Back in the Day: August 20th - Edgar Davids Signs for Crystal Palace

Saturday 20th August 1960

Crystal Palace 9-2 Accrington Stanley

League Division Four – Att: 15,653

Manager: Arthur Rowe

One of the biggest wins in Crystal Palace’s history set the tone for what would be, ultimately, a successful season. Peterborough would pip Palace to the title but a first promotion in 40 years would be secured through a runners-up spot. This decade would see Palace climb from Division Four all the way up to Division One.

A club record that still holds would also be achieved this season – 110 league goals. Unsurprising if we are smashing nine past Accrington on the opening weekend!

Official Crystal Palace historian, Ian King, has this game in his list of ‘Memorable Matches’ in his book ‘Crystal Palace – The Complete Record’. You can purchase this book here. 

"Under new manage Arthur Rowe, whose renown was famed among all London football fans, Palace fans had renewed optimism for the 1960/61 season.

This game represents Accrington’s only appearance at Selhurst Park and it must be doubtful if they will be keen ever to make another. Palace were leading 3-1 after only eight minutes, and by half-time the scoreline was 5-2. The second half was a debacle for the visitors, with Palace reaching a total of nine goals for the second time in under a year. (Look out for the 9-0 hammering of Barrow on October 10th)

Johnny Byrne claimed four goals for himself, including the quickest one of the new season, which came after only 50 seconds. Powerful Alan Woan also scored a hat-trick and Ron Heckman, a blond, fast-raiding left-winger who had joined from Millwall, hit a brace upon his Palace debut." - Ian King

Alliteration Watch: Terry Tighe (pronounced ‘tai) is impressive to be fair.

Sounds more like a Porn Star than a Footballer: Willie Devine

Palace: Vic Rouse, Terry Long, Alfie Noakes, George Petchey, Gwyn Evans, Johnny McNichol, Johnny Gavin, Alan Woan, Johnny Byrne, Roy Summersby, Ron Heckman

Accrington: Willie McInnes, George Forrester, Bill Smith, Terry Tighe, Jimmy Harrower, Charlie Sneddon, Lawson Bennett, Jackie Swindells, George Hudson, Sam Logue, Willie Devine

Saturday 20th August 1966

Crystal Palace 4-2 Carlisle United

League Division Two – Att: 11,374

Manager: Bert Head

Six goals, three scorers. Eric Welsh scored twice for Carlisle but braces from Tommy White and Bobby Woodruff would complete the opening day 4-2 win.

Can anyone else think of another 4-2 scoreline in 1966? Of course, you can:

West Ham United 4-2 West Germany

Alliteration Watch: Barry Brayton gives Barry Bannan and Bobby Bowry a run for their money.

Palace: John Jackson, John Sewell, Bert Howe, David Payne, Alan Stephenson, Jack Bannister, Steve Kember, David Burnside, Tommy White, Bobby Woodruff, Pat O’Connell

Carlisle: Joe Dean, Brian Gallagher, Terry Caldwell, Peter McConnell, Tom Passmoor, Gordon Marsland, Eric Welsh, Willie Carlin, Barry Brayton, Chris Balderstone, Barry Hartle

Saturday 20th August 1977

Millwall 0-3 Crystal Palace

League Division Two – Att: 15, 216

Manager: Terry Venables

I can think of worse ways of starting a new season! Ian Evans headed home the first from a Nicky Chatterton corner in the first half. Vince Hilaire then stabbed home at the back post to make it 2-0 in the second half before Chatterton added to his assist to send the Eagles soaring to the top of the table.

Notable Debut: Peter Nicholas – 199 Appearances, 19 Goals.

“Nicholas was in the Palace junior side that won, and then retained, the FA Youth Cup in 1977 and 1978” – Ian King

Alliteration Watch: Dave Donaldson. Sounds more like an antique dealer.

Millwall: Nicky Johns, Dave Donaldson, Jon Moore (Phil Walker), Tony Hazell, Barry Kitchener, Bryan Hamilton, Brian Chambers, Trevor Lee, John Seasman, Terry Brisley, Ian Pearon

Palace: Peter Caswell, Peter Nicholas, Kenny Sansom, George Graham, Jim Cannon, Ian Evans, Vince Hilaire, Nicky Chatterton, Steve Perrin, Jeff Bourne, Rachid Harkouk (Peter Wall)

Tuesday 20th August 1985

Charlton Athletic 1-2 Crystal Palace

League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg – Att: 4,930

Manager: Steve Coppell

A Phil Barber brace in the first half proved enough for victory. Substitute Mark Stuart pulled a goal back for Charlton but Palace would take a lead back to Selhurst for the second leg.

Nicky Johns was in goal for Charlton. The Eagle eyed amongst you will notice that he was in goal for Millwall in the 3-0 thrashing above.

Former Palace striker Mike Flanagan also turned out for Charlton on this day. He barely troubled the scorers when he was at Palace so it was always going to be unlikely that he would here.

Charlton: Nicky Johns, Paul Friar, Mark Reid, Steve Gritt (Mark Stuart), Steve Thompson, Les Berry, George Shipley, Rob Lee, John Pearson, Mark Aizlewood, Mike Flanagan

Palace: George Wood, Henry Hughton, David Lindsay, Tony Finnigan, Micky Droy, Jim Cannon, Alan Irvine, Steve Ketteridge, Phil Barber, Andy Gray, Brian Sparrow

Saturday 20th August 1994

Crystal Palace 1-6 Liverpool

Premier League – Att: 18,084

Manager: Alan Smith

After storming to promotion the previous season as Champions, Palace were handed the tough start of Liverpool who were expected to be challenging for the title. It did not take long for the day to turn sour for us.

Jan Molby scored from the spot after 11 minutes after Simon Rodger had bought down Rob Jones –you can judge for yourself in the video below if you thought it was a spot kick. Steve McManaman doubled the lead three minutes later and Robbie Fowler made it three just before half time.

Whatever was said at half time by Alan Smith had an effect as Chris Armstrong pulled one back four minutes after the restart, but the effect would be short-lived. Ian Rush (60, 72) and McManaman again (69) completed the rout.

I think that it is only right that we allow Liverpool fans some time to reflect on a time when they actually did reasonably well against us. Since they stuffed us 9-0, this was one of only two times that they have actually given us a hiding since.

Palace: Nigel Martyn, Darren Pitcher, Dean Gordon, Gareth Southgate, Eric Young, Chris Coleman, Simon Rodger, Ray Wilkins (Bobby Bowry), Chris Armstrong, Andy Preece (Bruce Dyer), John Salako

Liverpool: David James, Rob Jones, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Steve Nicol, Jan Molby (Michael Thomas), Neil Ruddock, Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Robbie Fowler

Thursday 20th August 2010

Edgar Davids signs for Crystal Palace.

All Crystal Palace fans are sent into meltdown as the Dutch legend signs on a pay as you play basis.

In reality, we would have been better off getting Edgar David from Pratt's Bottom as he was a shadow of his former self, but the excitement that surrounded the club on this day should never be underestimated.

Saturday 20th August 2011

Hull City 0-1 Crystal Palace

Championship - Att: 17,797

Manager: Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman’s team made it three wins from four at the start of the 2011/12 season with an impressive 1-0 win at the KC Stadium. A James Chester OG, although Jermaine Easter wanted to claim it, separated the sides. Jonathan Parr’s persistence down the Palace right got him away down the byline and his centre was turned home by the centre back that we were so heavily linked with in the summer of 2015.

Check out the excitement at the goal from the Palace Twitter Account! A bit different to what we get these days!

Former Palace man, Dele Adebola, struck fear into the hearts of all Palace fans as he climbed off the bench with 15 minutes remaining to surely score twice and win the game late for Hull. Once again, the ex-player curse did not strike. Is it truly a myth?

Hull: Adrian Basso, Laim Rosenior, Joe Dudgeon, Jack Hobbs, James Chester, Corry Evans, Tom Cairney (Dele Adebola), Robert Koren, Robbie Brady (Nick Barmby), Matt Fryatt, Paul McKenna (Aaron McLean)

Palace: Julian Speroni, Peter Ramage, Ryan McGivern, Aleksander Tunchev, Paddy McCarthy, David Wright, Jonathan Parr, Mile Jedinak (Darren Ambrose), Jermaine Easter, Wilfried Zaha (Andy Dorman), Sean Scannell (Calvin Andrew)

Wednesday 20th August 2014

The proverbial truly hits the fan as reports Malkay Mackay and Ian Moody being racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic and sexist emerge, destroying the reputation of both and ending Palace’s interest of employing Mackay as manager. 

I am not happy as the behaviour of the two appears to be common knowledge within football and question whether success is more important than morals at Crystal Palace – although with Mackay’s efforts at Wigan after this debacle, success probably wouldn’t have occurred.

Meanwhile, this is being discussed in the media as Palace’s “Darkest Day”, much to the amusement of all Palace fans. @Clapham_Grand introduces the hashtag #DarkDaysAtPalace. Below are some of the best responses:

"Gay snake", anyone?

What Happened Yesterday?

 

August 19th - Malkay Mackay looks set to be unveiled as the new Crystal Palace manager.