An early warning ahead of reading the rest of this article. It is likely to contain a lot of positive comments from a fan in awe of some returning heroes.
Now that is out of the way, I can get on with talking about the Speroni Testimonial.
What a night.
For the 11,500 and more of us that attended this bonus final game of the season were served up a real treat.
While it was obviously the night for our favourite Argentinian, anyone that had doubts about the opposition just had to see it to believe it. The Dundee fans travelled in force and descended onto South London across the weekend and left their mark.
They were loud and very proud in the away end and certainly showed everyone why they were the perfect opponents. It was the same tremendous support that we see from the Palace faithful on the road and it is clear they like to create an atmosphere alike. I am in no doubt that they have gained many more fans.
Bringing our two clubs together was one man. Julian Speroni. He was greeted to the Selhurst Park pitch by a display that only the Holmesdale Fanatics know how to do best.
The first half was played out with a selection of current players from each side which for Palace included Peter Ramage with ‘Rambo‘ on the back of his shirt while the Dundee players all had ‘Speroni‘ on theirs which great touch, even if a nightmare for anyone trying to commentate on the game!
Palace starting XI – Speroni, Ramage, Delaney, Hangeland, Ward, Bannan, McArthur, Bolasie, Zaha, Lee, Gayle
Dundee starting XI – Gourlay, McGinn, McPake, Gadzhalov, Irvine, Carreiro, McAllister, Adam, Stewart, Tankulic, Wighton
The first half was a played at a good tempo for such a game as both Wilf and Yannick took turns to run at the visiting defence. It was not all one way traffi, Dundee pressed with Speroni in great form to pull off some good saves.
It was good to see run outs for Bannan and Gayle but it seemed like a farewell to the crowd from the latter as he left the pitch at the end of the half. Likewise for Dundee who started boyhood fan Charlie Adam who had specifically asked Speroni if he could take part.
Goals from Bolasie, Lee and Gayle with two gave Palace a 4-1 lead at the break. The consolation for Dundee was scored by Carreiro.
There was no rest for Speroni at the break as both he and chairman Steve Parish spoke to the crowd during the presentations.
With his turn on the microphone Parish shared with the crowd that when CPFC2010 first took over the club a bid of £1 million was received from Middlesbrough for Speroni with a much improved wage package. When meeting to discuss the offer Speroni told Parish in no uncertain terms that whatever is being offered he would not be leaving. A nice anecdote on such a wonderful occasion that speaks volumes of the man from Buenos Aires.
The break saw the expected changes of personnel for both sides. Palace were led out by a sliding challenge on Pete the Eagle by fan favourite Aki Riihilahti.
Alongside Aki were current youngsters Jake Gray, Sulley Kaikai and Hiram Boateng together with the returning Clinton Morrison, Matt Lawrence and Danny Butterfield. Sky Sports John Fendley and Mail journalist Neil Ashton also started the second period, the latter leaving his mark in a clattering challenge in the middle of the park but he certainly did not look out of place.
The one of many photo opportunities of the night was the sight of Speroni taking his place in front of the Holmesdale to much applause and cheering.
The half was to be quite a change of pace which most would have been expecting. This first half was the football, this second period was the celebration.
Palace could not add to the scoreline but Dundee came close to leveling the score but eventually lost out 4-3. Charlie Adam got his goal with Kerr scoring the third.
The arrival on the scene of Alan Pardew donning the number nine shirt and John Salako wearing number eleven was yet another gift to the fans. Seeing them both on the ball at different stages of the half was quite something. Even if they were not quite able to roll back the years, the fans chanting their names was pretty special.
Later in the half Speroni received the standing ovation he deserved on his night when leaving the field to be replaced by Lewis Price. The Dundee fans continued calling his name and it was only a short time before he appeared in a Dundee kit to take his place between the sticks for the Scottish side. The fantastic away support went wild but they certainly had not been very quiet before that moment.
Fans left the ground happy after witnessing the likes of Aki, Pardew, Salako and Clinton playing for Palace once again was something very special.
It is really difficult to put into words how special the evening was. Our thanks have to go to the organising committee. They did a tremendous job getting this event on after weeks and weeks of planning. It was the night I was hoping for and more.
A special night for a special man. Manos de Dios.
