Crystal Palace in talks to end trophy parade at abandoned UK stadium left to rot 110 years after hosting FA Cup final
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CRYSTAL PALACE are preparing to head back to familiar territory as they celebrate their historic FA Cup triumph.
The Eagles ended a 119-year wait for a major trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley last weekend.
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Crystal Palace are planning a trophy parade through south London
Credit: Getty
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It it proposed the parade ends at Crystal Palace Park, home of the National Sports Centre
Credit: The Times
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Crystal Palace Stadium sits on the site of the club's former home
Credit: The Times
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The facility has been in a state of disrepair since closing in 2022
Credit: The Times
Palace are planning a trophy parade through South East London next Monday.
The club expect thousands of fans to line the streets of the capital.
According to The Guardian, bosses have been in discussions with local stakeholders about ending the open-top bus parade at Crystal Palace Park.
The site is dominated by the now-abandoned Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
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Prior to 2012, the 19,000-capacity athletics venue hosted the London Grand Prix.
It was built on the site of the old Crystal Palace Stadium, which formerly hosted the FA Cup final and was Palace's first home after their formation in 1905.
The world's oldest cup competition final was contested at the ground between 1895 and 1914, with the current stadium opening at the same address in 1964.
But the athletics venue closed in November 2022 following concerns over safety.
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It has been left to rot ever since, with the crumbling track overgrown by nature and trees growing in the stands.
London mayor Sadiq Khan announced funding to restore the facility almost two years ago.
Crystal Palace stars lift FA Cup trophy as they win first major honour in club's history with win over Man City
Work is now slowly getting underway to restore it to its former glory.
The track has been relayed, while the reopening of the 50m and diving pools remain the key priority for the project.
London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, Thomas Turrell, said: "The phased target openings for facilities across the estate remain for 2027 and 2028.
"The project is currently at the mid-point of the contractor procurement process, aiming to have a contractor on board by Spring 2025.
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Renovation work has begun to restore the facility to its former glory
Credit: The Times
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Nature had begun to take over the site after it was left to rot
Credit: Getty
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The diving and swimming facilities lay empty despite the pleas of local coaches
Credit: The Times
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Track repair work began in late 2023 with more work set to begin later this syear
Credit: x/CPSP2020
"A planning submission will follow later in the year with works programmed to start on site in 2026.
'I am pleased to this project developing.
"While there is still a lot to do, and I know local people are keen to see the pool in particular opened as soon as possible, it is good to see progress finally being made.
"The Centre has been forgotten for too long and I am really excited by this plan.
"It is time to bring UK athletics home to Crystal Palace!"
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