Selhurst Park facts for kids
Selhurst Park is a well-known football stadium located in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is the proud home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club, a team that plays in England's top football league. This stadium has seen many exciting matches and has a long history in the world of football.
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What is Selhurst Park?
Selhurst Park is a large sports arena built specifically for football games. It has stands where thousands of fans can sit and cheer for their favorite teams. The atmosphere at Selhurst Park on a match day is often described as very lively and exciting, especially when Crystal Palace is playing at home.
How Big is Selhurst Park?
The stadium can hold a lot of people! It has a seating capacity of over 25,000 fans. This means that more than 25,000 supporters can come to watch a game at the same time. The stands are named after different parts of the stadium or famous people connected to the club, like the Holmesdale Stand and the Main Stand.
History of Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park was officially opened a long time ago, in 1924. It was designed by a famous stadium architect named Archibald Leitch. Crystal Palace Football Club moved into the stadium when it first opened, and it has been their home ever since.
Early Years and Development
When it was first built, Selhurst Park was considered a very modern stadium. Over the years, it has been updated and improved many times to make it safer and more comfortable for fans. New stands have been built, and facilities have been added to make the match day experience better.
Olympic Games Connection
Did you know that Selhurst Park was also used for the 1948 Summer Olympics? It hosted some of the football matches during the Olympic Games held in London that year. This shows that the stadium has been important not just for club football but also for international sports events.
Home of Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club, often called "The Eagles," has a very strong connection to Selhurst Park. It is where they train, play their home matches, and where their fans gather to support them. The stadium is a symbol of the club's identity.
Famous Matches and Moments
Many memorable football matches have taken place at Selhurst Park. Fans have seen their team win important games, score amazing goals, and celebrate promotions to higher leagues. The stadium has witnessed many ups and downs in Crystal Palace's history, making it a special place for supporters.
Other Teams and Uses
While Selhurst Park is mainly known as the home of Crystal Palace, other football clubs have also used it in the past. For example, Charlton Athletic F.C. and Wimbledon F.C. both played their home games at Selhurst Park for a period of time. This happened when their own stadiums were not available or were being redeveloped.
Beyond Football
Besides football, Selhurst Park has sometimes been used for other events, though less frequently. It is primarily a football stadium, and its main purpose is to host exciting football matches for fans of Crystal Palace and visiting teams.
Images for kids
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The Whitehorse Lane Stand at Selhurst Park, showing the large screen (Jumbotron).
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