An Evening with Mark Bright and Darren Powell at the Academy: Investors Club Event wrap-up
In our second exclusive event this year, we were joined by Palace legend and Director of Under 23 Development Mark Bright, U21s Coach Darren Powell, Football Development participant and Academy trialist Teddy and his dad Olly.
BBC Sports Reporter and lifelong Palace fan Isaac Fanin kicked off the evening reflecting on the world-class facilities at the Crystal Palace Academy – after guests were treated to a 30-minute tour, led by Mark Bright!
Up first, we heard from Teddy, a participant on our Player Pathway. As always in our Investor Club events, we dedicate a section of the event on the impact our Investors have made in the South London community. This time around we heard from Teddy and his dad Olly who got involved with our Soccer Schools then our Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) a year ago and has now earned a trial at the Academy.
Teddy didn’t start football properly until September 2023 when he joined his first grassroots team, London Kickers. In early 2024, Olly asked around about Palace for Life and kept hearing good things. So, they gave a Soccer School a go.
It didn’t take long for the coaches to notice him. Within four months of that first Soccer School, Teddy was invited into the Emerging Talent Centre (ETC), a natural next step within the Palace for Life pathway for talented players looking to develop their football – culminating in Teddy being invited for an 8-week trial at Palace, which was met by a strong round of applause from guests in the room!
Teddy’s journey through Palace for Life hit every part of the pathway the way it was designed. Our Football Development Centres increase the opportunities for talented players to maximise their individual and team development. Find out more about our player pathway here.
We then delved deeper into the evening under the guidance of our brilliant host, Isaac Fanin. Mark Bright reflected on the early days of his career at Palace, the values that have shaped his 40-year connection with the club, and his current role in nurturing its culture and supporting youth development.
Darren Powell, the U21s manager, shared his perspective on developing young players, the pathway to the first team, and how the Academy’s world-class setup prepares the next generation to succeed.
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.
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.
To gain access to these events via the Investors Club, please complete this form to express your interest in joining.
You can find out more by registering your interest to the Investors Club here.
