Crystal Palace FC was founded in 1905 at the Crystal Palace Park in South London. The original Crystal Palace was a huge building made of glass. It was built for the Great Exhibition in 1851. This exhibition was an international show with displays of culture and industry from around the world. After the Great Exhibition, the Crystal Palace was moved to a park in south London which became known as Crystal Palace Park. In 1895, the English Football Association moved the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace Park. The FA Cup was very popular and attracted large crowds. It created an interest in football in the area and in 1905, Crystal Palace FC was born.

Factsheet

• Stadium: Selhurst Park 
• Stadium Capacity: 25,486 
• Location: South London 
• Founded: 1905 
• Nickname: The Eagles 
• Manager: Oliver Glasner
• Kit: Red and blue shirts, blue shorts and blue socks

In the early years, Crystal Palace’s nickname was the Glaziers. The Crystal Palace was made of glass and glazier is a person who works with glass and windows. If you have a broken window in your house, you can call a glazier. Unfortunately, in 1936, there was a big fire at the Crystal Palace and the building was burnt to the ground. You can still see a bit of the original Crystal Palace on the club badge.

At the beginning of the First World War in 1914, the British Army moved into Crystal Palace Park and the football club had to find another place to play and train. They moved from ground to ground for 5 years before buying some land and building Selhurst Park, where they have played ever since. 

In 1973, the club wanted to change its image. They changed their kit and started wearing red and blue vertical stripes, similar to the design that they still wear. They also adopted a new symbol and nickname. The club changed its nickname to the Eagles and designed a new badge with an eagle on it. In 2010, the club got a new mascot; a live bald eagle called Kayla. Kayla goes to every home game and flies around the stadium.

Crystal Palace have had a tough time in the Premier League and used to hold the record for the most relegations (this record has been beaten by Norwich). They were relegated at the end of the first season in 1993 and then promoted the following season. They have been relegated and promoted again another 3 times. 

Crystal Palace have lots of famous fans including the actor and comedian Suzy Izzard who joined the club as an associate director in 2012.

All I really want is for Crystal Palace to win every game from now until the end of time. That's all.

Suzy Izzard Crystal Palace Associate Director 

Crystal Palace haven't played at 'The Crystal Palace' since 1915!

Where is Crystal Palace?

Learn about Crystal Palace 

The following activities will help you learn about Crystal Palace football club. The first activity looks at the most difficult vocabulary from the article.

The Eagles

This is Crystal Palace's nickname. 

Now you have looked at the facts and figures, it's time to go into detail. Can you answer some more detailed questions about the Eagles?

In this final activity, there are 8 statements about the history of Crystal Palace. You have to drag the statements into the correct order.

Are you a Crystal Palace fan? 

Do you love the Eagles? What are your predictions for Palace this season? 

If so, this is the place for you to tell us how you feel about your team.