“We try to do at least five or six meet-ups a season to watch games, and once a year, we’ll get people together from all different states and all meet up.

“It gives you that bit of home. Obviously it’s my own choice to move over here, but you do get homesick, so it’s good to bump into people. One of the guys in the group grew up literally around the corner from me, but I never knew him from back home! We talk about our times at Selhurst, away days... that sort of thing.

“We’ve got quite a good little community. Nationwide there could be a few hundred of us – most of us are from Bromley, Croydon, those sorts of areas. Sydney’s probably got most of us. About 40 or 50 of us here have a WhatsApp group, and we chat daily. 

"You wake up in the morning and, if you haven’t watched a Palace game, there’ll be hundreds of messages about it!”

What, then, led to Palace taking on Brighton in Sydney? “It apparently used to happen before I moved here,” Lewis, who now co-runs the group, explains.

“We used to play them yearly, but the last one was about eight years ago, and then it just sort of dropped off.

“From what I’d been told, we’d never beaten them – so a few of us got the idea to reignite that flame, see if we could start a match-up again, and make it a yearly thing.

“A friend called Seany made contact with one of the Brighton guys in their Sydney fan club, and we got some players together. I organised getting the players together, and a pitch and linesmen. Seany organised a barbecue and beers afterwards. And my friend Jimmy was making things for social media and promoting it.

“On the day, it was roasting hot – 27 or 28 degrees. We played on AstroTurf, so your feet were cooking! There was no shade at all. We had 20 players in our team – roll on, roll off subs, literally rolling off for some of us! – and a lot of people turned up to watch.

“We were 2-0 up by half-time – we battered them first-half, possession-wise. They put on a few youngsters in the second-half, and our old boys were struggling, so they pulled one back to make it 2-1. But we managed to win 4-1!

“After the game, we all showered up, went for a few drinks and had something to eat – Seany's dad did a barbecue for everyone. It was a good day out, really.”

The team's mascot, Sydney Sloth

And for a fantastic cause, as Lewis explains: “We covered our costs and everything that was left over, which was around $1,000, we put towards a men’s mental health charity out here called [**Mr Perfect**](http://mrperfect.org.au/).

“I personally struggled myself with mental health about a year ago. Men’s mental health doesn’t get ignored, but we don’t really talk about our feelings too much. It’s good to put the charity out there because they do a lot for men, so it’s good to give something back.”

So having enjoyed their own win over Brighton, will Lewis and Palace’s Sydney Supporters’ Club be watching from afar today?: “It’s a 1am kick-off for us!” he laughs. “We normally try and do meet-ups for Brighton games if we can, but 1am is hard...

“But it’d be nice if we can get a 4-1 win – and keep our tradition going!”

**You can find out more about [the Sydney Supporters’ Club on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/cpfcsydneysupporters/).**

**You can also find out more about, and donate to, [Mr Perfect by clicking here](http://mrperfect.org.au/).**

**Got a Selhurst story to tell? Let us know by emailing [selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk) !**

Ahead of Saturday's match-up between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park, we spoke to Lewis Dew who – along with Crystal Palace’s Sydney Supporters’ Club – recently took our traditional rivalry down under, and all for a fantastic cause...

Sydney Supporters Clubs take Palace-Brighton rivalry down under

Crystal Palace v Brighton and Hove Albion (2025-04-05)

It all started for Daphne Weston on Boxing Day, 1957.

Having spent much of her childhood in Sri Lanka with her father, who worked for the Department of Trade, a family return to South London coincided with a first-ever invitation to Selhurst Park, when Palace hosted Brentford.

Nine-year-old Daphne’s response?: “It’s a bit cold, isn’t it?”

But give it a go she did, and she confesses that, immediately, she knew she was “absolutely hooked.” The habit of a lifetime had begun to form.

That first taste paved the way for Daphne to begin attending regularly with school friends, but her father’s work would transport her to New York City for eight years, where she admitted: “I was quite brave. I used to go out at about midnight in Manhattan to go and get the *New York Times* – I wanted to see whether the Palace had won!”

After an additional two years travelling and discovering the world for herself – “I was in Australia in 1976 when we played Southampton in the semi-final of the FA Cup and knew I’d have to come home if we beat them!” – the lure of Palace remained.

When a then-30-year-old Daphne returned to London in December 1976, she had lost track of the friends she used to attend matches with, so she went into the club shop and simply asked: ‘Have you got any jobs?’

She recalls: “They said: ‘You can be a programme seller.’ The rest is history – I’ve never stopped!”

A commemorative article in a January 2017 programme suggests Daphne’s first match as a seller to have been on 15th January 1977, a 2-1 win for Palace over Grimsby Town in Division Three, on a day when the programme was a mere 15p.

The first issue of the programme sold by Daphne Weston

An ambiguity in the record books makes it unclear whether that was precisely Daphne’s first game selling, but either way, nearing the milestone of 50 years doing so, she has no shortage of Selhurst memories to share.

She recalls: “In those days, I was working in the Old Stand inside, and we had to sell until half-time. If you were doing a three o’clock game, the last stragglers would come in at 10 past three, so you could perhaps stand up with a steward and watch the game until quarter-to-four. Then, we had to come down and bag our own money – a pain in the neck!

“It was just a joy to be a part of it, really. And where you sat, you got to know the people that you were sitting around – they were always pleased to see you – and you got to know the steward. It wasn’t quite so packed, so there was always a seat.

“It’s slightly different now – we actually get a ticket! Once our money’s been taken, we go and find our seats, and we can watch the game. People still come up now and say ‘hello’ when they see me because they’re still coming to matches, so I know quite a lot of regular Selhurst people. Everyone knows me as ‘Daffers’ around here!

“I meet a lot of people and I’ve always felt I’m part of the matchday experience, to be honest. Some people will come up to me and say ‘what’s the score going to be today?’ 

"Others will just say ‘hi’ – they might have got their programmes elsewhere, but they always make a point of saying ‘hello.’”

Alongside her work as a programme seller, Daphne volunteers at Croydon University Hospital – where, prior to Christmas, she recalls she was just about to leave before she saw: “A few guys in shirts coming through – they’d been to the children’s ward. It was \[Joel\] Ward and \[Will\] Hughesy.

“I caught up with them and said: ‘excuse me, I just want to say thank you for all of the entertainment you’ve given us.’ You’ve got to say thank you – we’ve had loads of entertainment here, good and bad!”

It’s clear that the joy of being in and around not just her beloved football club, but the people who comprise it – fellow supporters, staff members and programme sellers alike – is what has kept Daphne coming back season after season after season.

Come rain or shine, her programme ‘pod’ can be found outside the stadium every game, usually halfway up Holmesdale Road – where her infectious enthusiasm for making people’s matchdays cannot be missed.

She smiles: “The buzz is amazing, the build-up along the Holmesdale as kick-off time gets closer is incredible, and the chat with both my regulars and one-off buyers is fantastic. 

“Before the recent Everton game, a bloke came over to me and said: ‘How long have you been doing this?’<br>
I said: ‘oh, 40-odd years.’ He said: ‘I thought so. I was this high when I first came to Selhurst, and you were selling them then!’

“And as for the matches? There’s always anticipation in bucketloads, and then the whole gamut of emotions that we Palace fans all experience! I wouldn’t be anywhere else on a matchday. It just gets in your system.

“It’s been a privilege to sell programmes at this special club; thank you to everyone for making so many memories with me over so many years. 

"When I turned up on that January day in 1977, did I think I’d still be contributing to the Selhurst scene, meeting so many people, being so proud to put on my ‘Crystal Palace FC’ lanyard, and getting out in the rain and cold to do my best, and make sure I wasn’t down on my takings? No way!

“100 years at Selhurst? I’ve done nearly half – and I’m proud of it!"

**Got a Selhurst story to tell? Let us know by emailing [selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk) !**

Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, whose stories stretch back a century – and if you've picked up a matchday programme at Crystal Palace, there’s a good chance you’ve already met the wonderful Daphne Weston, who has been selling them at Selhurst for some 48 years...

'Absolutely hooked': Programme seller Daphne's 48 years at Selhurst

It was one of those totally off-the-cuff moments.

I was born in Richmond. When I was a child, most of my uncles used to take me to Chelsea, but I was never quite a fan, and just liked being taken out for an ice cream! I actually left school at 15, and went on to work in the city for some international commercial insurance brokers.

My family moved to South Norwood in around 1959. My new friends told me I should either support Crystal Palace, or Croydon Amateurs – and as Palace’s ground was only 300 yards up the road, it was a no-brainer!

I met Doreen at the local youth club. At that time, she was working in Allders – in its day, the megastore of Croydon. She was Chinese Malaysian and had come to England to study a Nursing course, but gave it up and decided to stay and work in London. A friend had brought her to a dance at St. Chad’s Youth Club, just up the road from Selhurst Park.

When I found out Doreen lived in West Croydon, I offered to run her home. The rest, as they say, was history.

Doreen and I met in 1965 and got engaged in 1966. At the time, living on Holmesdale Road, I was regularly attending Palace matches. If I happened to be doing something else on a Saturday and missed a bit of a match, I could actually still get into the ground for free, because the top gate on the Holmesdale Road End was always opened at half-time! My friends and I used to stand on the Terrace, or walk round to Whitehorse Lane.

I used to buy what was a tiny little programme at that point and, in around November time, I was flicking through it and thought: “Oh, my 24th birthday is going to be on a Saturday – that’s very handy.” Doreen and I were already engaged, so I thought: “We’ll get married on my birthday – and then we’ll never forget our wedding anniversary!”

In those days, everybody seemed to get married on a Saturday, and the parish priest said: “It’ll have to be a 10 o’clock wedding, John, because I’ve got two others that day.” As a result, the church hall was already booked, so we decided to have the reception in the family house on Holmesdale Road.

The day came around and, by the time we’d already had our wedding breakfast, everybody was sort of standing around. With all our family and friends there, the place was a bit crowded, and we were wondering what else we could do, so I said: “well, why don’t we go to the football match? We’ll go as we are!”

I persuaded Doreen and the two bridesmaids (the blonde one in the photograph is my sister). Everyone thought it could be a fun idea – even one of my uncles and his son, who were Chelsea supporters! I phoned up and said there were about 17 or 18 of us who wanted to come to the match, and the club found a block for all of us. One of my aunts generously paid for the tickets – about 10 shillings each in those days.

It was just one of those quirks that in any other year, on a 4th February \[1967\], you could have had snow. Some of the guests lent Doreen and the bridesmaids fur coats – but it happened to be quite a nice, sunny day.

The Palace squad of 1966/67

I wasn’t thinking it would be anything at all – just something for us to remember, and which might amuse a few people in the stands. We didn’t anticipate there would be any press photographers there – so we were a bit stunned when we found out we’d appeared in two of the Sunday papers and the Croydon Advertiser!

All the fans around us cheered – they thought it was brilliant. It was just one of those silly off-the-cuff things you do, not thinking it’d be of any interest to people other than yourselves. But as we were trooping up Holmesdale Road with all the crowd, they were all giving us a cheer, which was great.

We were playing Plymouth Argyle, and I remember it wasn’t a particularly brilliant match – but we did at least win 2-1, which made the day!

These days, my three daughters and youngest grandson are all Palace fans too, and the photograph has always amused them.

Over the years, Doreen and I gradually moved further away from Croydon. We lived for many years in and around the Fleet area, but we still attended home matches and – until she passed away in December 2012 – we were Season Ticket Holders in the upper tier of the Holmesdale Road Stand, overlooking the goalmouth.

Nowadays, although I now live in Wiltshire, my youngest grandson Luca and I are Season Ticket Holders in the Arthur Wait, which is great. We usually get up to the ground early so we can have our fish and chips in Doneagles – that’s always been my grandson’s favourite treat – and as we sit in the front row, I quite regularly get high-fives with Alice and Pete the Eagle.

I love Oliver Glasner and his attacking style of play. It’s been really brilliant supporting Palace – there’s always something interesting happening – and we continue to support our local team to this day.

**Happy birthday from all of us at Crystal Palace, John!**

**Got a Selhurst story to tell? Let us know by emailing [selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk)!**

Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, whose anecdotes stretch back a century. Here – on Valentine’s Day – we hear from John Suter, the subject of one of the stadium’s most remarkable romantic stories...

'It was totally off-the-cuff': The wedding party that went to a Palace game

The fan-led group – comprised of both women and men – will be dedicated to further strengthening an inclusive and supportive environment for women within not only the club’s fanbase, but also the wider community. 

By promoting belonging, respect, and empowerment, the advisory group will strive to tackle sexism in football and amplify women’s voices.  

CPFC Supporters Group for Women will also aim to inspire female participation and enhance visibility, representation, and matchday experiences across the club. 

The club are proud to be facilitating the formation of the independent group, with **applications for seats on the group now open. These will close on Friday, 21st February; please see below for further information.**

#### **What is the Group?** 

The CPFC **Supporters Group for Women** is a fan-led group dedicated to further strengthening an inclusive and supportive environment for women within the Palace fanbase and beyond. 

The group will provide a space for female supporters to connect, share experiences, and work together to enhance our matchday atmosphere and drive positive change.  

The group will also advocate for improvements, address issues and ensure that all women, whether lifelong Palace fans or new to the football community, feel comfortable, valued, and empowered to support the club.  

Although the group itself will meet and operate independently, its mission has the full support of the club.

#### **How will the Group be comprised?**  

The club is committed to ensuring a broad range of the Palace fanbase is represented, and is therefore seeking supporter representatives from the following categories:  

- Seasonal Hospitality Guest; 


- Palace Men’s Season Ticket Holder; 


- Palace Women’s Season Ticket Holder;  


- Gold Member; 


- Adult Member; 


- International member; 


- A supporter that regularly travels to away matches.  

Supporters outside these categories are also encouraged to express their interest and share how they can contribute to the group. 

The group is not only open to women, but also allies who are passionate about advocating for women in football. 

Applications from supporters who fall into these categories will be reviewed on 21st February by the club’s internal Women’s Working Group.

#### **How big will the Group be?**  

The final group size will depend on the volume and variety of applications received, ensuring it meets the group’s needs whilst maintaining inclusivity.  

#### **How can I apply for a seat on the Supporters Group for Women?** 

If you would like to be involved and would be interested in being a member of the Supporters Group for Women, please [click here](https://marketing.cpfc.co.uk/t/cr/AQiP9gIQhMOLBxjCtK26BRu_4Sy1Qr0gfp6Tsc81mzkNHsEW4EFl7j92LLhw6QlB) or fill out the [**survey available here**](https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/10Y7-1J0L/crystal-palace-womens-supporter-group) to register your interest.

The deadline to apply for a seat is **21st February 2025.**

After this date has passed, applications will be reviewed, and members will be selected based on their passion, dedication, and ability to represent diverse perspectives. 

If you have any questions about the group, please contact [inclusion@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:inclusion@cpfc.co.uk) .

Crystal Palace are pleased to be assisting with the formation of an independent, dedicated CPFC Supporters Group for Women.

Fans to launch Crystal Palace Football Club Supporters Group for Women 

This season is a special one for both myself (Roger Dickson) and Chris Winter, as we celebrate 40 continuous years of commentating from Selhurst Park – and, in my case, also from many grounds around the country.

It was in August 1962, with Palace’s season-opening match against Halifax Town, when broadcasts began from Selhurst Park to hospital patients at Croydon’s Mayday Hospital, now named Croydon University Hospital.

At this time, they were known as “Croydon Hospital Broadcasts”, made by four commentators: Roy Preston, Roy Topp, Steve Stuart and John Henty.

Dickson pictured with Henty, Eddie McGoldrick, Topp and Winter in a half-time presentation to celebrate 50 years of Radio Mayday broadcasting from Selhurst Park in April 2013

From a few seats at the back of the Main Stand in 1962, then later in 1965 to a new hut on top of the Park Road terracing, and organised by Dick Graham, commentaries were sent via Post Office landlines to Croydon General, Queens Park and Mayday Hospitals.

With promotion in 1969 and the construction of the new Arthur Wait Stand, the then-Chairman himself provided a purpose-built commentary box situated in the back corner of the stand at the Whitehorse Lane end. 

Over the course of the following decade, Croydon Hospital Broadcasts became part of Radio Mayday, the seven-day-a-week broadcasting service at Mayday Hospital.

From 1984, Chris and I took over the running of the commentary service. Using high-quality ISDN lines, links were developed to other Hospital Radio Stations over the country, enabling patients to follow matches when Palace played away, and also for supporters of teams playing at Selhurst Park to receive the commentaries in their own local hospitals across England.

The service continued to grow and in the 1990s, with the support of Selhurst Park’s groundsman, Bill Harrison, blind and partially sighted supporters were invited to attend home matches. 

Technical staff from Radio Mayday installed receivers and headsets on 12 seats in front of the commentary box, which were kindly provided free of charge by the club. At this time, links were developed with Redhill School for the blind.

Through this service, Selhurst was also able to accommodate blind supporters from visiting teams, many of whom became regular visitors each season when their teams played away.

Dickson and Winter in the commentary box in the back corner of the Arthur Wait Stand

The arrival of Charlton Athletic as ground-sharers at Selhurst in September 1985 meant there was football coverage every week for hospital patients. 

Five years later, John Laughland and Graham Kendall took over as commentators for the home matches of another temporary resident of Selhurst Park, Wimbledon, and in the 90s and early 2000s, I organised a number of bucket collections before and after both Palace and Wimbledon matches in SE25 to help boost the Mayday funds.

Over the past 40 years, Chris and I have been joined on the microphone for short periods by Gary Stevens (from 1991-94); Terry Murrell (1995-97), who painstakingly painted the commentary box with red and blue stripes; and Chris Clark. More recently, Andy Bull has joined to become a regular third voice on the microphone.

In 1999, we both received a certificate from Club President Peter Morley to acknowledge 15 years of commentating (below). The 2012/13 season marked the 50th anniversary of match commentaries at Selhurst Park, with both John Henty and Roy Topp returning to the ground to join us on the pitch and receive an award from Eddie McGoldrick (pictured above).

Peter Morley presents Winter and Dickson with certificates for 15 years of match commentaries at Selhurst in September 1999

In 2016, Chris, Andy and I received the “Equality Award” presented by Steve Parish and in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was honoured to receive a “Disability Champion” award.

Sadly, in 2018, many hospital radio stations over the country closed down due lack of finances, coupled with the cost of bedside units increasing. This included the closure of Radio Mayday.

At a similar juncture, it was determined that the commentary box to that point would be demolished to make way for additional away supporters’ seats. We were instead provided with a new platform adjacent to the Press Box, from where our commentaries now continue via an internal loop, providing audio descriptive commentary for dour edicated blind, partially sighted and disabled supporters.

This season, we are delighted that the club have introduced the “GiveVision” headsets for our partially sighted fans, which have greatly enhanced their view of the games thus far.

Away from the microphones, over the years, Chris has written and illustrated three books on Palace: A Biased Commentary (1969-1990) and its sequel, which covers 1990-2011; as well as the Complete Biased Commentary (1969 – 2021).

As for myself, I have collected every home and away league and cup programme from the past 74 years, along with match reports, and I also own 85 percent of all home and away reserve programmes! My hope is to one day donate thes.e to the Palace Museum, planned for the new Main Stand development.

**Got a Selhurst story to tell? Let us know by emailing [selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk)!**

Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, whose stories stretch back a century. At this festive time of year, we hear from Roger Dickson (above, right) – an iconic voice of Selhurst Park whose association with the ground now stretches back four decades...

The story of Selhurst's Croydon Hospital Broadcasts

I became a Crystal Palace tragic on 23rd November, 2014. It’s an easy date to remember, trust me.

I was living in Western Sydney in Australia at the time and our Socceroos (our beloved national football team) had just participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup – the lowest FIFA-ranked country in attendance.

We didn’t win a game in our ‘Group of Death’ (Spain, Chile & Netherlands!), but that didn’t matter. We were in the World Cup – and it was awesome.

I remember watching Mile Jedinak taking a brilliant penalty against the Netherlands and hearing the commentator talking about how he captained a Premier League team, Crystal Palace. 

I went straight to Google, read about the Eagles’ amazing history, and waited patiently until the moment I could finally watch a game.

That moment came about on 23rd November, 2014, when Palace hosted Liverpool at Selhurst Park. What do you think the chances would have been that Mile Jedinak would score one of the greatest free-kicks in the history of the Premier League on that very night? Pretty good, as it turned out!

From that moment on, the mighty Crystal Palace was my team. 

I even travelled over 500 miles from Sydney to Melbourne to watch them take on Manchester United at the glorious Melbourne Cricket Ground in July 2022 – the same trip on which I proposed to my now wife, Morgan.

Fast forward to 2023, and my (soon-to-be) wife and I were not only planning our wedding, but also our honeymoon, of course.

We decided that London would be our first stop on our way through to Scotland and, as luck would have it, we found out we would be there at the same time Leicester City were visiting Selhurst Park on 1st April 2023.

I never thought I’d watch the Eagles at Selhurst, but Morgan decided that we should try and get there – we may never get another chance, after all! After becoming a Gold Member to make sure I could purchase tickets, at 10pm Sydney time, I managed to snag us some.

Morgan and I married on 25th March 2023, and three days later jumped on a plane to London to enjoy our honeymoon. April came around fast and Morgan and I – dressed in our Palace best – boarded a train at Liverpool Street Station and headed to SE25.

As the train started to fill with a sea of blue and red, it was hard to hide my excitement – even though we hadn’t won in 13 matches at that point! 

I didn’t care – we were almost there! We followed the crowd through the streets and then, like an oasis in the South London desert, there it was: Selhurst Park.

We found our seats, wide-eyed, and soaked in the atmosphere. The players ran onto the pitch and the singing started. It was absolutely incredible – there’s no sound like it in any football stadium in Australia.

The game kicked off – and Morgan and I were entranced.

This is where things get a little blurry for me, as the game was a whirlwind. I can’t confirm that I cursed him, but I hope wearing my Wilfried Zaha jersey had nothing to do with the groin injury which finished Wilf’s afternoon at half-time. I remember Morgan turning to me and saying: “We’re in trouble now, aren’t we?”

Leicester scored first, almost an hour in, and I thought that on potentially my only ever visit to Selhurst Park, I’d be seeing another loss.

Then, maybe three minutes later, Ebere Eze won a free-kick and took it – snagging us a goal back as it bounced off the woodwork, and then the ‘keeper, for a (technically) Daniel Iversen own goal. As if by magic, Morgan managed to snap a picture just as the ball crossed the line! We were back at 1-1 with 20 minutes to go.

Access All Over | Leicester (H)

Then, a moment I will never forget: Jean-Philippe Mateta’s winner in the 94th minute.

After getting subbed on less than 10 minutes earlier, Mateta controlled a brilliant ball from a rampaging Jordan Ayew and slotted it past Iversen, giving Palace our first win in 14 games.

Selhurst Park exploded with noise. We could feel the stand sway as the crowd jumped and chanted, Roy Hodgson was hailed in his first game back, and we got swept up in the moment. 

It was magic.

Here I was at Selhurst Park with my wife, on our honeymoon, watching Crystal Palace win in person – nearly a decade after I first fell in love with them from the other side of the world.

When we got back to our hotel in Central London, there was only one thing left to do: wear my brand new Selhurst jumper, and head out for a celebratory beer or five with my beautiful wife.

I hope someday I’ll be able to get back to Selhurst Park and watch the Eagles again, but will it ever be as special as the 1st April 2023, whilst on honeymoon?

It’ll be a hard act to follow, but we’re willing to take another 27-hour flight sometime soon to make sure!

**Got a Selhurst story to tell? Let us know by emailing [selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:selhurst100@cpfc.co.uk), and you could see your submission in the official matchday programme!**

Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, whose stories stretch back a century. Here, we hear from Australian supporter Matt Perriman – recently celebrating a decade as an Eagle – about a trip to the stadium that he and his wife Morgan will never forget...

Mile, marriage & Mateta: Matt's decade as an Eagle

Allow us to introduce you, however, to the Prockters, around 39 of whom will be in attendance when [Crystal Palace face Nantes](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/crystal-palace-nantes-tickets-selhurst-park-pre-season-friendly/) at Selhurst Park this Sunday.

With some four or five generations of their family journeying to South London from as far as the West Midlands, Somerset and Gloucestershire – among their number nurses, doctors, bankers and architects, to name but a few – theirs will be among an almighty noise emanating from the Holmesdale Road Stand.

That 39 Prockters will be in attendance would be a feat worthy of celebrating itself – but the family’s connection to Crystal Palace runs even deeper.

Some four generations ago, George Prockter Jnr. – born 1862 – moved from the family’s previous home in Brighton to South Norwood, eventually settling on Holmesdale Road around the turn of the 20th century. 

With Selhurst Park yet to be built at that stage – the stadium officially opened in 1924 – there began a long association between the Prockters and the Palace.

Among those in attendance on Sunday will be Colin Prockter whose father, Charles, was born on Holmesdale Road in 1905, and attended some of Selhurst Park's first matches.

After spending much of his early life living on roads around the ground, and after a short time away, in 1969, Colin himself would move into a flat on the corner of Holmesdale and Park Road – the same building where graffiti artist [Mr Cenz’s iconic, colourful mural](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/meet-the-palace-fan-behind-selhursts-eye-catching-new-mural/) now adorns the wall – with their kitchen window overlooking Selhurst Park.

Alas, it was not too long before the construction of the Arthur Wait Stand construction obstructed his spectacular view.

Sunday’s family reunion at Selhurst seems more than fitting.

“We’ve probably only done it two or three times,” Colin Prockter – a retired actor who starred across a myriad of British stage and screen productions – says of the family reunions.

“It my son, who ironically was born in Gloucestershire, but has been a Palace supporter all his life, who said we ought to get the family together at a match. The only way we could do it really was to go to a friendly, because we don't have access to tickets that easily.

“It was his idea, and he Facebooked and contacted the family. I don't know what the current count is. I think it's gone up because others have joined – but there will be four of the five generations will be there!

“There are some of us coming from Gloucestershire, I think some from Oxfordshire, various people and in-laws… including my daughter's husband, whose father is a dyed in the wool Baggies supporter, so he says he’s going to hide!

“We’re not regular attenders so much, as I say, because we don't have many opportunities, but I've followed Palace all my life. I've been looking through old programmes, and the first one I've got is from 1957. 

"I started when I was 11 – so 67 years, I've been a Palace supporter.”

We all follow avidly – and we rejoice, and we mourn!

Although Sunday’s is not a competitive fixture, Palace’s match against Nantes marks a final opportunity for Oliver Glasner’s team to build on their recent performances and gear up towards their Premier League opener the following weekend.

As such, an entertaining game is expected – but which Prockter does Colin expect will be cheering loudest come Sunday afternoon? “I would say undoubtedly the Kent branch!” he laughs.

“My nephew Trevor, and his sons and his grandsons are probably the biggest supporters, because they're local and they can get to see matches. But we all follow avidly – and we rejoice, and we mourn!

“I suppose one of my favourite players was Don Rogers. I met him some years ago on the rubber chicken circuit, as we used to call it.

“I was an actor in my time, and at one time, I was in Coronation Street for quite a long stretch, so I did these sort of strange celebrity dinner things, and I met Don at one of them and became a pal for a certain length of time.

“I haven't seen him for years, but he was one of the players that I admired most, I think – and Johnny Byrne, right back at the beginning.”

As for the day itself, and with a glorious weather forecast expected for Sunday, will the Prockters be making the most of a somewhat rare – at least this year – summer’s day in South London?

“We’ll try to meet somewhere to have a picnic before we come to the ground,” Colin smiles. “That should be absolute mayhem – but great fun.

“If we’ve got time, I’ll walk around the ground with the family and show them where my father was born, and where it all started. Right up until 1980, I lived all around the ground.

“I would occasionally be sitting at home and see the floodlights go on, because in those days, every match was played at Selhurst Park, and I'd creep out and say, ‘oh, I'll go and see a junior match or go and see the reserves!’”

As for the day itself: “A couple of goals would be very nice!” he laughs.

“It'll be wonderful because we’re such a huge group. I'm one of five children and then, my parents' grandchildren… I think there's 16 of them… and then there's a generation after that… so it's a huge, huge family!

“It’ll be lovely to see those people that we don't see very often. But thanks to my son, Ali, who went round and organised all this. It'll be great.”

Let’s hope Palace can further smiles to the Prockter family faces come the full-time whistle.

**Supporters can head down to see Glasner’s side in their final pre-season fixture this Sunday (11th August, 15:00 BST) from as little as £5, with [tickets NOW ON SALE here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/423?position=&utm_source=PALACEFC&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=webstory_nantestickets_040724).**

When thinking up a venue for a family reunion, a few ideas likely spring straight to mind: maybe a village hall, a park for a nice picnic, or even somebody’s back garden in which to fire up the barbecue and celebrate in sunshine.

Meet the Prockters: 39-strong family set for Selhurst Park reunion

Organizado por Paramount+, el titular de los derechos de la Premier League en México y Centroamérica, el [**Premier League Fan Tour**](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.lapremierenparamount.com/) reunirá a los fanáticos de México para celebrar el espectáculo del fútbol inglés de primer nivel.

Tras la popularidad del Águila Challenger en la [**Premier League Stateside Live**](https://www-cpfc-co-uk.translate.goog/news/club/pictures-crystal-palace-premier-league-mornings-live/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp) a principios de este año, Palace, en colaboración con el centro de conservación fundado en 1996, estará representado por un águila real llamada Maya.

Los seguidores que asistan al evento podrán tomarse una fotografía junto a Maya y su cuidador, mientras aprenden más sobre el ave rapaz y el centro que la cuida.

El evento Paramount+ Fan Tour se llevará a cabo en el Parque Rufino Tamayo en Monterrey, la segunda ciudad más grande de México, entre las 09:00 y las 16:00 hora local CST del sábado (21 de octubre).

Los fanáticos que asistan pueden disfrutar de desafíos futbolísticos, camiones de comida, zonas para fanáticos, oportunidades para tomar fotografías, obsequios y premios, y apariciones de leyendas de la Premier League.

También habrá proyecciones de los partidos en vivo del sábado, Chelsea contra Arsenal (10:30 hora local) y Sheffield United contra Manchester United (13:00 hora local), y repeticiones completas de los partidos, incluido el viaje de Crystal Palace a Newcastle United.

**El evento es gratuito, pero requiere entrada, por lo que [los seguidores deberán hacer clic aquí para registrarse con anticipación](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.lapremierenparamount.com/) , ya que los espacios son limitados.**

Registrar aquí

Regístrese para saber más de Crystal Palace

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Si vives en <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Monterrey?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Monterrey</a> esto te interesa 😎<br><br>El crack colombiano, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JeffersonLerma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JeffersonLerma</a> y la banda del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrystalPalace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrystalPalace</a> te invitan a una carnita asada este fin de semana 🥩.<br><br>Regístrate en <a href="https://t.co/nTWv0OGJBY">https://t.co/nTWv0OGJBY</a> y vive la experiencia del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FanTour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FanTour</a> este 21 de octubre ¡Totalmente gratis 😌! <a href="https://t.co/vwoBYMDm96">pic.twitter.com/vwoBYMDm96</a></p>&mdash; Paramount+ México (@ParamountPlusMX) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParamountPlusMX/status/1714808590580793635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

**El Centro de Reproducción y Conservación Ernesto Gamiz Brito, una organización** sin fines de lucro, se dedica a la conservación y protección de aves rapaces desde 1996, además de educar al público a través de su contenido popular en [**TikTok**](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.tiktok.com/@raptorbehavior?lang%3Den) (1,4 millones de seguidores), [**Instagram**](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.instagram.com/raptor_behavior/) (395k ), [**Facebook**](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.facebook.com/RaptorBehavior/) (324k) y [**YouTube**](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=en&tl=es&hl=en&client=webapp&u=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWtnAPjxK7_ZMHdGfRRqj-A) (171k) bajo el nombre 'Raptor Behavior'.

Con sede en Aguascalientes, el Centro alberga aves que no pueden ser devueltas a su hábitat natural, dándoles refugio y una segunda oportunidad de vida, y transformándolas en embajadoras de su especie. Los ejemplares se ponen bajo la supervisión y cuidado de expertos, médicos y veterinarios.

Su programa de concienciación medioambiental, “Alas para la educación”, ha visitado a más de 1.000.000 de estudiantes durante la última década para enseñar a las generaciones futuras la importancia de cuidar y proteger toda la vida natural.

Las aves rapaces del Centro han aparecido en todo el mundo, incluidos Estados Unidos, Argentina, Portugal y Filipinas.

**¿Quieres saber más sobre el Palacio de Cristal? [Haga clic aquí](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/palace-tv/when-eagles-dare/) para ver nuestro documental, [When Eagles Dare](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/palace-tv/when-eagles-dare/).**

When Eagles Dare Part 1: Back from the Brink | Palace TV+

Crystal Palace estará representado por una nueva Águila – Maya, del Centro de Reproducción y Conservación Ernesto Gamiz Brito AC – en el Fan Tour de la Premier League de este sábado en Monterrey, México.

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