Few players can be credited with securing a league championship after just 18 matches. Fewer still can be a reason for relegation after none at all. But Paul Stewart, Palace’s star loanee of 1993/94, will always be that player.
As 1993 moved into ‘94, Crystal Palace were flying high in the First Division - on course for at least promotion to the Premier League, and possibly topping the entire table.
Their young, homegrown squad was led by a former youth team coach - Alan Smith - and had the energy and ambition to push for an immediate return to the country’s top flight.