The story behind Palace fans’ semi-final display

CRYSTAL Palace fans raised more than £13,000 to turn the stands of Wembley Stadium into a sea of red and blue during last week’s FA Cup semi-final win against Aston Villa.

- By REBECCA McCULLOCH

The display - created using hundreds of paper boards - included the phrase “Take my hand, take my whole life too” and a photo of a young boy clutching a club strip — but why?

The story begins in Croydon many years ago, when decades-long Palace fan Mr Sithole-Sadler bought his grandson Ethan his first season ticket at just three years old.

Soon, trips to Selhurst Park become a ritual for the pair.

Ethan's grandmother Jane said: “His grandad took him, even though he was a gentleman who was born here in Croydon. He was white. But that colour never showed.

“He was granddad to Ethan from the day he was born, and they had a very strong bond.”