Crystal Palace Football Club: A Proud History of Passion and Perseverance

Crystal Palace Football Club, based in South London, are not amongst the elite of English football but are amongst the oldest. Known affectionately as “The Eagles,” the club boasts a rich history dating back to the 19th century. From their unique origins tied to one of London’s most iconic buildings to their modern-day presence in the Premier League, Crystal Palace’s story is one of determination and undying fan support. Some have even gone as far as to remark that Palace fans are the staunchest out of all London fans, that is of course a subject of massive debate.

Origins and Early Years

Crystal Palace Football Club was officially formed in 1905 by workers at the Crystal Palace Exhibition building, a grand structure originally constructed for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and later relocated to South London. However, there seems to be evidence that the club’s roots can be traced even earlier. An amateur team bearing the same name existed as far back as 1861, making Crystal Palace one of the oldest football clubs still in existence. Like  other Premier Leagues it was a spin off from an existing already cricket club. This earlier team, largely composed of Crystal Palace Company employees, participated in the inaugural FA Cup in 1871–72.

The modern club was formed under the leadership of Edmund Goodman, a former player and official with Aston Villa, who became Crystal Palace’s first manager. The club joined the Southern League in 1905 and played their early matches at the Crystal Palace sports stadium, situated within the grounds of the exhibition site.

League Career and Growth

Crystal Palace became a member of the Football League in 1920, joining the newly-formed Third Division. Their debut season was a successful one, culminating in them winning the division and gaining promotion to the Second Division. However, the years that followed were characterised by fluctuating fortunes, with the club often bouncing between the lower tiers of English football.

After World War II, the club experienced a long spell in the Third Division South, and it wasn’t until the late 1960s under the management of Bert Head that Palace secured promotion to the First Division, the top tier of English football at the time. Their initial spell in the First Division was short-lived, but it marked the beginning of their growing stature in English football.

The 1980s and 1990s were particularly eventful decades for the club. Under manager Steve Coppell, Crystal Palace enjoyed one of their most successful periods. The pinnacle came in the 1990–91 season when the team finished third in the First Division, their highest-ever league finish. That same era also saw Palace reach the FA Cup Final in 1990, where they drew 3–3 with Manchester United before losing narrowly in the replay.

Recent History

After years of financial instability and changes in ownership, Crystal Palace faced administration in 2010. Yet, the club’s fortunes turned around thanks to a consortium of local businessmen known as CPFC 2010. They stabilised the club, both financially and competitively. Under manager Ian Holloway, Palace won promotion to the Premier League in 2013 via the Championship play-offs.

Since then, Crystal Palace has established itself as a solid Premier League side, with several mid-table finishes and notable victories over top teams. Managers such as Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew, Roy Hodgson, and Patrick Vieira have contributed to the club’s continued development and survival in the top flight. The club’s ability to nurture talent—such as Wilfried Zaha, a local boy turned club icon—has been central to their identity in recent years.

Kits and Club Identity

Crystal Palace’s kits have undergone significant transformations over the decades. Originally, the club wore claret and blue shirts, inspired by Aston Villa, with whom early manager Edmund Goodman had strong ties. In the late 1970s, the club adopted red and blue vertical stripes, a colour scheme and pattern that have become synonymous with the Eagles.

Occasionally, the kit has featured horizontal stripes or even single-colour designs with contrasting trim, but red and blue have remained constant. The club’s crest has also evolved, now prominently featuring an eagle holding a football above the iconic Crystal Palace building, representing both the club’s nickname and its heritage.

The eagle, adopted in the 1970s under manager Malcolm Allison, replaced the former nickname “The Glaziers,” a reference to the glass structure of the original Crystal Palace.

Stadiums: A Tale of Transitions

Crystal Palace’s first home ground was the Crystal Palace stadium itself, located within the grounds of the Crystal Palace Park. It was a grand venue that hosted FA Cup Finals from 1895 to 1914. However, due to the outbreak of the First World War, the club was forced to relocate in 1915, as the stadium was requisitioned by the military.

After playing at Herne Hill Velodrome and The Nest in Selhurst, Palace finally moved into Selhurst Park in 1924. Designed by Archibald Leitch, one of Britain’s most iconic football stadium architects, Selhurst Park has been the club’s home ever since.

Over the decades, Selhurst Park has undergone several renovations. The Arthur Wait Stand, named after the former chairman, was opened in the 1960s, while the Holmesdale Road Stand was redeveloped in the 1990s into a two-tier structure. The stadium currently holds just over 25,000 spectators and remains one of the most atmospheric grounds in London, known for the passionate support of the Holmesdale Fanatics, the club’s leading supporter group.

There are ongoing plans to modernise Selhurst Park further. In 2018, the club received approval for a major redevelopment of the Main Stand, which will increase capacity and significantly improve facilities. The design pays homage to the original Crystal Palace structure, symbolising a return to the club’s roots while looking firmly towards the future.

🏆 Major Honours

League Titles

• Football League Second Division / EFL Championship (Level 2)

  • Champions: 1978–79

  • Runners-up: 1968–69

• Football League Third Division South (Level 3 – old format)

  • Champions: 1920–21

• Football League Third Division (Level 3 – post-war format)

  • Runners-up: 1963–64

• Football League Fourth Division (Level 4)

  • Promoted: 1960–61 (4th place)

🥈 Domestic Cup Competitions

FA Cup

• Runners-up:

  • 1989–90 (lost to Manchester United, after replay)

  • 2015–16 (lost to Manchester United, in extra time)

Full Members Cup (defunct)

• Winners: 1990–91

• Runners-up: 1991–92

Conclusion

Crystal Palace Football Club exemplifies the enduring spirit of English football. Despite never being counted among the nation’s elite, Palace has carved out a distinct and proud identity built on community values, resilience, and tradition. From the grandeur of the original Crystal Palace exhibition site to the modern-day battles of Premier League survival, the club has journeyed through history with an unshakeable connection to its fans and its South London roots.

Palace have recently won the 2025 FA cup and beaten Manchester City who have enjoyed years of lavish spending in stark contrast to a far smaller (financially and otherwise) Crystal Palace. It was perhaps good for football overall that a much smaller club was able to achieve a victory against a global giant, Manchester City, one of the richest clubs in the world.