CRYSTAL PALACE’S faction of ultras have decided to call it a day following a statement in which they say there needs to be a “drastic shift” towards younger fans.
The Holmesdale Fanatics have packed in their organisation after over 20 years of bringing an atmosphere to Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace’s group of ultras the Holmesdale Fanatics have called time on their organisation Credit: Getty
They called it an unsustainable setup for young fans Credit: Getty
The group released a statement giving their reasons for disbanding.
They discussed the treatment of young fans at Palace, saying: “Increasingly driven out by the sky high ticket prices, needless restrictions that are designed to strip away the dignity of supporters and relentless harassment and legal action, many young people are choosing to opt out of a game which seems determined to push them away.”
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They also said: “From fighting for the most basic of rights just to take materials into Selhurst and stand up in Block B in the early days, to never ending problems with the club right up to the present day, we have been uncompromising in fighting for what we believe in and the rights of football supporters everywhere.
“But the current setup is unsustainable. We have repeatedly warned the club that likeminded fans cannot congregate at Palace in the numbers required to sustain a growing active supporter culture.
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“The conditions are simply not there. While we have seen some of the best atmospheres at Selhurst since the group’s formation during our time in block E, it has been a mixed picture in the stands as expectation has grown after more than a decade playing at the highest level.
“There needs to be a drastic shift at Palace towards younger fans and a move away from a culture in which people attend the ground expecting to be entertained, towards a culture of supporters turning up to play an active role in influencing the result.”
It’s a sad end of an era for the group, who have brought the atmosphere to Selhurst Park for years.
They reassured fans that they will continue attending games, but as a “group of mates” as opposed to an active ultras movement.
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It was in the Holmesdale End at Selhurst Park that the infamous banner slandering Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was displayed.
Whether this was the work of the Holmesdale Fanatics is unknown, but it didn’t go down well with Forest’s big boss.
The controversial City Ground chief has taken to Palace to court after he was depicted holding a gun to Morgan Gibbs-White’s head.
The banner was unfurled during the sides’ August meeting in South London.
