Crystal Palace FC: "Glad All Over"
It was during the 1963/64 season that Glad All Over reached Number One in the UK Singles chart
Key words
- Ups and downs: the good and bad times in life or a situation
Every football club experiences ups and downs throughout its history.
- Relegation: the process of being moved to a lower division in a sports league
The team fought hard to avoid relegation at the end of the season.
- Heritage: the traditions, history, and culture of a group or place
Celtic FC is proud of its Irish heritage and deep connection to its fans.
- Glad: happy or pleased about something
I was glad to see my team win after such a tough match.
- Electric: full of excitement and energy
The stadium had an electric atmosphere before the final match.
Comprehension Questions
- When was Crystal Palace FC founded, and what is the club’s nickname?
- What was one of Crystal Palace’s greatest achievements in the late 1980s and early 1990s?
- Which foreign player became a club legend by playing over 400 matches for Crystal Palace?
- What is the name of Crystal Palace’s anthem, and which band originally performed it?
History of Crystal Palace FC
Crystal Palace Football Club, also known as the Eagles, was founded in 1905. The club is based in South London and plays at Selhurst Park, their home stadium since 1924. Over the years, Crystal Palace has experienced many ups and downs, moving between divisions in English football.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Crystal Palace enjoyed one of their best periods, finishing third in the top division in 1991 and reaching the FA Cup final in 1990. However, financial difficulties and relegation followed in later years.
The club returned to the Premier League in 2013 and has remained competitive ever since. Palace is known for its passionate fanbase, exciting playing style, and ability to perform well against bigger teams.
Foreign Players at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace has welcomed many talented foreign players who have made a big impact. One of the most famous is Wilfried Zaha, who was born in Ivory Coast but grew up in England. He became a club legend, playing over 400 matches and helping Palace stay in the Premier League.
Other key foreign players include Luka Milivojević from Serbia, who was an important captain and penalty taker, and Eberechi Eze, who has Nigerian heritage and is known for his skillful dribbling. The club has also benefited from players like Odsonne Édouard (France) and Cheick Doucouré (Mali), who have strengthened the team in recent seasons.
"Glad All Over" – Crystal Palace’s Anthem
Crystal Palace fans proudly sing "Glad All Over", a song by The Dave Clark Five, before every home match. The song was first played at Selhurst Park in the 1960s and quickly became the club’s anthem.
The lyrics express happiness and excitement, and the strong beat makes it a perfect chant for the fans. When the whole stadium sings it, the atmosphere at Selhurst Park becomes electric.
Crystal Palace FC continues to grow as a club, attracting passionate supporters and talented players from around the world.
Practice your English with football fans from around the world!
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- What do you think makes Crystal Palace different from other football clubs?
- How do you feel about a club moving between different divisions? Do you think it makes the team stronger?
- Who is your favorite football player from Crystal Palace? Why do you like them?
- What are the advantages of playing in a historic stadium like Selhurst Park?
- Would you like to visit Selhurst Park and watch a Crystal Palace match? Why or why not?
This article was written by Eddy
Improve your English communication skills by practicing with Eddy, a qualified and experienced native speaker.
