For those palace fans old enough to remember 1999, the word administration prompts a sickly feeling deep in their stomachs.
It was a helpless feeling knowing that the fate of the club we hold so dear to our hearts was perilously close to existing no more.
Alas ten years on and we find ourselves in the same situation as the club announces that yet again it cannot afford to pay its staff and looks doomed to financial ruin, administration and now more worryingly, a swift drop down the leagues.
Simon Jordan however cannot be blamed for this as much as many may wish to. He has done his best in a worsening financial climate until this point where he is close to the presaphis on the verge of bankruptcy having lost his entire fortune supporting Palace. He has personally guaranteed a large proportion of the debts rumoured to be as high as £30 million that has accrued over the years but he no longer has the liquid funds to support those payments.
As fans,although we are not yet in administration, we need to call on the spirit of 1999 and do as much as possible to help in our own little way. Whether it's renewing that season ticket that you weren't sure you were going to renew or simply buying a replica shirt like me, we need to stick together and stand up to be counted.
The manager has led the rallying call and has shown that he and the players will do their bit after the 3-0 victory against Watford: "But it's not like that - Simon's doing his best. Obviously the cash flow is a problem. But we've got another home game next Saturday, and you've got to accept in the modern day that these things happen.
"Rather than let it affect you, we've got to be positive. We're doing ever so well at the moment. We've got a small squad, we've got a lot of players out on loan to help with the financial aspect as well, and the fans have been brilliant.
"I would expect the chairman to support me if I were in a situation like that, and likewise I said to the players 'he's been great with us, so let's help him'."
"We haven't got prima donnas. They're all hard working lads and the team ethic is fabulous.
"I am in a positive mood because I want to help the chairman - he's been brilliant over the years and I know he's been disappointed that he's not been able to give me some of the millions he's give other managers, but it hasn't stopped me from working as hard as I can for the club and for him."
"He's a very astute businessman and a very good friend. I'm aware of the problems he's had with the [economic] climate. But he's still put many millions into Crystal Palace to keep it going, and I think we owe him a lot.
"The least we owe him is to roll up our sleeves and try to get the results that will help him over this period."
Those of us present at the Watford game can see how much fight the lads had so let's show how much we love this club and fill the ground on saturday because if we can't in this hour of need then we don't deserve to have a club.
I think i'd speak for many that we'd rather go out fighting, with 20,000 kicking and screaming than with 12,000 whinging fans bemoaning SJ's stewardship and whispering the club to sleep. We can't save the club alone; only a new investor could do that but we can show that we are a club worth saving.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Protest successful
The planned protest against aggressive stewarding in lower Holmesdale seems to have achieved some positive results in terms of club-supporter relations.
Word from protest organisers have reported that as a result of their action positive action has been taken by the club.
1) A number of bans picked up by supporters at the Boro game were overturned after a review of the CCTV.
2) Block V of the Arthur Waite has been reopened and the Arthur Waite massive were in great voice yesterday.
3)The Police co-ordinator from the Middlesbrough will not take charge of a game at Selhurst Park again.
4) Discussions have begun between the club and supporters and club for ways to improve take the club forward together.
5)A meeting between the club and Police has been arranged by the club in early December to discuss the events.
6)The head steward has been removed from his post in front of block B of the Lower Holmesdale.
So it looks like all those who took part have made great strides in making the club and Police listen to us the fans.
Lets hope this cooling of relations can continue into the future.
Here's hoping!
Word from protest organisers have reported that as a result of their action positive action has been taken by the club.
1) A number of bans picked up by supporters at the Boro game were overturned after a review of the CCTV.
2) Block V of the Arthur Waite has been reopened and the Arthur Waite massive were in great voice yesterday.
3)The Police co-ordinator from the Middlesbrough will not take charge of a game at Selhurst Park again.
4) Discussions have begun between the club and supporters and club for ways to improve take the club forward together.
5)A meeting between the club and Police has been arranged by the club in early December to discuss the events.
6)The head steward has been removed from his post in front of block B of the Lower Holmesdale.
So it looks like all those who took part have made great strides in making the club and Police listen to us the fans.
Lets hope this cooling of relations can continue into the future.
Here's hoping!
Palace 3-0 Watford- Sensational!
The title says it all really; what a game.
Warnock's pre-game promise of attacking play, goals and Victor Moses from the start all came to fruition with a cherry on top.
The gaffer switched to a 4-4-2 with a front two of Moses and Lee (something I've wanted for a while) for his 100th game as Eagle's boss. Moses and Lee had alot more than a modicum of understanding i thought they would need which resulted in a mouthwatering blend of physical power and technical ability, showcased perfectly by the opening goals.
Lee won everything in the air and victor was reading the flick-on's as if they had played together for years, and once he got the ball he was a menace for the Watford defence and was the difference between the sides.
Darren Ambrose sealed an emphatic victory with his sixth in six games; the first Eagle since the great Ian wright in 1988 to do so.
Watford for their part didn't impress me at all and didn't show why they were one of the form teams going into this weekend. Admittedly had Julian Speroni not once more re-enforced our belief that he is one of the best exponents of his trade in the division if not the country by saving Danny Graham's weak penalty.If Maradonna continues to ignore him they are missing a golden opportunity.
The atmosphere was extremely rocking and there was some good terrace banter for those of you who saw the group of guys wearing the blue bobble hats trying and failing to leave the game early.
Warnock's pre-game promise of attacking play, goals and Victor Moses from the start all came to fruition with a cherry on top.
The gaffer switched to a 4-4-2 with a front two of Moses and Lee (something I've wanted for a while) for his 100th game as Eagle's boss. Moses and Lee had alot more than a modicum of understanding i thought they would need which resulted in a mouthwatering blend of physical power and technical ability, showcased perfectly by the opening goals.
Lee won everything in the air and victor was reading the flick-on's as if they had played together for years, and once he got the ball he was a menace for the Watford defence and was the difference between the sides.
Darren Ambrose sealed an emphatic victory with his sixth in six games; the first Eagle since the great Ian wright in 1988 to do so.
Watford for their part didn't impress me at all and didn't show why they were one of the form teams going into this weekend. Admittedly had Julian Speroni not once more re-enforced our belief that he is one of the best exponents of his trade in the division if not the country by saving Danny Graham's weak penalty.If Maradonna continues to ignore him they are missing a golden opportunity.
The atmosphere was extremely rocking and there was some good terrace banter for those of you who saw the group of guys wearing the blue bobble hats trying and failing to leave the game early.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Some good news for tomorrow's game
I will be making my first trip to Selhurst in a while for Watford and was originally expecting a cagey game and to win a bucket full of money betting on a 1-1 draw.
Now though Neil Warnock announces that he is going for an attacking team tomorrow with Moses set for a recall to the starting line eleven.
"We are concentrating on ourselves and trying to get some more goals from other areas other than just relying on Darren."
"Victor has looked sharp in training in the past couple of weeks and I don't think he is far away from a starting role," said the Palace boss.
"Freddie badly needs a goal but it's becoming a matter of just how long you can give him. It might be time to give someone else an opportunity."
I believe a Moses-Lee front line could work very effectively in a 4-4-2 if the pair can strike up even a modicum of understanding. They provide a good blend of flair and Warnockness that i think we had with AJ and Shippers; a partnership that was so successful.
A more attacking stance is an intriguing proposition and should hopefully end our run of draws and produce a more entertaining game.
so I think I will be reverting to my usual betting system instead of putting 50p on a on a Palace defeat just to be safe.
Now though Neil Warnock announces that he is going for an attacking team tomorrow with Moses set for a recall to the starting line eleven.
"We are concentrating on ourselves and trying to get some more goals from other areas other than just relying on Darren."
"Victor has looked sharp in training in the past couple of weeks and I don't think he is far away from a starting role," said the Palace boss.
"Freddie badly needs a goal but it's becoming a matter of just how long you can give him. It might be time to give someone else an opportunity."
I believe a Moses-Lee front line could work very effectively in a 4-4-2 if the pair can strike up even a modicum of understanding. They provide a good blend of flair and Warnockness that i think we had with AJ and Shippers; a partnership that was so successful.
A more attacking stance is an intriguing proposition and should hopefully end our run of draws and produce a more entertaining game.
so I think I will be reverting to my usual betting system instead of putting 50p on a on a Palace defeat just to be safe.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Palace v Watford- A Hornets perspective
Watford fan Joe Whitbread gives his verdict on the season so far and looks ahead to Saturday's game.
Watford are currently exceeding everyone’s expectations and are sitting a very pretty eighth in the league, a position that would be very welcome at the end of the season.
Our squad is a blend of high wage earners that we can’t shift, loans, deadwood and average players playing beyond their ability. Defensively we have been a bit terrible so far, mainly due to Manchester United loan signing Craig Cathcart (Carthorse as he is affectionately known) and Lloyd Doyley who is something of a legend around the club having played 234 games and scoring no goals. Doyley is a bit useless but we love his clumsy workmanlike style of football, probably because it provides us fans with some amusement.
We’ve had to shift a lot of players over the past couple of years, notably Marlon King (remember him guys?), Darius Henderson, Tommy Smith and Tamas Priskin. Like you, we are in a bit of a financial state but at least we have an ex chairman who happens to be a global superstar singer and will be hosting a concert next year to raise some much needed cash.
We have a highly rated goalkeeper in Scott Loach who is prone to the odd error and might be off to Tottenham in January. The players to watch out for are Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury who are on loan from Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. Cleverley is destined for bigger things and many Watford fans reckon he could be pushing for a spot in Manchester United first team next year. These two make our midfield tick and are a real handful with their movement and passing, a lot of opposition teams have struggled to cope this term.
Up front we have Danny Graham who ended his goal drought on Saturday and a familiar face in Heidar Helguson who joined us on loan from QPR till January. Helguson originally signed for the club in 1999 and left in 2005 but has rejoined as a last hurrah. Despite being fairly old and injury prone, he is still a real threat in the air and could cause some problems. A modern Watford legend.
I’m expecting a difficult game but with our away form being good and having a decent record at Selhurst over the past few meetings I’m confident we can nick a win. Good luck for the game and for the season.
Oh, and cheers for McAnuff, he was a pile of shit.
Watford are currently exceeding everyone’s expectations and are sitting a very pretty eighth in the league, a position that would be very welcome at the end of the season.
Our squad is a blend of high wage earners that we can’t shift, loans, deadwood and average players playing beyond their ability. Defensively we have been a bit terrible so far, mainly due to Manchester United loan signing Craig Cathcart (Carthorse as he is affectionately known) and Lloyd Doyley who is something of a legend around the club having played 234 games and scoring no goals. Doyley is a bit useless but we love his clumsy workmanlike style of football, probably because it provides us fans with some amusement.
We’ve had to shift a lot of players over the past couple of years, notably Marlon King (remember him guys?), Darius Henderson, Tommy Smith and Tamas Priskin. Like you, we are in a bit of a financial state but at least we have an ex chairman who happens to be a global superstar singer and will be hosting a concert next year to raise some much needed cash.
We have a highly rated goalkeeper in Scott Loach who is prone to the odd error and might be off to Tottenham in January. The players to watch out for are Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury who are on loan from Manchester United and Arsenal respectively. Cleverley is destined for bigger things and many Watford fans reckon he could be pushing for a spot in Manchester United first team next year. These two make our midfield tick and are a real handful with their movement and passing, a lot of opposition teams have struggled to cope this term.
Up front we have Danny Graham who ended his goal drought on Saturday and a familiar face in Heidar Helguson who joined us on loan from QPR till January. Helguson originally signed for the club in 1999 and left in 2005 but has rejoined as a last hurrah. Despite being fairly old and injury prone, he is still a real threat in the air and could cause some problems. A modern Watford legend.
I’m expecting a difficult game but with our away form being good and having a decent record at Selhurst over the past few meetings I’m confident we can nick a win. Good luck for the game and for the season.
Oh, and cheers for McAnuff, he was a pile of shit.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Coventry 1-1 Palace
I wouldn't want to know what the odds are for Darren Ambrose to score after thirty or so minutes and Palace to draw 1-1 but they must be getting slimmer by the week.
The inform playmaker was once again in top form as we came away from the Ricoh with yet another good away point. We seem to be very hard to beat and this result leaves us beaten just once in eleven games which under the circumstances is excellent. It's a shame we could not hold onto the three points but we were on the back-foot throughout the second half and it was a powerful header by Irish forward Leon Best.
He was probably the stand-out player in a game which was hampered by torrential rain and blustery gales, making flowing, passing moves few and far between.The draw was a fair result and Neil Warnock will be further buoyed by the return to action of Calvin Andrew after a long lay-off. The youngster came on for a late cameo and nearly scored with his first touch of the game. I for one am looking forward to the impact this yet unproven player can make to our goal-shy side in the coming months.
Another bright note will be the return to the bench of Paddy McCarthy. We will need him over the tough Christmas period if we are to have the necessary defensive cover unlike last year when his injury de-railed our season.
The inform playmaker was once again in top form as we came away from the Ricoh with yet another good away point. We seem to be very hard to beat and this result leaves us beaten just once in eleven games which under the circumstances is excellent. It's a shame we could not hold onto the three points but we were on the back-foot throughout the second half and it was a powerful header by Irish forward Leon Best.
He was probably the stand-out player in a game which was hampered by torrential rain and blustery gales, making flowing, passing moves few and far between.The draw was a fair result and Neil Warnock will be further buoyed by the return to action of Calvin Andrew after a long lay-off. The youngster came on for a late cameo and nearly scored with his first touch of the game. I for one am looking forward to the impact this yet unproven player can make to our goal-shy side in the coming months.
Another bright note will be the return to the bench of Paddy McCarthy. We will need him over the tough Christmas period if we are to have the necessary defensive cover unlike last year when his injury de-railed our season.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Cadogan out on loan
Precocious talent Keiron cadogan has gone out on a month long loan to League 2 side Burton Albion. This is exciting news for all of us as we will get to see just how good this boy is going up against big burly League 2 centre-backs.
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