Crystal Palace’s historic UEFA Conference League triumph produced plenty of unforgettable moments, but one of the most unusual scenes from the celebrations involved defender Chris Richards and an unexpected companion – a rubber chicken.
As Palace players soaked in the celebrations following their European success, supporters inside the stadium were determined to make themselves part of the occasion. One travelling Eagles fan managed to throw a rubber chicken down towards Richards, who caught the toy and immediately embraced the bizarre moment.
The United States international carried the rubber chicken throughout the post-match celebrations, taking it onto the pitch during the trophy presentation and even posing with it for the official winners’ photographs. In a night filled with emotion and jubilation, the toy quickly became an unlikely symbol of Palace’s memorable evening.
The chicken was later identified as “Paxo”, a familiar figure among sections of the Palace support. Paxo had travelled across Europe with supporters Kevin and Ben throughout the club’s Conference League campaign and had become something of a cult hero among travelling fans. The toy had even appeared on Cypriot television during Palace’s trip to Larnaca earlier in the competition.
Immediately after the final whistle, Richards admitted he had little idea about the chicken’s origins but was more than happy to include it in the celebrations.
“I’m not quite sure [who this is] yet! I’m taking suggestions for names, but right now it was thrown down, so I took it, and it’s our new spirit animal.”
The defender has since learned the chicken’s identity, though that revelation did little to diminish the enjoyment of a remarkable night for everyone connected with the club.
Reflecting on the occasion, Richards spoke passionately about what the achievement meant.
“Man, it was beautiful, you know,” Richards laughed. “It’s been two years, three trophies.
“This club deserves it. Everybody in South London deserves it.
“It was good to send the gaffer off with another win. But no, I think it was full circle. The team deserved it, the club deserves it, everybody who supports Palace deserves it.”
Although Richards was unable to take part in the final due to injury, he remains hopeful of returning to action soon and representing the United States at the upcoming World Cup.
“That’s the plan. I’m probably a few days too early right now, but no, regardless, I’ll be flying for the World Cup. I was gutted not to be out there tonight.”
Looking back on Palace’s European journey and the culture that has developed within the squad, Richards believes the team’s bond has been the foundation of its success.
“I think the last two years, I think we’ve won trophies, but I think it’s not just because of how we play, it’s because we all enjoy each other, we’re all a big family, and I think that’s really hard to get.
“When people think of teams, they think about guys who just see each other for a few hours every day, but outside of this club, outside of the training ground, we actually enjoy spending time with each other, and so when you like the person beside you, you want to go out there and fight for them.”
For Richards, Palace’s European triumph was the perfect ending to a remarkable season — and, perhaps fittingly, one shared with a rubber chicken.
