Palace Academy launches new ‘Meet the Icon’ series with former Eagle Stuart O’Keefe

Academy

2 Dec 2025

Last week marked the launch of the Academy’s new ‘Meet the Icon’ series – an initiative created to strengthen our young players’ identity, reinforce their sense of belonging, and deepen their connection to Crystal Palace’s rich history.

Across seven sessions taking place throughout the season, players from the Under-13s to Under-16s will participate in live Q&A conversations with former Palace professionals who now work across the club.

The programme offers young Eagles the opportunity to hear authentic first-hand experiences, ask their own questions, and learn directly from individuals who helped shape the club they represent today.

The first session in the series was led by Stuart O’Keefe, who returned to Crystal Palace in September 2024 and now works within our Academy as Under-11s Head Coach.

O’Keefe originally joined Palace from Southend United in 2010, going on to make 51 appearances in red and blue. He became a reliable, hard-working presence in midfield and played a significant part in some of the club’s most memorable moments of the modern era.

He delivered an outstanding performance in the 2013 Championship Play-Off final against Watford, entering the match early due to injury and helping Palace control the midfield on their way to a 1–0 victory at Wembley.

Later that year, he scored Palace’s first three points of their Premier League return with a superb curling effort against Sunderland.

After leaving Palace for Cardiff City in 2015, O’Keefe served as club captain at Gillingham before moving on to Aldershot and Chatham. His return to South London has seen him share his leadership, experience and passion with the next generation of Palace players.

The session opened with Academy coach and programme lead Josh Bednash challenging a packed room of U13s to U16s to guess how many former Palace players now work across the Academy and first team.

After several guesses, U16 and U18 defender Dylan Monk correctly answered seven. Bednash hinted at the impressive list of Icons who will feature in the coming months, before introducing O’Keefe and showing a short highlights montage of his career – a moment that immediately captured the room’s full attention.

O’Keefe explored the importance of resilience, discipline and mentality from a young age, drawing on experiences of playing Championship and League One football as a teenager with Southend and the mindset that shaped his early development.

Reflecting on his move to Palace in 2010 under Dougie Freedman, he painted a vivid picture of a strong, family-driven dressing room built on hard work, togetherness and an uncompromising desire to win. The deep connection between the club and the local community – and the privilege of representing families across South London – featured heavily in his reflections.

Memories from his time at Palace resonated throughout the room, from the unforgettable League Cup quarter-final victory over Manchester United to the extraordinary tension and reward of the 2013 Play-Off final at Wembley.

His Premier League goal against Sunderland – a moment that captured the journey from being released by Ipswich at 16 to fulfilling a childhood ambition – resonated strongly with the players, especially when he shared that “if I wasn’t released, I wouldn’t have a career.”

Throughout the session, the atmosphere was one of genuine engagement. Players leaned forward in their seats, while coaches lining the back of the room listened just as closely, occasionally joining in with their own questions.

Conversations sparked between staff members as O’Keefe touched on themes central to development at this level: perseverance, character, and embracing the unique path each player must take. His message was clear — focus on your own progress, avoid comparisons, and commit fully to the journey ahead.

Before opening the floor, he challenged the group to consider whether they truly wanted to become professional footballers or simply liked the idea of it. The room fell noticeably quiet as he pressed them to think about what genuinely separates those who succeed from those who stand still, and to back themselves with conviction.

The discussion that followed ranged widely. The speed of play emerged as the biggest difference between Academy and first-team football, with the step up demanding faster decisions and greater sharpness.

His lowest career moment – being released by Ipswich after seven years – was presented not with regret, but as the turning point that taught him what was required to build a career in the game.

The toughest match he ever played was not a Premier League fixture but rather a League Two relegation battle away at Fleetwood, where livelihoods and futures were on the line.

Standards and longevity were recurring themes, exemplified through the example of Kevin Phillips, who continued extra finishing sessions after training during his time at Palace and went on to score in both the Play-Off final and the Premier League at the remarkable age of 41.

It served as a reminder to everyone in the room – players and coaches alike – that sustained excellence is built on daily habits, not occasional moments.

Head of Academy Psychology Jack Hicks-Flynn said: “The ‘Meet the Icon’ series is a powerful way of strengthening belonging and identity across our Academy.

“Hearing directly from former players who have lived the Crystal Palace journey helps our young athletes connect with the club’s history, values, and culture in a meaningful way.

“These conversations give our players role models they can relate to and helps reinforce the behaviours and character that reflect what it means to be South London & PROUD when representing the club.

“It’s an inspiring culture piece that supports not just performance, but the long-term personal development of every player in our pathway.

“Lastly, I'd also like to recognise the fantastic work of our Academy staff, whose creativity and commitment have brought this initiative to life"

The ‘Meet the Icon’ series will continue throughout the season, providing Academy players with inspiring insight from those who know exactly what it takes to represent Palace with pride.

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