Crystal Palace Football Club, a professional football club based in Selhurst, South London, was formed in 1905 by workers at The Crystal Palace. They were one of the earliest members of the Football League, joining for the 1920-21 season.

The team initially struggled to make an impact in their early years due to financial instability and lack of top-tier talent. However, they did experience some success with players like Albert Harry who scored impressive goals that helped establish them as competitive contenders. Their first major achievement came when they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup during the 1971-72 season.

Crystal Palace experienced a golden era during Steve Coppell's tenure as manager from 1984 until 1993. Under his stewardship, Crystal Palace achieved various notable successes including promotion to the First Division (now known as Premier League) in 1989.

The club's iconic moment is undoubtedly the 1990 FA Cup Final against Manchester United, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. However, Palace lost the replay and missed out on their first major silverware.

Crystal Palace's main rivals are Brighton & Hove Albion, with whom they contest the M23 derby – named after the motorway that links the two areas. This rivalry originated from a series of fiercely contested matches in the late 70s and early 80s, culminating in a five-match saga during the 1976–77 season source.

Derby games are typically intense affairs for both players and fans alike due to historical resentment between these clubs. These encounters contribute significantly to Crystal Palace's identity by fostering unity among supporters.

Crystal Palace plays its home games at Selhurst Park, an iconic stadium with a capacity of over 25,000 spectators. Built in 1924 and taken over by Crystal Palace when they were promoted to The Football League in 1924, it has remained their home ground since then.

Playing at Selhurst Park offers Crystal Palace a distinct advantage thanks largely to its passionate fan base known as "the Holmesdale Fanatics". Their constant vocal support often inspires the team to punch above their weight and has played a significant role in many memorable victories.

The Eagles, as Crystal Palace fans are affectionately known, are an incredibly passionate fan base. They have established numerous fan groups around the globe, which help galvanize support for their beloved club across multiple continents.

Notable among these is "the Holmesdale Fanatics" who are well-known for creating vibrant tifos and orchestrating organized chants during games. The Eagle – both the club's nickname and mascot – serves as a symbol of unity for all supporters.

On match days, fans traditionally congregate at pubs near Selhurst Park where they sing club songs before making their way to the stadium. This ritual contributes enormously towards fostering a strong sense of community among supporters.

1. Formation of Club (1905)
2. Joining Football League (1920)
3. Promotion to First Division (1969)
4. Reaching FA Cup Semi-Finals (1976)
5. Hiring Steve Coppell as Manager & subsequent promotion to top-tier (1984-1993).
6. Competing in FA Cup Final against Manchester United (1990).
7. Signing striker Ian Wright from non-league side Greenwich Borough in 1985.
8. Excellent victory over Liverpool at Anfield during Premier League survival battle 2014/15 season. 9a Winning playoff finals versus Watford securing Premier League promotion 2012/13 season. 10b Wilfried Zaha’s return after his short stint with Manchester United - establishing himself as one of Premier League's most influential players.