3 Hours ago
Crystal Palace Under-18s came agonisingly close to winning the U18 Premier League South title, after losing out on goal difference to Fulham on Saturday.
The Cottagers victory over Chelsea means the Eagles finished runners-up, however: a phenomenal achievement in their first season at Category 1 level.
Paddy McCarthy’s young Eagles have worked tirelessly throughout the season and their fantastic performances are a credit to the club. After a season of hard work and dedication, check out how far they’ve come month by month in the season review below.
Pre-season
After the 2019/20 U18 Professional Development League season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal Palace Under-18s found themselves in a new frontier after being moved up to the U18 Premier League South.
30 January 2021
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Crystal Palace Under-18s returned to top spot in the Under-18 Premier League South with an entertaining five-goal victory in spitting rain at Copers Cope academy ground on Saturday morning.
Summary:
Arsenal’s James Sweet equalises from a clever cut-back. (15)
Palace regain the lead through a left-footed David Omilabu shot. (32)
The visitors restore parity again with a Taylor-Hart half-volley. (42)
HT: Crystal Palace U18s 2-2 Arsenal
Rak-Sakyi assists Omilabu again in what proves the eventual winner. (77)
The Eagles withstand late pressure to return to the top of the table.
31 December 2020
Toby Jagmohan
Earlier in November, during the incessantly labelled ‘unprecedented times’, Cardo Siddik received an Iraq international call-up through unprecedented means.
“I go on my Instagram and see loads of huge Iraqi media outlets mentioning me,” the 18-year-old says, reflecting on his recent spell with Iraq Under-19s.
“The Iraqi Football Federation got in contact with my dad, and after that they sent an official letter to Crystal Palace asking for my release.”
It’s fitting the IFF got in touch with Siddik’s dad, for it was in his early years in Hanwell, Ealing, where the defender’s parents saw his “footballing ability could be improved and get to a stage where [he] could potentially push on to do great things.”
23 December 2020
Roy Hodgson has written a marathon address to the Crystal Palace fanbase in the club s matchday programme v Leicester City.
Across 10 pages, Hodgson writes directly to the Crystal Palace fanbase in his own words to reflect on one of football and the world’s toughest years and brighter times ahead.
The programme can be read by clicking here to enjoy a full digital edition at the click of a button - easy to buy and perfect to read on mobile, desktop or tablets!
In his message, Hodgson reveals his feelings when the league was first suspended, how the Palace squad made the last nine months bearable and what it means to be a Crystal Palace supporter - something he knows intricately.