Got back from the game late last night and taken most of the morning to read all the posts and catch up on some sleep!
A few things come to mind.
I would applaud both sets of fans for creating an amazing atmosphere before, during and after the game. The plaza was neutral and the fans mixed well and were respectful to each other recognising the similarities between our clubs.
I was sat with my son and friends very close to their fans and the noise from both ends was amazing. Despite being close to their end there was a pocket of palace and we done our best to out sing them to no avail, but it was brilliant that we came up against a team with true fans who matched our passion.
After the game we had so many of their fans shaking our hands and congratulating us as we walked with them back towards the plaza.
The ground itself was nice (despite all the bloody steps!) and what was great was the ability to walk around to the palace end inside the ground before kick off to soak up the atmosphere with our own fans.
We were fortunate to have an amazing view of the trophy presentation, however this in itself is wrong. It’s done so all the bloody suits and uefa can see it but not the majority of the winning teams fans. So it was with a wry smile that we joined in with the anti uefa singing.
With regards to the game, as many have said the first half was cagey but in the second half we produced several chances and really should have scored a couple more to ease some nerves. In the end we were never truly troubled and unlike the fa cup final I was not particularly concerned.
This may be because I didn’t see them scoring or because the fa cup meant much much more.
Now that the season has ended and we reflect on it, I guess it has to go down as a successful one. It has been tough to watch at times and as always we have stuck with the team and got behind them no matter what.
It also has ended with a tinge of regret of how the OG saga nearly derailed everything, but on reflection the bigger regret is perhaps that he didn’t want to continue on our journey.
I among many wanted him out after his rants, but would now thank him for the most amazing period in our palace history.
The win hopefully enables us to continue our growth and recruit a manager that will be lucky enough to join a well run club with amazing fans.
I’m so so proud of the team, the club and our amazing fans.
COYP