'A lifelong addiction'
Roy: My mother was born in Holmesdale Road a year after Palace moved there. Her dad was able to watch matches from a bedroom window. My dad was already a supporter when he met Mum as were other family members. I was born near Selhurst Park myself and dad used to take me to matches during the 1960s. From that moment I followed them closely, and remember the likes of John Jackson, Gerry Queen and Tony Taylor. I was there in 1969 when Palace first gained promotion to the First Division, and remember the players throwing their shirts into the crowd below. Many memories (good and not-so-good) followed, but the biggest moment up to then was their 4-3 defeat of Liverpool in the 1990 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park. I was there again, and had never felt so proud of Steve Coppell and the lads on that day, until this year when we finally achieved the silverware. Many of my family have long-since gone, but they would all have been so proud too. What I love most about Crystal Palace is that it has never lost sight of its heritage as a working men's club and has always been dedicated to hard-working fans. Despite forever being in the shadows of many other London clubs, it has evolved into a club never frightened of taking on the richer clubs, and proving Crystal Palace are as good as the rest.
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Scottish Sun
6 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Chelsea's ‘very awkward' trophy lift event with empty seats and fans saying ‘players couldn't care less'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TROPHY parades in recent seasons have become a chance for thousands of fans to get together, line the streets and celebrate their team holding silverware aloft on an open top bus. But for Chelsea, after their Conference League and Club World Cup victories, it seems becoming Champions of the World wasn't enough to justify that level of chaos. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Chelsea paraded their Club World Cup trophy at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty 6 Some fans turned up to see the silverware Credit: Getty 6 However, the stadium was mostly empty Credit: Getty 6 Chelsea won the tournament earlier this summer Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! Instead, the Blues opted for an hour-long in-house trophy celebration with a fairly drab atmosphere, leaving the players unenthused and some fans disappointed. Almost immediately after the 'ceremony' one Chelsea fan took to X to vent his frustration, claiming 'The players couldn't care less about this event lmao, very awkward.' It was a statement that was tough to disagree with. Another added: "This Chelsea trophy event, looks like the men's players don't want to be there! Show a little enthusiasm or smile for the fans that showed up! So awkward!" The Stamford Bridge west stand was far from full, with fans who bought tickets to the far right or left of the stand being instructed to move to the empty seats in the centre for a better view early on. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL 'Sell him at half time' Arsenal fans demand struggling star be AXED after shocking display Despite this, with a ticket costing just £5, less than a beer at the ground, fans were perhaps given fair value. Members of the Treble-winning women's team, including captain Millie Bright, were out first with the WSL title, league cup and FA Cup, before being joined by the entire men's team with the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies. Chelsea heroes Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were given huge ovations by the supporters in attendance, before all of the announced new signings were given an official introduction to Blues' supporters - unsurprisingly it was Estevao Willian who got the biggest cheer. The new Brazilian was officially announced as a Chelsea player yesterday, a year after agreeing a deal to join Enzo Maresca's side, and was comically forced by Malo Gusto to watch the French fullback's goal against Estevao's Palmeiras side at the Club World Cup on the big screen. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The idea was for the players to stroll down a blue carpet onto a plinth, before joining their team-mates to one side - though it seemed only Tosin Adarabioyo was fussed about trying to get his team-mates to avoid just walking to the side to join their pals, rather than take to the stage. The players were also given a chance to do a 'Donald Trump-less' lift of the Club World Cup trophy, but again, looked less than thrilled with captain Reece James not even holding the trophy aloft his head. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star Though in fairness to James, it may be difficult to get ramped up and celebrate a trophy won over a month ago with few fans in attendance - or a US President looking on. Before they were allowed to head home, James and Maresca were asked for their message to the fans before their 25/26 campaign gets going with a pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night. It was the manager who raised a few eyebrows in the ground with his 'rallying cry', after women's manager Sonia Bompastor had vowed for the team to target all FOUR trophies next campaign. Instead of instilling the fans with hope, and daring them to dream that the team will compete for major honours this season, Maresca instead pleaded for the fans to get behind the team. 6 Chelsea Women's showed off their successes from last term Credit: Getty 6 The players did not look overly enthused by the celebrations Credit: Getty He said: 'The message from me is quite clear. The players need the fans, so it's important that they're always behind them. This is my main message.' This comes against a backdrop of Maresca last season asking for a more energetic and encouraging atmosphere at home games for the Blues - something that he feels is essential in the team's quest for Champions League and Premier League glory. Perhaps we're old fashioned, but a traditional trophy parade might be a better idea the next time this team do pick up silverware.
The Sun
7 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow
FRANK LAMPARD accepts he is a glutton for punishment. One of the Premier League's greatest ever stars has had to deal with more than his fair share of 'hurt' as a boss having been brutally sacked by both Chelsea and Everton. 2 2 That followed his experience of suffering Wembley play-off final heartache when he was cutting his managerial teeth in charge of Derby. And if that wasn't enough to put him off the managerial lark, he watched on helplessly as Coventry were cruelly defeated in the play-off semi at Sunderland last May. But, no matter, the Coventry boss says he has no intention of swapping cold, wet Tuesday nights in Stoke for the comfort of the TV studio like fellow Prem icons. And nor does Lamps have any plans to work on his handicap on the golf course rather than patrolling the training ground like other ex-pros. But, instead, he's relishing the challenge of leading the Sky Blues from the depths of despair to another tilt at Prem promotion. Lampard had to fight back the tears when Cov were dramatically denied a place in the Championship play-off final by Dan Ballard's dramatic last-gasp winner on Wearside in May. The cruel finale meant there was no fairytale ending for the Sky Blues who were 17th when Lampard took charge following Mark Robins' sacking. But, in an exclusive SunSport interview, Lampard, 47, has admitted he can't wait to give it another go. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Ex-players have their choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives,' Lampard told SunSport. 'They can play golf, they can go into punditry or they can just go into a different line of work. 'I was 38, 39 I was when I finished and there's still a long way to go in your life and management is my line of work. 'And I have to admit I love doing what I do. I love working with the players. I love being on the training pitch. I love working with people. 'Everyone has their choices and I've made my choice and this is a challenging career but there's also a lot of pluses to it. 'I've pitted my wits against elite managers in the Champions League, managed at Chelsea, at Everton and at Derby and every single experience is valuable.' And, win or lose, there seems little chance that Chelsea legend Lampard, who won 11 major trophies in 13 years at Stamford Bridge, will not see things in perspective. But surely he found it difficult to pick himself up after what happened at the Stadium of Light? 'Yes and no,' says Lampard with a smile. 'If you ask my wife, she'll say yes, but if you ask me, I've been there before. 'I've had what I think you can describe as a really good playing career and managerial career. 'But within that, there's ups and downs all the time and that comes with the football territory. 'There are some things you can't quite control – like the Sunderland game in the end. 'But I've got a bit more balance about things like that at the moment even though they really hurt at the time. 'I had to be a big boy and make sure it didn't ruin my summer and it helps that I've developed a good work-life balance. 'I've got children who are all happy and healthy, so you just keep plugging away, sticking at it, giving it your best shot.' And that will mean turning pain into gain at the CBS Arena after the agonising near-miss. 'It was turning into a special story - we were one step away from Wembley and playing really well, particularly in those playoff games,' he added. 'It ultimately came down to small details - chances you don't convert and a header that comes off a shoulder and goes in. 'There was deep disappointment but you get over that because it's football and you have no choice but to start again. 'I spoke to lot of people over the summer. I met Coventry fans and neutrals and they all told me how well we'd done. 'That made me feel proud but my job is to understand that the hard work starts again.' Lampard added: 'We'd made all these strides and then when you miss out, you feel as manager of a club that you have a big responsibility in it. 'I still had a relatively good summer because I was with my family and had a break. 'But there were things, I was thinking all the time. I'm just thinking how can we do better and how can we try and start the season better. 'I can't wait to get back to the competitive games. I'm raring to go.'
BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gyokeres 'will be in really good place' for start
It was only a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, yet there was still a feeling of excitement and anticipation heading to Emirates Stadium as Arsenal supporters looked to see new £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres in are desperately hoping the 27-year-old striker will be the missing piece for the Gunners to lift a trophy for the first time since loudest cheers before kick-off were for Gyokeres when his name was read out in the starting line-up - the only noise to rival it came for the introduction of talented 15-year-old Max was expectation every time the ball went near the Sweden international and it looked as though his team-mates were also trying to make sure Gyokeres scored on his first start, and at his new home did not happen as Arsenal lost 3-2 to the La Liga side, with another summer signing Christian Norgaard and captain Martin Odegaard on target in each there were promising signs and the hour Gyokeres played will be crucial to his fitness before the start of the new Premier League season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 not trained with a team for two months after leaving Sporting and another Arsenal game to follow on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao, manager Mikel Arteta said the forward will "100%" be ready for the Old Trafford test."I think mentally, and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100% or more." added the Spaniard."Because he is so willing and so confident he can deliver straight away, I have no doubts he will be in a really good place."We already broke that line today, because I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team."He's been with us only a week or so, but I already saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking in certain spaces."So, in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday [against Bilbao] in a much better condition." Building fitness and connections Arsenal seem to be trying to get the ball into the box a lot quicker as they attempt to play to Gyokeres' was close to getting on the end of a first-half cross, before wafting a leg at an awkward delivery and then denied by a good save when played into the area in the second asked how long it will take for the former Coventry City forward to settle into his new surroundings, Arteta was optimistic."I hope days," he said with a smile. "Every day in training I think he is getting a really good feeling."He is building connections outside, which is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in."His fitness level, he hasn't trained with a team for two months. I think he is on five sessions before today. I think on Saturday he will take another step and be in a better condition."
