Palace fan group to stop Selhurst activity

[Getty Images] Crystal Palace supporter group Holmesdale Fanatics say they will "stop all organised activity" at Selhurst Park citing the sanitisation of football as key in their decision. The group - founded in 2005 - play a significant part in generating the atmosphere and visual impacts such as flags and Tifos for Eagles fixtures. In a lengthy statement explaining the move, the group said "genuine" fans are no longer prioritised by clubs. They said: "Increasingly driven out by 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 that seems determined to push them away." Holmesdale Fanatics said it was "proud" for all that has been achieved but warned the "current setup is unsustainable" at Selhurst Park. "We have repeatedly warned the club that likeminded fans cannot congregate at Palace in the numbers required to sustain a growing active supporter culture," they added. "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. "The story away from home is even more dire. In domestic away fixtures, supporters are banned from bringing materials into stadiums, coaches are regularly stopped, and fans are arrested. Away ends across the country are increasingly dominated by older fans, with the next generation failing to come through in significant numbers. "Given these conditions, we have immense pride in all the group has achieved over the past 20 years. From being at the heart of the protests that rescued the club in 2010, to securing the away ticket price cap that has saved working class people millions and supporting the club through a record breaking period, the Holmesdale Fanatics has helped write a chapter in the club's history that many did not believe was possible. "But now is the time for us to recognise we have taken the Holmesdale Fanatics as far as it can go in the current climate. We are therefore choosing to stop all organised activity as the Holmesdale Fanatics inside the stadium. We do not take this decision lightly."