A lot of the Crystal Palace fanbase are showing their appreciation for former defender Damien Delaney after a bizarre statistic about the player was posted on Twitter.
According to OptaJoe, the centre-back’s first appearance for Palace in the Premier League against Tottenham came 11 years and 155 days after his previous game in England’s top flight, which was for Leicester City in March 2002. This is a record gap between two appearances in the division.
The Irishman signed on a free transfer in 2012 from Ipswich Town and was already 30 years-old by the time he arrived at Selhurst Park, per Transfermarkt. So it is crazy to see that the defender then spent around six years at the heart of the defence, being key to the club’s promotion in 2013, via BBC Sport and then being crucial in keeping the club in England’s top flight.
He went on to make 193 appearances for the Eagles, via Transfermarkt and is still adored by the fanbase for his career in South London.
Loads of Palace fans were left raving about him after seeing the tweet, with one suggesting he “absolutely owned [Diego] Costa” in a game against Chelsea. Here is what some had to say…
11 – Damien Delaney’s appearance for @CPFC against Tottenham in August 2013 came 11 years and 155 days since his previous Premier League game for Leicester City in March 2002 – a record gap between Premier League appearances by any player. Awaited. #OptaPLSeasons pic.twitter.com/aFEoUC77Rc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 21, 2020
What a man! @ASRomaEN’s favourite British footballer!
— James (@James_Pratt_1) April 21, 2020
Absolutely owned Costa. pic.twitter.com/f3u3y36n6N
— Pete 🤬 (@Sarf_London) April 21, 2020
Quality player @DamienDelaney8
— Gordon Bennett (@Bennett1Gordon) April 21, 2020
Absolute cornerstone of the Palace side. IMHO he set the tone amongst the squad and is one of the main reasons we stayed up in those first couple of seasons. A proper leader and a decent human being.
— PR (@RANCEY123) April 21, 2020
Filth
— Glenn Young (@young17_glenn) April 21, 2020
Can’t name many other players arrived at Palace after the age of 30 and left with a hero’s status after another 6 seasons service. https://t.co/UjtvgolPY3
— CLH (@CabayeLovesHugs) April 21, 2020
Palace fans, is Delaney a legend at the club? Comment below!
