VIDEO: Crystal Palace cheerleaders do the Harlem Shake

The cheerleaders Crystal of English Championship side Crystal Palace are one of the best known in world football. They have now done their own version of the YouTube sensation, the Harlem Shake dance!



Here is the VIDEO: Manchester City does the Harlem Shake .

VIDEO: Crystal Palace cheerleaders Promo to sell season tickets

English Championship side Crystal Palace have had their cheerleaders for years and it is something which many football purist do not want to see in the beautiful game, then they feel cheerleaders is part of American sports culture rather then the one prevailant here in Europe. Here an older article on my blog ( Crystal Palace's Cheerleader problem ).

Now the Crystal Palace cheerleaders clads in bikinis shot an 'energetic music video' as their own pre-season warm-up, while the video is also a sexy bid to boost season ticket sales at the Championship club. The cheerleaders have shot the video of themselves performing to chart hit 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen at the clubs Selhurst Park ground.

Crystal Palace's Cheerleader problem

English Championship side Crystal Palace have a cheerleader problem of sorts. The bosses at the club brought in the American-style pom-pom girls in December last year to entertain the crowds and 'inspire the players' before, during and after each home game at Selhurst Park.

The troupe of 14 girls named 'Crystals' have not only support amongst the crowds, but opponents as well who say they should not be around at the games as they are a distraction for the players and it isn't something which suits football culture. But interestingly since they have been performing Crystal Palace hasn't lost a home game, but still have slipped in the table to be now only just above the relegation zone.

While some want to get rid of the girls by saying, "They are just pole dancers on grass and they should be stopped – they are not doing the team any favours," others feel, "The reason for our poor league position is our away form where the girls don’t even appear!"

Opinions seem divided, but the club stand by the 'Crystals' and will allow the girls to perform at Selhurst Park. Somehow it reminds me of the idea of the Zeebras by Zee Sports when they came in as television partner of the AIFF in 2005 and brought on their own version of cheerleaders. I remember initially it worked before it faded away...


Here a new feature from ITN on the Crystal Palace cheerleaders

Edgar Davids returns

Former Dutch international Edgar Davids is returning to active football for English Championship club Crystal Palace FC. The 37 year old has signed a one year pay-as-you-play contract, which means he will only earn if he plays for the London-based side. Davids had not played active club football since summer 2008 when he left his home club Ajax Amsterdam.

For Palace the signing of Davids and three other players on loan marks the end of their transfer embargo which was lifted only yesterday as the club has finally come out of administration. And Palace manager George Burley is a happy man in bringing in such an experienced ex-international to Selhurst Park, but Davids will have to prove if he can cope with the pressures of Championship football at the age of 37.

David said after signing his contract earlier today, "It is an exciting time for the football club, and it is an exciting time for me. I just want to enjoy football and show the best I can do."

And manager George Burley told the club website on how the move came about, "We spoke to Edgar and had a meeting with him earlier in the week. The boy felt enthusiasm and he has been training with Ajax, but now its good to see us agree terms with him."

Davids has been around in professional football since 1991 when now Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal gave him his first start for the Ajax Amsterdam senior team and he would play his club football around Europe the next 17 years in a career that took him to AC Milan, Juventus Torino, FC Barcelona, Internationale Milan, Tottenham Hotspurs and back to Ajax.

Davids has been one of the toughest defensive midfielders to play against and while at Ajax, he was nicknamed "The Pitbull" by the then coach Louis van Gaal due to his fierce style of play and bite in the midfield. He has 74 international games for the Netherlands to his name and even captained the Oranjes for a while. Davids due to his glaucoma would also wear protective glasses, which became a trademark for him.