Crystal Palace Football Club was officially established as a professional outfit on 10 September 1905 under the chairmanship of Sydney Bourne, with crucial assistance from Edmund Goodman, an Aston Villa employee recommended by Villa chairman William McGregor. The club was formed to provide a professional team to play at the Crystal Palace Stadium, tapping into the vast crowd potential of the area surrounding the FA Cup final venue. After being rejected for Football League election, Palace began their professional journey in the Southern League Second Division for the 1905–06 season.
Early Years and League Football
The Eagles’ formative decades saw them navigate between divisions whilst establishing their identity. When the First World War broke out, the armed forces seized the Crystal Palace grounds, forcing the club to leave in 1915. Palace eventually secured Football League status and experienced fluctuating fortunes throughout the early-to-mid 20th century, moving between the top two tiers.
The Allison and Venables Era
The 1970s marked a transformative period that would define the club’s modern identity. Malcolm Allison was appointed manager on 31 March 1973 and revolutionised Palace despite taking them from the First Division to the third tier. Allison changed the club colours to red and blue, rebranded them as the “Eagles,” and crucially invested in youth development, establishing the Crystal Palace academy. His assistant, Terry Venables, succeeded him in June 1976 and built the famous “Team of the Eighties” primarily from youth players and free transfers. Under Venables, Palace won the Second Division championship in 1978–79 and established themselves as a competitive force.
Top-Flight Success and FA Cup Heartbreak
| Season | Competition | Result | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-90 | FA Cup Final | Runner-up | Manchester United | Lost |
| 2015-16 | FA Cup Final | Runner-up | Manchester United | Lost |
| 2024-25 | FA Cup Final | Winner | Manchester City | Won 1-0 |
The 1990s brought both triumph and turbulence, with Palace reaching the 1990 FA Cup final against Manchester United, only to suffer defeat. The club enjoyed Premier League football during the 1990s but relegation in 1998 triggered severe financial problems. Palace entered administration twice, first in 1999 and again on 26 January 2010 when hedge fund Agilo forced the club into administration.
Modern Resurgence
Following their second administration crisis, Palace were saved by a consortium that formed CPFC 2010 Ltd. The club achieved promotion back to the Premier League in 2013 and have since enjoyed remarkable stability, completing a club record-extending thirteenth consecutive top-flight season as of 2025–26. This sustained Premier League presence represents the most successful period in the club’s history, culminating in their first major trophy when Eberechi Eze’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final.
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