On this week's episode of Random Fandom FC we meet Laurie who is a Crystal Palace fan.

Before we chat to him we have to wrap up last week and see how Shrewsbury Town got on after we spoke to Dan on last week's episode.

He predicted a 2-1 loss away at Reading while I went for a 2-2 draw.

Little bit of a fact sheet for Crystal Palace...

Crystal Palace Football Club, based in South London, has a rich history dating back to its formation in 1861. Originally an amateur club, it became a professional outfit in 1905 and has since competed in the top two tiers of English football. The club's most notable achievement came in the 1990-91 season when they finished third in the First Division, narrowly missing out on a UEFA Cup spot due to England's unranked status in European competitions at the time.

Over the years, Crystal Palace has produced several famous players who have left a lasting impact on the club. Wilfried Zaha, known for his incredible dribbling skills and pace, has been a standout performer in recent years. Ian Wright, a prolific striker, also made a significant mark during his time at Selhurst Park. Andy Johnson, another key player, helped the club secure promotion to the Premier League in 2004 and remains a club legend.

The club has had its share of big stories, including their two FA Cup final appearances. In 1990, they reached the final but lost to Manchester United in a replay in what was Fergie’s “sliding door” moment. The run to the final included a thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool at Villa park in the semi.

More recently, in 2016, they again reached the final but were defeated by Manchester United once more. Despite these setbacks, Crystal Palace has maintained its place in the Premier League since 2013, showcasing their resilience and determination.

On this week's episode of Random Fandom FC we meet Dan who is a Shrewsbury Town fan.

Before we chat to him we have to wrap up last week and see how Aston Villa got on after we spoke to Mike on last week's episode.

He predicted a 2-1 win over Spurs in the FA Cup while I went for a 1-0 Villa win.

Little bit of a fact sheet for Shrewsbury...

Shrewsbury Town FC—nicknamed The Shrews—is a professional football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Founded in 1886, the club has a long history in the English Football League and currently competes in EFL League One. They play their home games at Montgomery Waters Meadow, a modern 10,000-seater stadium that replaced the historic Gay Meadow in 2007.

Throughout their history, The Shrews have experienced highs and lows, moving between divisions and earning a reputation as a resilient side. Their best spell in the league system saw them spend ten seasons in the old Second Division (now the Championship) between 1979 and 1989. In recent years, they’ve established themselves as a solid League One side, often flirting with the play-offs but yet to secure promotion to the second tier in the modern era.

The club has enjoyed some memorable cup runs, with their best FA Cup performance coming in 1979 when they reached the quarter-finals, knocking out teams like Manchester City along the way. More recently, they’ve put up spirited performances against Premier League opposition, holding the likes of Liverpool and West Ham to draws in the competition. Their only major trophy to date is the EFL Trophy, which they won in 1996 after defeating Rotherham United at Wembley.

Shrewsbury’s fanbase is known for its loyalty and passion, with rivalries against Walsall and, historically, Wolverhampton Wanderers adding an edge to certain fixtures. The club’s identity is built around a hardworking, disciplined style of play, often punching above their weight against bigger clubs in the division.

While they may not have the financial clout of some of their League One counterparts, The Shrews continue to prove themselves as a well-run, competitive side. With a strong foundation and ambitions to return to the Championship, Shrewsbury remains a club that consistently challenges expectations and upsets the odds.

Last week we met Tony who spoke about Manchester United.
They played Fulham away from home and we'll start this weeks episode with a quick match report.

Next up we have Mike who is a lifelong Aston Villa fan.

Brief Aston Villa fact file:

Aston Villa is one of England’s most historic football clubs, founded in 1874 in Birmingham by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel cricket team. The club quickly established itself as a dominant force in the early years of English football, becoming a founding member of the Football League in 1888. By the turn of the 20th century, Villa had already won multiple league titles and FA Cups, cementing itself as a powerhouse of the era.

The club’s crowning achievement came in 1982 when Aston Villa won the European Cup, defeating Bayern Munich to become champions of Europe. This triumph remains the pinnacle of their success, achieved under the management of Tony Barton and with key players such as Peter Withe and Dennis Mortimer. However, the years that followed saw fluctuating fortunes, with periods of top-flight success interspersed with relegations and rebuilds.

Villa has always been known for its passionate fanbase and iconic stadium, Villa Park, which has hosted historic moments in English football. The club enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s and early 2000s, regularly competing in the Premier League and European competitions. Though they faced relegation in 2016, Villa fought their way back to the top tier, returning to the Premier League in 2019 and gradually re-establishing themselves as a competitive force.

From its Victorian-era dominance to European glory and modern-day revival, Aston Villa’s history is a tale of triumph, resilience, and tradition.

Last week we met Jamie who spoke about Hereford FC.
They played Radcliffe FC away from home and we'll start this weeks episode with a quick match report.

Next up we have Tony who is a lifelong Man Utd fan.

Brief Man Utd fact file:

• Manchester United, one of the most iconic football clubs in the world, was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath.
• In 1902, facing financial difficulties, the club was rebranded as Manchester United under new ownership. They adopted their now-famous red and white colors and began their rise in English football.
• The club’s first major success came in 1908 when they won their first league title, followed by their first FA Cup victory in 1909.
• However, United's golden age truly began in the mid-20th century under the legendary manager Sir Matt Busby. In the 1950s, the “Busby Babes,” a team of youthful talents, captured hearts with their attacking style. Tragedy struck in 1958 with the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of eight players and left the club in mourning.
• Remarkably, Busby rebuilt the team, and a decade later, Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
• The club entered a challenging period in the 1970s but resurged under Sir Alex Ferguson, who was appointed in 1986. Ferguson’s reign marked an era of dominance, highlighted by 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles. The treble-winning season of 1998-99 remains a pinnacle in football history.
• Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Manchester United has faced a transitional period, but the club remains a global powerhouse

Well here we go with our first episode of Random Fandom FC!

First up is Jamie who is going to tell us about the team he supports.

Think it's pretty fitting that as we want to learn about all sorts of teams from all sorts of leagues, that our first team is one steeped in history but maybe not one that everyone will have heard about.

Ladies and gentlemen we give you Hereford FC

Listen along as Jamie tells us how he came to support them, his highest high, lowest low, and anything else we should know.

Then we'll preview their next game which is away at Radcliffe FC.

Will we be a curse or a blessing for Hereford?

Tune in to the next episode to hear a match report and find out!

BTW, this is the goal from Ronnie Radford that we referenced...enjoy the mud and the strike!

https://youtu.be/YaqQoQ1rBH4?si=Bjw0M0VejlGp_Nfy