We all follow the Palace, Over land and sea, And Brighton…well not Brighton

In a stunning turn of events the mighty mighty Eagles, Crystal Palace F.C., late of Selhurst Park, London SE25 gained promotion from the Championship league to the Premier League of  English Football.

So the next season no travelling to Brighton, Blackpool, Charlton, Derby or Leeds, oh no.

Next year, they get to visit Old Trafford, The Emirates, face the Kop, take on the might of Manchester City, and visit Upton Park and many other grounds

And being in New Zealand I'll get to watch each and every game live, on paytv.

The playing team that won the play-off game has a cost value of around 2 million pounds sterling. True they've sold Wilfred Zaha to Manchester United for 15 million pounds, a tidy profit, but they have to be prudent and pick up some quality players that will get them over the first year hurdle. Otherwise it'll be 38 games of edge of seat panic.

The reward for promotion and in a worst case scenario relegated is estimated to be in the region of 120-140  million pounds. Mostly from TV I imagine, hardly from shirt sales, although they'll add a few coins into the coffers.

They'll have to get about 40 points, from the 114 on offer (3 points for a win) to have a chance at a second year.

They may stand a chance, based on the different styles of football that exists between the Premier League and the Championship League teams.

But the real bonus is that I get to wear my old replica shirts, wave my scarf and even invest in a new shirt.

It'll be a wild time.

I Made good my bet

I had, on reflection, a rather daft bet with Ms16 (then 15) about her ability to score a goal in hockey. As a "back" I was confident that I'd manage to win that.

The payback? Well foolishly "score and you get a car" - since at the time she wanted to learn to drive, and well it seemed a safe bet that I couldn't lose. Her team of much senior players, some black-sticks, and some very good quality players, meant that there was no chance, no chance in hell, of her being in a position to score.

Until the tail end of the season and coach, for no reason that I can fathom decides to put her on as a forward. Might have been teenage legs and run for everything.

So she scores, her first senior goal, and I'm not kidding that at least 20 people turn to me and say "ooh that's just cost you" Seems like a lot of people were in on the bet!

Not the coach though she was as happy and surprised as anyone.

So I got some reward for the weeks of watching - seeing Ms score a senior goal,  she got the car.

The car being the lost and found one, which we pick up on the weekend. It's a nanna mobile and is ideal.

oh and for the record Ms scored the following week for her School team. good things come in pairs

I Made good my bet

I had, on reflection, a rather daft bet with Ms16 (then 15) about her ability to score a goal in hockey. As a "back" I was confident that I'd manage to win that.

The payback? Well foolishly "score and you get a car" - since at the time she wanted to learn to drive, and well it seemed a safe bet that I couldn't lose. Her team of much senior players, some black-sticks, and some very good quality players, meant that there was no chance, no chance in hell, of her being in a position to score.

Until the tail end of the season and coach, for no reason that I can fathom decides to put her on as a forward. Might have been teenage legs and run for everything.

So she scores, her first senior goal, and I'm not kidding that at least 20 people turn to me and say "ooh that's just cost you" Seems like a lot of people were in on the bet!

Not the coach though she was as happy and surprised as anyone.

So I got some reward for the weeks of watching - seeing Ms score a senior goal,  she got the car.

The car being the lost and found one, which we pick up on the weekend. It's a nanna mobile and is ideal.

oh and for the record Ms scored the following week for her School team. good things come in pairs