‘I never forgot that’ – Former Crystal Palace winger praises fans on Selhurst Park return

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has praised Eagles fans after he returned to Selhurst Park for the first time since suffering a serious injury at the same ground two years ago.

In March 2022, the former England player suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for Everton against Palace in their FA Cup quarter-final, screaming in pain and receiving on-field treatment for six minutes before being taken off in tears in front of the applauding fans in the Whitehorse Lane and Main Stand.

On Saturday, appearing as a substitute with Luton Town, Palace fans applauded his name being read out pre-match, the first time he came out to warm-up and again once he entered the action in the 87th minute.

He promptly went on to help his side grab a last-minute equaliser, his 96th-minute cross-field pass – with almost the last kick of the game – headed past Sam Johnstone in the Eagles goal by Cauley Woodrow to ensure the Premier League points were shared.

“It was amazing to come back here and have a positive memory because I spent five great years here,” said Townsend, who made 168 Premier League appearances for the Eagles.

“But coming here today, my first thought was it was the pitch where I got injured, but the reaction from the home fans was incredible. Even going back to the day I got injured, to get a standing ovation from all four sides as I hobbled off, I never forgot that.

“Through the rehab, through the tough the dark days, I remembered that appreciation from this fan base,” he continued. “That’s why after the game I made sure I applauded all four sides of the stadium just to let them know I appreciate them. It’s nice to come back and have a positive memory again.”