Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish declared that “sometimes the good guys win” after the Eagles lifted the UEFA Conference League to secure the first European trophy in the club’s history.
Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano to complete another unforgettable chapter in what has become the most successful period in the club’s modern era.
The victory also guarantees Oliver Glasner’s side a place in next season’s Europa League after months of uncertainty surrounding their European participation.
Parish has been central to Crystal Palace’s transformation since leading a consortium that rescued the club from administration in 2010.
Fifteen years later, Palace are now FA Cup winners, Conference League champions and an established Premier League side with European football once again on the horizon.
Speaking after the historic triumph, Parish reflected emotionally on the club’s incredible journey.
“It’s incredible. An amazing achievement. All the ups and downs. To get to the Europa League, where we deserve to be. Just shows you sometimes the good guys win.”
Palace’s Europa League qualification initially came through their FA Cup success, but a complicated legal dispute involving former investor John Textor, UEFA and Lyon over multi-club ownership rules briefly threatened their place.
The Conference League triumph has now removed all doubt.
Parish admitted he could never have imagined Crystal Palace reaching these heights when he first became involved with the club.
“When I bought the club I wasn’t sure we’d ever play in Europe, let alone win a trophy. It’s a dream come true.”
The Palace chairman also warned that the club’s ambitions will not stop here as they prepare for another major campaign next season.
“We have got a taste for it now, we want to keep it going. We have gone up a level and we have got to try and stay there.
“We will have a week to celebrate and then work hard in the summer.”
With Oliver Glasner continuing to reshape the squad and Palace building momentum on and off the pitch, the South London club now heads into next season with growing belief.
After ending decades of waiting for major silverware, Palace supporters are now dreaming of even bigger nights on the European stage.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
