Premier League · Premier League · London, Greater London, England · Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace FC

South London's proudest club, Crystal Palace bring noise, colour, and a fierce identity to Selhurst Park, where the Holmesdale Fanatics create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the Premier League.

1905

1905–1992

Early Years and FA Cup Drama

Building an identity in south London

Crystal Palace were founded in 1905, taking their name from the famous Crystal Palace exhibition building in Sydenham. The club spent most of their early decades in the lower divisions, establishing themselves at Selhurst Park in 1924. It was not until the late 1960s, under Bert Head and then Malcolm Allison, that Palace first reached the top flight.

The club's most iconic pre-Premier League moment came in the 1989-90 FA Cup. Under Steve Coppell, Palace produced a sensational run to the final at Wembley, where they drew 3-3 with Manchester United in one of the great FA Cup finals. Ian Wright, who would go on to become one of the most prolific strikers in English football history, scored twice. United won the replay 1-0, but the experience cemented Palace's reputation as a club capable of producing magic on the biggest stage.

Palace's relationship with the top flight was intermittent throughout this period - they were promoted and relegated several times, never quite establishing the financial or structural stability to remain among the elite. But the passion of the Selhurst Park crowd and the club's willingness to produce exciting, attacking football made them a beloved underdog.

Key Facts

  • Founded in 1905, named after the Crystal Palace exhibition building
  • Based at Selhurst Park since 1924
  • Reached the 1990 FA Cup final, drawing 3-3 with Manchester United
  • Ian Wright emerged as a star during the 1990 cup run
2013

2013–Present

Premier League Establishment

From promotion to permanent fixture

After years of yo-yoing between divisions and a period in administration, Palace were promoted back to the Premier League in 2013 under Ian Holloway, who was quickly succeeded by Tony Pulis. Pulis performed the remarkable feat of keeping a squad assembled for the Championship in the Premier League, and from that point Palace have not looked back.

A succession of managers - Alan Pardew, who took Palace to the 2016 FA Cup final where they lost to Manchester United, Sam Allardyce, Roy Hodgson, Patrick Vieira, and Oliver Glasner - have maintained the club's top-flight status. The common thread has been exciting attacking talent: Wilfried Zaha became the club's talisman for a decade, and his successors Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have continued the tradition of thrilling, direct football at Selhurst Park.

Glasner's appointment in February 2024 reinvigorated the squad with a high-pressing system that produced stunning results in the final months of the 2023-24 season. Under Steve Parish's leadership, the club continue to develop plans for stadium expansion and youth development, aiming to grow while preserving the electric atmosphere that makes Selhurst Park one of the Premier League's most formidable venues.

Key Facts

  • Promoted to the Premier League in 2013, have remained since
  • Reached the 2016 FA Cup final under Alan Pardew
  • Wilfried Zaha served as talisman for over a decade
  • Oliver Glasner appointed manager in February 2024