It wasn't that long ago we almost dropped into the third tier of English football (twice). That could have been the start of a very unsuccessful period in the club's long history. Was that down to South London's ethnic make-up? It's irrelevant. So yes, it is a daft post.
If I want to say a couple of uncomfortable truths about Palace - in the US politics section - Firstly: these days I'm surprised we sign any white players. It feels like the team are largely African in descent and Christian - almost quite fundamentalist. Feels Baptist or Seventh Day Adventist or something. It's not a big deal to me. I'm white but I feel like black represents the area these days. I expect others feel it too.
Then I look at the crowd. Many definitely travel in. If I were to take a straw poll I guess I would find most come from the area (otherwise it's a bit tenuous to follow Palace). I'm from Bromley. I left there in the 80s. I find most fans I speak to are the same. They're from Bromley or Croydon but don't live there any more. I don't ask why. It's not necessarily pertinent. Could be jobs,house prices, better standard of living. I'm the same - I live in Ireland now.
Demographics of the fans. Over the years I noticed at least 90 something percent of our fans would be white. I have noticed an increase in people of colour recently. But it still would not be 10 percent of our fanbase. So our fans aren't really representing the area - why is this? Well I guess we all left. Obviously there are still locals but it's certainly not a huge contingent. The home counties are more likely to have our fans in my opinion. Kent, Sussex etc.
I will say as above: I see more black and Asian supporters all the time. And I think that's good. I think to myself - at least we're getting some of the new locals now.
One of the main questions here is "would I go back?". No I bloody wouldn't. The area would not represent me, my family or my interests any more. Only Palace. Palace are the sole reason I go to London.
I don't feel unsafe in Croydon. I'm not really someone like that. But I don't feel I fit in, even though I come from there. Obviously it is rough. I've seen a stabbing. I don't particularly mind. But would I put the wife and kids through that? Why would I?
The area is not mine anymore. It's not white British frankly. The team isn't either. But I do think the team represents the best side of the area currently. But anyone suggesting that Croydon was not miles nicer in the past is deluded. It's crazy how s*** it is now. As is most of South London.
Anybody going to say why Croydon/ South London is so bad for crime now? Anyone going to say why the riots happened? Why can't I have my phone out? Why do I need to put money in my sock and not go to bank machines?
Could a general answer be multi culturalism? I'm totally off topic but the Palace discussion needed a bit of context here I felt.