August 1 2002

Simon Rodger

We pay tribute to Simon Rodger - one of the club's longest-serving and commited players...

Jolly's loyalty and commitment to our club should be recognised, especially as it is so rare in football these days. A player who has given more than 10 years of his footballing life, often as capatain, to Crystal Palace FC.

In his ten-year spell, countless players, managers, even chairman have come and gone, yet he has brought to the club some kind of stability.

On the pitch, his high work rate has been a superb example of professionalism. His un-sung, gritty performances in the midfield engine room have given Palace lots of wins and draws over the years. The vital interceptions, the tracking back which puts off strikers and the precise passing goes completely un-noticed to many people.

He isn't a prima donna who moans in the papers each week, he just gets on with his job, like when the players were not getting paid. He has never been one of the club's high earners and missed out on lucrative signing on fees due to his stay at the club.

He may not have set the world alight during his career, but and his wretched injury problems have had a bad effect and it is probably why he hasn't moved to bigger things.

A reason why his career has been blighted with injury is because of his commited style of play as he is one of the few players who never bottles a challenge.

In his 10-year reign he has played in the Premiership and the high-flying glory days in Division One.

Lots of players come and go and few give a damn about the club like the fans do. Simon Rodger is one of those who I feel does care for the club and supporters and purely for his loyalty alone he has my utmost respect. This is why the Holmesdale Online has sponsored him for the past two seasons.

Simon Rodger, we salute you!