2020 was a challenging year all around the world, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing gatherings to be cancelled or postponed throughout football and beyond.
When events have been allowed, they’ve been enjoyed through screens as crowds are banned from stadia across England.
But while it’s been quiet in the stands at Selhurst Park, players have kept their interaction with fans going digitally, where supporters have watched and reacted to matches together from their own homes.
So, with 2020 behind us and 2021 bringing more hope, we’ve looked back on your interactions with Palace this year, recounting a few moments that capture the relationship between supporter and player.
Patrick van Aanholt’s favourite goal
Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt is more than happy to share his opinion on social media, often willing to answer fans’ questions.
Recently, one supporter asked him to recall his favourite goal for Palace, and the Dutchman named a pair of memorable efforts, including his fantastic free-kick against Newcastle United in 2019/20.
Bournemouth away or free kick against Newcastle 💫 https://t.co/zeRwBuyRlx
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) November 20, 2020
Football’s nice guy, Vicente Guaita
Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guaita also keeps in close contact with fans through social media, often giving birthday shoutouts and words of encouragement to young Palace supporters with big dreams of following in his footsteps.
Guaita expresses his high tempo personality in his relationship with the fans and made one young man’s day with the below interaction.
Rory!!! My good friend!! This is for you!! 🦅🦅❤️💙🧤#CPFC #CPFCFamily pic.twitter.com/XFb7Fp4d4t
— Guaita (@vguaita13) September 22, 2020
Townsend and Van Aanholt missing the crowds
Since Palace played their first fixture at Selhurst on Wednesday, 30th August, 1924 against Sheffield United, the stadium has been an iconic venue, drawing in crowds of fans from up and down the country.
Van Aanholt drew on the magic only Selhurst can offer, noting fans as the centre of its appeal.
Electric ⚡️ https://t.co/MoR0efJRVS
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) May 13, 2020
No matter what they decide...without the fans it's not the same, you're the heart, soul and passion of the game, without you we don't exist 🙏🏽
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) May 13, 2020
Genuine question, do you think the results we've been seeing would be different if fans were in stadiums?
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) October 4, 2020
Palace winger Andros Townsend joined Van Aanholt in wanting the fans back and, when COVID-19 measures were eased slightly in December, he expressed his delight at your return for the Tottenham Hotspur clash.
When you realise fans are back at Selhurst park tomorrow for the first time in 9 months #CPFC pic.twitter.com/DtamfybQTF
— Andros Townsend (@andros_townsend) December 12, 2020
Michy and Wilf lend a hand
Struggling with your Fantasy team? Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha are on hand to help, sort of…
— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) October 8, 2020
Ask Wilf 😂😂 https://t.co/gAQmFsppGV
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) October 8, 2020
Famous faces reach out
Finally, Palace haven’t just been interacting with fans through social media. During the first lockdown, staff and former players phoned Season Ticket holders over the age of 70 to ensure these fans were well supported.
Staff from across the club called supporters several times during their working day and beyond and, for some fans, the likes of Dougie Freedman, Aki Riihilahti and Alan Birchenall reached out.
Here, former Palace frontman James Scowcroft speaks on the incredible dedication of fans from across the country, including one who lives north of Newcastle but makes the journey to Selhurst to watch each game.
In addition to this, the club’s Down Memory Lane events have continued and enabled supporters to join video calls with Geoff Thomas and Nicky Chatterton and enjoy exclusive, lengthy interviews with Nigel Martyn and Gary O’Reilly while first-team players have jumped on Instagram Live to answer fans’ questions.
It isn’t hard to see the commitment, perseverance and energy Palace fans bring to Selhurst every time they come to SE25. With their absence being keenly felt across the club, virtual interactions filled a small part of the void.
This year, with any luck, those relationships will once again be in person.
READ NEXT: 2020 Wrapped: Reflecting on Palace's highs after a testing year
