Palace FanZoner Stuart Gardner is already looking to the future - despite administration.
The future could still be bright, insists Palace FanZoner Stuart
The same day it was announced the UK had finally emerged from recession Crystal Palace once again slipped into administration.
This came as something of a surprise as we have been able to limp along for a while. We sold Jose Fonte and rejected several offers for Victor Moses during the transfer window. I think the impending tax bill must have tipped the club over the edge. Hopefully it wasn't the postponement of the Bristol City game that sank us.
The circumstances remain unclear but as I understand it, the administrator was not appointed by Simon Jordan. Allegedly our debts stand at £30million, some of which I believe is owed to Jordan. Where did all this debt come from? The club obviously hasn't been making a profit but the size of the debt suggests to me Jordan has not given the club any money since our relegation from the Premier League in 2005.
On Monday I had to restrain myself from throwing the TV against the wall after Gordon Brown criticised football clubs for their debt levels being "too high"; I suggest he has a look a little closer to home! Saying that, football does need to change. Our club was slowly dying despite no obvious major financial mismanagement; it seems without a Sugar Daddy we are not a viable business.
Administration has turned our season on its head; we have dropped from the brink of the play-offs to just hovering above the drop zone as a result of our 10-point deduction. Former chairman, Ron Noades, has already begun to circle, no doubt smelling a profit. Hopefully administration will be what is necessary to drive a suitable buyer out of the woodwork who can take our club forward.
As a club I believe Crystal Palace has an enormous amount of untapped potential. South London is something of a footballing graveyard and up for grabs, while Surrey, West Kent and North Sussex are also potential 'hot beds' of Palace support. History links us to the Great Exhibition and our underdog status, I believe, could make us more appealing if marketed more effectively.
Battle
In terms of assets we don't own Selhurst Park and only a few players would command any sort of transfer fee - namely Victor Moses, Julian Speroni, Darren Ambrose, Nathanial Clyne and Neil Danns.
Despite transfers fees still going mad - I mean £12million for Chris Smalling who has played just four Premier League games - we'll be lucky to get £5million for the lot in the feeding frenzy that will ensue. Without our best players staying up will be very difficult.
On the bright side we are still in the FA Cup, hopefully a cup run can bring in some money and put a smile back on our faces. I was not planning on going to the replay against Wolves but have an urge to be at Selhurst Park as much as possible in light of the crisis. I can't wait for Peterborough on Saturday.
On Wednesday night we play away at Newcastle, probably the toughest fixture of the season we will have to dig deep and remain united if we are to fight our way out of what will now be a relegation battle. Huge respect to all those going up to Newcastle - I am really sorry I can't make it. I have every confidence whatever team Neil Warnock is able to put out they will do us proud.
In an eventful decade Jordan has taken us full circle from administration to the Premier League and now back into financial meltdown. Looking to the future: a buyer will be found, our fanbase will grow to its potential, our youth academy will continue to produce good players, we will redevelop the athletics stadium in Crystal Palace Park and we will return to the Premier League.
Keep the faith, the future's bright - even without an orange chairman.
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