April 16 2007

Selhurst Park

Mid-April and it was hotter than Hades for CPFC's date with Wolves, reports Jamesey.

After our last excellent home win against Preston North End, Eagles supporters turned up with hope in their hearts for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers which ended in a 2-2 draw.

And although we have nothing left to play for except a higher place in the CCC, the teams obliged us with a thoroughly entertaining match.

Admittedly the second half left plenty to be desired, but altogether we were treated to four cracking goals, a Wolves red card, a super disallowed goal from Shefki Kuqi, a collapsible keeper, Jan Budtz, and some enjoyable attacking fare, despite the heat.

Football aside there were two other aspects to the agenda on match-day that made this veteran supporter's eyes go a little misty.

I congratulate CPFC on their historical perspective and the respect and admiration with which the club's old servants are accorded.

Following many earlier such occasions, during half-time a reunion of 1960s players took place on the pitch. And what a worthy and laudable affair it was too, compared with a couple of blokes trying to boot balls into two baths.

I remembered and actually saw some of the players introduced in action - Peter Burridge (62-65) and Bobby Kellard (63-65), in particular. Some of the other names I remember, but never saw them perform, while a few of them, I shamefacedly confess, I had never even heard of.

And it was gratifying to see some of the youngsters surrounding me, giving players who they almost certainly had never heard of, such a warm reception.

The other lump-in-the-throat occurrence was the last issue of the fanzine, Palace Echo.

I was a contributor to the precursor of that journal, Eagle Eye, and still submitted the odd item when it metamorphosed into Palace Echo. I was also a rare contributor to another defunct organ, One More Point.

It was only the promises of wealth and fame, neither of which have ever materialised, from the boys behind this site, that lured me from the printed word to the electronic area.

As former editor of One More Point, Cris Lehman, pointed out in his "obit", the old fanzines were rough and ready, with amateurish graphic design and sometimes insoluble layouts. But they had a fantastic energy and enthusiasm which came from doing something new and challenging and, in fact, creating a new publishing genre.

This is not at all to criticise Palace Echo which was light years away from the prototype fanzines.

The last issue exemplified its professionalism and excellence which makes many of the news stand football magazines from the big publishing houses look third-rate. It carries superb interviews with Aki Riihilahti, Simon Jordan and many other interesting goodies too numerous to mention here.

Goodbye Palace Echo and thanks for all the hours of delightful Palace reading over the years.

Email Jamesey with your comments to Jevans3704@aol.com

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