Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, stretching back a century since Palace’s arrival in 1924. Find out more about the incredible history of Selhurst Park.

100 Years of Selhurst Park

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Shirts

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Ismaïla Sarr Relives His FA Cup Magic

Goal of the month & Player of the month: April 2025

Access All Over | Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa (Wembley Edition)

Goal of the month contenders | April 2025

All The Goals | Pitchside Angle

FA Cup Semi-Final Recap

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa | FA Cup Semi-Final Palace TV+

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Aston Villa | FA Cup Semi-Final

Goal of the month contenders | March 2025

Access All Over: Fulham (A)| FA Cup   

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich Town | Palace TV+

Match Action: Crystal Palace 1-0 Ipswich Town

Goal of the month contenders | February 2025

All the Angles: Ismaïla Sarr v Aston Villa | Goal #2

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

**While the eyes of the world will undoubtedly be on North-West London on Saturday, the cheers will come from much further afield – as just six of our many, many [international supporters groups – which you can find here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/international-supporters-clubs/) – will testify...**

[**Click here to hear from CPFC's Australian fan groups**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/features/kick-offs-at-1-30am-voices-of-south-london-cpfc-australia/)**.**

### Palace in... Ghana (above)

- **Tell us a little bit about your group.**

We had family members back here in Ghana who loved football. Shortly, they relocated to the UK and found themselves in the Palace Community. Any time they spoke to us, it was all about Crystal Palace and how lovely the atmosphere is.

We fell in love with Crystal Palace and found ourselves watching most Palace matches. Most of us were active players, so we decided to form Crystal Palace Ghana as a community of fans who play football matches with other communities. 

Gradually, we announced ourselves throughout many communities as a result of numerous wins and the passion we showed for the club. Many communities were surprised about our love for South London. Neighbouring communities even troll us when Palace lose matches in the Premier League – but we show more passion. 

Eventually, in 2019, we joined social media to solidify our community. Palace fans on Twitter were so hospitable, and we enjoyed interacting with them. A big thank you to Palace fans Sean in the UK, Eagle-Eyed Football in the UK, and Jose from Portugal. 

Palace fans on Twitter set up a GoFundMe in 2021 to purchase jerseys, boots, and other accessories for us. The fans wholeheartedly donated to the GoFundMe, and Palace Co-owner John Textor supported us with a donation. 

We have about 30 members consisting of passionate fans, players, doctors, accountants, data analysts, caterers and many more. Many young and old people in the community support Palace. We meet almost every week to discuss matches and Premier League results. We mostly watch Crystal Palace matches together.

- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

We are so optimistic about the final because it’s long overdue for us to win a trophy! 

Having been twice runners-up, we believe this an opportunity God has given us to make up for previous losses.  We lost those games to Manchester United – but sorry to Manchester City because they'll have to pay for what their Manchester rivals have denied us!

Considering our statistics against City this season, we believe our team will be tough for them. They beat us 5-2 at the Etihad – and we will return the favour at Wembley.

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

We're happy with this Palace team and we believe that in the future, we can be a threat to all the top Premier League teams. 

Hats off to Eze, Sarr, Guéhi, Henderson, Mateta, Eddie Nketiah, Adam Wharton and all the players. We saw the semi-final post-match talk Oliver Glasner had with the players, and we see their desire to make history for the team. 

Glasner has been impressive so far and we are pleased with what he’s doing. We hope he stays with us for a long time. He's taking us a step further.

- **As a group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

We were so confident about the semi-final, despite Villa’s brilliance in the Champions League, because we'd previously beaten them this season. 

We watched the match together. The mood was calm and, God being so great, we won convincingly. Some fans from other teams joined us with the aim of joking with us if we lost – but the cheers were for us that day.

- **What was your favourite moment from that day?**

Our favourite moment was Sarr’s second goal. We were already celebrating and... boom, he scored the third goal!

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

We are already imagining the atmosphere at Wembley and we will create our own Palace atmosphere here, as we gather to watch the Final. 

We will prepare food and enjoy the Final together. I don’t know what will happen to the food if we lose... but we believe it’s going to be joyous atmosphere from the start of the match!

About 20 of us will be watching together. The others are not around at the moment, so they will be watching from their locations, but we'll keep chats active in our Palace WhatsApp group chat!

- **What would be your message to the Palace players?**

We know how difficult it is to get to this stage, especially competing with top clubs, but we are in the Final. It's just one step and we are champions. Let’s go all out and make history for Crystal Palace. 

We are not intimidated by Manchester City. We have been denied the FA cup twice, but we are winning it this time. 

Let’s go Eagles. Do this for the fans. Do this for Palace for Life Foundation. We can’t wait to sing *Glad All Over* when we win!

Good luck from Crystal Palace Ghana!

- **Finally... pre-match prediction?**

We will beat Manchester City by three goals to one. Eze, Sarr and Mateta will get on the score sheet.

- [**Follow Crystal Palace Ghana on X**](https://x.com/PalaceGhana)**.**

### Palace in... Hong Kong

- **Tell us a little bit about your group.**

**Adam O'Domhnaill:** There've always been Crystal Palace supporters in Hong Kong. We are a diverse bunch of predominantly expats, from students to pensioners and from all walks of life, but the one thing that brings us together is our love for Palace. 

Some of the group have been here for decades, others come and go, but really since our latest Premier League era, and with the help of social media, we have been able to come together. 

Helped by posts on Holmesdale Online and other forums, 12 Palace fans watched the playoff win, and this inspired the fans there to watch Premier League games together, as matches became easier to watch. 

A small group met to watch the Tottenham game in August 2013, and by chance met another couple of fellow Palace fans in another bar, and the group continued to increase in number, with newcomers and visitors finding us through a [Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HK.CPFC) and [an X page](https://x.com/HK_CPFC), and a WhatsApp groups for regular attendees.

10  years ago there were as many as 20 or 30 people meeting up to watch matches every week in a pub – these days, not so many, but a number of the Hong Kong Crystal Palace fans will be travelling to Wembley. 

It was before my time in Hong Kong but the trip for the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2017 saw Steve Parish and Mark Bright alongside members of the squad.

For any Saturday or Sunday game we will often have fans out watching.

With a seven- or eight-hour time difference this can involve watching into the small hours, while a number of hardcore fans will wake up at 3am or 4am to watch midweek games before work from the comfort of their own homes!

- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

There's a cautious optimism. Glasner has created a great dressing room environment, with a lot of belief.

In both league games with City we've had our moments and posed them problems, and on our day we can beat anyone.

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

Glasner is extremely popular amongst the Hong Kong Crystal Palace fanbase. He's managed minutes very well in recent weeks, using the bench effectively to get the balance between keeping players active but also resting where needed.

The squad morale is off the charts, with a good blend of characters with a lot of belief.

- **As a supporter group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

Queen Victoria pub in Wan Chai. We had a group close to 20 in number, almost unheard off for a post-midnight kick-off!

- **What was your favourite moment from that day?**

Mateta going past the defender in the first half got a lot of cheers, while Sarr's goal to clinch it sparked jubilant scenes. 

Having almost all our (known) Palace supporting contingent (along with a couple of extras) watching such an emphatic win together made for a wonderful night, finished off with the traditional victory black sambuca and renditions of Palace chants at 2am!

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

The same pub as we've used for the entire cup run (Queen Victoria Wan Chai). Over the last couple of years we've switched venues a couple of times but Queen Victoria has been our good luck charm for the Cup run – hopefully it continues on Sunday.

We're Expecting around 10 of our Palace contingent, but given it's a Saturday night in Wan Chai, we'll get more than a few neutrals in our corner. As previously mentioned a number will be representing us at Wembley.

- **Would you have any message for the players?**

To quote former Palace manager Neil Warnock, 'enjoy yourself, but enjoy it by being *(expletive)* disciplined!'

- **What’s your pre-match prediction?**

I don't want to jinx it by predicting a win, we are the underdogs on paper but more than capable of securing a historic win. 

Come on you Palace!

- [**Join the CPFC Hong Kong Facebook group**](https://www.facebook.com/groups/HK.CPFC)**.**
- [**Follow CPFC Hong Kong on X**](https://x.com/HK_CPFC)**.**

### Palace in... Japan

- **Tell us a little bit about your group.**

**Takumi Fujii:** We were formed in 2018. Usually, around 10 members join our meetings, which are held at lunchtime kick-offs – because of the time difference!

- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

The most excited we've been since our group was formed!

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

Even objectively, this team deserves to be in the Final!

We have good players in every position, and Oliver Glasner has given the players great discipline, and made the supporters smile.

- **As a group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

We watched the game from our own places (because the game was not a lunchtime kick-off)!

- **What was your favourite moment from that day?**

Ebs' amazing goal!

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

The supporters club will hold a meeting in Tokyo. Several dozen Eagles supporters in Japan will join our meeting and watch.

Personally, the founder will fly to Wembley and watch the match.

- **Would you have any message for the players?**

COYP!! Let’s win the Final!

そして鎌田選手、同じ日本人として決勝の地で最高のプレーを期待しています！

(Meaning: *As Japanese people, we expect Kamada to perform best!)*

- **Finally... pre-match prediction?**

2-1, Palace win!

- [**Follow CPFC Japan on X**](https://x.com/CPFC_Japan/status/1921937938855649661)**.**

### Palace in... Norway

- **Tell us a little bit about your group.**

**Kai Lindseth:** These football cards came in bubblegum packs in the 1970s. When I was a little kid, we used to play with them in the schoolyard.

One day I got hold of one with Dave Swindlehurst wearing the old red and blue sash, and I just fell in love with the shirt. I was about six or seven, and I decided there and then that this was going to be my team.

I didn’t meet a fellow Palace fan until many, many years later – probably a good 10 years after that. That’s when our supporters club got started.

It was fantastic because I had never really been able to talk Palace with people around me. I have been involved for the past 33 years now!

- [**Read more here about 'Ørneblikket’ (The Eagle Eye)**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/features/crystal-palace-norway-supporters-club-worlds-longest-running-fanzine/) which has been running since 1991, making it the world’s longest-running Palace magazine.
- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

Very excited ahead of the game. 

I have a feeling this is our moment – finally. Of course, City will be favourites, but we have shown we can take them on and I've been having this feeling since the third round that this may finally be our year. 

It adds to it that the game is on Norway's National day too!

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

I love Ollie Glasner! I think he may well be the best manager we've ever had, and he seems to have instilled a lot of fight and positivity in the team. 

When they are on fire, they are playing great football, and have exciting players all over the pitch. As a squad, we are probably a bit thin most places, but our best XI can take on anyone. 

- **As a group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

We were around 10 of us in Oslo city centre, watching the game in a big sports pub. We had a great time!

- **What was your favourite moment from that day?**

I was quite nervy all day and went for a long walk in the woods here at home before heading to the pub.

My favourite moment was probably Sarr's 2-0 goal. It was then I felt sure that we were going to the Final.

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

I'm off to Wembley of course! We are at least 20 Norwegians who will travel to the game and spend the weekend in Croydon.

I'm sure every Palace fan in Norway will be watching, but as it is our National Day, with big festivities all around, it might be a little tricky for some to get time off!

- **Would you have any message for the players?**

Make us proud. Make yourselves proud. Give it your best!

- **Finally... pre-match prediction?**

2-0 Palace.

- [**Join the CPFC Norway Facebook group**](https://www.facebook.com/cpfcnorway)**.**
- [**Follow CPFC Norway on X**](https://twitter.com/cpfcnorway)**.**

### Palace in... Poland

- **Tell us a little bit about your group.**

**Michał Backiel:** **CPFC Polska** was founded in 2013 by me – a Polish fan who lives in Białystok, a city in North-Eastern Poland.

Since then, there have been several group meetings in Poland and three trips from Poland to England for matches. We often travel individually to watch a match live, because organising a trip of a large group is difficult.

Many Polish fans live in London and regularly attend Crystal Palace matches. The group consists of several dozen people who are really involved in the life of the CPFC Polska community.

- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

We are excited. We believe this is our year and we will win this trophy!

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

It's a great group of players, there's a great atmosphere, the players are committed and work well together.

We have a talented manager who has had a lot of success in his career.

If we can win this final and qualify for Europe, then hopefully the club will sign some new players and we'll have a great adventure!

- **As a group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

A few of us watched the match live, the rest of the fans watched the match on TV. It will be the same for the Final.

We will have a few of our members at Wembley – the rest will go to pubs in Poland or will watch the matches at home.

I hope that we will meet this year in the pub for a beer and celebrate success – that is, Crystal Palace winning the final.

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

My information is that there will be about 10 Polish fans at Wembley, but this number may vary as not all fans have contacted us to let us know if they managed to buy a ticket.

For all of them, it will be a great day and an exciting event.

- **Would you have any message for the players?**

Believe in yourselves and fulfill your and our dreams!

We will be with you with all our hearts, you have our huge support and we hope that you will be remembered in the history of this club for eternity.

- **Finally... pre-match prediction?**

We will win, there is no other option! 2-1 to Palace.

- [**Join the CPFC Polska Facebook group**](https://www.facebook.com/CPFCPolska/)**.**
- [**Follow CPFC Polska on X**](https://x.com/CPFC_Polska)**.**

### Palace in... the United States

#### New York Eagles

- **How are you feeling ahead of the Final?**

**Bryan:** Weirdly enough, I feel tranquil. The result is out of my control, but I’m at peace knowing that Glasner will prepare the squad as best as possible for them to be dialled in for the big occasion on Saturday.

- **What are your thoughts on Oliver Glasner and his Palace team?**

The steadfast character in this team through the bad and the good times is a big reason why I’m feeling calm at the moment before the Final. 

It starts at the top with Glasner – someone who was merely a “dream” appointment of mine for Palace when I watched him manage Wolfsburg in 2020/21 – and the competitive culture he’s stamped into the team. 

The individuals in the squad are great in their own right, but together, they’re greater than the sum of their parts.

- **As a group, how did you watch the semi-final?**

I was out of town that weekend, but we had a wonderful turnout of supporters at the Football Factory in Midtown Manhattan (above).

And we’ll be back at the Football Factory for the Final!

- **What was your favourite moment from that day?**

Sarr scoring the second goal so quickly after the missed penalty was when it finally felt real – Palace were really on their way to the FA Cup Final.

- **How will you be watching the Final, and how many of you will there be?**

I will be at Wembley for the Final! 

We’re all seated separately from one another, but a group of more than 10 New York Eagles will be at Wembley for the Final.

The Football Factory will host our contingent watching the game back home in the States. If it’s like the semi-final, we’ll have 25-30 Palace supporters there at the Football Factory.

- **Would you have any message for the players?**

I can only repeat what Marc and the squad have said leading up to the Final. Be present in the moment, for the occasion.

Make us proud with your performance on the pitch.

- **Finally... pre-match prediction?**

The question I dreaded being asked, haha!

A nervy, exhilarating 2-1 win for Palace, with Marc and Joel lifting the trophy together first.

- [**Follow NYEagles on X**](https://x.com/NYEagles)**.**

#### And elsewhere in the USA!

@holmesdaleUSA has compiled a list of supporter club meet-ups in the states, which can be found below.

If fans need to contact @holmesdaleUSA, they can be reached on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/holmesdaleusa?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [X/Twitter](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/north-america/#:~:text=Nationwide%20\(Holmesdale%20USA\)-,%40holmesdaleUSA,-usaHOLMESDALE) or [their Facebook group.](https://www.facebook.com/usaHOLMESDALE)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Added more to the FA CUP FINAL Stateside Meetup List but not a Final list! If you don&#39;t see your pub or a pub near you let us know in the replies!!!! 🔴🔵🔴🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CPFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CPFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FACUPFINAL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FACUPFINAL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FACUP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FACUP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DONTWWATCHPALACEALONE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DONTWWATCHPALACEALONE</a> <a href="https://t.co/u08zL8W5xW">pic.twitter.com/u08zL8W5xW</a></p>&mdash; CPFC in the states 🦅 (@holmesdaleUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/holmesdaleUSA/status/1922776939762188321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

- **NYC**: Football Factory
- **Philly**: Black Taxi
- **Baltimore**: Slainte
- **Washington Dc**: Ireland Four Courts
- **Boston**: Banshee
- **Pittsburgh**: the Bulldog
- **Asheville**: Olde London Road
- **Richmond VA**: Penny Lane
- **New Orleans:** Finn Mccools 
- **Tampa**: McDintons
- **Athens GA:** Royal Peasant 
- **Atlanta**: Brew House Cafe
- **Nashville**: Fogg Street Lawn Club 
- **Indianapolis**: Union Jack 
- **Louisville**: Molly Malones 
- **Columbus**: Fado Easton
- **St Louis:** Amsterdam Tavern 
- **Chicago:** Embassy Pub
- **Green Bay:** Casuals Pub 
- **Milwaukee**: The Highbury
- **Detroit:** Renshaw 
- **Kansas City:** Street Car Grille Downtown
- **Omaha:** St Andrews 
- **Denver:** Stoneys Uptown
- **DFW:** Londoner Addison 
- **Austin**: Burnet to Go
- **Houston**: Phoenix Brew Pub 
- **San Diego:** Fairplay
- **SF**: Pig and Whistle 
- **LA:** Fox and Hounds
- **Tacoma**: Doyles Pub 
- **Seattle**: George & Dragon

Get Wembley Ready

### **Match Details**

**Crystal Palace v Manchester City**

- **Saturday, 17th May**
- **16:30 BST**
- **FA Cup Final**
- **Wembley Stadium**
- [**Live audio commentary on Palace TV+**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Crystal Palace’s third-ever FA Cup Final is now just hours away – and ahead of the match, we’re delighted to share a range of our favourite CPFC voices, looking forward to our return to English football’s greatest stage…

'We fell in love with Palace' – Voices of CPFC Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan & more

Crystal Palace v Manchester City (2025-05-17)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur

Last Match

Manchester City

FA Cup

Next Match

EAGLE YELLOW - 35% OFF

The FA Cup Final remains one of the biggest days in the English football calendar.

In previous eras, the day's impact was seismic. The country stopped to watch one of the few live televised games across the season. The broadcast pre-match build-up started after breakfast and went on until kick-off.

Although the expansion of European football and the introduction of the Premier League mean that it is no longer the only show in town, the Cup final retains a unique place in the fabric of English football.

Last year's final between Manchester City and Manchester United was watched by over eight million in the UK alone.

**But why for so many fans is it still ‘*the* game'? Pomp, ceremony, heritage... here are our favourite FA Cup traditions.**

### **The Suits**

Paul Gascoigne put it best after his stunning free-kick sent Tottenham into the Cup Final back in 1991, declaring: “I’m away to get me suit MEASURED!”

A day of tradition and formality, watching the players kitted out in cup final suits is always an interesting part of the build-up – as fans assess who is making the biggest fashion statement or faux pas.

Sometimes the suits are memorable for the wrong reasons. Famously in 1996, before playing Manchester United, Liverpool were kitted out in cream white suits as they perused the Wembley pitch.

Had they won, they would have looked suave. In the end they went down to an Eric Cantona goal, and the Spice Boys’ suits were infamous.

It’s all part of teams representing their club and respecting the big occasion. Keep your eyes peeled for the Palace squad looking sharp – courtesy of official [Club Tailor Apsley.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/apsley-tailors/)

### **FA Cup Final Anthems**

Of course, your day has to be soundtracked by the finalists’ FA Cup final songs. Back in 1990, the Palace squad memorably recorded their own version of *Glad All Over*.

Television performances followed, featuring some fetching, but definitely of the time, red and blue shell suits. It even reached a respectable number 49 on the UK Singles Chart.

Throughout the 1970s, '80s and well into the '90s, the FA Cup team song was a staple of the cup final build-up. Did it make any difference to performance? No. Was it a lot of fun that added to the overall spectacle? Absolutely.

Although players and teams recording official anthems appears to be a thing of the past in 2025, you can still get in the mood with your musical choices, thanks to Palace for Life patron Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown.

He has released a new song entitled ‘*One More Game*,’ specifically for the Final this year – having also produced ‘*Glad All Over Again*’ for the 2016 Final.

The song – produced by Tony Bones The Producer and performed by Bailey Smith – can be streamed on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7usDVD6PDkEOCbHK7Elk7O), [YouTube here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vstIU-FyQiI) – [and you can read more about it from the man himself here.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/features/omg-one-more-game-voices-of-wembley-doc-brown/)

### **The bus journey to Wembley**

A key part of the extended television coverage that the broadcasters used to provide included keeping up to date with the progress of the team coach.

Not only could you keep tabs on the players (sometimes slow) progress to Wembley from a plush hotel in rural Greater London, but you would also be given genuine pre-match insight.

A roving reporter would be installed alongside the players, often disrupting a card game for the ultimate pre-match interview.

By the time the team arrived at Wembley, you felt the pre-match nerves beginning to set in yourself, even if watching from the relative comfort of your living room.

### **The walk down Wembley Way**

For those lucky enough to attend the final in person, there is one particular moment of the day that everyone remembers.

Those heading up to Wembley on the tube will inevitably come out of the station and see that first glimpse of the stadium, complete with Wembley Way, leading up to the famous Arch in all its glory.

It’s a photo opportunity too good to pass up. Something that football fans from all over the world want to savour.

Walking the 10 minutes or so up to the stadium is when the whole day starts to feel real. The realisation for thousands this Saturday, that they are about to watch Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final.

### **Abide with Me**

As well as the national anthem, perhaps the most stirring moment before the match is the performance of *Abide with Me*.

A traditional hymn first written back in 1847, it is one of the staples a day that has remained a key ritual of the day, going back decades.

But why was it first performed? For that, you have to go back to 1923, the famous Black Horse final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United, where record-breaking crowds spilled onto the Wembley pitch delaying kick-off.

Reportedly, while the pitch was being cleared of spectators, the event choir, St Luke's, sang *Abide with Me*. Four years later it was performed before the game for the first time, at the request of the attending King George V.

The roar from both sets of supporters following this is one of the biggest on cup final day.

### **Climbing the famous steps**

What do you want to do after two hours of playing football? Climb 107 steps to receive your medal of course.

Obviously for the winners, sheer elation will mean they can virtually float to the royal box. For the losers, it feels like climbing Mount Everest.

It is one of the few traditions that outlasts even Wembley itself. The concept of going up to a VIP area to collect the trophy actually came about when the Final was held at the original Crystal Palace, from 1895 to 1914.

When Burnley won in 1914, their captain Tommy Boyle became the first player to be presented with the trophy by a reigning monarch, King George V.

Fingers crossed, Palace will be the second team to climb the steps post-game on Saturday – and lift famous old trophy. 

FA Cup Final day will always be a special occasion. 

**For it to be topped off with red and blue ribbons around the trophy would be nothing short of magical.**

Crystal Palace’s third-ever FA Cup Final is now just days away (Saturday, 17th May, 16:30 BST) – but what makes the big day what it is?

FA Cup Final day traditions: Why they make the Final special

**Today, we hear from legendary goalscorer, turned eminent broadcaster, Ian Wright, who joined the club from semi-professional Greenwich Borough back in 1985 – and went on to become one of the finest forwards in Crystal Palace history.**

The striker was one half of the famous ‘Wright & Bright’ partnership which fired Steve Coppell’s Palace to the top of the game in the late '80s and early '90s – the duo remain just two of eight men to reach three figures in terms of goals for the club.

And in 1989/90, with Coppell’s Eagles, against the odds, reaching the FA Cup Final at Wembley – overcoming much-fancied Liverpool, 4-3, in the semi-finals, just months after being thrashed by the same opponents in the league – it appeared a first-ever major trophy was destined for South London.

Destiny, as it turned out, also beckoned that day for Wright.

During the course of the season, the striker had twice broken his leg – only to recover and get himself back into contention just days before the Final against Manchester United.

Wright began the day on the bench, but came on after 69 minutes. With his very first touch of the game, he slipped in between the defenders, turning Gary Pallister before placing the ball perfectly beneath Jim Leighton to make it 2-2.

Into extra-time the Final went, and with barely two further minutes on the clock, Salako crossed – and Wright, of course, slammed it home. The stuff of dreams.

Sadly, it was not to be: seven minutes from the end, Mark Hughes ran in behind and squeezed a finish between Gary O’Reilly and Nigel Martyn in goal, taking the game to a Replay which – five days later – went in United’s favour.

The story is one of Crystal Palace legend – and one we had to discuss, 35 years later, with the man himself…

- **Wrighty, thanks for speaking to us. Earlier this week, it was the 35th anniversary of the 1990 FA Cup Final, Crystal Palace against Manchester United at Wembley – how do you look back on the game now?**

"Well, obviously, the FA Cup means the world to me – it still does. When I grew up, the FA Cup Final was the game that I watched religiously from 1970, all the way through.

"At the time, the match felt like one of those FA Cup fairytale stories out on the pitch. 

"I’d broken my leg – my fibula – twice that season. You work hard to get back, then your team wins the semi-final against the same Liverpool side which beat them 9-0 earlier that season... and then when you get to the FA Cup Final, you’re playing a great Manchester United side…

"After getting injured for the second time that season, I had just enough time to get fit again, working with the physio, David West. 

"Missing the semi-final win was devastating, but I knew that if we beat Liverpool to get to the Final, I would literally have just days with respect to the work that I had to put in.

"So you can imagine, being at Palace, thinking I was going to miss out on the biggest day in Palace's history…  all those things are going through your mind while you’re trying to get fit – as well as nerves!

"I remember I played in a game closer to the Final, and I played within myself, because I didn't want to get injured and definitely be out of it. 

"Steve Coppell pulled me aside afterwards and said: ‘We're going to have one more training game, full 11-a-side game – and if you play like you did today, you won't be in the squad for the Final’ – so I had to go for it!

"Then, in the Final, it was 70 minutes in, and I was desperate to get on….

"It’s still the greatest moment I've had in my career – easily – simply because of everything that it had entailed up to that point: my emergence from Palace, and to reach the biggest stage in English football, and all of a sudden I'm on the Wembley pitch… 

"... and then what happened after that was the stuff of fairytales. It really, really was.

"I say it now, and I mean it: I’ve won domestic honours in the game, but winning that FA Cup with Palace would have been my most prized possession, because of the elevation and emergence of that team.

"We finished third in the First Division. We deserved something. Crystal Palace deserved something. Steve Coppell, with Ron Noades… we deserved something in that era.

"I would have loved to have won that Cup, and we were only seven minutes away... Seven minutes! Honestly, I still can't take it!

If you see how I celebrated with John Pemberton, it was disbelief!

"We were seven minutes away and I’m thinking: 'wow, I’ve watched this happen to other people.' 

"There was that beautiful FA Cup story right there, and I’m thinking: 'oh my gosh, we’ve done it.'

"I was so surprised when I scored the second one – if you see how I celebrated with John Pemberton, it was disbelief! I was like: “oh my god, is this happening?”

"So you can imagine, when Mark Hughes scored that goal… I can’t take it!"

- **On Saturday, we could witness Palace lift a first-ever FA Cup trophy – 35 years after your team stood on the verge of doing so… do you see any comparisons?**

"Obviously we were in a 4-4-2 when we played. It was an unbelievable team.

"You look at the midfield, and we had a very, very robust midfield: Geoff Thomas and Andy Gray just to start.

"Then you had the very quick Eddie McGoldrick on the right, and John Salako on the left. And then, at right-back, we had Pembo – one of the quickest players I've ever played with. We had Andy Thorn, Eric Young or Gary O'Reilly, or Burkey \[David Burke\].

"This is why it makes me so sad that that team didn't get anything, because once Steve Coppell put that team together and we went up in 1989 and got into the First Division, we showed what we were capable of.

"We showed what we were capable of when we finished third, and that's why I'm saying the FA Cup would have been great for that team. 

"But when you say comparisons, I don't think you can compare the midfield. Because like I say, Geoff Thomas and Andy Gray – quick, big, strong, robust, hard shot, great passing, that kind of stuff. And then, obviously, me and Brighty up front – it's a different era.

"Look at Pembo and Muñoz – obviously Pembo was blasting down that right wing, but Muñoz does it in a different way, being maybe a higher full-back and getting involved with the play.

"But I think the game is totally different now."

 It was very emotional for me, because the Palace fans showed me so much love there.

- **You scored 118 goals for Palace in just 277 appearances for us – including two in our 1991 Full Members’ Cup Final win at Wembley the following year. Looking back on it all, what does the club mean to you now?**

"Obviously, people see my affinity with Arsenal – but my love for Crystal Palace has always been there. I text and speak to Steve Parish on a weekly basis, because of what Crystal Palace means to me.

"I will never forget those Palace fans, and that’s why, when I played in Geoff Thomas’ testimonial game at Selhurst Park \[in 2006 against Manchester United\] and I scored, I had to run to them – I want them to know how much I love them.

"I know there are generations who will only see me affiliated with Arsenal – it’s just the way it's gone. But my whole family still are massive Palace fans. 

"My Mum was devastated when I left. My Mum only came to Arsenal once, and that was when I broke their goalscoring record – but she went to Palace about nine, ten times. She loved Palace so much.

"It’s very difficult to explain, because a lot’s gone on behind the scenes. But at the Fulham game, the FA Cup quarter-final, it was wonderful for me. It was very emotional for me, because the Palace fans showed me so much love there.

Wright after scoring in Geoff Thomas' testimonial in 2006

"I’m a 61-year-old man. Things have happened before, you think to yourself 'those things happen'.

"But I wouldn’t be doing anything that I’m doing now if it weren’t for Palace, and the chance I got from Steve Coppell.

"There's a story I’ve told many times about \[my childhood friend\] David Rocastle, who did support Crystal Palace while he was at Arsenal, and before. Everybody on the estate had an affinity for Arsenal, so you can imagine when he went there, everybody supported Arsenal even more.

"But my affinity to Palace will always overpower everything else. The fact that I supported Arsenal from a young age, I think that can get confused – but Crystal Palace means the whole world to me.

"It means everything to me."

- **Looking ahead to Saturday, then – how do you think the FA Cup Final will pan out?**

"Palace are finishing the season very well. They look very good. They look very comfortable. They don't look tired. They look very energised. They’ve got top players coming up, doing the business. 

"Everything you want from a team going into a game of this magnitude seems to be happening.

"And with the manager, Oliver Glasner, he seems very calm. He's very composed about the whole situation – because this is another massive episode in Crystal Palace's history, and I think that we've got a great chance of beating this City side.

We know what City are capable of… but then City also know what Palace are capable of!

"Obviously City themselves have come into good form coming into the end of the season, but what would you expect? They've got great players. But this is an FA Cup Final.

"This is an FA Cup Final, and this is Palace getting there and deservedly being there, and beating good teams to get there, and beating them well.

"There's no reason for Palace to go in there and fear City. We know what City are capable of… but then City also know what Palace are capable of!

"I'm going to go for a Palace win, because obviously that's what I want. To be there with Crystal Palace, against a Manchester team – obviously the wrong Manchester team – and Palace winning… it would almost be like we won back then, and I will've been there.

"That's what I want more than anything else."

### **Match Details**

**Crystal Palace v Manchester City**

- **Saturday, 17th May**
- **16:30 BST**
- **FA Cup Final**
- **Wembley Stadium**
- [**Live audio commentary on Palace TV+**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

### **Get Wembley ready**

- [**Find all the pre-match build-up in our Match Centre**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/matches/men/fa-cup/2024-25/crystal-palace-vs-manchester-city-2025-05-17/2552613/)**.**
- [**Learn more about our Official Fan Parks at Wembley**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/official-palace-fan-parks-announced-for-2025-fa-cup-final/)**.**
- [**Gear up for Wembley with our Cup collection**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/retail/gear-up-for-wembley-with-the-latest-crystal-palace-collection/)**.**
- [**Find out which kit we'll be wearing on the day**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/what-kit-will-we-wear-in-the-fa-cup-final-at-wembley/)**.**
- [**Learn who the match officials will be for the Final**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/match-officials-announced-for-2025-fa-cup-final/)**.**
- [**Donate to a spectacular FA Cup Final display**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/supporters/donate-to-a-spectacular-fa-cup-final-display-at-wembley/)**.**

Crystal Palace’s third-ever FA Cup Final is now just days away – and ahead of the match, we’re delighted to share a range of South London’s favourite voices, looking forward to our return to English football’s greatest stage…

Features

Features

'We fell in love with Palace' – Voices of CPFC Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan & more

FA Cup Final day traditions: Why they make the Final special

‘The greatest moment of my career’ – Voices of Wembley: Ian Wright

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7Ismaïla
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Features

Features

'We fell in love with Palace' – Voices of CPFC Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan & more

FA Cup Final day traditions: Why they make the Final special

‘The greatest moment of my career’ – Voices of Wembley: Ian Wright

EAGLE YELLOW - 35% OFF

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr