SELHURST PARK - CRYSTAL PALACE
What's The Ground Like?
Both ends of the ground have had new stands constructed in recent years, much improving the overall look of the ground. The two tiered Holmesdale Road Stand is at one end, and is where the bulk of home supporters congregate. This stand has a large lower tier, with a smaller upper tier that overhangs it. The stand looks impressive and has a large curved roof, as well as windshields on either side of the upper tier. Opposite is the Whitehorse Lane Stand. This is unusual in having a single tier of seating, with a double row of executive boxes above them. A video screen perches on the roof, which somehow doesn't look as if it was meant originally to be fitted there. This stand has now been renamed the 'Croydon Advertiser Family Stand'. One side is the large, covered, single tiered Arthur Wait stand, while on the other side the Main Stand is also single tiered. Both stands are now beginning to show their age; for example both have wooden seating and the Main Stand has a row of small floodlights perched on its roof and both have a number of supporting pillars. The Arthur Wait Stand has a TV gantry suspended beneath its roof. Michael Clement adds; 'To add a bit of razzmatazz to the beginning of games, the club now play a programme of loud music, as the teams emerge onto the pitch'. This includes playing 'Glad All Over' by the Dave Clarke Five, which is enthusiastically joined in to by the Palace fans.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
On the whole Crystal Palace is a fairly relaxed ground to visit and you are unlikely to encounter any problems, except perhaps getting stuck in the traffic on the way to the game! Away fans are located in one side of the Arthur Wait Stand near to the Holmesdale Road End, where just over 2,000 away supporters can be accommodated. Nikita a visiting Gillingham fan informs me; 'If you are seated towards the rear of the stand then you will find that you are sitting on old wooden seats and there is very little leg room'. Plus the views of the playing action are not particularly great from the back of the stand, due to the overhang of the roof. And if that is not enough then there is the odd supporting pillar to contend with too! Whilst Alex Jones adds; 'If you sit in the bottom half of the stand for an afternoon kick off, in the earlier part of the season, then don't be surprised if you end up trying to keep the sun out of eyes'.
Where To Drink?
Opposite Thornton Heath Railway Station there is a Wetherspoons pub, popular with both home and away supporters. It is about a 15 minute walk from here to the ground (as you come out of the pub turn right and follow the other fans). There are plenty of Kebab & Chip shops available on the route to the ground.
Phil Moore; 'Good news for real ale lovers is that Palace is surrounded by more CAMRA listed pubs than ever, I think there are 4-5 in the CAMRA Good Beer G uide. Not to mention the two Wetherspoon outlets'
Around Selhurst Railway Station:
Two Brewers - Gloucester Road
From the station cross the road using the zebra crossing and turn right (heading away from ground). Gloucester Road is third on the left. Comfortable cottage type pub. Small public bar, Shepherd Neame ales on sale -rare outside Kent.
Clifton Arms Clifton Road
Turn left out of the station and take the 3rd road on the left. This is the nearest pub to Stadium. A big Victorian corner pub well known for high quality of ales. Selection changes weekly. 3 or 4 bitters always on. Drawback: due to popularity away fans will only be admitted if they turn up early. After One thirty it's Palace season ticket holders only past the doorman.
Around Thornton Heath Railway Station:
The Railway Telegraph - Brigstock Road
From the station cross the road (zebra) and turn right. Pub is 100 yards down this road. A spacious Youngs house. Firm favourite with away fans. Also there's a Wetherspoons pub directly opposite the station.
Around Norwood Junction Railway Station:
The Alliance - Station Road (by clock tower)
A gem. Usually two real ales. Narrow shape of bar does means it can get crowded when waiting for service. Bar staff are friendly.
Wetherspoons - South Norwood High Street
A few doors down from the Alliance. Standard Wetherspoons fare.
The Ship - South Norwood High St
From Station Turn right at Clock Tower into the High St. Continue down to cross roads with Portland Road. Cross with care and carry on for another 100 metres. The Ship is a free house with 3-4 real ales and ciders. Has wooden floor, juke box SKY TV. Very noisy.
The Portmanor - Portland Road
From Station Turn right at Clock Tower into the High St. Continue down to cross roads with Portland Road. At crossroads turn right heading downhill under railway bridge You can't miss the pub. Do not be put off by garish disco decor this place serves great beers. Usually 3 real ales. Banks of TVs behind the bar are continuously screening football.
Alternatively alcohol is served inside the ground.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave the M25 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the A23 to Croydon. At Purley bear left onto the A23 at its junction with the A 235 (to Croydon). You will pass roundabouts and junctions with the A232 and A236 as you pass Croydon, after which the A23 bears left at Thornton Heath (at the Horseshoe pub roundabout). Here you must go straight over, into Brigstock Road (B266), passing Thornton Heath Station on your left and bearing right on to the High Street. At the next mini roundabout, (Whitehorse Road/Grange Road) go left into Whitehorse Lane. The ground is on your right.
Richard Down informs me; 'An alternative route for fans coming from the North, is to leave the M25 at Junction 10 and follow the A3 towards London. After about ten miles you will reach the Tolworth roundabout at which you turn right onto the A240 towards Epsom. After about three miles turn onto the A232 towards Sutton. Follow the A232 through Sutton and Carshalton and just before reaching Croydon, turn left onto the A23 north towards Thornton Heath'. Where the A23 bears left at Thornton Heath (at the Horsehoe pub roundabout). Here you must go straight over, into Brigstock Road (B266), passing Thornton Heath Station on your left and bearing right on to the High Street. At the next mini roundabout, (Whitehorse Road/Grange Road) go left into Whitehorse Lane. The ground is on your right.
Thanks to Richard Down for supplying the alternative directions.
There is plenty of street parking in the area, but a lot of it now is either residents only on matchdays or pay and display with a four hour limit. Please note that the traffic can be pretty bad on Saturdays even without football traffic, so make sure you allow yourself some extra time to make the journey.
By Train
The nearest railway stations are Selhurst or Thornton Heath which are served by London Victoria main line station, Clapham Junction, London Bridge (every 30 mins) and East Croydon (every 15 mins). You can also use Norwood Junction station which is also served by Victoria, but is a little further away. It is then a 10-15 minute walk to ground. Please note that Crystal Palace station is nowhere near the ground.
If you are coming from outside London, it may be an idea to purchase a 'Travelcard' at the first tube station you encounter (or some train operators also allow you to add this onto your train ticket) and tell the clerk that you want a 'Travelcard' that will cover you as far as Selhurst or Thornton Heath. The card then allows you unlimited travel on the tube and trains within the London travel zone and avoids having to buy a ticket for each leg of the journey.