On the march: Rams fans at the Mayfield Stadium have been treated to some commanding performances over the past few weeks. Pic: Keira Godwin-Ryan
NON-LEAGUE NEWS: Oliver Glasner’s reign at Selhurst Park isn’t over just yet, but while he and the Eagles have flown out to Cyprus, the borough’s non-league sides have been enjoying winning streaks and record scorelines, reports ANDREW SINCLAIR
Ready for take-off: the SunExpress aircraft in its new Eagles livery – chosen by fans
Crystal Palace are embarking on their sixth UEFA Conference League awayday. After previous trips to Norway, Poland, France, Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, today they are due to play AEK Larnaca, despite the missiles and drones buzzing around Cyprus during Trump and Israel’s war on Iran.
Oliver Glasner’s men need to improve on last week’s disappointing home draw, a result that came a day after they joined SunExpress to unveil their bespoke liveried “Eagle” aircraft at Gatwick Airport.
The partnership was described by SunExpress commercial director Helmut Wölfel as the “English football footprint” to help cement the German-Turkish airline’s expansion in Britain.
Conversations around the partnership began before the Eagles’ historic FA Cup win last season and speaking to Inside Croydon last week, Wölfel said Palace were identified as an ideal fit because “they’re such a down-to-earth club that really reflect our values”.
The aircraft will be in commercial operation across SunExpress’s 250 routes, covering 106 destinations in 37 different countries.
It’s great exposure for Palace. Wölfel said: “It’s not that you say, ‘Oh, now I’m selling two more tickets’, and that’s the benefit of the partnership. It starts with getting the message out to the people of south London and then doing something more, as we have with the livery. There’s more to come too!”
SunExpress could be a good-luck charm – when they did a custom livery with Eintracht Frankfurt, the club went on to win the UEFA Europa League that season, under Glasner.
On a charge: how AFC Croydon Athletic’s recent form has propelled them to second place in the Isthmian League South-east Division table approaching the final weeks of the season
Elsewhere in the borough, Croydon Athletic and Croydon FC have also been flying high, with both seemingly destined for places in their respective divisions’ play-offs, at least..
It took a little while for Danny Kedwell’s Athletic to hit their stride, with a mixed January. A hefty 6-1 defeat against Jersey Bulls at the start of February could have derailed their campaign, but the Rams have charged ahead full speed since then, winning six on the trot to stay second in the Isthmian South-east Division.
Goal-mouth scramble: Athletic managed to put three past Sittingbourne. Pic: Keira Godwin-Ryan
In that run they’ve consistently found ways to win from behind and they’ve really unlocked the most from winger Josh Williams. Since arriving late last year, Williams has scored 12 goals and made 10 assists in 16 games, a tally that’s kept his side within sight of previous runaway league leaders Three Bridges.
The Sussex side currently lead Athletic by eight points with seven games to go, with Athletic 13 points inside the play-offs. Closest of the chasing pack are AFC Whyteleafe, the side Athletic host in an eagerly awaited derby on Easter Monday.
Before then the Rams will travel to already-relegated East Grinstead, who have just six points and have already conceded 133 goals this season. After taking on Broadbridge Heath, Athletic wrap up March at home against mid-table Ashford United.
Across the borough, Croydon FC’s catalyst for change came at the end of last year when they endured a winless and goal-shy December.
Record tally: 11 goals, eight goal scorers against Chessington, in Croydon’s record win
They’ve taken their frustrations out since, scoring 30 times in the first two months of 2026. Eleven of those came in a club record victory over Chessington and Hook United.
The Trams’ second exit of the season from the London Senior Trophy has proved their only blip of 2026 so far, with the Albert Road side on a seven-match winning run in the league.
That form has elevated them to fourth in the table and carried managerial duo Ryan Watts and Alex White to the league’s Manager(s) of the Month Award for February.
They wrap up the month with a trip to Staplehurst Monarchs, their fifth successive league away game, followed by relegation-threatened Lewisham Borough.
A key fixture for the Trams, whose 49 points puts them nine inside the play-off zone, comes in early April when they take on title contenders Greenwich Borough.
Whichever two of Greenwich, SE Dons and Rochester United miss automatic promotion will be play-off favourites, but Croydon beat Greenwich earlier in the season and a second win at the Arena could give them all the momentum.
It’s not about being the best team in the play-offs, it’s about being the most in-form team…
How they stand: the SCEFL Div 1 table as at March 19 2026
Fixtures
(Subject to change. Check the clubs’ online fixture lists)
Croydon Athletic
Sat Mar 21: Isthmian SE Div v East Grinstead T (A)
Sat Mar 28: Isthmian SE Div v Ashford Utd (H)
Sat Apr 4: Isthmian SE Div v Broadbridge Heath (A)
Mon Apr 6: Isthmian SE Div v Whyteleafe (H)
Sat Apr 11: Isthmian SE Div v Hassocks (A)
Croydon FC
Sat Mar 21: SCEFL Div 1 v Staplehurst Monarchs (A)
Sat Mar 28: SCEFL Div 1 v Lewisham Boro (H)
Sat Apr 4 : SCEFL Div 1 v Greenwich Boro (H)
Mon Apr 6: SCEFL Div 1 v Chessington and Hook (A)
Sat Apr 11: SCEFL Div 1 v Greenways (H)
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