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40 years on: The story of Selhurst's record attendance

Exactly 40 years ago today, 51,482 spectators crammed into Selhurst Park for a clash between Divison Two Crystal Palace and Burnley. Far from the 25,486 capacity held today, we take a look back to that iconic moment four decades on.

A successful 1978-79 season under Terry Venables found the club in with a chance of gaining promotion from Division Two to English football's top flight.

With the campaign coming to an end, a couple of draws slowed the Eagles' progress in the league, but Palace held a vital game in hand over their rivals.

After David Swindlehurst netted the only goal of the game at Leyton Orient on Saturday 5th May – the day that other clubs completed their 42-game programme – the prognosis for the Eagles was clear for the final fixture: lose and another season in Division Two beckoned, draw and promotion would be attained, while victory would secure the championship itself from under the noses of league leaders Brighton.