The Eagles are one of the clubs that has risen through the ranks of English football since it was founded in 1992.
They have had three promotions in different national leagues, from winning the Surrey County Cup in 10/11 and 15/16 and being runners-up three times. But they have narrowly missed out on silverware in the 17/18 Capital Women's Senior Cup. It was only in 2018 that they were granted their semi-professional status, becoming one of the founding members of the FA Women's Championship. They became close to the WSL, coming fourth in the second-tier league in 21/22 after placing ninth, seventh and fifth place. It was only in 2023 when the club announced it would become a complete professional in a bid to reach the top flight.
However, a lot has changed since then, more so over the recent years, with a move from the Community Stadium to the VBS community stadium last summer; this move is still local to Selhurst Park. The move is because WSL requires a grass pitch, but it also shows the clubs are committed to the growth of the women's teams.
With the appointment of Grace Williams, ahead of women's football for the club, and a new progressive head coach in Laura Kaminski after her assistant stint at Charlton, Spurs and five years with the FA coaching England's u19 team. They are making a significant impact at Spurs in their first-ever promotion to the WSL in 2019. Her approach style captures the spirit of Crystal Palace and has contributed to their club's success.
In the 2022/23 campaign, among the teams with the worst defensive record in the Championship. However, in 2023/24, only three teams kept more goals out; this will be a test for them, as they have conceded 12 goals in two games in the WSL this season already.
Crystal Palace was the top scorer in the Championship, finding the net 55 times the closest team in Southampton, scoring 39 goals. This type of gameplay has kept their fans coming back for more. In March, they had their highest audience at that time, 5,566, which was broken again on the season's final day, with 6,796 people watching them lift the championship trophy.
With a young squad that was the youngest in the Championship last season, this will be their first taste of the WSL, with an average age of 22.
Youth brings promise and enthusiasm, as displayed on the pitch with Captain Aimee Everett as their leader after joining in 2021. She has experienced the highs of promotion into the WSL with Liverpool and Leicester.
She won Player of the Season in her debut season before becoming captain two years later as part of—the new era at the club. As a centre-back, she has composure in possession, allowing her to attack from a deeper position.
She is not the only player with WSL experience. Annabel Blanchard also represented Liverpool and Leicester; with the number 10 on her back, Blanchard creates chances and contributes to goals. She scored 11 times and set up seven goals, which no player contributed to more goals; however, she suffered an ACL injury in the penultimate game of the season, still winning the Golden Boot, which means she is unlikely to appear much this season.
Laura Kaminski says they are fully prepared for their first WSL season; however, the score line suggests otherwise; they kept Chelsea to only one goal in the first half in the second season match at Selhurst. Kaminiski had a busy summer transfer period with 14 incoming signings, the most of any club in the WSL during the window. To create that depth in that squad, they must succeed in the WSL.
Among Palace's acquisitions are the loan signings of teenage duo Brooke Aspin and Lexi Potter from Chelsea, with the latter returning to the club after making 21 appearances during their promotion campaign.
In a bid to blend both youth and experience, Palace also signed Denmark international Katrine Veje. The 33-year-old defender brings WSL experience, having left Everton after two seasons on Merseyside and previously played for Arsenal.
Kaminski said Palace had left: “No stone unturned” in pre-season. She said about the new signings to Sky Sports News, "They've already added a lot of value to us." "It takes time for players to settle, but the environment that I pride myself on every day and the staff work hard to uphold those standards gives them a place where they can enjoy their football and be happy with their living circumstances, which is essential. "We're comfortable and happy with how they've embedded themselves into the group."
Palace began their Championship campaign hoping to match their previous back-to-back top-five finishes, but their promotion was no accident. They could achieve it, which was part of the manager's plan to soar to new heights. It was not an easy win with Sunderland, who finished within one point, winning with 14 victories, four draws and four defeats.
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