September 3 2008

Steve Green

We are searching for Crystal Palace's Fan of the Year 2008.

This award will honour the supporter who demonstrates a high standard of dedication, passion and loyalty to Crystal Palace - voted by fellow fans.

They may travel hundreds of miles for each home game, may have had a red and blue themed wedding, named a child after Palace player, not missed a game in years, have a massive tattoo of the club crest... you get the idea!

Over the coming months, we will feature a mini interview with the Fan of the Week. Then at the end of the year, YOU have the chance to review the candidates and vote on our voting page who you think should be crowned Crystal Palace Fan of the Year 2008. The winning fan will get a specially-engraved trophy.

Simply copy and paste the questions below and email your answers with "Fan of Year" in the subject line to editor@holmesdale.net with a photo of yourself in Palace colours and we will publish the best ones each week.

The closing date for entries will be in December 2008 and voting will take place shorty after with the winner announced in January 2009 and presented with the trophy and honour of being crowned Fan of the Year.

Name?

Steve Green

Where do you live?

Newton Abbot, Devon

Which part of the ground do you sit?

Holmesdale Lower

How did you become a Palace fan?

Father supported them

Tell us about your first Palace game?

Was at home to Stoke in 1986. I wasn't into football at all, we won, I fell in love with CPFC and haven't looked back!!!

Your favourite player of all time?

Attillio Lombardo. Just because he is quite possibly the most talented and creative Player I have ever seen play live and that list of players I've seen live includes Ronaldinho.

Best goal you've seen?

Ian Wright's against Wimbledon I think. It was that lob! Great goal!

Favourite Palace memory?

It was after watching Palace 3 Man Utd 3 in the F.A Cup Final in 1990 and getting back to Selhurst and seeing the queue in the Sainsburys car park begin to form for the replay tickets. We were living in Bournemouth at the time and had to make a decision whether to go back home and get some sleeping bags or join the ever growing line and embrace the cold air.

We decided to stay and my sister and mum slept in the car while me and dad braced ourselves for the cold air. Some fellow Palace fans were kind enough to let us borrow some blankets and we bedded down for the night. That was until someone bought a football along and we all decided to have a game of football in the sainsburys carpark, it must have been 50 a side, it was unbelievable!

The chippy at the ground stayed open and served us all tea and food. It was quite possibly a togetherness I haven't witnessed before and will probably not witness again!! Great times!!!

Best Palace kit?

Either the sash home kit of 1982 or the Adidas home kit of 98. It was the stripped one.

Why do you think you should be voted Fan of the Year?

I've sacrificed alot for Palace over the years. From being the butt of jokes at school for 8 years (9-0 loss at liverpool in 89) to nearly losing my job recently due to being on Holmesdale.net! Now a record on personal file for the next 2 years!!

Although due to the site I have met some real friends who I can now share my enjoyment or despair with, rather than wollow in self pity on my own in deepest darkest Devon!!! Whether I drive 200 miles to Croydon or 500 miles round trip to Blackpool, I will always show committment to the course and always support them through thick and thin. Like I say to the wife....'I love Palace babe and I love you in a different way!'

I even managed to get Palace into my wedding recently. I had "Glad all over" when we walked back up the aisle, Table plans were done to the Palace 11 legend names that were voted for in our centenary year and I even managed to find plant seeds that were called Crystal Palace Labelia for the favours!! What we do in support and love for our team!!!