History of Crystal Palace F.C. building known as The Crystal Palace had been relocated from Hyde Park, London and rebuilt in enlarged form in an area of South London next to Sydenham Hill. This area was renamed Crystal Palace including the park surrounding the site where various sports facilities were built. An amateur Crystal Palace football team played here as early as 1861. Then in 1895, the Football Association adopted a new permanent home for the FA Cup Final which was to be played at the sports stadium situated inside the historic grounds of the Palace. With the owners also reliant on tourist activity for
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre K S Ranjitsinhji. However, the games were little more than exhibition games — and money-making exercises for Dr Grace — and so it quickly lost its first-class status, and with that the ability to attract the top players. The club folded in 1908. The 2,000 capacity indoor Arena at the National Sports Centre was also home to former British Basketball League team's Crystal Palace and London Towers. Crystal Palace eventually merged into the London Towers organisation in 1998, whilst after great success domestically and in European competition the Towers ran into severe financial difficulties and folded its professional team in