The Palace Addiction

by James Howland

For many, football isn’t about winning or losing. It isn’t even about twenty two players kicking a pig’s bladder about. For many, football is simply a way of life, involving friendship, beer and escaping the wife (or indeed husband for some!) Despite following the average football displayed by Crystal Palace, James Howland, a trainee primary school teacher and self-diagnosed football addict, makes a vow to attend every single League and Cup game in the 2009/10 season, putting this ahead of work, finances, friendship and family. Follow his journey as he travels from Plymouth to Newcastle to Swansea, making light-hearted observations about the events during and around games, people who frequent matches, and the absurdity of situations faced by your every day football supporter – all the while trying to balance his addiction with university and work life. As most years are for most football fans, it’s hardly a season of glory and silverware. Although as long suffering supporters, we’re more comfortable and familiar with pain, misery and a good old moan at the referee. However, during the season, Crystal Palace fall into administration and James is forced to unpick just how much his addiction means to him...The book's foreword is written by Matt Lawrence and it includes special contributions by Paul Hart, Shaun Derry, Danny Butterfield, Clint Hill and Johnny Ertl.

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2015

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book certainly will not appeal to everyone, as it is about football, and focuses on one team in particular, Crystal Palace. So maybe not the most fashionable of teams, and some will go "Crystal who?", but they are my team and so I felt that I had to read this book. Many fans of English football will remember various seasons for a variety of reasons, but for Crystal Palace the 2009/10 season was of utmost importance, as that is when we almost ceased to exist.
Before the calamitous events towards the season's end the author had set himself a challenge. He would go to every single competitive game, both home and away, for that entire season. This book tells his, and the club's, story throughout that eventful season. The characters he met along the way, the sacrifices he endured, and friendships he made, all in the name of achieving his goal. All this was carried out while in the final year of University, also undergoing placement training, and working.
Many football fans will be able to relate to his words. Not only his words, as he has managed to include pieces from the players, and our stand in manager, too. Maybe I am a bit biased, and read this with my red and blue glasses on, but I really did enjoy the book.

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Various palace fans will read this at various points in various seasons and find irony in different parts of the book. I found quite a few ironic moments given the season we are going through now.
I loved this book, I've never felt anyone could truly understand the emotional rollercoaster that is Crystal Palace Football Club, until I read this book.
A definite must read for any palace fans

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book lacks the romance and polish of Hornby's FEVER PITCH, or the debauchery of FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS - more pints and less narcotics. Clapham Junction is not the Route 66 of Kerouac's ON THE ROAD. But this is not a book about some fancy pants pristine club owned by a tycoon. This is a book about PALACE from the neglected part of London. In his year of dedication to his first love, the author becomes embroiled as the poster boy for the Club's survival. Thank you for that James. I live 15000 miles away from Selhurst Park and fell in love with the club via TV replays of the 'Big Match' from 1976 and was fascinated by Hillaire and Canon....rode the rollercoaster of two FA Cup torments, the yo yo years and a verbal stoush at an Australian Football League (the other football) match that almost turned physical with an Arsenal fan who took umbrage at the fact that Ian Wright was Palace and not a Gunner...he just did not understand. So, if you're anything other than a Crystal Palace fan, you might find this book kind of ho hum. If you're Palace - why haven't you read it? James - why are not selling it via the Club website?

[Paul Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for all Palace fans.

[Matt Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read following a one fan's journey to watch every Palace game in one season.