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Visiting the VBS 

## Annabel Blanchard

> Blanchard joined Palace in 2022 off the back of a remarkable season with Blackburn Rovers in which she earned both Coaches' and Supporters' Player of the Season, and has since grown into one of English football's most exciting playmakers.

Blanchard is a young, two-footed forward capable of playing across the front line or, more regularly, as a No. 10.

Blanchard began her career aged just 16 with Liverpool, but started her time with the England youth setup the year before, and has represented the national side from Under-17-Under-19 levels.

After leaving Liverpool she joined Leicester City and then Blackburn Rovers, with whom she finished joint-top goalscorer in 21/22.

Blanchard then joined Palace in the summer of 2022 and made a strong start in South London, with four goals in 22 Championship appearances in her maiden campaign.

In 2023/24, Blanchard's brilliance shone as Palace Women claimed promotion from the Championship, the forward scoring 11 times in just 19 league games including clinical hat-tricks against both Durham and London City Lionesses.

Such form led to Blanchard not only winning both the Championship Goal and Player of the Month awards in September – as well as a nomination for the latter for November – but also the club's Player of the Month awards for October and March to boot.

At the start of Palace's first-ever top-flight season, Blanchard became our inaugural Women's Super League goalscorer, netting a brace in our first win against Leicester City – 2-0 at the King Power Stadium – in October 2024.

September 2023

Championship Player of the Month

Championship Goal of the Month

Blackburn Rovers, 2021/22

Coaches' Player of the Season

Supporters' Player of the Season

February 2023, October 2023, April 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

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Season

Games

Crystal Palace End of Season Awards 2024/25 | Montage

There has been much to celebrate across the club once more, with Oliver Glasner's Men's team sealing a first-ever major trophy for the club; our Women's side enjoying a ground-breaking campaign, in our first-ever top-flight season; our Under-21s embarking on a deep run into the Premier League 2 play-offs, only narrowly missing out on the final; and our Under-18s vying for the league title, whilst promoting plenty of promising prospects from within.

Celebrated at the [**'Party on the Pitch' FA Cup winners' event**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/live-blog-crystal-palace-fa-cup-trophy-parade-end-of-season-awards/) at Selhurst Park on Monday, the first award given out was an easy one: our 24/25 [**Moment of the Season**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/palaces-historic-fa-cup-triumph-voted-moment-of-the-season/) had to be, of course, our famous Wembley win.

From a moment of glory, to a moment of sheer genius, Jean-Philippe Mateta's glorious chip against Arsenal was voted your [**Goal of the Season**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/matetas-moment-of-genius-named-palaces-2425-goal-of-the-season/)**,** whilst Daniel Muñoz won both the votes of his fellow Palace players and supporters alike, winning [**Men's Players' Player of the Season**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/daniel-munoz-2024-2025-palace-men-player-of-the-season/) and [**Men's Player of the Season**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/daniel-munoz-2024-2025-palace-men-player-of-the-season/).

For the Women’s team, outstanding forward Ashleigh Weerden did similarly, impressing both supporters and her peers to clinch a Palace awards double: [**24/25 TEN Player of the Season**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/ashleigh-weerden-scoops-palace-womens-awards-double/) and [**Players' Player of the Season.**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/ashleigh-weerden-scoops-palace-womens-awards-double/)

Accolades were also given to star performers from our [**Under-18s (Seb Williams)**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/sebastian-williams-crystal-palace-under-18-player-of-the-season-2024-25/) and [**Under-21s (Hindolo Mustapha)**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/hindolo-mustapha-crystal-palace-under-21-player-of-the-season-2024-25/) sides, as well as the [**Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/jeffrey-schlupp-wins-chairmans-award-for-outstanding-contribution/) (which went to Jeffrey Schlupp), and two [**PFA Community Champions Awards**](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/gibbons-eze-named-our-24-25-pfa-community-champions/) to Fliss Gibbons and Ebere Eze.

**You can find a full breakdown of results below; click on each award for more information:**

- [**Moment of the Season:** Our 2025 FA Cup triumph](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/palaces-historic-fa-cup-triumph-voted-moment-of-the-season/)
- [**Goal of the Season:** Jean-Philippe Mateta v Arsenal](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/matetas-moment-of-genius-named-palaces-2425-goal-of-the-season/)
- [**Men's Player of the Season:** Daniel Muñoz](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/daniel-munoz-2024-2025-palace-men-player-of-the-season/)
- [**Men's Players' Player of the Season:** Daniel Muñoz](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/daniel-munoz-voted-crystal-palace-players-player-of-the-season-2024-25/)
- [**Under-18s Player of the Season:** Seb Williams](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/sebastian-williams-crystal-palace-under-18-player-of-the-season-2024-25/)
- [**Under-21s Player of the Season:** Hindolo Mustapha](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/hindolo-mustapha-crystal-palace-under-21-player-of-the-season-2024-25/)
- [**TEN Women's Player of the Season:** Ashleigh Weerden](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/ashleigh-weerden-scoops-palace-womens-awards-double/)
- [**Women's Players' Player of the Season:** Ashleigh Weerden](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/ashleigh-weerden-scoops-palace-womens-awards-double/)
- [**PFA Community Champions:** Fliss Gibbons & Ebere Eze](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/gibbons-eze-named-our-24-25-pfa-community-champions/)
- [**Chairman's Award for Outstanding Contribution:** Jeffrey Schlupp](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/jeffrey-schlupp-wins-chairmans-award-for-outstanding-contribution/)

A season that will go down in history has now drawn to a close – 2024/25: a ground-breaking campaign no Crystal Palace supporter will ever forget.

Every winner from our 2024/25 End of Season Awards

Crystal Palace Women

English Women's Super League

Manchester City Women

Last Match

EXPLORE PALACE WOMEN

It was a hard-fought affair at the Meadowbank Football Ground in Dorking, with Palace putting three goals past a well-disciplined Dorking team.

Palace were once again the outstanding team in the tournament, beating Richmond Park U14 Girls 5-1 in the semi-finals and Epsom & Ewell Colts 9-0 in the quarter-finals.

Despite this being the 10th time the team has won the trophy, this was the first time the team has won the competition since being part of the academy.

Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff on a fantastic achievement and another impressive victory in this tournament, a promising sign of what’s to come for the future.

Crystal Palace Women’s Under-14s retained their title on Sunday, 4th May, as they beat Dorking Wanderers 3-1 in the Thorpe Park U14 Surrey County Cup Final.

Palace Women U14s win Thorpe Park U14 Surrey County Cup

At Saturday's match between Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, messaging will be displayed around Selhurst Park in a variety of forms, and players will take the knee ahead of kick-off to show their unity against all forms of discrimination.

Situated in the heart of South London, a wonderfully diverse community surrounds Selhurst – and that only serves to make this club even more special. Football is a sport which brings together communities and cultures. This diversity makes the game stronger – and Crystal Palace Football Club and the Premier League are always working to ensure this is reflected across all areas of the game.

**One focus of the No Room for Racism campaign is on developing and enhancing pathways for the future coaches, executives, players and officials in our game – so to shine a spotlight on this, we spoke to just four inspirational senior figures at the heart of Crystal Palace about their own journeys to date...**

### Dr Imtiaz Ahmad

**Head of Sports Medicine & Science**

Being a doctor, working in football was something I always really wanted to do. There weren’t many people from my background, British Pakistanis, who were working in football, so it was new ground, I’d say. I just focused on really trying to improve all the time, be the best I could and then see where it led me – and it’s led me this way so far.

I think it is important for young people to see people in more senior positions and being more visible. It does help motivate you when you see people and think: “Actually, I could attain that.”

I would say that if you focus on being excellent and improving yourself, then it can lead you to places like this, even within an environment like football, where traditionally you didn’t maybe see as many people from different backgrounds reaching higher positions.

### Susan Patterson-Smith

**Head of Pathways & Learning, Palace for Life Foundation**

I started at Palace in 2013 – I actually ran my own business, teaching, training people as an educator – and I came in to do a short course with some young people.

Since then, in the Foundation, we’ve been bringing in new programmes and getting new funding. As I’ve seen other members of staff coming up through the ranks, I’ve recognised that I’m a role model for them, especially other black women. If they see that already portrayed in front of them, then obviously they can reach out and attain it.

I also think that for those people who are not from underrepresented backgrounds, they need to see underrepresented people in senior positions as well. It helps them to change their perspective on what it means to be a leader.

You don’t have to try to be different, or look a certain way or whatever. Just be yourself, and that will shine through – that’s the best advice I’ve had.

### **Darren Powell**

**Under-21s head coach, and former player**

I always say that you want to treat people how you would want to be treated. And in most of the players’ so-called stories, I’ve kind of seen that – I’ve been in it. You’ve got to be supportive to them because they’re young people.

I speak to many coaches who have gone on courses to become full-time staff. I did that myself to get my first role here with the Under-14s. From when I started doing courses, to what courses look like now... it’s a massive change.

There are more people who look like myself, or are Asian, or women, foe example. I believe that more and more people from diverse backgrounds are out there. They’re now on courses, in clubs. I’ve seen it and it’s heading in a positive direction. In time, there will be more people from diverse backgrounds within football, or whatever sport.

This club is always open to giving people opportunities. They gave me an opportunity and I see other people from my background having that same opportunity.

### **Alex Wynter**

**Head of Academy Player Care, and former player**

My journey started here as a nine-year- old when I joined the Academy. I went through to the first team, and ended up leaving the year after we got promoted, at 21. I went and explored first-team football elsewhere. Seven years later, at 28, I returned to the club in a Player Care position for the Under-9s to 16s. About a year later, I was then promoted to Head of Academy Player Care.

I think it’s crucial that young people from South London, and across the country, see themselves in people in senior roles and leadership roles. It’s definitely inspiring for them. I looked at people, when I was younger, in those roles and it gives you something to aspire to.

Myself, in the position I’m in now, hopefully I can be a role model to those people, and give them something to aspire to and just to prove that it is possible. My journey will be similar to a lot of young people in Croydon and the South London area, so hopefully people like myself can show them that it is possible to go into leadership roles and senior roles within football, and also organisations away from football.

**Together, our message is loud and clear: everybody is welcome at Crystal Palace F.C.**

### **How to Report Abuse**

You can report discrimination and/or abuse on a matchday by using the **Anti-Social Behaviour Text Alert Service** – the number is **07507 477 669** – or by scanning the **MyVoice QR code**, which can be found around the stadium and inside the front cover of the programme.

Please include as much relevant information as possible. Please include the stand, block, row and seat number you are in, and identify the location of the anti-social behaviour, being as precise as possible. Please state if you wish to remain anonymous in your message.

Security staff will make every effort to deal with the issue. If they are unable to resolve the issue, each text will be followed up and investigated by a club staff member. You can also contact your nearest steward to report issues, who will do their best to help.

We would also encourage supporters to contact customer. [service@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:service@cpfc.co.uk) or [inclusion@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:inclusion@cpfc.co.uk), or to make use of [Kick It Out’s reporting form](https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form).

Every Premier League fixture which takes place between 5th-14th April inclusive will be dedicated to the No Room for Racism campaign, which sees clubs come together to reinforce our collective commitment to promoting and celebrating diversity, and fighting discrimination.

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

Crystal Palace v Brighton and Hove Albion (2025-04-05)

Announcement

Announcement

Every winner from our 2024/25 End of Season Awards

Latest News

Palace Women U14s win Thorpe Park U14 Surrey County Cup

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

10Annabel
Blanchard

Announcement

Announcement

Every winner from our 2024/25 End of Season Awards

Latest News

Palace Women U14s win Thorpe Park U14 Surrey County Cup

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

10AnnabelBlanchard

10Annabel
Blanchard