We Meet Again: Palace's shared stories with Arsenal

The new Premier League season stands just three weeks away – and, as always, Crystal Palace have their own personal tale to tell for each of our Premier League opponents this season.

From Palace players past and tantalising titbits from eras gone by, to memorable meetings, tense transfers and shared stories: club historian Ian King takes a look at our wacky, weird and wonderful history with other clubs, one new tale at a time.

We begin, alphabetically of course, with a Palace pearler against Arsenal...

A cup final at Selhurst Park, under the lights, against a London rival? Bring it on. But how, in the late 1950s, did we get here?

Around 70 years ago, football clubs began to install floodlight systems – albeit in rudimentary form compared to those of today – and that included Crystal Palace. Those at Selhurst Park were ready for the start of the 1953/54 season but were initially only used for a series of midweek friendlies against a mix of British and European clubs.

As the popularity of these games spread, a new cup competition was organised for league clubs in the London and southern area. Named the Southern Professional Floodlight Cup, it started in the 1955/56 season.

Arsenal and Palace competed in every edition, and in April 1959 they faced each other in the final at Selhurst Park.

Palace had defeated Reading, Millwall and finally Luton in the semi-final while the Gunners’ route had taken in Aldershot, Brentford and West Ham – the easy draw, as per usual!

Such was the anticipation for the game that there was a post-war record attendance of 32,384 inside Selhurst Park, desperate to see how Fourth Division Palace would fare against an Arsenal side containing such stellar names as John Charles and Tommy Docherty.

But for the home supporters, the keenest eyes were on the 20-year-old Johnny Byrne. How would the precocious talent fare in more exalted company? His control and astuteness did not disappoint.

Mike Deakin almost gave Palace an early lead and Byrne produced a couple of goalbound efforts but, just before the break, the visitors took the lead. It was a disaster for Palace: goalkeeper Vic Rouse raced off his line to gather a through ball, but it spun off his chest and the striker had an easy task to roll it into the back of the empty net.

Deakin suffered a shoulder injury but, with substitutes not to be introduced until 1965, was forced to carry on after a 10-minute treatment break; he returned with his arm strapped across his chest.

With less than 10 minutes to play came the moment Palace fans were hoping for. Picking up the ball a full 30 yards out, Byrne cracked home a drive and sparked jubilant celebrations – perhaps too jubilant, however.

The joy was short-lived as less than two minutes later another through pass found John Charles, who beat Rouse to ensure that the cup headed to north London.

No silverware for the scrappy Fourth Division side, but Palace had once again demonstrated that a successful team could draw the crowds to SE25.

Palace: Rouse, Choules, Noakes, McNichol, Evans, Long, Brett, Summersby, Deakin, Byrne, Collins

Arsenal: Coe, Wills, McCullough, Docherty, Dodgin, Bowen, Clapton, Groves, Charles, Barnwell, Henderson

With temperatures plummeting around the country and a nation covered in snow, domestic football looked in peril – postponements were rife, and action seemed impossible. But in south London, one match remained on the bill. As the flecks of snow billowed around Selhurst Park, a slender, commanding silhouette emerged into the quagmire…

Cliff Holton was born in 1929 and joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old in October 1947. Initially a full-back, over three seasons he was converted to a centre-forward and made his first-team debut for the Gunners in December 1950.

Holton became a regular in the side the following season as Arsenal reached the FA Cup Final, winning the First Division title in 1952-53. While in later campaigns he became more of a utility player, he racked up over 200 appearances and scored 88 goals before leaving in 1958.

In the autumn of 1962 Palace were in a perilous position in Division Three. Dick Graham replaced Arthur Rowe as manager in a move that led to a more direct style of football, and Holton arrived at Selhurst Park in December as the man to deliver his vision.

Palace fans were already aware of this tall, elegant figure, scarred from their previous encounters by a magnificent physique coupled with a commanding presence and a fearsome shot. As the ‘Big Freeze’ hit the country and decimated the football calendar, the festive spirit was lacking – but for Holton a new chapter was beginning.

His Palace debut came on Boxing Day helping his new teammates to a welcome 3-0 victory over Millwall. It sparked a revival, as Palace lost just five of the remaining 22 games to finish comfortably in mid-table.

The following campaign he hit the ground running, as the club gained promotion back to Division Two; Holton was the leading goalscorer with 23 league and cup goals.

A run to the FA Cup quarterfinals followed – and Holton was the main man once again. In a particularly tense tie, he suffered the ignominy of having a penalty saved only for the opposition ‘keeper to celebrate by ruffling his immaculate hair. It was a mistake. The furious Holton responded with an imperious hat-trick.

After scoring 49 goals in 112 first-team appearances, Holton re-joined former side Watford at the end of the season, bringing to an end a glorious Palace career before retiring to follow his calling in engineering. He sadly passed away in May 1996.

Ian King will once again be a regular contributor for the official Crystal Palace programme in 2024/25, as we look back over 100 years of Selhurst Park history.

For exclusive interviews, in-depth features, fan Q&As and all the best insight into what really goes on at Crystal Palace, look no further than the official matchday programme – and you can make sure you get every single issue for what is sure to be a memorable 2024/25 campaign!

Supporters can get every edition of the programme delivered direct to their door throughout the season – or, alternatively, our voucher booklet means you can arrive at the ground and pick up your issue already bought and paid for, with a saving of £10 throughout the season.

Click here to find out more.