The current Crystal Palace Football Club was formed as late as 1905 - a bit late in the day for most clubs to form a professional organisation - by a company whom controlled Crystal Palace (building).
At the time the Football Association wasn't happy with the idea of club football being played at Crystal Palace which was then host to FA Cup finals until the completion of Wembley Stadium in 1923; therefore a seperate company was formed in its place but continued to play on the old Cup final ground.
Over the years the Eagles have played at four different grounds; Crystal Palace (1905-1915) which as stated above was the former venue of the FA Cup Final before moving to Herne Hill (1915-1918) for three year. The club then moved to The Nest (1918-1924) before in 1924 moved to Selhurst Park - their present home.
Club Guide
Team: Crystal Palace |
Stadium and Pitch: 7/10
Selhurst Park is a difficult ground to get to and hit a lot of traffic as you enter Corydon; however the ground itself its up to scratch but is fairly decent compared to other grounds in the County.
Away fans are placed in a side stand with the Homesdale End (double tier) to the left with a one tiered stand to your right and in front of you. The Arthur Wait stand which held the visitors was decent enough with half of the stand with wooden seating and the rest plastic; thankfully I was in the latter!
I'm not sure if I would visit this ground again but I have added an extra mark in the score as Crystal Palace; I believe serve up the best pies; with Watford and Rotherham United joint runners-up.
As mentioned in a previous review, trips to London clubs aren't high on my agenda due to the time it takes to travel and the distance it takes too, but that is down to where you live isn't it. However I know a few Blades fans who are regular attendees to away fixtures predominantly refused to visit Crystal Palace this time round.
I myself, like West Ham United would be hard pushed to visit this ground again and although not as bad as other fans rated it I don't think it warranted the £30.00 entrance fee.
Programme: 5/10
The Palace programme was very plain and disappointing, it offered nothing to the imagination whilst no glossy cover let it down. The visitors section was very simple and un imaginative.
Performance and Result: 7/10
Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United: The Blades travelled to Selhurst Park in the search of their first away win of the season whilst the Eagles had yet to win at home all season. The first half in this encounter wasn't the greatest and came as no surprise as the game tolled in at 0-0 at half-time.
After the break United improved and three minutes into the restart the Blades took the lead when Mark Hudson turned into his own net following a Keith Gillespie corner. Tom Soares (60) and Carl Fletcher (70) put the home side ahead before James Beattie (76) latched onto a loose ball to chip over keeper Julian Speroni.
This looked to be another 2-2 draw but referee Kevin Friend awarded Palace a penalty when Chris Morgan was judged to have fouled Fletcher; Ben Watson (89) stepped up and dispatched.
Atmosphere: 7/10
The atmosphere inside Selhurst Park was moderately okay but far better than other grounds visited. Although they may have wacky chants the Eagles fans did get behind their team as did the 1,000 travelling Blades fans.
Overall: 26/40
:: Previous Visits to Selhurst Park ::
- 22.09.2007 - Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United