For the older supporters…

[PatrickA]

I thought I’d start a new thread for the older supporters. so the youngsters out there under 60 can ignore the meanderings of those taking a trip down memory lane.

Yesterday, in the words of David Coleman was ‘quite remarkable’,a day that many of us thought we may never see.

The memories flood back
- the incredible trip to the semi final as a third division club more than 50 years ago including fantastic wins v very good teams in Leeds, Chelsea and Sunderland.I was at those games and it was an astounding feat for a third division club
- queuing all the way around the ground to get tickets for the semi final (pre internet) and the despair of the semi final defeat v Southampton when Rodriguez was in those days permitted to kick our star player, Peter Taylor, out of the game
- the fantastic Coppell team and the 4-3 semi final win against all the odds v a rampaging Liverpool team after they had thumped us 9-0 earlier in the season
- the 3-3 final v Man Utd when we were minutes from winning, and then the sheer disappointment of the losing replay when we didn’t turn up
- the Wickham header in the semi final v Watford that seemed to go in at slow motion to give us another crack at the final
- again we were minutes away from winning in the final v Man Utd only to be crushed again in extra time.

The above is only a snapshot, and doesn’t take into account the shared experiences with family and friends, some of whom are no longer with us.
The motorway journeys, the service stations where you would bond with fellow supporters and revel in the excitement of it all.

I’m sure many of you will have looked back yesterday with similar memories and think at last - it’s finally happened.

Where the club goes from here , who knows?

But nobody can take yesterday away , and at last we are in the record books for the first time in the club’s history, and in my case of more than 60 years of watching the club.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

Absolutely agree. God knows we've had more than our share of disappointments and this feels very good - satisfying; like someone who's never done any running who decides to go for the marathon, does the training, suffers all the pain and then completes the course just for the joy of doing it.
It's my birthday today (not being too sentimental but it's every Palace fans birthday, isn't it?) but it is actually mine and I hope everyone does the same thing. Go out and get as pissed as a little beetle. We've earned it.

 

[kevlee]

I was 14 when I went to my first match away to Fulham in 1978.
To be able to be at Wembley with my two grown up Palace supporting sons was special along with my brother and my 17 year old niece.
Buts that’s Palace isn’t it?

 

[Plumpton eagle]

I have been going since 1974 and was at many of the games you mentioned, losing the 76 semi final, queueing 11 hours for final tickets in 90. Plus games like Wrexham, Stockport, Sheffield Wednesday and other key games I have forgotten.

But yesterday was my best day ever as a Palace fan. People I haven't spoken to for ages have been texting me and sound generally delighted that Palace won. I did cry at the end and that is not something that happens often for me.

The win yesterday felt like typical Palace. Beating a top team by showing some flair but tons of grit and heart and driven on by the best fans around. The last 10 minutes felt like 10 hours. We were cheering like crazy whenever the ball was cleared or went out for a goal kick. The joy and exultation at the final whistle was something I have not experienced before. Even more so than hanging on at Sheffield Wednesday.

It probably is even more special to those of us "older supporters" but it was truly a day that those there and watching on TV will treasure forever.

 

[herbolive]

Hi oldies. My first cup match Selhurst 1969. Bit of a wait .... BTW I'm the old idiot who started the 'Best squad ever?' thread on here recently. Was told they had to win something first.....

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I was 14 when I went to my first match away to Fulham in 1978.
To be able to be at Wembley with my two grown up Palace supporting sons was special along with my brother and my 17 year old niece.
Buts that’s Palace isn’t it?

It is and it means all the more for it. None of us started following Palace for anything other than genuine reasons. Of course that might change a bit now we've won something. Keep an eye on the birthrate in south London next spring and there could be a lot more fans on the way.

 

[Phil’s Barber]

I thought I’d start a new thread for the older supporters. so the youngsters out there under 60 can ignore the meanderings of those taking a trip down memory lane.

Yesterday, in the words of David Coleman was ‘quite remarkable’,a day that many of us thought we may never see.

The memories flood back
- the incredible trip to the semi final as a third division club more than 50 years ago including fantastic wins v very good teams in Leeds, Chelsea and Sunderland.I was at those games and it was an astounding feat for a third division club
- queuing all the way around the ground to get tickets for the semi final (pre internet) and the despair of the semi final defeat v Southampton when Rodriguez was in those days permitted to kick our star player, Peter Taylor, out of the game
- the fantastic Coppell team and the 4-3 semi final win against all the odds v a rampaging Liverpool team after they had thumped us 9-0 earlier in the season
- the 3-3 final v Man Utd when we were minutes from winning, and then the sheer disappointment of the losing replay when we didn’t turn up
- the Wickham header in the semi final v Watford that seemed to go in at slow motion to give us another crack at the final
- again we were minutes away from winning in the final v Man Utd only to be crushed again in extra time.

The above is only a snapshot, and doesn’t take into account the shared experiences with family and friends, some of whom are no longer with us.
The motorway journeys, the service stations where you would bond with fellow supporters and revel in the excitement of it all.

I’m sure many of you will have looked back yesterday with similar memories and think at last - it’s finally happened.

Where the club goes from here , who knows?

But nobody can take yesterday away , and at last we are in the record books for the first time in the club’s history, and in my case of more than 60 years of watching the club.

Great Post PatrickA…thank you 👍🏼

 

[Eagleman13]

Absolutely agree. God knows we've had more than our share of disappointments and this feels very good - satisfying; like someone who's never done any running who decides to go for the marathon, does the training, suffers all the pain and then completes the course just for the joy of doing it.
It's my birthday today (not being too sentimental but it's every Palace fans birthday, isn't it?) but it is actually mine and I hope everyone does the same thing. Go out and get as pissed as a little beetle. We've earned it.

HBD's Teddy 😀 😉

 

[Pete53]

My first taste of a cup run came in 1965 when, as a 2nd division side, we reached the quarter final - Leeds dispatched us 3-0 at Selhurst. That was preceded by a memorable home win against 1st division Forest in the 5th round. In those days you had to queue up on a Sunday morning to get a ticket.

Since then we have had several visits to a semi finals and of course, prior to yesterday, two finals.

For us older supporters that semi defeat against Southampton in 1976 was a huge disappointment and let down after the fabulous run we'd been on. I'd travelled to the games at Leeds and Sunderland and the quality of football belied our 3rd division status, and I think it still remains my biggest hurt in all the 61 years I've followed the club.

But at last we've won a proper trophy and yesterday has immediately shot to the top of my list of all time great Palace matches that I've attended.

 

[DJB]

Wow, we did it! Went with my grandson so that's another supporter for the next 70 years.

I lived in South Norwood and first game was 1963, 8 years old and we beat Bristol Rovers 1-0 in the old Third Division. I was hooked but never thought we'd win the FA Cup.

Was there for the 3-1 win at home to Forest and the defeat to Leeds. A student for the 76 semi but still made it. I thought the 1990 was the best game of football despite the Hughes equaliser. Mind you, that was until yesterday. Before the game I said that if all the players turned up, give 100%, we could win. The did turn up and gave more than 100%.

I still can't believe the atmosphere, the noise, the joy and the celebration. I've never seen so many tears at a football game, it meant so much.

🦅🦅🦅🦅🔵🔵🔴🔴🥳

 

[sydtheeagle]

Hard not to get choked up with yesterday's final whistle bringing a lifetime of memories front of mind. From my first game (1967) to my dad getting us season tickets (1970), the crushing feeling of defeat at Stamford Bridge in the 1976 semi-final, the amazing experiences of Burnley (1979) and Villa Park (1990); suffering Steve Claridge's shin at Wembley (1994), HLTCO one year later, Puncheon's goal, so much more...but most of all, at 6.15pm yesterday knowing with absolute certainty that my dad was back beside me, a decade after his passing, alongside his son and two grandsons, all Palace, one family, one love. What a football club we are. I can't say anymore than that.

 

[dalbro3]

hi there all you youngsters! I first came to Palace in 1943, againt QPR, and have been coming ever since! I couldnt get to the final, watched it on a clubs big screen, and played every defensive clearance ! I woke up this morning completely shattered, but smiling, i have waited a long time for this,and I havent come down yet ! see you all at the victory parade !

 

[Glazed Expression]

I remember when it was just the stand and three open sides with terracing and grass banks at the top. I clearly remember families enjoying a picnic on the grass bank at the Holmesdale end; must have been early season or late season.

I remember, too, when there was no fan segregation. At kickoff, opposition supporters would move to the end their team was attacking. At halftime, they trundled back again to the other end. No problems.

 

[ASCPFC]

Absolutely agree. God knows we've had more than our share of disappointments and this feels very good - satisfying; like someone who's never done any running who decides to go for the marathon, does the training, suffers all the pain and then completes the course just for the joy of doing it.
It's my birthday today (not being too sentimental but it's every Palace fans birthday, isn't it?) but it is actually mine and I hope everyone does the same thing. Go out and get as pissed as a little beetle. We've earned it.

Happy birthday - I can't even think about drink today but have one for me!

 

[n wales eagles]

1970 made my first Selhurst visit from n wales 500 mile round trip I wrote to Bert head as 13 year old and he wrote back and invited me down to meet the players before the game John and cliff Jackson Gerry Queen big John McCormick Lost 2-0 (think kember hit post but memory going ) Sat crying when we came out yesterday and again at final whistle Great to see Joel lift the cup Strange feeling winning something

 

[nhp61]

I thought I’d start a new thread for the older supporters. so the youngsters out there under 60 can ignore the meanderings of those taking a trip down memory lane.

Yesterday, in the words of David Coleman was ‘quite remarkable’,a day that many of us thought we may never see.

The memories flood back
- the incredible trip to the semi final as a third division club more than 50 years ago including fantastic wins v very good teams in Leeds, Chelsea and Sunderland.I was at those games and it was an astounding feat for a third division club
- queuing all the way around the ground to get tickets for the semi final (pre internet) and the despair of the semi final defeat v Southampton when Rodriguez was in those days permitted to kick our star player, Peter Taylor, out of the game
- the fantastic Coppell team and the 4-3 semi final win against all the odds v a rampaging Liverpool team after they had thumped us 9-0 earlier in the season
- the 3-3 final v Man Utd when we were minutes from winning, and then the sheer disappointment of the losing replay when we didn’t turn up
- the Wickham header in the semi final v Watford that seemed to go in at slow motion to give us another crack at the final
- again we were minutes away from winning in the final v Man Utd only to be crushed again in extra time.

The above is only a snapshot, and doesn’t take into account the shared experiences with family and friends, some of whom are no longer with us.
The motorway journeys, the service stations where you would bond with fellow supporters and revel in the excitement of it all.

I’m sure many of you will have looked back yesterday with similar memories and think at last - it’s finally happened.

Where the club goes from here , who knows?

But nobody can take yesterday away , and at last we are in the record books for the first time in the club’s history, and in my case of more than 60 years of watching the club.

Very well said, Patrick.

It's been a very long and rocky road with many disappointments and nearly moments, but, yesterday, the sheer joy and emotion of finally winning a major trophy...words just can't express how I felt when that whistle finally blew.

As for competing in a major European competition next season - I always had near zero interest in European football as I never considered our amazing club ever getting anywhere near there. That's all changed now, and it seriously looks like I'll be contacting Virgin Media soon to activate a subscription to Paramount!

 

[shortbutt]

First game I went to was Palace vs Man Utd in Dec ‘72… we won 5-0, but were then relegated at the end of the season - one of the many highs and lows encapsulating being a life long Palace supporter.

Lowest point in my memory was in the early 80’s - standing in the Holmesdale, only about 6,000 there and barely a cheer when we scored as the match was so dour.

Until yesterday my high point was the 1990 semi-final… the emotion in Wembley yesterday was incredible, even beating that day. I’m glad I made it long enough to not just see Palace win an FA Cup, but to actually be there. There were a number of young kids around me… I couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous… but then thought the high felt so good from having endured the lows - possibly what those in ‘69 thought when we first got to the first division!

I’m now thinking what next… win the Europa Cup? The Championship? Or given the false dawns of the past… will we do a Portsmouth? …. who knows? But yesterday we WON THE FA CUP!

 

[RH8Eagle]

I have done 35 years with my season ticket seen Clive Allen’s ghost goal the Liverpool 9 nil and cup finals that followed, but there were plenty there yesterday who had done years more, I was chatting to an old boy who was over 60 years season ticket holder who caught the train from holiday in Scotland and was catching the 11 pm coach back to his wife still up there. He was relieved / shocked we had done the business but hats off for his dedication.

 

[Holmesdave]

How do you sum that up?

They say your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. well it did yesterday at the final whistle and thankfully I'm still here.

From standing on the Holmesdale back in 69 with my dad to seeing us finally lifting "recognised" silverware, all of us have experienced some incredible highs and desperate lows.

BUT nothing compares to this!

I also love my music and I kept thinking of the lyrics to Frankie Beverly & Maze 'joy and pain'

To me, it sums up the life of a Palace fan to a tee.

 

[Willo]

I have supported our club through thick and thin and in all weathers since the 60s.
There have been memorable games over the years providing me with great joy but yesterday was the absolute pinnacle.
The greatest day in our club's history.