Eagles fan agrees five year deal to invest in CPFC academy (From Croydon Guardian)

Eagles fan agrees five year deal to invest in CPFC academy

4:15pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Sport

A lifelong Crystal Palace fan has agreed a five year deal with the club to invest in the academy.

Mark Smith, will also work with the club to support charities in the area over the five years.

The deal will run to the end of the 2017/18 season and support the objectives of Palace’s academy.

The Eagles hope the investment will help develop the next crop of future stars to follow in the footsteps of Wilfried Zaha and Jonny Williams.

He said: “I recognise the commitment the owners of CPFC have made over the last couple of years since they saved the club.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to help them by investing in the development of the Academy at Crystal Palace, which is close to mine and many other Palace fans hearts.”

Crystal Palace co-chairman Stephen Browett said: “The board are delighted that Mark has agreed to support the Youth Academy and we thank him wholeheartedly for his support of the club and for the investment he has made in backing our academy for the next five years.”