Super Alan Pardew, Crystal Palace Cult Hero

In this 2000 word article, Peter Frost an Eagles supporter with over 30 years of insight gained from the pain and sorrow of watching Crystal Palace FC, explains why Alan Pardew achieved cult status with Palace fans. What is it that made, Alan Pardew both the LMA and Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season in 2012? We don't know, but Steve Coppell does. "The one player I always thought would be a good manager is Alan Pardew…….he always managed his own Sunday team and was very interested in everything to do with the job. He was a leader. Even though he came from that non-league background he had a seniority about him which gave him a presence. It was no surprise to me when he went on to management and is now doing so well at Newcastle.”For fans of Crystal Palace, who want to know more about the history of their proud club, this player profile is a fantastic place to learn more.For students of the beautiful game, and football fans everywhere, we hope you enjoy this title in the Best XI series of books and articles from Calm Publishing Ltd.Do you remember? March 3 1990, White Hart Lane Stadium, London, N17. First Division, Tottenham 0-1 Crystal PalaceA miskick from goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt reaches only to the edge of the Tottenham area where it falls to Alan Pardew. Instinctively Pardew decides to head the ball back and over the head of Thorstvedt from fully 20 yards. The ball loops in the air above the despairing leap of Thorsvedt, now stuck in no man’s land, and drops into the net.The response from the massed Palace fans is immediate and relentless – slowly at first, then over and over, louder and louder for the rest of the game...“Al, Al Super Al. Al, Al, Super Al. Al, Al, Super Al, Super Alan Pardew”. Palace win 1-0 and a fairytale period is unfolding for player and club.........This article is 2000 words in length and at an average reading speed of 250 words per minute, should take 8 minutes to read.Why not try the sample? ;)www.bestxi.co.uk 2012Where the greatest come to life © bestxi.co.uk