I went to my first ever Palace game in September 1980. I'd been building upto the moment for a while; Durout the 79-80 season I walked past the ground sometimes and there'd be 40,000 in there for some games and it sounded like the place was rocking. I couldn't wait to start going and getting into following the team in person.

The big day arrived, and it was against Ipswich Town at home. When I look back now at that season, starting with that game, the residual feeling is one of turning up just after the party had finished. That game set the tone for the season; I stood on a Whitehorse Lane terrace that was not the massive structure I'd heard roaring the season before, but one that consisted of about 10 steps because they'd started building the Sainsburys behind it. It pissed down with rain and we lost 2-1. Thus started a season of abject misery where we got more often tonked than not.

And so started my Palace supporting career...

Edited by fubar (25 Aug 2010 10.09pm)

too far gone.. aint no way back

this post was sponsored by fubar.com

1969/70, Palace v Stoke. They had the great Gordon Banks in those days and, as a budding goalkeeper, he was the hero I wanted to see, as much as the Palace players.

Sadly he was injured so I didnt get to see him that day, but we won 3-2, so probably just as well! Still have the programme somewhere!

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!

My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.

(Member of the School of Optimism 1969-2016 inclusive)

August 1 1970 - pre-season friendly Palace 4 St Mirren 0.

Now I don't have to tell you good folks what's been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I'm leaving.

Mine was New Years Day 2008

Palace 1 Norwich 1

Was fantastic!!!

Kept all my stuff from the match but lost it in my luggage 'in transit' on the way home!

Had planned to get it all framed up as a momento.

Useless muppets!

A member of this site alaneagle1 kindly sent the the match programme but I've been unable to get an actual ticket from the match.

If anyone does still have a ticket from that match (however unlikely) please PM me.

Cheers!

Sigh.....

the 1978/79 season against Blackburn at SP oct/nov, in the Div 1 chmapinship year, I was 12 and my old man took me as I had the bug already from lads in school as the word was going around about this team TV was building, he parked his van somewhere up The Bridgestock road and as we missed the kickoff could hear that roar from the ground something I'll never forget til my dying day, I think the team consisted of Burridge/Cannon Gilbert Doris and Kenny with Kember Chatterton Vince and Jerry Murphy with Walshie and Swindle up front I think Smillie was the sub, I think Simon Garner played for them and we won 2 or 3 to one. I was hooked from then on, would be great to find the full match stats of the day.

Edited by Bin Liner (26 Aug 2010 1.24pm)

Portillo's teeth removed to boost pound

Boy roasts himself in sacrifice to Chris Kelly

I can't remember who we played in the first game i saw although I know we were wearing the old claret shirts with blue sleeves.My dad took me up to Selhurst when I was around 5yrs old,although I wasn't school age so might have been 4.There was a guy call McDonald at right back who was my mates Uncle,think he went to Gravesend and I think Briggs was our captain.
Although I do recall Laurie Scott took over as our manager,some time later.Use to go every week but was too young to remember the opposition.My Dad never had to pay for me as the the guy would lift me over and when we got down to the terracing behind the goal at the Whitehorse end he would pass me down and they would give me a place at the front so that I could see.
I loved it!!

........................Then along came Johnny Byrne! and the rest, as they say, is history.....................