I always used to take the piss out of people crying at football games, afterall, "it's just a game?, right?
Then during the game a video of a kid on his dad's shoulders singing along hit me right in the feels and I fought (and won) to stop myself from welling up. It reminded me of my old man taking me to games when I was younger. And in all likeliness, this kid has only ever known us as a Premier League club.
When the final whistle hit, I started bawling uncontrollably. 40 years as a Palace fan, the ups and downs, even at my highest point of happiness as a fan came at "mediocre" moments, like Stockport away, Sheffield Wednesday away, staying up for the last 10+ seasons, even the playoff wins, as big as they felt are small in the grand scheme of football. All the years of being mocked at school by Croydon Arsenal and Man U fans, the "why support Palace?", "who the fcuk are Palace?", "you've won fcuk all" to people not even knowing who we are. It all hit me like a tonne of bricks and I just couldn't stop crying.
A football club that embodies everything good about football, the support, the family, the community spirit. Sat in Club Wembley seats with Palace fans who were apprehensive to sing, but when we scored, embracing the men next to me, who I hadn't even spoken to prior, like we were long lost mates.
What a day, what a club!