As Palace’s redeveloped Academy ground begins to take shape, an entire generation of young players will have the best possible facilities in which to develop. But it wasn’t always that way.
The vast dome, crisp pitches and stylish canteens are a far cry from the facilities that even the first-team Eagles of yesteryear called home.
The Palace sides of the 1970s trained at Langley Sports Club, often watched by local fans - sessions would be followed by a trip to the Oakleaf Café for bacon butties.
Stadium manager Vic Worrell would allow local school kids to watch their heroes.