Paul Cleal, John Salako and Palace for Life graduate Jamal take the stage at latest In Conversation With evening

We recently held our fifth exclusive ‘In Conversation with’ event for members of our Investors Club at True Global in Victoria, London for a behind the scenes look at life in the England men’s camp during the summer’s European Championship and how the experience differs now compared to the early 1990’s.

The evening kicked off with Palace hero John Salako discussing what happened at half-time on that afternoon at Villa Park in 1990, sharing great memories of playing for Steve Coppell and explaining what it was like playing as a winger with Wright & Bright up front. John also touched on his 5-cap England career, talking the audience through exactly how you received an England call-up and what it was like accomplishing a lifelong goal of playing for England at Wembley.

We were then privileged to hear from Palace for Life’s GAME ON participant Jamal, who spoke alongside ETE Senior Coordinator Tom Richardson, about how he was sign-posted to Palace for Life’s employability programmes at a real low point in his life and threw himself into turning things around. Jamal explained how much Tom and the team have helped him to gain skills & qualifications on various courses, culminating in him securing a job that he’s really enjoying at Selhurst Park.

Our incoming Chair of Trustees and Head of Strategic Development & Operations for England Men, Paul Cleal OBE, joined Ed on stage to close the evening, sharing stories of what life is like away with England during a major tournament. Paul gave fascinating insight into the highs and lows of the dramatic Slovakia RO16 win, how Watkins’ semi-final winner was the product of detailed analysis and how England Men plan to build from the Southgate era.

The Investors Club is a group of incredible Palace fans who are supporting our transformative work in south London by making a donation of at least £1,000 a year towards our efforts to provide free sports sessions to help youngsters with their mental and physical health, one to one mentoring support for individuals at risk of getting involved in knife-crime, violence or anti-social behaviour and supporting young people with their career opportunities.

Events like this give like-minded Palace fans the chance to chat about their club, and get some exclusive know-how from experts in the world of football, whilst hearing about the direct impact their donations are having on the lives of young south Londoners – the previous ‘In Conversation with’ included Dougie Freedman & Grace Williams taking our members behind the curtain into the world of a Premier League & WSL Sporting Director.

By joining the Investors Club, either as an individual or as a business, you’ll be making a direct impact on the lives of young south Londoners, We rely on generous funding from Investors like you to ensure we can both continue to reach young people who need our help and help even more youngsters in our community.

For more information on the Palace for Life Investors Club, head here.

If you, or someone you know is interested in joining the Investors Club, please get in touch with us at fundraising@palaceforlife.org.