Rather than moaning about the HF why don’t the armchair critics get together and create some atmosphere of their own - start another fan group. I love what the HF do and so do the players if you listen to their interviews. Most media remark on how passionate our support is too. Without the HF there wouldn’t be this atmosphere. What we have at Palace is something almost unique in English football. Scottish football on the other hand is miles ahead in atmosphere - look up Celtic or Rangers fans on YouTube.

Audentis fortuna iuvat (Virgil, 19BC)

Just feels to me that communication and realism on both sides have been lacking on this one.

At the end of the day, like them or loathe them, the HF have a massive impact on the atmosphere on match days and there isn't really any way you can deny that. Whilst I remember strong singing back in the 80's and some of the 90's, it had all but dried up until the HF really got it going again, although tbf in those quiet years we were playing some crap football and the ground was half empty most of the time. So whilst the HF shouldn't have the monopoly on it, truth is that they did kick start the atmosphere back into existence.

On the other hand, the HF do themselves no favours sometimes. The incidents where fellow fans have been unceremoniously booted out of their seats as they're not part of the HF who have claimed a section of the ground or the superior/entitled attitude they come across with sometimes winds people up. Could you argue they've earnt it, well that's something that will get flames spitting from people's mouths on both sides of the debate.

Football isn't the same as it was and no matter how much we don't like it, it's massively corporate-led and awash with dubious sources of income from individuals and organisations who want to control the narrative. So they want the pictures and video of Palace fans creating an atmosphere to encourage people to go, but it has to be on their terms and whilst we might get away with that banner against Newcastle, there's no way they would allow anything like that at Wembley.

So do I think the club could have been more in contact with the HF? Yeah, I think they could have made contact and had a chat, but should the HF expect to get whatever they want from the club and/or the powers that be? Nah, it don't work like that anymore and the HF in their eyes are just another marketing tool that the FA and the club can wheel out to the media when it suits. With that comes a disassociation which is why no one at the club probably wanted to deal with the HF and have to listen and likely say no to, what the HF would have demanded and had likely organised without contacting the club themselves. That's a lack of realism on the part of the club, that they just expected everything to slot together without communicating to what is a known group of fans that would likely want to do something.

At the end of the day, we will all (HF and non-HF) support and follow the club no matter what, but the days of fans calling the shots and controlling the narrative are a long time gone and expecting free reign on even something like a display at the semi-final just isn't realistic.

The trouble with computers, of course, is that they're very sophisticated idiots

The HF are probably viewed with caution by the club and the police as on the continent they have become much more embedded in society around many clubs and I am fairly sure over here the powers that be will be happy it hasn’t been catching on at any great rate.
I still believe the supporters are the most important part of a football club as without them it would be a declining product. Our HF obviously set out to be pretty full on and will obviously rub quite a section of our calmer support up the wrong way but I am thankful of their efforts and feel we have close to the best atmosphere in the league because of their drive.

Sadly your experience is far from rare. They act like they are dignified and respectful of others on social media. The reality is they are arrogant, believe themselves to be far more important than any other Palace fan and unfortunately (only when in a large gang) they attempt to throw their weight around and intimidate.
I will never forget a friend of mine who is in his 60s was standing alone during half time and 3 HF dressed in black (one of them with a pathetic face scarf and dark glasses tried to force him to move out of his seat and physically threatened him when he refused. When his two 6 foot sons in their early 30s returned with the coffees asking what was going on, they literally ran as fast as they could right over the other side of the stand and were not seen again that game. Cowards. I have told this account before so apologies for those who have heard it but anyone who thinks these spotty teens are 'great blokes' because they sing a bit you are deluded. They know they will never be big enough to do so but their dream is to take over and occupy the entire Holmesdale Lower. They'd love to force everyone else out. Shame for them that even in the Homesdale lower they are outnumbered by 'normal' fans nearly 10 to 1!

I go to most away games as well as being a season ticket holder at Selhurst. As has been said about the HF they generally do more good than harm, atmosphere wise without their enthusiasm and noise our vocal support would be pretty ordinary.O.K I've seen some of them that have had a few beers before matches and get mouthy but those on here that moan about them forget the times at the Old Den etc when they were similar.
They created the atmosphere at Wembley the flags were put there by the HF from donations from Palace fans,we didn't win the match but we won the support stakes by miles.
I wonder how many moaners will be at Newcastle thisevening.not many is my guess, but no doubt some if not all of the HF will be waving the flag and singing on your behalf. If they get pissed in Geordieland tonight good luck to them they deserve it.

I like them, on the whole...
You have to remember that most of them are kids. When I first started going to Palace as a 14 year old with loads of mates from school I'm sure we acted like dicks as well. It part of growing up.
The atmosphere they create is good and so are the banners, but yes some of them are dickheads.

Following Palace since 25 Feb 1978