With Palace and Wimbledon sharing Selhurst Park for several years, visits have been numerous although none stand out in my mind as much as a game against the Eagles on August Bank Holiday Monday 2000. That man David Platt started himself and led Forest to a 3-0 lead at half time even scoring one of the goals. The second half was a real back to the walls job with the home side sensing a comeback after managing to get two goals long before the end. A controversial decision, when Fan Zi-Hi went tumbling over the onrushing Dave Beasant, somehow ended in a penalty much to the Forest fans dismay who were level with the incident and could see that it wasn't a foul nor was it in the box. The Chinaman put on a spectacular show for the crowd and of course the referee, even trying to poke Beasant's eye out whilst he was flat out on the floor after the Forest 'keeper laid into his antics.

Seconds later, Beasant was sent off and on came the lumbering figure of 18 year old Barry Roche making his first ever senior appearance. His first task was to maintain Forest's lead by saving Jason Gray's penalty. This was a nervous moments for me and Mitchell too. Sat right by their fans we had spent most of the game until this point winding up the angry Cockney's who now smelt revenge. Gray stepped up and slammed it home much to our dismay but the referee ordered a re-take after encroachment. Up stepped Gray for a second time but his effort was this time saved by Roche much to our delight and making himself an instant hero in the eyes of the couple of thousand Reds away to his right. 

The Ground

Selhust Park has always struck me as odd due to the way it sits. The stadium appears to be lodged into the ground down one side meaning that street on that particular side is almost level with the stands roof.

Inside, it consists of four individual structures all varying in age and design. The most recent is the Holmesdale Road Stand bult in 1994 which is two-tiered and has an interesting roof that rises up above the back row of seats and then curves back down over the smaller upper tier. The home supporters in this stand, on my first couple of visits, were probably the loudest bunch i'd come across although this has much to do with the short distance from the away section. However, such volume hasn't been forthcoming in my latter visits.

Opposite is the relatively new Whitehorse Lane Stand which is a single tier but doubles its size with the rows of executive boxes perched above it. To its right down the side of the pitch is the Main Stand that looks the most tired section of the ground with its rusted pillars and faded seats that could do with a clean. Across the other side is the Arthur Wait Stand which houses away supporters in one section of it named after the Palace chairman of the 1960's who guided the club up through all four divisions during his tenure. The stand is single tiered but the supporting pillars do obscure the views of those sat behind them.

Away fans are given the left end which can hold up to 2,000. Speaking from experience, trying to find a seat towards the front of the stand is a better option because of the pillars that block the view.

Surrounding Area

There are several pubs to choose from around Selhurst Park with many situated nearby to the various tube stops that serve the area. The Ship near Norwood Junction station is usually popular as is the Wetherspoons. Pubs surround the ground so there will be one use regardless of the direction you approach from.

Definitely worth a try is the chip shop on the corner of the away stand and the Whitehorse Lane end. There are plenty of food outlets scattered down the high street towards Thornton Heath station but this is the best, even getting a mention during the Radio Nottingham during one visit.

Travel

Trains run all day at half hour intervals from Nottingham taking the usual couple of hours to arrive at St Pancras. Selhurst Park is a fair distance from Central London and is not part of the underground network. From St Pancras, the simplest route is to get to London Bridge and get an overground train to Selhurst, Thornthon Heath or Norwood Junction. An all day Travelcard is valid on all routes within London including trains to Selhurst Park.

By car: There isn't many more difficult grounds to reach by road in the entire country. The directions are long and tedious and a sat nav is the best option. An even better choice would be to park in North London and use the tube/train to reach the game.

Official Skills coaches depart from the Brian Clough Stand car park at 9.30am and costs £14.50.

Tickets

We have been allocated an initial 1,000 tickets for this fixture with adults costing £24.50 and £14.50 for senior citizens, students and under 16's. Tickets go on general sale from Saturday 17th October.