It is a strange feeling coming to the end of a football season, especially one as dramatic as this year.
We have been through bigger highs and lower lows than pretty much ever before in our Premier League experience, with potentially room for one more success arguably bigger than anything in the clubs rich history. Perhaps even surpassing the magnificent Zenith Data Systems Cup triumph which nobody can take away from us!
It is remarkable, in a season of two such different halves, that we could go against the form book and reach the final of one of, if not the, biggest competition in English football. A huge tie against Leicester City being the prize and the opportunity for more silverware in the shape of the Community Shield.
It is also remarkable that two outsiders for the title and the FA Cup have made it this far. The odds of Palace playing Leicester in the Community Shield at the start of the season were calculated at 250,000-1. To put that into context, bookmakers put the odds of the world ending on December 21st 2012 at 14,000-1. It really would be a remarkable achievement to make the impossible a reality.
Our big test is under a week away now, but the best way to get a head start over the opposition would have been to go into the game in the best form possible. That means getting all three points from Southampton in the final Premier League game of the season but that just was not to be with a one eye clearly on next weekend.
In typical Palace fashion, some of our fans attended the final away fixture in style, with a trip down to the game on Jeremy Hoskins’ steam train. This time two years ago, our fans took a boat to Fulham for the final away fixture.
It is a time for celebration as we venture into an unprecedented fourth consecutive season in the Premier League, a fantastic achievement given how difficult the last decade has been for the club.
There were plenty of mixed feelings about how Palace should approach the fixture on the South Coast, with many suggesting we should play our experienced players while others, including myself, believe we should play the youngsters and fringe players, those who may not have had a chance this year such as Frazier Campbell and Dwight Gayle.
We all know Julian Speroni was to start matching the all-time appearance record for a goalkeeper at the club. The man epitomises everything that is great about our club, and in my opinion at least, should still be starting regularly. He has real ability, despite the fact that Julian does not have the stature, or the build of most Premier League standard keepers.
It is hard to believe that when I saw Speroni start for us all those years ago, he would go on to be the legend he is now. In fact, me and my father both thought he was pretty poor if I am totally honest, we completely wrote him off. How wrong we were to do that. His spirit and determination have culminated in some superb performances. A standout for me is the Chelsea home game a few years ago, where we won 1-0. Speroni made a near point blank save from a powerful Eden Hazard shot, which was a superb reaction save. Without Julian, there is not a shadow of doubt in my mind that we would not be in the position we are in today. Two remarkable saves in the play-off games in 2013 allowed us to go on to win, and crucially seal promotion.
Since his testimonial it is unfortunate that there have been few chances for him to show he has still got it but thankfully got the nod against Southampton.
My final point today relates to us, the fans.
It has been a difficult season. Each year in the Premier League, at some point, we have been in a relegation battle of some description. Each year, we have supported the club, the players the owners and everyone associated with Crystal Palace. Please continue to offer this level of support, no matter what happens in future as without us, the club would not be here today. As a group of fans, the last few years have been a real roller-coaster of emotions, but we are still here and still fighting.
Let the club know during every game why we love to support them. Let the club know why we love everything them.
Up The Eagles!
