Singapore financer Jerry Lim purchased an almost bankrupt Crystal Palace in July 2000, and immediately sold the club to mobile phone tycoon and lifelong fanSimon Jordan who, following defeats to non-league sides in pre-season, replaced Coppell withAlan Smith – who had previously been manager from 1993 to 1995. The takeover solved Palace's financial problems, but their on-the-field form slumped and despite reaching the League Cup semi-finals, Smith was sacked in April 2001 with relegation to Division Two looking imminent. With two away games remaining, at Portsmouth and Stockport County, Palace were in 22nd place, three points behind Portsmouth (with an inferior goal difference and had played the same number of games), and five points behind Huddersfield (who had a superior goal difference but played a game more). Long serving coachSteve Kember was put in temporary charge of the first team alongsideTerry Bullivant, and after making changes to the playing side, Palace travelled to Portsmouth and came away with a much needed 4–2 victory. When the last day of the season arrived, Palace were in 21st place, one goal better off than Portsmouth. With 87 minutes of the game at Stockport gone, the score was 0–0, a result that would have resulted in Palace's relegation, butDougie Freedman burst into the Stockport County penalty area and lashed a shot past Stockport 'keeperLee Jones into the back of the net, triggering the relegation ofHuddersfield Town and saving Palace. The goal was controversial, as there had been a clear handball by Palace midfielderDavid Hopkin just moments before, which the referee had not awarded a free-kick for. Still, the Palace fans didn't care, and many of the 3,000 who had travelled poured onto Stockport'sEdgeley Park pitch, celebrating with the players.[1]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
