View from our legends | Palace - Clive Allen special
Continuing our series this season where we preview matches with the players who have seen it all for us - our legends.
Clive Allen burst onto the scene as a teenager at QPR in the late 1970s and was then snapped up by Palace, via Arsenal, in 1980. However, as he explains, it was a tough time for him at Selhurst Park as manager Terry Venables departed mid-season and Palace were relegated.
Terry soon signed Clive again as he returned to QPR - and the striker took off from there - eventually joining us in 1984 and then scoring a record 49 goals in 1986/87.
Later a coach here from 2004-2012 - including many a shooting session in training with a certain Harry Kane - Clive is now a popular pundit on SPURSPLAY and in national media, as well as a matchday host at the stadium.
Clive will be on co-commentary for us alongside Rob Daly as Palace head to N17 in the Premier League on Saturday (5.30pm) - so, who better to have a look at the Eagles?
Tell us about your season at Palace – 1980/81…
Clive: “Terry Venables was manager and that was Palace’s ‘Team of the 80s’ with great, young players (likes of Vince Hilaire, Kenny Sansom and Terry Fenwick, who later played for us), really talented – plus Terry in charge. Obviously, I wanted to play for Terry as well. It started so well. I scored a hat-trick in my first home game for Palace against Middlesbrough and things were looking good. I remember we’d lost to Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day, but they were champions and that was always going to be a tough opener, but we didn’t start the season too badly. However, about three months into the season, Terry left for QPR, completely out of the blue. That derailed us completely, the team, the club. We never recovered and ended up getting relegated. As I said, it was a difficult time, a tough school – I was 18. It’s safe to say I grew up quickly in my time there!”
What are your thoughts on Palace going into Saturday’s clash in N17?
Clive: “It was always going to be tough for Palace with the change of manager at the start of the season, especially following Oliver Glasner, who did such a great job with them. They’ve struggled a bit of late, but I still think they have some good players in there, I have to say that, dangerous players. I think Adam Wharton is top class, I really do. Having said all that, it’s all about us and we’ll come into this game with confidence after beating Chelsea. That was a massive win for us.”
What’s key for us on Saturday?
Clive: “Again, it’s that confidence – and getting ahead in the game. Look at Stamford Bridge, we played so well, then got ahead and there's a weight lifted off your shoulders as a player. We did that, obviously then got the second goal and then you're just completely relaxed. At that stage of the game, Mathys Tel’s fantastic goal for 2-0, you just knew we were going to win. We’ve built on the results at United, against Coventry, now Chelsea - that confidence, that belief, it just gives the team a whole new perspective.”
Finally, must ask you about Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or – you saw his development here, coached him – how did you feel as he picked up that award?
Clive: “Absolutely ecstatic. As a coach who worked with him, he just reinforces everything you preach to younger players, because he's an example of all the things that you need to do to give yourself the best chance. It doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen, but give yourself the best chance. Harry deserves everything he gets, he really does.”