In partnership with
Crystal Palace head Northwest to Liverpool where they will take on The People Club, Everton, Saturday, August 22, 9a CST.
The Eagles start the season with hopes for a higher table finish, a European League spot and a new manager. It’s been a great couple of seasons for Palace with cups and European greatness, yet Palace will start out as underdogs at Hill-Dickinson stadium.
2024/25 Finish - 15th Place
UEFA Conference League Winners - Qualified for Europa League
47 - Over/Under projected points.
A medium sized South London club, Palace is entering their 14th straight season in the PL, and in each of those seasons have finished between 10th and 15th with as few as 41 points and as many as 53. In many ways, that consistency is impressive. Another viewpoint might be that they are too conservative - satisfied at avoiding relegation and not overspending. Either way, it’s consistent.
Palace won their first ever cup in their 119-year history, the FA Cup two seasons ago. That qualified them for Europe, and what did they do with it, they won the UEFA Conference League which now qualified them for the Europa League this season.
Don’t let the 15th place finish in the table fool you, Palace played for the parallel leagues and competitions, and it paid off. Not only did they win the UEFA CL, but they also won the FA Community Shield by beating Liverpool. 2 Cups for a club that had not won one until the season before.
Was an interesting approach to the season last year as Palace was playing in Europe but didn’t really go buy the players they needed to have the depth to contend in the EPL. There was some frustration with manager Oliver Glazner that became obvious and even though he led the club to 2 cups, left in the offseason. Fans are frustrated as he is headed to fellow EPL club Nottingham Forest. Enter Pierre Sage. Palace are going to need to bring in players, starters and depth, to be able to handle the full schedule.
This is a proud, working class, South London fan base who has had two of their best seasons in the last 120 years. They have the pieces but will need more to challenge for Europe again.
The Club
Located in South London (Croydon)
Selhurst Park, 25,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$265M Annual Revenue (11th PL)
$100 Player Payroll
History on the Pitch
Highest finish, 3rd in 1991
1 FA Cup in 2025, 2 Runners-Up
1 Europe Cups in 2026
Ownership
In the 2000s the club had financial issues and 4 wealthy fans created CPFC 2010 and took control of the club, they each owned 25% and bought the stadium. Steve Parish became Chairman. In 2015, 2 American investors were added buying 18% of the club each, for $65M. One of those is Josh Harris, the new owner of the Washington Commanders. In 2021, another American investor John Textor bought a 40% stake, increasing that to 45% in 2023 however he is now looking to sell his share and is interested in buying Everton. Parish remains the Chairman.
Fans are concerned, as questions surround the partnerships commitment and focus to Palace. Do the owners get along, agree with the decisions making? It is rumored that some of the owners are looking at other English soccer clubs.
Josh Harris
Sponsorship
Home Kit
Away Kit
Biggest Rival - Brighton & Hove Albion
Unofficial A23 Derby
A surprising rival, as the clubs are 40 miles apart but connected via Interstate A23.
The rivalry dates back to the 1970s when both clubs were fighting for promotion out of Level 3. They both ended up getting promoted, and the animosity continued in Level 2.
In 145 Matches played Palace has 52W 51L 42D.
Palace also have rivalries with South London clubs Millwall and Charlton Athletic but have not played either in league competition since 2015.
The Culture
The Holmesdale Fanatics - Founded in 2005, HF started with a small fanbase in section B of Selhurst Park. The group was frustrated with the lack of tradition, and stadium seating rules, as well as with how the club was being run. They became known across the UK and their membership skyrocketed.
Palace is a London Club whose fanbase is primarily regional to the South Boroughs. Many consider it the most “fanatic” club in England. A combination of chants, flags, banners, and organization of the supporters brings great atmosphere to the club.
The Crystal’s
Palace is the only club to have “NFL” style cheerleaders. In similar style to the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, the group performs before each home match as well as half time. They are active in the community and charity events. Holmesdale has more on the Crystal Girls.
The Crystal’s
Word Association
South London, Blue Collar, Fanatics, The Crystal’s, Eagles, Selhurst Park, Steve Parish, USA Ownership, Wilfried Zaha legacy, Eagles, Play-off specialists, Consistency, Rebecca Lowe.
Hard Knocks?
Amazon Prime Video followed Palace during their 2012-2013 season, which concluded with the club's promotion to the PL. The series has 5 episodes.
Supporters You May Recognize
Liam Neeson
Bill Lyman - Rolling Stones Bassist
Katy B
Rebecca Lowe (PL Mornings)
Song
In 1968 the Dave Clark Five performed Glad All Over at Selhurst Park and the song became tied to the club.
Game Day Pub Guide
Fan Sites
Official X
@CPFC
High Follows on X
@holmesdaleUSA (12k)
@holmesdale (14k)
@ultrascpfc (22k)
@WingingItCPFC (15k)
The Team
The Gaffer
Pierre Sage (France), 47yo
Managed in Ligue 1 in France with Lyon and Lens starting in 2023.
Before Lyon, he spent much of his managing in the youth leagues, as a technical director and assistant manager.
Untested, will be interesting to see how Pierre handles the EPL and Europe.
ODDS
To Win League +50,000
Top 4 +4000
To Be Relegated +550
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
Americans on the Roster
Chris Richards
Roster
Adam Wharton
Maxence Lacroix
Ismaila Sarr
Jorgen Strand Larsen
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Brennan Johnson
Yeremy Pino
Jaydee Canvot
Tyrick Mitchell
Daniel Munoz
Chadi Riad
Oscar Mingueza
Justin Devenny
Eddie Nketiah
Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson - Top 15 in PL.
Selhurst Park
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