Our latest edition of Overseas Eagles could not have come at a better time. With the news that Palace are heading to South Africa for a pre-season tour this summer, we chat with Cape Town resident Kev Roberts.
I moved to Cape Town in March 2005 just at the tail end of our last stint in the Premier League.
I had managed to see a few of our last games as the Premier League is shown here every week, so as long as we were playing Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool we were on television.
During our Championship years I would rely on the Holmesdale Online and a radio link or various different sport sites for text commentary. It was always a nightmare because of delays on the radio links and the text was always so far behind the action. It was all I had.
Just like other overseas fans, being an Englishman living abroad I am constantly being asked if I support Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool as they all have huge followings here. During the Championship years telling people I support Palace would be met with blank faces. That changed quite a bit when we signed Kagisho Dikgacoi. People started to know who we were a little more and it also stopped the constant ‘do you support Barcelona?’ questions when I was out in one of our striped shirts.
We were on television here a few times during those years, the most memorable being the win at Old Trafford with ‘that’ goal from Darren Ambrose. I strutted around town in my colours a very proud man and got plenty of comments from Liverpool fans.
Arriving at Wembley with @beerfootybirds, @stuarteagles and Lars from Norway. That is me kneeling with a scarf given to be by one of the bar staff at Selhurst Park. What a day!
Following Palace got a whole lot easier with social media. South African satellite television company started showing The Football League Show. I got to see the goals I had read about during the game through text commentary and they also show the Championship play-offs. When we faced Brighton in the play-offs I was able to watch ‘that’ glorious match.
As soon as the second leg was over I received a message that I had a ticket to the final if I wanted it. My South African wife Kat was recovering from a broken ankle and I was looking after. What was I to do ? Well, Kat made the choice for me and without my knowing she booked me a flight – what a woman! I flew back to good old Blighty and went to Wembley, flying home two days later, still smiling.
Now we are in the Premier league again it is so easy to see Palace. We get four or five 3pm kick offs on Saturdays as well as the Sunday and Monday night games. We do not even have to be playing the so called big boys!
The games that are not on live are always shown in the early hours and of course there is always Holmesdale Online and the legend that was Staffie (RIP) with his links. I saw every game last season and every one this season. Palace are known in South Africa now, people know the colours and they certainly know the fans. Selhurst is always loud on the television so the atmosphere is clear for all to see.
My set up in my bar.
I do miss Selhurst Park and going to an English football match. Not enough to want to live in England again though and as I said before, it is so much easier to follow the team now. I am not a lover of the Premier League but as long as we are in it, from a purely selfish stance, I hope we can stay up in the top division for as long as possible so I carry on watching the famous red and blue from afar.
A highlight this season was the FA cup tie at Dover Athletic. I spent ten years living in the area before moving to South Africa and spent a lot of time at the Crabble. I must admit, I would have preferred a draw so they could have had a replay at Selhurst and earn some much needed cash.
I have an eighteen month old son now and I will do all I can to make sure he follows the Palace. It will be tough though as every other kid here follows Manchester United but I will persevere.
Now we are heading into our third consecutive season in the top flight we are gaining more publicity here in South Africa and as I write this the club have announced that the mighty Eagles are coming to town.
The inaugural Cape Town Cup is being played over the weekend of the 24th, 25th and 26th of July at the beautiful Cape Town Stadium. Palace are one of four teams, two local and two from Europe.
Ajax Cape Town, which is the South African team I follow, Supersport United and the famous Sporting Lisbon will do battle for the honors. I cannot wait!
I never thought I would see the day that Palace came to the Mother City. I was really hoping my son’s first Palace game would be at Selhurst Park but I am not complaining because the Palace boys will be here and I will be making a lot of noise. You’ll know us by our noise!
