We were so close. We were 1-0 up with just ten minutes to go of the game. We were going to do it. We were actually going to win our first ever FA Cup final. That was until one of those Manchester twats went and scored. The game was tied and went to extra time. The air in Fado was ripe with the smell of hope, fear and slightly soggy blood sausage. The game could have been anyones. It was wide open and there for the taking. The ball pinged out to one of their players on the edge of our box at an impossibly hard height to shoot. Before anyone could react, he wrapped his foot around the ball and it flew into our net. My heart sank and my dreams crushed. Part of me wanted to curl up into a ball and die. The other part of me wanted to jump up onto the stage in front of all the Fado Manchester fans cheering wildly, pull my shorts down, slap my naked arse, then jump up and down jabbing my finger at each and every one of them shouting "fuck you, fuck you, fuck you..." I chose to do the latter. It was almost as enjoyable as winning the game. Almost.
A remarkable thing has happened since that crushing day. I had thought pre game that if we lost I would be destroyed, unable to continue leading my Austin Eagles in our fight against tyranny. I was certain that I would be unable to put finger to keyboard to scribe these words bringing together red and blue fans alike. Surely, I couldn't go on, I mused. Amazingly, the opposite has happened.
The sea of red and blue cheering and smiling at Fado was a beautiful sight to behold. Admittedly, it was more of a puddle than a sea but that's what makes our support so strong. Our fans were the last to leave the stadium that day and the last to leave Fado. The palace faithful out-cheered those Manc twats at the game and our Austin Eagles did the same in the bar on many occasions. Soccer pundits have said that you will never see better support at a final than us that day. We were proud of our team and were behind them at the very end. I had an amazing day because what is most important to Crystal Palace is not winning. It's about family and friends. It always has been. You guys made my birthday day something I will never forget. I say this with all honesty. I would have preferred to lose that day with all of you instead of win on my own. Seriously, I would. No, really I would. I really really would. Convincing huh?
It is because of you and your support that I have more resolve for next season my feathered friends. It starts August 13th and we will all be ready to fight and scrap and claw our way through it. And during the battle, we will all be singing and cheering and smiling and hugging and generally being better fans that those Mancs.
Thank you all for your support this year.
