PALACE YOUNGSTER SPOTTED IN FRIENDLY FARCE
Maybe it’s just as well Crystal Palace fielded their kids against Maidstone.
Andre Coker was one of the youth team players given a game by then-Eagles boss Frank de Boer last July.
It caused a stir as a record crowd of 4,000 turned up at the Gallagher expecting to see Palace’s Premier League stars.
But without de Boer’s U-turn, Maidstone may never have found out about forward Coker, who’s joined on loan until the end of the season.
Coker recalled when de Boer, later sacked after only four games, told the youngsters they would be playing.
He said: “I remember the manager actually said to us, ‘They’re expecting the first team, they’re going to be disappointed but put on a show or at least make it worthwhile.’ “As a team we went down and tried to make it as enjoyable and competitive as possible and we ended up winning that game 3-1. “I don’t know if I was actually at the end of this season, so it’s make or break, it’s down to how in his plans because he had“You’reaIdo here. short spell there but I trainedthinking“If I do well then hopefully I can under him a lot of the timemanda y bbouncee on but I feel this is the did get to develop under him.”get in stepat I need.”
The Gallagher experiencehalf- timeCoker had his first taste of stayed with Coker, who jumped1-0, getcompetitive men’s football as at the chance to join Maidstoneyour s ela f second-half substitute at on loan. back Gatesheadin on Saturday.
He’s in the final year ofthehis gameHe looked lively down the Palace contract and sees butthe theright in an encouraging move as key to his future. s e c o nperformance.d
Coker said: “It was a goodgoal is it Coker said: “It was game, a great atmosphere theand postgood but all to no effect there were so many people therefrom thebecause we ended up it was ridiculous. edge losing.of
“I just liked the feel of ittheand area“It’s a bit that sparked the idea in my mindsoon afterdisheartening to of wanting to go on loan butashisI aimlose but I know a couldn’t at that time. started coupleto of lads on
“I was playing academy improve,levelthe other team for the under-23s and you couldbefore werehe saying I just see it was a step up. f i n a l didly well.
“It’s easy to play in frontgotofon the“I felt I did 20-odd parents but when effortyou thatall right start playing in front of a biggerwor r i eb d u t crowd, you’re being scrutinisedL e may-e for every mistake you make.Wor g abn, e
“Come December I was lookingbefore could to go out on loan and I wanted to have done more for the team see what my options were. and made some opportunities
“As soon as I knew there was an count. offer from Maidstone, I jumped at “Whenever I get the ball, I just it and pushed the other options want to turn and get at players, away. My current contract ends beat players and create stuff.”