The focus of our latest question and answer session is a Palace fan and a valued member of our writing team here at TEB. Here is all you need to know about our man Stu.
Q. Let us begin with you full name, age, location and Twitter handle.
Stuart Peter Ions, 34 years old , Crawley West Sussex, @stueypot
Q. Do you follow any other sports teams?
I love a bit of NFL, I very loosely follow the Seattle Seahawks. I guess being a Seahawks fan makes me a glory hunter? I am going to see the Jacksonville Jaguars in September so I may defect anyway! Sorry Seahawks.
Q. When did your love for Palace begin and why?
Being a Palace fan was not a choice! I am from a large family of Palace fans on both my Mum and my Dads side. My dad took me to my first game when I was five. Like now it was a great time be a Palace fan. Wright and Bright up front, Sir Steve Coppell at the helm how could I not get hooked!
Q. Most memorable moment?
There have been so many. Although it was recent I would have to say the playoff semi final second leg against Brighton. Living in Crawley, I am slap bang in the middle between Croydon and Brighton. I have friends and clients that are Brighton fans.
Leaving Selhurst Park on the Friday night, goalless and with Glenn Murray looking seriously injured my phone was red hot. I was getting massive stick via text before I had even left the ground. Brighton of course were favourites for the second leg even I could not deny that.
Driving down to Brighton on the Monday my Dad said ‘we are going to win tonight, I can feel it.’ This made me even more tense. I cannot recall ever being so nervous at a match. Those nerves quickly dissipated midway through the second half.
The scenes in the AMEX were outrageous when Wilf scored his first. When the second went in I lost the plot. I am pretty sure I fell over, television simply does not do justice to how bonkers it all went. It is all a bit of haze after that, I do remember a very elderly man sat behind me close to tears embracing me at the final whistle. He was so choked up. He said ‘we deserved that didn’t we, we really did’. He was was right.
Q. Worst moment?
Being at Wembley when Steve Claridge shinned the ball over the line in the play off final in 1996 ranks up there, but my ultimate worst moment was the final match of the season 2005. Relegation Sunday.
I was in a band at the time, we were playing a reasonably big show in a trendy Brighton venue in the evening. The afternoon was spent doing the load in and sound check. No smartphones, no Twitter, no Facebook just my Dads sporadic texts and phone calls.
The not knowing was the worst. I just remember my him phoning me just as I had finished the sound check. ‘Nah mate we are down, bloody West Brom stayed up.’ I was numb. Then I had to go on stage and act like everything was okay. Soul destroying.
To make matters worse one of my mates was a die hard West Bromwich Albion fan and he showed up to rub it in. I am getting annoyed just thinking about it.
Q. Favourite Palace manager?
Sir Steve Coppell no contest
Q. Favourite all time Palace player?
Blimey! No, I cannot answer that one.
Q. Favourite player from the current squad?
Scott Dann. Noot enough people outside of the club give him the credit he deserves.
Q. Name three former players that would make a real difference in the current line up.
Attilio Lombardo because it is Attilio Lombardo, Ian Wright the bloke brings goals to the party and Andrew Johnson in his pomp for the same reason. So yeah, all out attack.
Q. Are there any teams that you have a real dislike for – football or other sports?
I used to have a big distaste for Liverpool and Spurs, with age that has gone. I am pretty laid back so do not really have anyone I cannot stand. That said, ask me during a game and I hate everything about the opposition.
Q. Selhurst Park – should we stay or should we go?
If we can redevelop we should stay. It is our home. If we cannot, we may need to assess our options, the more we establish ourselves in the Premier league the more the question will be raised.
Q. What is your prized item of memorabilia?
I have an autograph book from the early nineties that I used until the mid nineties. That was when I became too much of a moody teenager to ask for players autographs. It has got some greats in there!
Q. Choose one of the following that you would buy a beer if you met – Steve Parish, Steve Browett, Martin Long or Jeremy Hosking?
I would buy them all a beer! Parish looks like he enjoys a night out, so Parish.
Q. Describe Palace in just three words.
Turbulent, happy, stress.
Q. And finally, share with us one thing about yourself that you are proud of and one that you are less proud so.
I am proud that I started at the bottom at my company, I have persevered, worked my bottom of and now I am the boss! Well I am the boss of my branch!
I am not proud that I gave up on music, it was such a huge part of my life and at one point what I wanted as a career. But when the bad times out weigh the good times then you know you need to change.