Palace/Brighton - explained by an Eagle?

[Gilliver's Travels]

For all those having any doubts about Palace away, read this truly great post on Holmesdale Online. This - from a CPFC fan - brings it all to life.


"The days of the intense Palace Brighton rivalry in the late seventies will never be repeated & therefore it is impossible to comprehend the feelings for those that weren't there.

Each game over the three/four year intense period was watched by packed houses of over 30,000. We regularly got tonked down at the Gallstone, particularly by the one-man shows of Peter Ward. We usually balanced things out at home though. They truly were fervent, furious, action-packed games & the atmospheres were electric - like nothing we've experienced regularly since. There were running battles in the streets & gardens around the Gallstone & the odd flare-up inside the ground at Selhurst. The players totally understood their role in all the rivalry which was truly full-on & you just got carried away with it all. It wasn't a choice - it just happened that way. I hope this helps the doubters understand a little better.

Things are different now but I think it's important for our identity as Palace fans that we don't go 'choosing' rivals. They come & go but Brighton will always be 'the ones' that stand out for most Palace fans."


After all that, how can any genuine Albion fan NOT want to be there?

 

[Seagull73]

Very well put in my opinion...

 

[Napper]

exactamondo.

only a family bereavement would keep me away

 

[On the Left Wing]

For all those having any doubts about Palace away, read this truly great post on Holmesdale Online. This - from a CPFC fan - brings it all to life.


"The days of the intense Palace Brighton rivalry in the late seventies will never be repeated & therefore it is impossible to comprehend the feelings for those that weren't there.

Each game over the three/four year intense period was watched by packed houses of over 30,000. We regularly got tonked down at the Gallstone, particularly by the one-man shows of Peter Ward. We usually balanced things out at home though. They truly were fervent, furious, action-packed games & the atmospheres were electric - like nothing we've experienced regularly since. There were running battles in the streets & gardens around the Gallstone & the odd flare-up inside the ground at Selhurst. The players totally understood their role in all the rivalry which was truly full-on & you just got carried away with it all. It wasn't a choice - it just happened that way. I hope this helps the doubters understand a little better.

Things are different now but I think it's important for our identity as Palace fans that we don't go 'choosing' rivals. They come & go but Brighton will always be 'the ones' that stand out for most Palace fans."


After all that, how can any genuine Albion fan NOT want to be there?

Got massive respect for the Palace fan who posted that ... he's spot on

 

[Gully]

He is either someone who knows his football and has been following the game for years, in that case respect is due, or a youngster who pays attention to tales of old. In either case football has come a long way since the 70's, the fervour has perhaps waned a little but the rivalry continues, we know that and so do Palace, as if we needed reminding...

 

[Bakesy]

BANG ON............just how i remember it.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

For those who weren't there... imagine being at any of these games:-


27/12/80 Sat. FL D1 (h) W 3-2 P.O'Sullivan, M.Robinson 2 27,367

5/4/80 Sat. FL D1 (a) D 1-1 P.Ward 31,466

26/12/79 Wed. FL D1 (h) W 3-0 B.Horton (pen), P.Ward, G.Ryan 28,358

17/2/79 Sat. FL D2 (h) D 0-0 23,795

7/10/78 Sat. FL D2 (a) L 1-3 B.Horton 33,685

18/3/78 Sat. FL D2 (a) D 0-0 26,305

22/10/77 Sat. FL D2 (h) D 1-1 I.Mellor 28,208

12/3/77 Sat. FL D3 (a) L 1-3 A.Rollings 28,677

6/12/76 Mon. FAC R1 2Rep L 0-1 14,118
Played at Chelsea

23/11/76 Tue. FAC R1 Rep (a) D 1-1 I.Mellor 29,174
After extra time

20/11/76 Sat. FAC R1 (h) D 2-2 P.Ward, I.Mellor 29,510

2/10/76 Sat. FL D3 (h) D 1-1 27,054

24/2/76 Tue. FL D3 (h) W 2-0 S.Morgan 2 33,300

23/9/75 Tue. FL D3 (a) W 1-0 B.Butlin 25,606

18/3/75 Tue. FL D3 (a) L 0-3 18,799

17/8/74 Sat. FL D3 (h) W 1-0 I.Mellor 26,235


If it all suddenly makes sense, just make sure you're there on Tuesday.

 

[Hunting 784561]

For those who weren't there... imagine being at any of these games:-


27/12/80 Sat. FL D1 (h) W 3-2 P.O'Sullivan, M.Robinson 2 27,367

5/4/80 Sat. FL D1 (a) D 1-1 P.Ward 31,466

26/12/79 Wed. FL D1 (h) W 3-0 B.Horton (pen), P.Ward, G.Ryan 28,358

17/2/79 Sat. FL D2 (h) D 0-0 23,795

7/10/78 Sat. FL D2 (a) L 1-3 B.Horton 33,685

18/3/78 Sat. FL D2 (a) D 0-0 26,305

22/10/77 Sat. FL D2 (h) D 1-1 I.Mellor 28,208

12/3/77 Sat. FL D3 (a) L 1-3 A.Rollings 28,677

6/12/76 Mon. FAC R1 2Rep L 0-1 14,118
Played at Chelsea

23/11/76 Tue. FAC R1 Rep (a) D 1-1 I.Mellor 29,174
After extra time

20/11/76 Sat. FAC R1 (h) D 2-2 P.Ward, I.Mellor 29,510

2/10/76 Sat. FL D3 (h) D 1-1 27,054

24/2/76 Tue. FL D3 (h) W 2-0 S.Morgan 2 33,300

23/9/75 Tue. FL D3 (a) W 1-0 B.Butlin 25,606

18/3/75 Tue. FL D3 (a) L 0-3 18,799

17/8/74 Sat. FL D3 (h) W 1-0 I.Mellor 26,235


If it all suddenly makes sense, just make sure you're there on Tuesday.

Loving those wins and crowd numbers !

 

[Hiney]

The game in February 1976 was one of the most intense atmospheres I can ever remember.

We got to the ground at about 6.15 and it was already absolutely heaving.

We were both going for promotion. We were 3rd and Palace, after being top for most of the season had dropped to 5th. The whole game was unbelievable. Sammy Morgan got the goals but it all went off in the crowd with the Palace fans chucking smoke bombs and all sorts.

The ref threatened to abandon the game.

f***ing brilliant

 

[SJ's Love Monkey]

The game in February 1976 was one of the most intense atmospheres I can ever remember.

We got to the ground at about 6.15 and it was already absolutely heaving.

We were both going for promotion. We were 3rd and Palace, after being top for most of the season had dropped to 5th. The whole game was unbelievable. Sammy Morgan got the goals but it all went off in the crowd with the Palace fans chucking smoke bombs and all sorts.

The ref threatened to abandon the game.

f***ing brilliant

I was 8 but i still remember that game total mayhem!

 

[Muhammed - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

oh yes

 

[SJ's Love Monkey]

oh yes

Palace fans were going loopy as Hiney said Smoke bombs, concrete, coins the lot were raining in it was like a war zone!

 

[eagles #1]

Wish i could have experienced one of those games I doubt the atmosphere will ever be like those games again?

 

[SJ's Love Monkey]

Wish i could have experienced one of those games I doubt the atmosphere will ever be like those games again?

I dont think they will those games in the 70's and 80's will be unsurpassed for atmosphere, home ansd away totally spinetingling

 

[timbha]

think I went to most if not all those games, Feb 76 was one to remember but Boxing Days 79 and 80 were fantastic, when Burridge spent about 30 minutes warming up before the match in front of the South Stand and got absolutely slaughtered and pelted with burgers, tea, and worse.

Great days with Albion mobs in North and South stands and Palace on the Chicken Run (east terrace). Police thought it a good idea to let all fans out at the same time - in the spirit of christmas and goodwill! - and there was carnage in Goldstone Lane. I feared for my life!!!!!! Hark now hear......

The Monday night match in 76 at Stamford Bridge was memorable but for different reasons (few Palace fans and that b*****d Challis)!

The matches at Selhurst were less fruitful and with bottles and bricks being thrown at the Seagulls Special train I didn't feel safe until we reached Sussex.

Nobby Horton just loved those games and will always be an Albion legend.

 

[dougdeep]

Unusual to get any sense on the Holmesdale board.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Wish i could have experienced one of those games I doubt the atmosphere will ever be like those games again?

And did you notice? Every one of the home gates in those six years exceeded Falmer's planned capacity....

 

[eagles #1]

And did you notice? Every one of the home gates in those six years exceeded Falmer's planned capacity....

I didnt, no...

 

[northstandnorth]

THE GREATEST SATURDAY IN THE 70'S was the occasion at the goldstone when the


GO LEFT GO LEFT
GO LEFT RIGHT LEFT
GO LEFT GO RIGHT
GO PICK UP THE SCENT
GO LEFT GO RIGHT GO LEFT

song was in its prime,we sung this for half the first half,lead as allways(he sung the line.we repeated)by the same geezer.this merry ditty included the legendary verses

HE SHOT HE SCORED
IT MUST BE OUR MAN PETER WARD


and


HAVE YOU SEEN THE MUPPETT SHOW
IT'S ON AT SELHURST PARK YOU KNOW

at half time about a third of croyscums finest went for a piss,lost their bottle and scuttled of to scumland in time to watch airwolf on the telly

 

[Icy Gull]

The game in February 1976 was one of the most intense atmospheres I can ever remember.

We got to the ground at about 6.15 and it was already absolutely heaving.

We were both going for promotion. We were 3rd and Palace, after being top for most of the season had dropped to 5th. The whole game was unbelievable. Sammy Morgan got the goals but it all went off in the crowd with the Palace fans chucking smoke bombs and all sorts.

The ref threatened to abandon the game.

f***ing brilliant

My 1st ever Albion game, in the South stand with loads of mostly friendly Palace fans around me, totally unaware that there was any history between the clubs Fantastic atmosphere with the Goldstone full to bursting. Peter Taylor in Harry Wilson's pocket. I believe Palace played in the only decent kit they've ever had, the white shirt with the Barcelona colour diagonal strip. Albion won the game at a canter