The amazing family story behind Eze's Palace Parade shirt

Club

27 May 2025

Four generations of one family were represented by 2025 FA Cup Final match-winner Ebere Eze, at our Winners' Celebration in SE25 on Monday.

By Andrew McSteen...

The forward sported the famous ‘Fly Virgin’ red and blue Bukta shirt, worn by the Eagles’ players back in the 1989/90 season, when the club made it all the way to their first FA Cup Final at the old Wembley Stadium.

Wearing that same shirt 35 years ago at the final was Jack Darville, an Eagles fan who had started following the club in the 1930s.

And with Eze wanting to wear a ‘throwback’ shirt at the parade, word was put out through his network, with Palace fan Tom Meadowcroft eventually helping to source the shirt in question.

"I put the feelers out amongst my Palace-supporting friends to see what we all had amongst ourselves," explained Meadowcroft. "One friend, Paul Darville, said if Eze wanted to use the one his Grandad Jack wore at the final in 1990, his family would love it, and would be honoured."

Adding extra significance to the shirt, ahead of this year’s FA Cup Final, Paul’s family had placed it in a frame by the grave of Jack, who passed away at the age of 96 in 2024, so he could be part of the weekend, which would go on to yield the greatest day in club history when Eze scored the winner against Manchester City.

All that was left was to get the shirt to Eze.

“Instead of sending someone to just pick it up, or ask for it to be dropped off, Eze wanted to meet Paul and his family in person to talk about the shirt and their family,” explained Meadowcroft.

“I think Paul thought I was winding him up at first when I said he was invited down, but once he knew I wasn’t joking, Paul, his seven-year-old daughter Sienna and Dad Anthony, all came down with me to the Crystal Palace Academy, where Ebere was with his Foundation.”

At the Academy, Eze spoke to the three generations of the Darville family about their history with Crystal Palace and learning what it meant to them – with Anthony attending since the 1960s, Paul since the 1990s and his daughter now in the 2020s – even letting the family hold and wear his prized FA Cup Winners' medal.

“Being able to personally thank the man who scored the goal that won Palace the FA Cup Final was one thing, but having him ask questions about the shirt, the family and the connection to it was amazing,” said Paul about the experience.

“Ebere has always come across as nice in the media, but he could not be a friendlier person, as are his friends, brothers and agents. I can’t believe that I’ve held a FA Cup Winners' medal, nor that Sienna has had it around her neck.”

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And then, on Monday, Eze was spotted wearing the shirt throughout the parade and the in-stadium celebrations at Selhurst Park.

“To see him wearing the shirt yesterday was absolutely beautiful,” said Meadowcroft. “It was an amazing touch from the club to let him do that.”

In addition to the emotional connection of the Darville family, the shirt also had a further significance for Eze.

A player synonymous with the shirt is the Woolwich-born Ian Wright, who was scouted by the Eagles in 1985 while playing for semi-professional side Greenwich Borough, and who would go on to become a Palace legend, scoring twice in the FA Cup Final which Jack was at.

This was of particular poignancy for the Greenwich-born Eze, who also wanted to pay homage to Wright himself, the history of the club, plus the players and people who have come before him, and who helped set the stage and culture of the club as it is today.

With thanks to Andrew McSteen.

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