Captains courageous: Joel Ward and Marc Guehi, at the front of the presentation and backed by the Palace squad, deserve the thanks of the borough
CUP FINAL COMMENTARY: With a chance for another opportunity to reflect on the scale of the achievement of Saturday’s FA Cup final win at Wembley, JERRY FITZPATRICK thanks the Eagles heroes for giving Croydon something to cheer about
The most universally known national football trophy is in our cabinet. We are indelibly immortalised in football records.
A huge (and highly commercial) boost in the way the club is estimated home and abroad. Enhanced self-esteem within the club itself. European competition next season. The probability of retaining and recruiting notable players is increased.
I saw my first FA Cup final on a 13-inch television screen in 1959. Then it was literally the only live televised match between English league teams in the whole year. And still today it is an occasion overladen by the weight of football history, an afternoon which has the ceremony, rituals and fervour of a religious festival. A joyous combo of High Mass and pagan rite.
For a few elite teams which annually strut the European stage, today the FA Cup seems to be nothing more than a historical relic. They and their pampered supporters (many of whom have slender local connection with the team they follow) are a small minority. The rest of football will still give their eye teeth to be the holder of the Football Association Challenge Cup.
After Saturday, a few gongs need to be awarded.
Steve Parish’s reign as Crystal Palace FC chair (and not forgetting Palace great Mark Bright, always by his side) has seen the club rise in a continuous upward trajectory the like of which has not been seen since the era of Arthur Wait’s chairmanship from 1958 to 1972.
In 2010, Parish took over a club which had on two occasions in the preceding 15 years almost gone to the wall. His financial management has been excellent. He has made good appointments, and good dismissals. He does not think he knows more about football than footballing professionals. Ego and grandiosity have been at a minimum. Let’s hope that the club soon finds co-owners who can complement the qualities which Parish has brought.
An award, too, for manager Oliver Glasner. He has created a team which is not only well-organised but which actually looks like they are enjoying playing football. Quite an important ingredient in team-building!
Our incredible fans, and the Holmesdale Fanatics in particular, also deserve a pat on the back. The choreographed waving of the red and blue flags was unforgettable. We can rightly boast that we surpassed the Mancunians in every respect on Saturday.
And, of course, the players. Attention goes disproportionately to the goal-scorers, so let’s not forget the defence. Just one goal conceded in our six-game cup run. What they achieved in the final was immense. If you listen only to pundits, you might believe that Man City didn’t turn up on Saturday. Those of us who were present can attest to the contrary. Hard as they tried, they were thwarted by our outstanding defensive strategy. Like the Alamo – but a better outcome for the defence!
As for individual players, let’s single out two magnificent captains. We may not see Joel Ward again in club colours (although no surprise if he gets a few minutes tonight, or maybe on Sunday; Glasner said as much at his press conference yesterday). A fine defender who gave everything on the pitch.
This truly meant something: unlike many top-tier clubs and players, it was clear that winning the FA Cup was hugely important for all Palace players
Sadly, we might not see Marc Guehi again either. A player who has grown immensely in confidence during his four years at the club, and established England international now. The captain on the pitch this season, Guehi has shown mettle as a leader as well as player. Watch his interaction with referees. He is calm, firm and respectful in making his point. He may in the future lead out the England team.
No doubt he and Wardie will get the most immense and emotional ovation at the end of tonight’s final home fixture of the season.
Palace are South London and Proud for sure. But they are also very specifically Croydon’s football team. A town which sorely needs something to cheer about. And we have been given a great reason for cheering.
Previously by Jerry Fitzpatrick: Seven heavenly seasons’ finishes: but which is your favourite?
Read our match report from Wembley: A dream becomes reality: Wembley shook and it was beautiful
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“Palace are South London and Proud for sure. But they are also very specifically Croydon’s football team.”
Was I the only one to be slightly irked at London Tonight doing all its vox pops around Westow Hill, as if Palace were actually in, er, Crystal Palace?
Nobody cares about local authority boundaries, apart from politicians. Move on!
Well said, Jerry. Sums it all up perfectly.
Very best, Peter