Palace Aid line-ups revealed

After two tough training sessions, the teams are now set for this year’s Palace Aid match, see how both sides have set out their squads below and if you haven’t got your ticket yet, you can get yours here.

Premier League official Graham Scott has been appointed referee for the match.

AJ’s XI

AJ’s side will be looking to avenge their heavy defeat in 2023 with some new and familiar faces. See how they line up below.

Management

Sheridan Kawaley, Palace for Life’ Premier League Inspires Officer has been appointed AJ XI Manager after last year’s colossal defeat. The squad will be hoping that Sheridan’s relaxed and friendly demeanour will help the team out this time around.

Joining Sheridan as his assistants are Palace for Life’ Head of Football Development and Primary Education Luke Hirst and The Traitors faithful Zack Davies, who, despite being unsuccessful on the show, will be bringing his outside-of-the-box way of thinking to AJ’s style play.

Goalkeeper

Ashley Inkz, owner of one of our sponsors Addicted 2 Inkz, is in goal for AJ’s XI. He put in some impressive performances in training and he’ll be hoping to replicate that on Saturday.

Defenders

A solid back line for AJ’s XI includes former Palace defender Gary Borrowdale. A huge advantage to the side, being used to the environment and position.

Returning to Palace Aid is comedian and Palace ultra-fan Chloe Petts. She put in a decent shift last year, but will be eager for a better result this time out.

Paul Gorton, known for his outstanding skills as a Traitor on the Traitors Season 2 also joins the AJ defence. Paul was looking sharp in training and will be hoping he can hold his own against rival Harry Clark in the Doc Brown midfield.

Luke Trotman, footballer and Love Island contestant joins Borrowdale, Petts and Gorton in defence He’s got a wealth of experience on the field and has expressed his love of south London, as his family grew up in the area.

Ife Ogunjobi, afro-beats trumpeter, also in jazz band Ezra Collective, completes the defence for AJ’s XI. He put in a solid performance at training last week and always plays with a smile on his face – we can’t wait to see what Ife’s got.

Midfielders

Arian Kalantari, co-founder of the digital media giant LADbible, is swapping viral content for the football pitch. Trust us when we say this, Arian can play.

Also joining The Traitors alumni is Ross Carson, the other half of ‘Diana Ross’. He’ll be going up against his mum, Diane, but will have the backing of fellow star and teammate Paul Gorton on match day.

Ben Lindsay OBE, founder of Power The Fight, who we are partnering with for Palace Aid, has been solidifying his training for Palace Aid. An absolute hero in the world of supporting young people, we’re over the moon to have Ben involved and the support from him and his team has been incredible.

Host of BBC Podcast ‘For Fitness Sake’, Palace and Palace for Life super-fan Matt Thacker re-joins the squad after an incredible goal followed by what has become his staple celebration last year.

Guvna B, the award-winning rapper, is stepping onto the pitch to make his debut at this year’s Palace Aid. Known for his positive influence through music, he’s eager to channel that same vibe into football.

Well known comedian Eddie Kadi will be looking to translate his sharp wit into sharp shots at Palace Aid 2024, we can’t wait to see what he’s got!

Actor and filmmaker Femi Oyeniran moved from Nigeria to London at the age 10 before starring in UK urban cult classics like Kidulthood and Adulthood – no stranger to the spotlight, we’re sure Femi’s going to have a big impact.

Forwards

A strong forward line for AJ’s XI includes three former Palace stars; captain Andrew Johnson, Wayne Routledge and Sean Scannell. We all know what they’re capable of, but they’ll also be vital in supporting the less experienced on the pitch.

Returning for round two is musician and Palace for Life supporter Nadia Rose, who grabbed assists left right and centre in training, Nadia is somewhat of a playmaker, but we know she’ll be over the moon if she get’s a goal on Saturday.

Comedian Michael Dapaah is a strong selection for AJ’s XI. He’s going to bring energy, charisma and dedication to the game and we can’t wait to see it.

Founder of SportBible, James Parrot lives and breathes the game. We’re expecting some strong link-up play between James and LadBible founder Arian.

Completing AJ’s line up is Ramz, best known for his single ‘Barking’, whose passion for south London knows no bounds. An all-round super-star, we can’t wait to see him score a few

Doc Brown’s XI

Doc Brown’s side should be full of confidence after last year’s triumph, but can they do it again? See how Doc Brown’s XI will line up below.

Management

Last year’s winning manager and Palace for Life Disability Coordinator Ben Perryman was appointed by public vote to return as Doc Brown XI Manager. Ben will be joined by third place in the the vote, Cordell Lake Benjamin, Targeted Intervention Youth Worker, as assistant coach, who you may recognise from his use of ‘BOOM’ in his famous Palace Aid manager video.

Completing Doc Brown’s touchline management staff is no other than Diane Carson, one half of ‘Diana Ross’ or ‘Diane and Ross’ from Season 2 of the Traitors. Diane will bring her years of teaching experience to the game on Saturday.

She famously fell victim to the poison chalice of fizzy rose, which led to her exit from the show, and we’re sure she’ll be hoping to be drinking her favourite drink straight out of the trophy this time around.

Goalkeeper

Football content creator Luis Garcia is usually an outfield player but we’ve seen him in goal at training and yep, he can do that too! Expect big stops from him on the day.

Defenders

Three comedians will form the backline for Doc Brown’s side this year. Selhurst Park debutant and south London comedian Babátúndé Aléshé and returning players James Gill and Elliot Steel will not be put off by any heckles on the day!

Also making up the backline is football icon, and Rolls Royce of a defender, Anton Ferdinand, renowned for his stints at West Ham, Sunderland and QPR, will no doubt be bringing his experience to support his fellow defenders

DJ Woody Cook, the only Brighton fan on the field, may be seen as an enemy to some but he’ll be hoping to use it as motivation to play the best as he can on his rivals’ territory.

Completing Doc Brown’s defence is Femi Koleoso, drummer of Jazz band Ezra Collective, who will be bringing the rhythm to Selhurst Park.

Midfielders

The Traitors Season 2 winner Harry Clark will be swapping his cloak for his boots, and will be up against fellow traitor Paul Gorton. Can he make it 2-0?

Jazz Boatswain, a faithful on The Traitors is used to playing rugby, but she’ll be using what she’s learned to try and convert a few goals for Doc Brown’s XI.

Footballer and Love Island star Tyrique Hyde is a fan favourite and will be sure to turn a few heads come Saturday.

Jason Shields, a senior trainer at Power The Fight, joins the midfield against his boss, Ben. With expertise in mentoring and training young people, we’ll be looking forward to Jason applying the same focus and dedication to the match.

Ex-pro player Malvin Kamara made his professional debut at our very own Selhurst Park stadium while playing for Milton Keynes Dons in 2003. We’re buzzing for his return.

South London filmmaker and entrepreneur Antoine Dixon-Bellot is as passionate as they come when it comes to south London and our cause, and we can’t wait to see that shine through.

The final piece of the jigsaw in midfield is Brendon Shabani, co-founder of ‘Rising Ballers’. Brendon is no stranger to the joy of community football, Doc and his management team will be expecting a lot from him on the day.

Forwards

Ben Bailey Smith AKA Doc Brown, leads the forward line for his squad as captain. He’ll be full of confidence after last year, he’ll be hoping he can do it all again.

A true crowd favourite, Mo Gilligan joins Doc. Mo is known worldwide for his comedy, but he also notably played as team Rest of the World’s left-back during 2022 and 2023 Soccer Aid so we’ll be anticipating his skills at Selhurst Park.

Big John GK has been taken out of goal and put up front for this year’s game. After a fantastic performance between the sticks, he’ll be hoping to make history as the only Palace Aid goalkeeper to score a hat trick!

Stuart Douglas, a retired Luton FC player turned TV presenter, is lacing his boots back up to support young south Londoners.

Ezra collective bandmate and sibling of Femi, TJ Koleoso, will be joining forces with his brother on the pitch just as they do in music.

As a big name in the UK Grime scene, producer and director, Nicky Slimting Walker knows how to create a spectacle, and he’s ready to bring that showmanship. Expect him to play with the same energy and creativity he brings to his projects.