The infamous Holmesdale terrace at Crystal Palace was demolished nearly 30 years ago, but it’s legacy lives on thanks to The Eagles’ renowned fanatical home support.
A whole host of memories come flooding back with a fan’s eye view of scenes captured from the heart of the Palace supporters, and featured on the long standing Palace fan site, Holmesdale.net.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Charlton. Selhurst Park. 26.12.84. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 1-3 Reading. Selhurst Park. 27.09.86. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineLeeds fans packed into the corner of Selhurst. Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United. 27.03.87. Leeds fans outnumber palace 10-1. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United. Selhurst Park. 27.03.87. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United. Selhurst Park. 27.03.87. Mark Bright wins his header whilst a young Ian Wright looks on. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineNot so local rivals: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Crystal Palace. The Goldstone Ground. 20.04.87. Palace and Brighton’s rivalry dates back to the 1970s. when the two clubs clashed in the old Third Division. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 2-0 Manchester City. Selhurst Park. 07.05.88. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineMillwall 1-1 Crystal Palace. The Old Den. 12.03.88. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 3-0 Bournemouth. Selhurst Park. 02.04.88. Copyright: Holmesdale Online
The all standing Holmesdale terrace was flattened in 1994, but not before it had established itself with a reputation for housing some of the most ardent, dedicated followers, capable of producing a pulsating atmosphere, sending the Eagles soaring to fresh heights.
The Last Stand: Palace fans in the famous Holmesdale terrace before itwas demolished in 1994 and replaced a year later with a two-tiered 8,500 capacity stand. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineThe Last Stand: The Holmesdale terrace was demolished in 1994 and replaced a year later with a two-tiered 8,500 capacity stand. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineThe Last Stand: The old entrance to The Holmesdale Road end. Copyright: Holmesdale Online
Pictures from the 1980s and 1990s provide, quite literally, a snap shot of a bygone era.
The kits, the supporters and the terraces are a throwback to all our yesterdays, but the memories for the Palace fans are vivid.
Gary O’Reilly puts Palace 2-1 up. Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool. FA Cup Semi Final. Villa Park. 08.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineGary O’Reilly puts Palace 2-1 up. Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool. FA Cup Semi Final. Villa Park. 08.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlinePalace fans celebrate in the Holte End, Villa Park. Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool. FA Cup Semi Final. Villa Park. 08.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool. FA Cup Semi Final. Villa Park. 08.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineThe Crystals cheerleaders. Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool. FA Cup Semi Final. Villa Park. 08.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale Online
Throbbing, intense FA Cup moments, 4-3 at Villa Park in a memorable semi final win over Liverpool, then all the excitement of the Wembley final itself and a dramatic 3-3 extra time draw with Manchester United.
The replay ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, but not before the national stadium was yet again bedecked in a sea of blue and red as Palace took it over, the scenes repeated seven years later with Palace back at Wembley for the play off finals and victory over Sheffield United.
Manchester United 1- 0 Crystal Palace. FA Cup Final Replay. Wembley. 17.05.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineManchester United 1- 0 Crystal Palace. FA Cup Final Replay. Wembley. 17.05.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineManchester United 1- 0 Crystal Palace. FA Cup Final Replay. Wembley. 17.05.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 1-0 Sheffield United. Play-off final. Wembley. 26.05.97. David Hopkin’s strike was enough to send Palace into the Premiership. Copyright: Holmesdale Online
Big games came and went at Selhurst Park throughout that era, with pictures shot from the famous South London terraces featuring Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds all preserved in that unique, old school, snapshot style, which is enjoying something of a resurgence as fans once again arm themselves with vintage analogue film cameras in an attempt to reproduce the look.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Chelsea. Selhurst Park. 16.04.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 0-0 Arsenal. Selhurst Park. 10.11.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 3-0 Manchester United. Selhurst Park. 11.05.91. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineRichard Shaw and John Salako, who scored a brace applaud the fans after the final whistle. Crystal Palace 3-0 Manchester United. Selhurst Park. 11.05.91. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineHappy away days: Barnsley 2-4 Crystal Palace. Oakwell Stadium. 26.04.86. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineWest Bromwich Albion 1-0 Crystal Palace. The Hawthorns. 13.02.88. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineCrystal Palace 1-0 Rochdale. FA Cup 5th Round. Selhurst Park. 17.02.90. Copyright: Holmesdale OnlineGoldberg Out: Palace fans protest against then Chairman Mark Goldberg outside Selhurst Park. 01.05.99. Palace were forced into administration two months before. Copyright: Holmesdale Online