January 23rd marks the anniversary of Ron Noades officially signing the deal which made him owner of Crystal Palace Football Club in 1981.
Noades would go on to lead the club for the following 17 years and, while there, would oversee the most successful season in Palace history.
But things didn't start so brightly when Noades arrived 40 years ago. The Eagles had recently been relegated from the First Division with the 'Team of the 80s' dream swiftly fading.
Manager Terry Venables had departed amidst financial difficulties and attendances began to plummet.