Malcolm Allison was born in Dartford, Kent on the 5th September 1927. 
'Big Mal' became one of British football's most colourful, charismatic and controversial characters to have ever graced the game, as well as being an incredibly innovative coach of his era.
His naturally flamboyant, outspoken and brazen nature made him the maverick character that he indeed was.
He played football for Erith & Belvedere before signing for Charlton Athletic in 1945.
He only played two first-team games for the club before Ted Fenton signed him for West Ham United for a fee of £7,000 in February 1951.
Allison had a poor relationship with Ted Fenton and openly described Fenton as a "useless manager."
The under pressure Fenton eventually agreed that Malcolm Allison should take over the training sessions, where he in turn he acted as mentor to a young Bobby Moore. He introduced all-day training which included weights in the afternoons. In fact he more or less ran the playing side of things, and the fans enjoyed the style of football introduced by Allison.
His playing career was cut short when on 16th September 1957, at the age of 30 Allison was taken ill after a game against Sheffield United. Doctors discovered he was suffering from tuberculosis and he had to have a lung removed. He made well over 200 appearances in his time with the East London club.
Allison took on a coaching role at Cambridge University, and moved into management at non-league Bath City in 1963. His moderate success at Bath City had alerted a number of Football League clubs, and in May 1964 he took up the position of manager of Plymouth Argyle. He soon returned to Bath to sign full-back Tony Book. However, Allison knew the Plymouth board would be reluctant to permit the purchase of a player with no League experience, who was approaching his thirtieth birthday. Allison encouraged Book to doctor his birth certificate, making him appear two years younger.
However all his trophy wining success in English football was crammed into a four year spell at Manchester City in the late 1960's.
Joe Mercer was named City manager in July 1965, but due to poor health Mercer sought a younger, energetic man to be his assistant. He offered the position to Allison, who he knew from coaching courses at Lilleshall.
The Mercer-Allison era is believed to be strongest in Manchester City's history. Renowned for a free-flowing style of football, developed by Allison in their first season City they won the Second Division championship. Two years later (1967-68) they won the First Division league title. The club won the FA Cup (1969), the League Cup (1970) and European Cup-Winners Cup (1971).
Allison was also responsible for introducing a red and black away kit because he wanted his side to look like AC Milan.
The following year Allison took over from Mercer as manager of the club, with a team including such greats as Bell, Summerbee and Lee.
City nearly won the League in Allison's first full season but lost key matches after the balance of the side was disrupted by the signing of the flamboyant Rodney Marsh, along with Allison's repeated desire to tinker with the side to little effect.
Although Allison resigned the following year he had left a lasting impression. It was said that during his time at City, "His influence was felt throughout the club and his approach was refreshing. His charisma and style brought excitement to sixties Manchester."
On the 31st March 1973 Allison was appointed manager of Crystal Palace. Despite his arrival the Eagles were relegated, losing five out of their last seven games.
Malcolm immediately instigated a huge stylistic shift both on and off the field, raising Palace's profile with his charismatic media appearances, rebranding the club’s rather homely nickname ‘The Glaziers’ as ‘The Eagles’ and ending the club’s 68-year association with claret and blue kits. Palace’s highly recognisable red and blue striped home kit was introduced, and later, the all-white strip with red and blue sash, changes which still reflect in the character of the club today.
The following season (1974-75)was even more disastrous because of a second successive relegation.
However the 1975-76 was Allison's most successful season at Selhurst Park as he spurred his side onto a fantastic FA Cup run. Brilliant victories against higher league opposition in the shape of Leeds United, Chelsea and Sunderland lead to the club's first ever FA Cup semi-final. Palace lost the semi-final to eventual winners Southampton at Stamford Bridge, with Allison resembling a Chicago gangster in his fur or sheepskin coat, 'lucky' fedora hat, and a cigar never far away.
With the team failing to reach Wembley and win promotion Allison resigned in May 1976.
Despite two successive relegations during his tenure, Palace supporters will always remember the mid 1970s as the era of FA Cup runs and Allison's fedora hat. His period at the helm of 'The Eagles' was not the most successful but during his time in charge the seeds were sown for the success that would follow under Terry Venables.
Much in line with his flamboyant persona, his career was shrouded in numerous controversies. His outspoken nature and 'laddish womanising antics' were ideal for the tabloids but nothing topped Allison's decision in 1976 to invite the famous porn star Fiona Richmond to Palace's Park Langley training ground for a photo shoot with a cameraman from the News of the World.
Richmond went in goal while Palace's slightly bemused but uncomplaining players took penalties at her, and the session ended with the club's goalkeeper Paul Hammond covering the former Playboy model in mud.
But that was just the start of it. Moments later, Richmond appeared in the dressing rooms wearing only a fur coat, which she promptly whipped off before jumping in the players' communal bath, along with Allison. 
Then Crystal Palace player, Terry Venables later said of the incident, "I was in the bath with all the players and we heard the whisper that she was coming down the corridor." So far, so good. "We all leapt out and hid, because we knew there'd be photos and that wouldn't go down too well. Malcolm and Fiona dropped everything and got in the bath."
Allison received a Football Association disrepute charge after a photograph was published in the News of the World showing him in the Crystal Palace players' bath with the porn star.
Among Big Mal's 'other women' were Roger Moore's ex-wife Dorothy Squires, 1950's movie legend Jane Russell, Profumo scandal hooker Christine Keeler, two Miss UK's! and a Playboy Club employee called Serena Williams!
After Palace, Allison had short managerial stints at Galatasaray in Turkey, and back at Plymouth before Allison returned to Manchester City as manager in 1979. It was an unmitigated disaster and he left for Palace again in 1980.
Stints with a number of other clubs never saw Allison scale those giddy City heights again, apart from a golden period out of the British spotlight where he won the Portuguese league and cup with Sporting Lisbon.
Allison’s final spell in management came at Bristol Rovers in the early 1990's, where he introduced a tactical concept called the 'Whirl' which involved players regularly swapping positions on the field of play.
Allison settled into semi-retirement as a radio pundit on Teeside, despite being 'accidentally' caught on air using an array of expletives!
With his enthusiasm for expansive football, Allison would have made a fine director of coaching at the FA, but his extravagant lifestyle seemed to colour his approach to club management - he couldn't be left alone with a chequebook!
He remains the only English football manager to have published an autobiography that sounds like a psychedelic LP, 'Colours of My Life.'
Sadly his health is in decline. In 2001 it was revealed by his son that Allison was suffering from alcoholism, and he is now in a care home suffering from Alzheimer’s. It's a heart-rending end for one of football's greatest entertainers.
As a football manager, he was moderate, his achievements as a coach far outweighing his titles as a number one.
But as a PR guru, he was simply peerless!
Friday 15th October 2010, only four days after writing my short biography on Malcolm Allison -
I am truly saddened to say that today Malcolm Allison passed away, aged 83.
God bless you 'Big Mal' and may your rest in peace.
Maverick Mal - A Short Biography of Malcolm Allison
A Sporting Evening with Mel Blyth and David Payne
On Saturday 13th November from 7pm, former Crystal Palace players Mel Blyth and David Payne will be in attendance at The Lindfield Social Club, Lindfield Road, Croydon, CR0 6HN, for a light-hearted evening of chat and discussion about their careers, along with their thoughts and opinions on football now, and in their heyday!
In a comfortable, relaxed, social environment, Mel and David will be happy to share their views and thoughts with you, answering any questions you may have for them.
In addition photographs of the players, which they will be happy to sign, along with other Crystal Palace Football Club memorabilia and photos will be on sale at the event.
Tickets are £7 per person, to be purchased in advance of the event. A buffet will be provided for all attendees, and the 'Lindfield Club' have a fully stocked bar at subsidised prices.
Finally there will be a raffle during the evening with all proceeds going to the charity 'Help for Heroes.'
This is a great opportunity for football fans, particularly those of Crystal Palace Football Club, male or female, young and of an older generation to meet a couple of former greats, and discuss all things football over a drink, and at the same time support a charity.
The evening is expected to last up to a couple of hours.
I attended an excellent evening at the same venue a couple of weeks ago, where Alan Hudson was the guest.
Entry is by ticket only.
For further details and to purchase tickets please email: lorraine@lhunte.wanadoo.co.uk
A little bit about Mel Blyth: 
Mel was born in Norwich in 1944. He joined Crystal Palace from Scunthorpe in the summer of 1968 as an old-style wing-half, but he developed into a magnificent centre-back. He immediately became a regular member of Palace’s 1968-69 Division Two promotion side.
In Division One, Mel became a permanent fixture in the Palace defence alongside John McCormick.
After flirting with relegation for a number of years, Palace eventually lost their fight to avoid relegation at the end of the 1972-73 season, under manager Malcolm Allison. In the following season, Mel had a long spell of injury and shortly after the start of the 1974-75 season, Mel was signed by Southampton. Mel re-appeared in Palace’s colours in November 1977, when Terry Venables signed him on loan.
In both stints at Palace, Mel made 262 first team appearances scoring 12 goals.
A little bit about David Payne: 
David was born in Croydon in 1947. An accomplished defender he made his debut for Palace in 1963 and went on to make 326 appearances, scoring 12 times before joining Leyton Orient in 1973.
David is 8th in the all-time list of most appearances for the South London Club.
Event venue courtesy of Google maps:
View Larger Map
Betting Scams - Rigging Football Matches
Upton Park, 4th November 1997, Crystal Palace are leading West Ham United 2-1 when in the 65th minute Frank Lampard collects the ball on the edge of the penalty area and drills home a well-earned equaliser.
Seconds later, as the West Ham players celebrate, the ground decends into darkness as, inexplicably, the floodlighs fail.
A quarter of an hour later, two of the floodlights on the North Stand flicker into life before going out once more. With the ground in darkness the referee David Elleray has no option but to abandon the game.
A month later at Selhurst Park, Wimbledon (who were ground sharing with Crystal Palace at the time) were holding Arsenal to a draw, when precisely the same thing occurred. Selhurst Park's floodlights died after just 13 seconds of the second half. On this occasion, engineers managed to restart them just 12 minutes later, only for them to go out again - this time permanently - while the players were warming up to go back on. Referee Dermot Gallagher immediately called the game off.
Again, nobody had the faintest notion of what happened. No one suspected anything suspicious, after all electrical problems did happen, and in the darkness fixing them quickly was almost impossible, so there was no option but to abandon the matches. So the blame was laid squarely at the feet of shoddy maintenance and dodgy wiring.
It would be two years before police finally uncovered what really occurred during those games and, when they did, they found a scam so devious that it stood to make the operators millions of pounds whenever they felt like putting it into practice!
The man behind it was Wai Yuen Liu, who Police suspected of having links with the Triad gangs of Hong Kong. Based in London, Liu was a notorious gambler and convicted credit card fraudster, and was the first point of contact for the syndicates in the Far East. With the help of two Malaysian henchmen, Liu set about targeting games that would reap the biggest dividends for the syndicate back home.
After their successes at Upton Park and Selhurst Park, the gang set about rigging the Premiership game between Charlton and Liverpool at The Valley. But first they needed a a contact at the ground.
They eventually approached Roger Firth, a 49 year-old security guard who had been working there for four years. With the promise of £20,000 in cash for his co-operation, the syndicate had now secured guaranteed access to the ground's power supply.
It only took a couple of hours to install a device capable of picking up a radio signal into the circuit controlling the flow of power to the lights. The device could then be used to switch off the lights using a hand-held remote control, similar to that used to open and close garage doors.
Under British betting rules, a match is considered void and all stakes are returned if it does not reach full-time. The crucial difference in betting legislation in the Far East is that if the game is abandoned after half-time, the result at the time of abandonment stands as the final score........and this is how the syndicate planned to make their millions, by stopping games in the second-half, when the scoreline stood at a point which would allow them to make the most possible money.
The syndicate's activities may have remained undetected, but for a loss of nerve on the part of security guard Firth. Firth still feared officials at The Valley might rumble the gang, and things fell apart when he tried to bribe another security guard. It was the man Firth tried to bribe that contacted the police.
As their investigation progressed, the police discovered a working remote control device in the car used by the men at Charlton and a further eight devices in their possession. The idea that 11 matches - each capable at the time of generating up to £30million - could be interfered with, gives you some idea of the kind of money they stood to make.
When the case came to trial in August 1999, Chee Kew Ong, a Malaysian businessman and Ena Hwa Lim, a Malaysian electronics engineer were both sentenced to four years imprisonment, while Wai Yuen Liu received a 30 month sentence. Roger Firth meanwhile, got 18 months.
Although it affected Asian betting, it thankfully left no slur or question mark on English football, and precautions were put in place to ensure it couldn’t happen again. It must be said, the Malaysian syndicate did not at any point make any attempt to subvert players to influence the scores.
Edgar has Landed!
Oh, what a time to be a Crystal Palace fan!
Just weeks, literally, after the Championship club were on the brink of going out of business, and on the very day it is announced they are 'officially' out of administration, the new owners and management team have pulled the most almighty, humongous rabbit out a seemingly invisible hat!
Days ago fellow championship rivals Cardiff were celebrating their very own coup in the form of Craig Bellamy, without a doubt a terrific footballer, but with a temperament that saw him more or less 'forced' out of the bright lights of Manchester, as he chose the somewhat less salubrious surroundings and the somewhat dimmer lights of his home town, as he joined Cardiff City F.C on loan.
Why Cardiff? Well Bellamy is a Welshman, he comes from Cardiff, has a home in the vicinity, his family are still based in Wales and he wants to play first-team football. He can have ALL that at Cardiff for the same money, instead of collecting splinters while sitting on the bench at City, playing second fiddle to fellow strikers: Tevez, Robinho, Adebayor, Jo, Santa Cruz and Balotelli.
I myself was scratching my head at the beginning of the week as I wondered how on earth a club struggling financially, not dissimilar to the plight that Palace found themselves in, could afford to bring on board such a player and offer him first team football for a 'mere' £45,000 per week (and that is only half of his contracted weekly wage), while those good citizens........er 'samaritans' at Eastlands, the blue side of Greater Manchester have agreed with the 'Bluebirds' to subsidize the outstanding balance of Bellamy's wages, the further £45,000 per week - sheer unadulterated madness!
In my humble opinion this year is promotion to the Premier League or bust for Cardiff City.........the scenario of putting all your eggs in one basket and 'hoping' for the most fruitful outcome. A BIG gamble that can only end one of two ways - glorious success over 46 league games resulting in Premier League football next season, or au revoir to English club football, the League of Wales awaits you!
Now the cynics out there may well point the finger at Palace and justifiably so. I wholly and naturally expect plenty of vigorous finger wagging in the direction of London SE25 over the forthcoming days and possibly weeks, and I fully understand and accept any sort of denigration and vilification regarding the events today.
How much you may well ask are this recently rescued club going to pay a 37 year-old former Dutch international who hasn't kicked a ball in anger for two years, to pull on Palace's red n' blue shirt?
Well you can be sure the new owners (CPFC2010) will have done their maths and that if this arrangement was a non-viable monetary option, the plug would have been pulled immediately. These guys have just saved the club, in no way will they put their money and the clubs security in jeopardy, less than 24 hours after exiting administration.
But in Edgar Davids 
(pictured right) you have a man and a football player that once graced the game across Europe, from the days of his Ajax debut back in 1992, followed by a glorious career at the likes of footballing giants AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, and Inter Milan, as well as a spell at Tottenham, winning numerous club trophies throughout his illustrious playing career, not to mention his 74 international caps for the Netherlands.
Now he is a Crystal Palace player on a 'pay-as-you-play deal', who will provide as much off the pitch as on it!
Crystal Palace have a football academy second only to Arsenal's, and the youngsters at Palace in the shape of Zaha, Cadogan, Clyne, Djilali, Scannell, Holland and Pinney to name but a few can surely only benefit from the arrival of a genuine 'footballing icon' at their Club, whether it be on the training ground, in the dressing room, in the form of advice or even as a shoulder to cry on!
The obvious income Davids will bring to the Club will more than likely come in the form of an initial (and hopefully a prolonged) increase in crowd attendances at Selhurst Park, from shirt sales and possibly even designer glasses. Any income by whatever means can only be of benefit to the Club.
The Club itself will undoubtably receive additional media exposure, possibly resulting in an increase in the number of live TV games shown, and therefore the increased revenue that is generated as a result.
On the otherhand maybe Davids will become an overbearing unwanted media distraction at the club, ruffle a few feathers and put a few noses out of joint amongst the more experienced, senior players already at the club. Maybe Davids will pick up a serious injury, be unable to sustain the level of fitness required, along with the hunger or desire and passion required on match day. A cold, wet Tuesday night fixture away at Deepdale, the Keepmoat or Turf Moor hardly rivals the Stadio Olimpico di Torino or the L'Estadi Camp Nou.
But football fans, even if Davids move to South London doesn't work our for whatever reason, remember he is on a 'pay-as-you-play' deal, an absolutely crucial condition of his contract, bearing in mind the current economic climate.
I believe every single football club in the country would like to have had the 'opportunity' of working with a player of his calibre, whether your club be Birmingham, Blackburn, Barnsley, Brighton or Bury!
Edgar Davids will be at Selhurst Park at tomorrow's game against Ipswich Town to be introduced to the crowd.
'Edgar the Eagle' a Crystal Palace player, 20th August 2010 - What a story, what a coup, what football dreams are made of............. bring it on!
C.P.F.C Pre-Season 2010 - Fixtures, Results and Scorers.
Tue 13th July: Crawley 1-0 Crystal Palace, Broadfield Stadium, Brighton Road, Crawley.
Palace team: Speroni, Wright, Remie (Brunno 46), McCarthy, Barrett, Djilali (Zaha 46), Danns (Pinney 85), N'Diaye (Holness 73), Dorman (Cadogan 69), Lee (Andrew 46), Morgan (Bridcutt 64).
Wed 14th July: Sutton United 2-1 Crystal Palace XI, The Borough Sports Ground, Sutton.
Palace goalscorer: Pinney
Palace team: Price, Parsons, Holland, Nnamani, Mareval (Pringle 46), Cadogan (Williamson-Murrell 85), Bridcutt (Wynter 85), Holness (Caprice 85), Djilali (Williams 75), Zaha (Sekajja 46), Pinney. Sub not used: Mann.
Sat 17th July: Wycombe Wanderers U18's 2-0 Crystal Palace U18's, Bisham Abbey, Berkshire.
Sat 17th July: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea, Selhurst Park, SE25.
Palace team: Julian Speroni, 2. David Wright, 3. Alexsander Radosavlijevic, 4. Adam Barrett, 5. Paddy McCarthy (c), 6. Anthony Ouasafane, 7. Neil Danns, 8. Davide Baiocco, 9. Alan Lee, 10. Darren Ambrose, 11. Andy Dorman. Subs: 13 Lewis Price, 14. Kieron Cadogan, 15. Claude Davis, 16. Liam Bridcutt, 17. Dean Morgan, 18. Alassane N'Diaye, 19. Wilfred Zaha, 20. Sean Scannell
Wed 21st July: Dorchester Town 3-3 Crystal Palace, The Avenue Stadium, Dorchester.
Palace goalscorers: Ambrose (2), Zaha.
Palace team: Speroni (Price, 46), N'Diaye (Holland, 70), Barratt (Davis, 46), McCarthy, Branco, Ambrose, Danns, Dorman (Jerry, 64), Ty (Djilali, 75), Andrew (Cadogan, 64), Lee (Zaha, 46)
Fri 23rd July: Exeter City 0-2 Crystal Palace, at Tiverton Town FC, Tiverton, Devon.
Palace goalscorers: Ambrose (2).
Palace team: Speroni, Holland, McCarthy, Davis (N'Diaye 72), Branco (Taianan HT), Trialist, Danns, Dorman (Lee 52), Ambrose (Ani 78), Zaha (Cadogan 52), Andrew (Scannell 67), Dijaili.
Tues 27th July: Bromley 0-0 Crystal Palace, at Hayes Lane, Bromley.
Palace team: Price, Holness (Nnamani 46), Capaldi (Kasim 46), Davis, McCarthy (Barrett 46), Sumulikoski, Danns (Lee 46), Fuseini, Andrew (Cadogan 64), Ambrose (Djilali 46), Dorman (Zaha 46)
Fri 30th July: Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace, at Griffin Park, Brentford.
Palace goalscorer: Cadogan.
Palace team: Speroni, Clyne, Wright,(Capaldi 65), Davis (Holland 75), Shuminesse, Barrett, Ambrose, Dorman (Danns 70), Andrew, (Lee 46), Cadogan, Djilali (Zaha 46)
Subs not used: Kasim, Price, Holness, Nnmani, Pinney.
Wed 4th Aug: Dulwich Hamlet 0-2 Crystal Palace XI, at Champion Hill Stadium, London SE22 8BD
Palace goalscorers: Sekajja, Williamson-Murrel
Palace team: Fotheringham, Williams ('Nico' 46), Nnamani, Holland (C), Parsons, Holness, Sekajja (Williamson-Murrell 65), Kasim, Pinney, N'Diaye, Djilali
Subs not used: Winter, Mann, Daniel, Caprice.
Crystal Palace F.C - What A Season ! The Facts and Stats.
.jpg)
.jpg)
P.Diddy or The Diddymen - Panto At The Palace!
DIDDY TO BID-DY FOR PALACE ?
Cristal Palace's playas' lounge has moved one step closer to its unveiling at the Selhurst Park ground.
P.Diddy was locked in talks with Phil Alexander, chief executive of the footie club, on Thursday night - thrashing out a possible takeover.
The multi-millionaire U.S rapper now knows exactly how much the skint club in South-East London will cost and is in contact with their administrators.
Diddy - real name Sean Combs (below) - is expected to come back with an offer this weekend.
Palace face a tricky trip to Blackpool today, the first match since the Diddy story broke.
The Championship side are in serious danger of relegation, but the takeover does not hinge on their survival.
A source said: "Diddy wants to own Crystal Palace - no matter what division they might be in next season."
"He identifies with the club and feels they have real potential."
"If they go down to League One, he will ensure it's a brief stay."
Extract from: Gordon Smart's Bizarre column.
Published: Today by The Sun newspaper - News Group Newspapers Ltd
Congratulations to Crystal Palace's Nathianiel Clyne - Named The FourFourTwo 'Young Player of the Year'
On the 14th March, Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne was named FourFourTwo 'Young Player of the Year ' at the 2010 Football League Awards gala dinner, held at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London.
The 18-year-old defender is ranked 17th in FourFourTwo’s Top 50 Football League Players list, making him the highest ranked representative aged 21 or under, and as a result, the ' Young Player of the Year ' for the Coca-Cola Football League, beating Nottingham Forest's Paul Anderson and Southampton's Adam Lallana to the title.
Past winners of the award include Fabian Delph, Michael Kightly and Gareth Bale.
Nathaniel, a product of the highly acclaimed Crystal Palace youth academy follows in the footsteps of team-mate Sean Scannell, who won the ' The Championship's Apprentice of the Year ' at the same event in 2009.
The Stockwell born full-back made his first-team debut for Crystal Palace on the 18th October 2008 against Barnsley aged 17, and was named ' Crystal Palace Young Player of the Year ' in 2009. 
He has continued to play at the top of his game and has been a 'shinning light' for The Eagles, despite what has been a much publicised and difficult season for the South London side.
The quiet, well rounded teenager said of his award:
"It is very pleasing as there are a lot of young players out there playing first-team football. I’m very happy."
The England U19 international, paid tribute to former manager Neil Warnock – now at QPR following Palace's move into administration – for handing him the opportunity to perform on the big stage.
"He gave me my first-team debut and I owe a lot for that opportunity. He gave me a lot of confidence to perform out on the field."
The full interview with Nathaniel Clyne, can be found in the April issue of FourFourTwo magazine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reaction from Palace fan's on the unofficial Crystal Palace supporters website Holmesdale.net -
Quality youngster and potential England right back. Congratulations Nat and well deserved - 'Lewisham Eagle'
Richly deserved, well done Nathan - 'we_hate_jon_fortune'
Another great talent that will be nicked from us next season! - 'Palace Passion'
Fantastic player. Not only is he great for his age, he's a very good right-back in general. Glad to see he's getting credit where credit's due! - 'Mr Fenandes'
Thoroughly well deserved Nathaniel.
You are a wonderful role model for all aspiring young footballers out there.
Every Palace fan should be very proud to have such a talented, level-headed individual such as yourself at the Club.
Onwards & upwards - the cream always rises to the top! - 'prideofsouthlondon'
Well-deserved. Would go to the World Cup if there was any justice. Better than Wes Brown! - 'Mr 110%'
The New Management Team At Crystal Palace Football Club
Since Crystal Palace F.C went into administration on the 26th January 2010, there had been much speculation but no real concrete substantiation on the movement or otherwise of manager Neil Warnock.
However on Tuesday it was announced Neil was leaving the Club, to become Queens Park Rangers' fifth managerial appointment of the 2009/10 season. Along with Neil the backroom staff of Keith Curle and Mick Jones also left to join him in palatial West London.
I would like to say that I personally was a fan of Mr. Warnock, or to be more accurate I grew to become a fan, because I have to admit I was somewhat apprehensive when this gregarious, brash, Yorkshire born and bred, larger than life character was initially appointed two and a half years ago.
Some of the unsubstantiated comments allegedly made by Neil on his departure left a somewhat sour taste in mine and many other Palace supporters mouths. How true those comments were I am none to sure, as much as I am as to why he decided to leave in the first place.
Swapping one London club in a perilous financial position and potentially relegation bound for another in an equally precarious position on the field, albeit with an affluent but seemingly self-destructible and unpredictable boardroom, with just 14 games of the season to go, I simply fail to understand!
The truth may never be known outside of those immediately implicated.
However during Neil's tenure I was also impressed with the work of Neil's assistant Keith Curle, (the ex Manchester City and England International player).
Without trying to stick my oar in, I went to watch the Ivory Coast play South Korea (two of the World Cup qualifiers) in an international friendly at Loftus Road on Wednesday afternoon, and unsurprisingly bumped into Keith as he arrived at his 'new home.'
Out of interest I asked Keith if he had been offered the position of manager at Palace after Neil decided to leave, to which he replied 'no.'
I then put it to him that if he had been offered the managerial role at Palace would he in fact have taken it. His somewhat muted, low-key reply was ' yes.'
Now I have to say my heart sank at that moment, because in my eyes he would have been an ideal replacement for Neil for several reasons. The obvious ones being that he already knew the set-up at Palace, the players - their abilities and mind set, he had the experience of working with Neil, was well respected at the Club by the players and supporters alike, and therefore was in my humble opinion the best person to fill the void left by Neil's departure, and to take the Club forward.
However a new management team is in place and Neil Warnock is in the library listed under the ' history' section, and I look forward on a positive note to the arrival of our three new amigos in the shape of Paul Hart, his assistant, ex-Palace hero Dougie Freedman, and first team coach John Pemberton, also a former Crystal Palace player.
The new men in charge:
The Manager:
Paul Hart
Born on 4th May 1953 in Golborne, Lancashire, Paul Hart began his playing career in 1970 at Stockport County. In 1978 he made a £300,000 move to Leeds United as a replacement for Gordon McQueen, and spent another five years at Elland Road where he made 191 appearances.
He went on to play for a number of other clubs namely Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesay, Birmingham and finally Notts County.
After announcing his retirement Paul was appointed manager of Chesterfield. He spent three years with the Spireites, which included an unsuccessful run to the play-offs, before a fall out with the Chairman led to his depature in 1991.
He then moved into youth coaching and was offered the role as head of Leeds United's Academy.
His young side won the FA Youth Cup in 1993 and 1997, while many of his young players went on to establish themselves in the Leeds side that reached the Champions League semi finals in 2001.
He then moved to Nottingham Forest to take charge of their Academy, but was promoted in 2001 to first team manager upon the departure of David Platt.
Hart was forced to take control of a club that had spiralled into crippling debt under Platt, and he had to accept losing a series of key players to balance the books.
Nonetheless Hart still managed to stablise the team and actually led them to the First Division play-off semi-finals in 2003.
He was offered the vacant managerial position at League One side Barnsley, before his departure by mutual consent.
A short spell in charge of Rushden & Diamonds followed in 2006, but it proved to be another short stay and he returned to youth team management at Portsmouth in 2007.
Two years later Pompey's first team manager, Tony Adams was removed from his post and Hart was offered the position as caretaker manager until the end of the 2008/09 season.
It was made permanent in July 2009, but he couldn't replicate the success he had the previous campaign and after a difficult start to the new season he left the club.
It led to a surprise move to QPR in December in a move that turned out to be another bizarre turn of events in the South West London club's managerial merry-go-round, because after less than month in charge he left Loftus Road.
On 2nd March 2010 Hart was appointed manager of Crystal Palace.
Assistant Manager:
Dougie Freedman
Born 25th May 1974 in Glasgow, Dougie Freedman began his career with top flight Queens Park Rangers in 1992, but never made their first team. Instead, he moved to Third Division Barnet on a free transfer in July 1994. He made his league debut in August 1994 and quickly became the club's leading player as he struck 24 goals in his debut season. A bright start to the following season convinced Crystal Palace to bid £800,000 to take him to Selhurst Park in September 1995.
Freedman instantly showed he could continue his goalscoring antics at the higher level when he netted 20 times in the 1995–96 season.
The following season saw a less prolific 11 goals scored by the Scotsman, but it was enough to help the club to the promotion play-offs. He then scored crucial goals in the 89th and 90th minutes of their semi-final tie with Wolves after coming off the bench with just 17 minutes left. Palace went on to win promotion in the Wembley final, beating Sheffield United 1–0.
In October 1997, Freedman moved ironically to Wolves on a loan spell and was signed permanently after impressing at the Molineux club. However, his spell with the club would only last until the end of the 1997–98 season, before Freedman was sold to Nottingham Forest for £950,000 in August 1998.
Nottingham Forest offered Freedman his first full season in the top flight in 1998–99, but Forest were relegated. He remained with the club for a further full season before rejoining Crystal Palace again in October 2000, this time for £600,000.
Freedman joined the club during a relegation threatened campaign, but one which ended with perhaps his most famous goal for the club. Relegation to the third tier loomed in Palace's final game of the season at Stockport County. With three minutes left and the score 0-0, Freedman dramatically pounced to score probably the most vital goal in the Club's history, and one which secured Palace's survival in the division.
The following campaign saw him bag 21 goals in all competitions, his best seasonal tally for the club. This also earned him a call-up to the Scottish national team, to add to his earlier Under 21 caps.
However the following season was less of a personal success. His fortunes were revived in 2003–04 though, as he re-established himself as a first choice regular under new manager Iain Dowie. A strong surge in the second-half of the season saw the club go from relegation contenders to the promotion play-offs. He was an unused substitute in the final though, which saw the club beat West Ham and win promotion to the top flight, the second time he had been promoted with the club.
However, life in the Premier League in 2004–05 saw Freedman often overlooked as the team employed only one striker in most games, with Andy Johnson being the preferred choice in this role.
He remained committed to the Palace cause of consolidating FA Premier League status by rejecting a loan bid from Leeds, and scored in their final game of the season, but could not prevent the club enduring Premier League relegation in 2005.
Back in the Championship the form of fellow strikers Johnson and Clinton Morrison limited his first-team opportunities, but he scored his 100th and 101st goals for Crystal Palace in a 3–2 win at rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on 20th November 2005. This made him only the seventh player in Palace history to have reached the century mark.
His coaching career began when he was appointed as the reserve team manager of Crystal Palace in November 2007. He was in this role alongside his playing duties for the club's first team.
Freedman joined League One club Leeds United on loan in early 2008, until the end of the season, where he made quite an impression. He helped them reach a play-off final at the age of 34.
After returning to Palace at the end of the season, Dougie was granted a testimonial match to reward him for ten years' service at the club over two spells.
In September 2008, Southend United announced the signing of Dougie Freedman on a two year contract. On 2nd March 2010 Freedman had his contract at Southend terminated by mutual consent and he returned to his former club Crystal Palace as the new assistant manager.
1st Team Coach:
John Pemberton
Born 18 November 1964 in Oldham, Lancashire John Pemberton started his career as a junior at Manchester United but was released in June 1983. He signed for Chadderton F.C, then Rochdale A.F.C before moving to Crewe Alexandra in 1985.He initially came to prominence when he joined Crystal Palace in 1988, helping them win promotion to the First Division in 1989.
He appeared for Palace in the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley.
In 1990, Pemberton moved to Sheffield United. His most memorable moment game in 1993 when he scored the winning penalty in the shootout against Blackburn Rovers in the Quarter Final replay of the FA Cup. The following summer he was sold to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
Pemberton became something of a cult figure at Leeds owing to his determination and high work-rate. He appeared in a second Wembley final when he played for Leeds in the 1996 League Cup Final against Aston Villa, again, unfortunately for Pemberton his side was defeated.
He ended his career back at Crewe Alexandra with two appearances in the 1997–98 season.
Pemberton coached Nottingham Forest's reserve team to the Central League title in the 2007–08 season. In December 2008, following the dismissal of first-team manager Colin Calderwood, Pemberton was appointed as caretaker manager before Billy Davies was named as the new first-team boss. At the end of the 2008–09 season Davies re-organised his coaching staff, and Pemberton's contract was terminated by mutual consent after more than a decade as part of Forest's backroom team.
On 2nd March 2010 Pemberton was appointed first team coach at Crystal Palace.
May I take this opportunity to wish the new management team the best of luck for the remainder of the season.
As a Palace fan, on behalf of all Palace fans, can I ask that each of you give 100% in your efforts to keep 'The Eagles' in the Championship. In return you will have our whole hearted support in these difficult times.
Ian Wright & The Club That Made Him – Crystal Palace
With Crystal Palace F.C currently in administration, times are tough for the South London Club at the moment, as the wait for a buyer goes on, and the future of the management team and players remains uncertain.
It has been 'reported' in the press that Ian Wright is interested in making a return to the club that gave him his first break - only this time in a coaching role.
Here we take a look at the man whose life changed forever when he pulled on the red and blue jersey of Crystal Palace, and triggered one of the most successful periods of time in the history of the Club.
Ian Edward Wright was born 3rd November 1963 in Woolwich, South London. He was the third son of Jamaican immigrants. His father Herbert left home when he was four, and he was brought up by his mother Nesta.
He trained as a bricklayer and plasterer when he left school at 16, and spent a week in Chelmsford Prison for not paying motoring fines.
Prison scared him sufficiently to put him on the straight and narrow, and he focused his energy on playing football for his local side 'Ten Em Bee.'
He was rejected by Brighton and Southend before Crystal Palace talent scout Pete Prentice happened to see Wright in a local Sunday-league match playing for Greenwich Borough and invited him to have a trial at Selhurst Park
He impressed then-manager Steve Coppell, and signed professional terms for Crystal Palace in August 1985, on an initial contract worth £100-a-week, just three months short of his 22nd birthday.
In his first game for Palace he came on as a substitute against Oldham Athletic and within minutes he scored.
In his first season, Wright scored nine times to finish as Palace's joint second-highest scorer with Phil Barber
When Mark Bright joined him at Palace two years later, the partnership clicked and Wright blossomed.
Their strike partnership was a major factor in taking the the club into the top flight via the playoffs in 1989.
Behind the scenes at Palace not everything was flowers and chocolates!
Wright and Palace's other young black players, Andy Gray and Tony Finnegan had been racially abused on the training ground by their team-mates, perhaps unsurprising given then chairman Ron Noades’s controversial statements about the make-up of his team, and coming to a head in 1991, when he said of the current crop of talented black players plying their trade at Palace that "the black players at this club lend the side a lot of skill and flair, but you also need white players in there to balance things up and give the team some brains and some common sense."
It was an astonishing things to say.......and Wright reported Noades to the Commission of Racial Equality.
Abused on his England B debut at Millwall and fined for spitting at racist fans at Oldham and QPR, Wright became an effective spokesperson against racial prejudice in football.
Ian Wright is probably best remembered for scoring two goals as a Crystal Palace substitute in the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley, having just recovered from a broken leg, sustained earlier in the season.
Wright equalized for Palace a few minutes after coming onto the field, then put Palace 3-2 ahead in extra-time before Mark Hughes’ equalizer seven minutes from time forced a replay, saved United’s blushes and many say the job of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
It was rumored Ferguson was on the verge of dismissal if he didn’t deliver some silverware after several fruitless years as United manager. However United went on to win the replay, and the rest as they say is history.
In February 1991 Wright was handed his England debut by manager Graham Taylor.
He started in the 2-0 victory against Cameroon at Wembley.
Whilst a Palace player Wright made five appearances for the full England side.
Also in 1991 he completed his century of Palace goals to become only the fifth man to achieve that feat since the club's foundation in 1905.
In September 1991 Wright moved to Arsenal for £2.5m
In total Ian Wright played 227 games for Crystal Palace scoring 117 goals in a little over six seasons.
Babe Of The Month - On Boarding The Crystal Palace Rollercoaster Keep Arms & Legs Inside The Car At All Times
Crystal Palace Football Club Go Into Administration - 26th January 2010. Which Club Will Be Next?
OFFICIAL CLUB STATEMENT:
Following a 5pm meeting at the club the following statement was released.
Brendan Guilfoyle, Chris White and John Russell of the P & A Partnership have today been appointed administrators of Crystal Palace Football Club.
The administrators have been appointed to rescue the club and reconstruct its finances and will be urgently seeking buyers.
Brendan Guilfoyle said: "This club has been in the spotlight for some months with creditors pressing for payments and players anxious about their wages.
"Our role now is to find a buyer quickly to provide certainty for the employees, players and fans for the future. We are hoping our appointment will be short-lived as we understand there are many interested buyers."
"Our role now is to find a buyer quickly to provide certainty for the employees, players and fans for the future. We are hoping our appointment will be short-lived as we understand there are many interested buyers," he added in the statement.
Palace are ninth in the table, having been on the fringes of the promotion playoff places most of the season as they attempt to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2005.
However, administration leads to an automatic 10-point penalty which would leave them battling to avoid relegation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKY SPORTS NEWS:
Crystal Palace have gone into administration and are facing an immediate 10-point deduction as a result.
The Football League is still to confirm the penalty as they are awaiting legal paperwork, but administrators have been appointed in a bid to rescue the Championship club.
The Selhurst Park outfit have been struggling financially for some time with chairman Simon Jordan actively seeking new investment.
Palace's players have seen their wages delayed this season, while the club have been forced to operate under a transfer embargo due to their plight.
The South London side have now been left with no option but to place the club into administration in the face of mounting debts.
Their 10-point deduction will see them plunge from ninth in the table and on the fringes of the play-off race to 20th, just four points above the drop zone.
Rescue.
A statement released to Sky Sports News read: "Brendan Guilfoyle, Chris White and John Russell of the P & A Partnership have today been appointed administrators of Crystal Palace Football Club.
"The administrators have been appointed to rescue the club and reconstruct its finances and will be urgently seeking buyers."
The administrators remain confident that they will soon be able to find a new buyer to save the ailing Eagles.
Guilfoyle said: "This club has been in the spotlight for some months with creditors pressing for payments and players anxious about their wages.
"Our role now is to find a buyer quickly to provide certainty for the employees, players and fans for the future.
"We are hoping our appointment will be short-lived as we understand there are many interested buyers."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS IS CROYDON TODAY.CO.UK - FROM A PALACE PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE - MATT LAWRENCE
Palace defender Matt Lawrence says the Eagles playing staff will be "bitterly disappointed" at the news that the club have been placed into administration.
Most of the club's players and coaching staff were in the air on a flight to Newcastle for tomorrow night's clash with the Championship league leaders as the news broke.
Lawrence, who had got the train up to the North East, was waiting for his team mates at the hotel as he spoke with the Advertiser.
"I think they are on the way here now so I'm sure most will have heard the news, I'm sure the texts will have been flying around," he said. "I would imagine that some of the staff and possibly Shaun [Derry - Palace's captain] may have been told before they got on the flight, but I don't know for sure.
"It's just bitterly disappointing that all the hard work done by the players and the manager so far this season to get us where we are in the league has disappeared.
"We were two points off the play-offs but now we are just four points above the relegation zone. So obviously the focus has changed."
Lawrence, who was been a peripheral figure at Palace for the majority of the campaign, insists the team will simply have to roll up their sleeves and get on with their job - just as they have done all season.
"We're in a relegation scrap now and rather than tomorrow night's game being a six pointer in terms of the play-offs, the games with Peterborough and Scunthorpe in the next two weeks are the six-pointers.
"I think the lads have shown that during these hard times they have been focussed on the football and I'm sure they will keep on doing the same thing now. The games we have got remaining have just taken on even more significance."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BBC SPORT:
Championship side Crystal Palace have gone into administration, according to administrators P&A Partnership.
The Eagles twice failed to pay players this season and chairman Simon Jordan had been searching for new investors.
Clubs entering administration are automatically docked 10 points, which would see Palace drop from ninth place to two spots above the drop zone.
But the Football League has yet to receive formal confirmation from either the club or the administrators.
The Football League would need to see official documentation before applying the penalty.
"Our role is to find a buyer quickly to provide certainty for the future," said administrator Brendan Guilfoyle.
"This club has been in the spotlight with creditors pressing for payments and players anxious about wages.
"We are hoping our appointment will be short-lived as we understand there are many interested buyers."
Palace have reported debts of approximately £30m and are due in court on Wednesday to face a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs.
Despite their financial constraints - Warnock has at times not been able to name seven substitutes this season - Palace were lying two points off the play-offs ahead of Wednesday's trip to Newcastle.
Warnock will instead have a relegation fight on his hands, while the sale of his star players, such as teenage striker Victor Moses, now seems inevitable.
Jordan, who saved Palace from administration in 2000, last year announced his intention to sell the club.
The club has twice since been subject to a transfer embargo, with the Palace players first informed that Jordan had "cashflow" problems at the end of November.
A History of Idiosyncratic Events in Football – Part One
To this day this bizarre record still stands.
The penalties ran as follows:
Palace are 1-0 up, Brighton are reduced to ten men and Mark Bright scores the first penalty of the match to make it 2-0.
Minutes later Palace win another spot-kick, but this time Mark Bright sees his effort saved by Brighton keeper John Keeley.
Palace win a third penalty in five minutes. Bright passes responsibility onto fellow striker Ian Wright, who in turn misses.
After a ten-minute period either side of half time without incident, Morton breaks the monotony by awarding another penalty.
This time he awards it to Brighton, who score courtesy of Alan Curbishely.
The score is now 2-1 to Palace.
The fifth and final penalty goes to Palace, who miss again, this time through defender John Pemberton.
The game ended: Crystal Palace 2 Brighton 1
Congratulations to Victor Moses - Winner of the Coca-Cola Football League Young Player of the Month Award
The Coca-Cola Football League Young Player of the Month award is given to the player aged 21 or under who, in its words, "has made the most significant contribution and impact in first-team football".
Here is Victor and his manager Neil Warnock being interviewed by Sky Sports on his award.
Moses scored four goals throughout the month including an eye catching double at Reading and a spectacular over-head kick at home to Barnsley just before Christmas.
Here is the link to see Victor's cracking goal against Barnsley on the 19th December 2009.
The 19-year-old also scored a fine winner against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday — his sixth league goal in his past eight matches. "That might be his last game for us," Neil Warnock, the Palace manager, said.
Palace’s financial troubles are forcing them to part with their most valuable asset and his fantastic form has drawn attention from the giants of the game, including Barcelona, Real Madrid Arsenal and Liverpool, with a move to the Premier League or abroad almost certain before the end of the transfer window.
Born in Nigeria on 12th December 1990, he was sent to live in England aged eleven, a week after his parents were murdered.
Victor's father Austin Moses was a Christian minister in Kaduna at a time when religious violence between the Muslim majority and Christian minority was rife. Despite this and with the help of his wife, Josephine, he continued with his missionary work.
Austin did not have time for football, but Victor played every day, in the streets or on a dusty concrete pitch surrounded by houses.
But in 2002, there were more religious riots. The family knew that because Victor's father had his own church, he would be a target.
Victor, the couple's only child, was playing football in the streets with a ball made up of sticky tape bound tightly together when his uncle came to find him.
He told him rioters had set upon his parents in their home and murdered them. He said Victor's life was in danger, too. The little boy, an orphan at 11, was hidden at a friend's house.
They got me out as quickly as they could for my safety.
Victor did not know anyone in England. He had never even been outside Kaduna before. He was placed with foster parents in Croydon and classified as an asylum seeker.
Since making his debut in November 2007, he has made 68 first team appearances, scoring 11 goals. Moses has also represented England at various levels and picked up the Golden Boot in the 2007 European Under-17 Championships.
The Football League's Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson said:
"Victor Moses is an outstanding example of the high calibre young footballers being developed by Football League clubs. His eye-catching performances during the month of December have shown just why he is regarded as one of the finest young talents in English football."
After receiving his award from Palace manager Neil Warnock, Moses said:
"I am delighted to receive this award. This is one of the greatest days of my life to be winning something like this in the Championship."
New Business Partnership with 'Palace Echobet' - Helping Crystal Palace Football Club's Youth Academy
Beer Footy and Birds is pleased to announce an official new partnership with palace ECHO*BET, a way to have a punt AND benefit the Crystal Palace Youth Academy at the sametime.
In association with Echobet Ltd, who have carefully selected a number of online bookmaker affiliates, it means even if you lose your wager, you can take heart in the fact that C.P.F.C will benefit.
As part of their commitment to raise funds for the Club's developing stars Echobet are proud to be 19 year old Sean Scannell's shirt sponsor for the 2009/10 season.
A proportion of the profits earned by the Echobet affiliate scheme will be donated to Crystal Palace's Youth Academy, initially, in the form of player sponsorship for young players who have graduated - such as Sean Scannell (below).
After-Dinner Sports Tales - Gareth Southgate
This month is my fifth installment of light hearted after-dinner sporting tales, as told by current or ex-professional sportsman.
My after-dinner sports tale for this month is one told by Gareth Southgate, a well respected football player and now club manager, who has been a model professional since making his debut in 1988.
Born in Watford, Hertfordshire in 1970, Southgate began his career at Crystal Palace, playing in central midfield. He became captain and led the club to the 1994 Division One title.
He moved to Aston Villa in 1995 for a fee of £2.5 million, having made 152 appearances and scoring 15 goals over four seasons for the South London club.
In 2001 he joined Middlesborough as a player, before becoming the Teeside clubs manager in 2006.
"I went to watch a match with my wife and the family of a friend (who was playing).
People started turning around to ask me for autographs, which is always flattering but can start to interfere with your enjoyment of an event.
By now the game had kicked off and yet still I was being passed scraps of paper and programmes to sign.
I obliged, but must confess I was getting irritable as I tried to watch the game.
A flag was passed along then a ticket.
'Pen?' I asked down the line, somewhat abruptly, and a pen was duly passed down the line.
'What's his name?' I asked my friend's wife, and the query was passed down the line.
'To John, all the best, Gareth Southgate,' I wrote and passed the ticket back along the line.
Out of the corner of my eye I see the guy look at the ticket and start to edge along the row.
I'm just about to say to him: 'Look mate, no disrepect, but I'm trying to watch the game,' when he says apologetically: 'Excuse me, I'm very sorry but you're in my seat."
During the 2003–04 season Gareth became an author, penning Woody & Nord: A Football Friendship with close friend and former West Ham goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman. This book describes an enduring friendship forged in the Crystal Palace youth team that has survived Southgate and Woodman's wildly differing fortunes in the professional game. The book won the Sporting Book of the Year Award for 2004 from the National Sporting Club.
Crystal Palace Squad List - 2009/10
Goalkeepers:
# 1.Julian Speroni
# 12.Darryl Flahavan
Defenders:
# 2.Nathanial Clyne
# 3.Clint Hill
# 5.Patrick McCarthy
# 6.Jose Miguel Fonte - Sold to Southampton in Jan 2010
# 15.Lee Hills
# 20.Danny Butterfield
# 22.Johannes Ertl
# 24.Claude Davis
Midfielders:
# 4.Shaun Derry (Captain)
# 7.Darren Ambrose
# 8.Neil Danns
# 10.Nick Carle
# 21.Kieran Djilali
# 26.Kieron Cadogan
# 29.Ryan Smith - Released Jan 2010
# 33.Alassane N'Diaye
# 37.Nathanial Pinney
# 42.James Comley
Strikers:
# 9.Stern John - On Loan at Ipswich since Nov 2009
# 11.Victor Moses
# 14.Sean Scannell
# 16.Freddie Sears - Loan Cut Short - Recalled by West Ham, Jan 2010
# 17.Simon Thomas - Released Jan 2010
# 18.Calvin Andrew
# 19.Alan Lee
# Subject to change.
After-Dinner Sports Tales - Chris Coleman
This month is my third installment of humorous after-dinner sporting tales, as told by current or ex-professional sportsman.
In May I wrote about an after-dinner tale as told by ex-footballer Rodney Marsh, last month was the turn of the former England rugby international and British Lion Wade Dooley.
Today I am returning to football and a man who is currently plying his trade as a manager, following a successful stint as a player.
Welsh international footballer Chris Coleman was born in Swansea, started his playing career at Manchester City as a trainee before moving back to his hometown club in South Wales, where he went on to made 160 appearances. He left Swansea for Crystal Palace in 1991, where he spent 4 years with the South Londoner's, and during that time won the first of his 32 caps for Wales. He left Palace for Blackburn in 1995, before joining Fulham two years later.
However, Coleman's playing career was prematurely ended after he broke his leg in three places following a horrific car crash in Surrey in January 2001.
Following managerial stints at Fulham and Real Sociedad, Coleman has been charge of Championship side Coventry City since February 2008.
Here are two amusing excerpts from a speech made by Chris at a sporting dinner.
****************************************************************************************************
C.P.F.C Pre-Season 2009 - Fixtures, Results and Scorers.
Thurs 9th July: Boreham Wood 0-4 Palace, Meadow Park.
Palace goalscorers: Maric (Trialist), Ertl, Djilali, Thomas.
Monday, 13 July: Crystal Palace XI 5-2 Crystal Palace FC USA, Regency Furniture Stadium, Waldorf, Maryland, USA.
Palace goalscorers: Lee, Flores 2 (both o.g's), Sears, N'Diaye.
Thurs 16th July: Harrisburg City Islanders 1-3 Crystal Palace XI, Lancaster's Clipper Magazine Stadium, Pennsylvania, USA.
Palace goalscorers: Sears, Ambrose, Danns. Watch the goals here.
Tue 21st July: Brentford 2-2 Palace, Griffin Park.Palace goalscorers: Ambrose, J. Fonte.
Fri 24th July: Bristol Rovers 0-3 Palace, The Memorial Ground.
Palace goalscorers: Sears, Danns (pen), N'Diaye.
Sat 25th July: Sutton Utd 0-2 Palace XI, Borough Sports Ground.
Palace goalscorers: Wright, Pinney.
Tue 28th July: Palace 0-1 Norwich City, Selhurst Park.
Wed 29th July: East Grinstead Town FC 0-6 Palace XI, East Court, East Grinstead.
Palace goalscorers: Pinney, Scannell, N'Diaye, Cadogan (2), Thomas.
Thur 30th July: Bromley 0-1 Palace, Hayes Lane.
Palace goalscorer: N'Diaye.
Sun 2nd August: Palace 0-1 Gillingham, Selhurst Park.
'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair
Hello and welcome to my latest guest blog previewing this weekend’s Coca-Cola Championship fixtures as well as looking at some of the LIVE TV games in more detail. Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my best bet football tips.
Last time out I got my prediction for the Bristol City v Preston game spot on as well as correctly picking three draws in my sections list. Here's hoping for more success this week.
Here’s my pick of the action this Easter weekend:
Reading v Sheff Utd
Friday 10th April KO 17:30 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
It's third versus fourth in this Good Friday clash, live in front of the Sky cameras. Kevin Blackwell's Blades have won four in a row, a run of form which has seen them overtake Reading into third and are now just three points behind Birmingham in the race for automatic promotion. Reading meanwhile have had just one win in six so will look to stop that slide against the Blades.
Current Match odds:
Reading 5/4 The Draw 13/5 Sheff Utd 5/2
Scorecast:
Reading 1-0 8/1 2-0 12/1 2-1 9/1 3-0 26/1
Sheff Utd 0-1 11/1 0-2 20/1 1-2 13/1 0-3 54/1
Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 13/2 2-2 17/1
My 'best bet' prediction:
Two talented sides who would not look out of place in the Premier League. The Blades are coming up on the rails of Reading at the moment, they have the momentum and I fancy them to come away from the Madejski Stadium with a narrow victory.
Sheff Utd 1-0 win @ 11/1
Wolves v Southampton
Friday 10th April KO 15.15 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
It’s not been a good few weeks for Southampton. Their parent company has gone into administration, with the prospect of a potential ten point penalty as a result, added to their precarious league position as they face the threat of relegation to the third tier of league football (even without a points deduction) - it would be safe to say that things down on the South Coast right now are looking bleak! They left Watford on Tuesday night with a point when three would have seen them jump out of the relegation zone. They now have only five more league games to save their Championship status, beginning with a tricky trip to the Black Country on Good Friday.
Wolves remain top of the tree, although their lead was cut following a disappointing derby defeat at Birmingham on Monday night. Mick McCarthy's side will look to secure automatic promotion as soon as possible, starting with a victory against the Saints.
Current Match odds:
Wolves 4/7 The Draw 3/1 Southampton 13/2
Scorecast:
Wolves 1-0 6/1 2-0 7/1 2-1 10/1 3-0 12/1
Southampton 0-1 20/1 0-2 49/1 1-2 23/1 0-3 189/1
Draw 0-0 13/1 1-1 8/1 2-2 17/1
My ‘best bet’ prediction:
Southampton look doomed in my opinion. Wolves may have lost their last game but I think they will have enough quality to get the win and hammer another nail in the Saints coffin.
Wolves 2-0 win @ 7/1
The Best of the rest:
Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.
Here are my tips for this weekend's matches:
Home wins:
Burnley v QPR
Preston v Blackpool
Sheff Wed v Derby
Swansea v Norwich
Away wins:
Charlton v Birmingham
Nottm Forest v Bristol City
Draws:
Ipswich v Doncaster
Plymouth v Coventry
Watford v Barnsley
My Tip Of The Weekend:
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Dave Jones' Cardiff are bang in form at the moment as they look to seal a play-off spot. Palace, rooted in mid-table, don’t have much to play for so I fancy the Bluebirds to come away from Selhurst Park with all three points.
Cardiff to win 2-1 @ 11/1
