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Quick Facts: |
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Nickname:
Eagles
Founded: 1905
Clothing: Diadora
Sponsor: Churchill
Stadium: Selhurst Park (attendance: 26000) |
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History |
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Life as a Crystal Palace fan has never been
dull and Eagles supporters will have felt the whole range of
emotion over the years. Formed in 1905, Palace were elected to
the Football League in 1920 and enjoyed an immediate
championship season in Division Three South. They were back in
the bottom tier within three years and dropped into Division
Four in 1958 after the league was restructured. However, the
1960s saw unprecedented upward momentum and they ended the
decade in the old Division One. The early 1970s saw the trend
reversed, but an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1976
revitalized the Eagles. Under Terry Venables, they put together
a squad of promising players, which again earned promotion to
the top flight, lasting only two years though as Venables moved
to QPR and the squad split up. Typically though, Palace bounced
back. The astute appointment of 28-year-old former England
international Steve Coppell as manager in 1984 put the club back
on an even keel. By 1989, they enjoyed a promotion to Division
One and in 1990, they enjoyed a memorable run to the FA Cup
final, eventually losing to Manchester United in a replay. And
in 1990-91, Palace achieved their highest-ever league position
of third in the old Division One. Coppell departed after
relegation in 1993, and the Eagles endured fluctuating fortunes.
A modern-day low came 10 years after their league zenith, with
victory at Stockport County keeping them from a drop back into
the third tier. But after a dramatic decade, Iain Dowie restored
them to the Premiership after their play-off victory over West
Ham. |
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