Alright lads, let me walk you through this jersey hunt mess step-by-step. Woke up dead set on grabbing Crystal Palace’s new away kit – the special one celebrating their FA Cup win. Figured with Eze just moving to Arsenal yesterday, maybe folks were dumping old stock. Sweet summer child thinking.
The Digital Rabbit Hole
First move? Hit the official club shop online. Nearly choked seeing prices. That new away kit? Over £90! Even this season’s home shirt with the fancy narrow stripes still punched hard at £75. Scrolled past all the “100% recycled plastic” eco-blurb feeling proper ripped off.
Panicked and jumped onto big marketplaces next. Saw listings screaming “£30 OFFICIAL JERSEY!” clicked one… total fake. Picture showed last year’s badge, description mumbled some Chinese factory tag. Sketchy as hell. Another seller offered custom names like “Eze #10” but nah. Felt like walking into a dodgy market stall.
Taking It To The Streets
Threw on shoes and marched down to the local sports chain. Huge footy section… but Palace stuff? Tiny corner shoved behind Arsenal’s mountain of new Eze merch. Touched the “Eagle White” third kit – £70 and paper-thin. Sales kid mumbled “We’ll restock… maybe?” Didn’t inspire confidence.
Got desperate. Remembered that sketchy street vendor near the station who always has footy gear. Busted out last year’s blue away shirt claiming it was new. Shiny badge peeling at the corner. Offered it for £25 but you could smell the glue fumes. Turned tail and left fast.
The Winning Play
Finally dragged myself to Selhurst Park itself. Place was buzzing with proper die-hards grabbing gear before kickoff. Saw it immediately – that new away kit gleaming under the lights. Blue with gold touches, felt solid in hand. Yes, paid £90 at the megastore. Hurt the wallet. But…
- Checked EVERYTHING: Macron logo stitching tight ✔️
- Proper raised PL badges on sleeves ✔️
- “SOUTH LONDON AND PROUD” inner tag crisply printed ✔️
Bloke behind me laughed, waving his receipt: “Got the lads on the bus printing my name later. Cheaper!” Might nick that move next time.
Walked out sweating but holding the real deal. Lesson drilled in: Want Palace gear? Skip the scam sites. Forget shady stalls. Even big shops leave you hanging. Pay the price at the source or risk walking home wearing bin liner. Simple as that.
