Paul May returns

Long-term readers of this page may remember Paul May who provided some of our away match reports. Although he enjoyed a drink before the game, his reports were a model of promptness, lucidity and crispness. Paul went to Euro 2004 in Portugal and liked it so much he stayed on working in a bar on the Algarve. However, the bar work dried up, and Paul wanted to see his children at Christmas. He gave up his basement flat in Westcombe Park and his job in IT and is currently staying with his parents in Blackfen while he looks for work.

I'm not going to Selhurst because I don't like paying money to Palace for poor facilities. Paul is going to see the Addicks for the first time this year. 'It may not be pretty', he admits. 'But if the Palace fans call us "pikeys" and "clowns", I'm sure I can think of a response.'