Unofficial Champions of England: Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Crystal Palace, 04/12/1999

Paul Tait chips Crewe Alexandra into the lead.

Crystal Palace's reign as English Champions began with a nice win over Nottingham Forest. Game two would bring them to Gresty Road to face fellow strugglers Crewe Alexandra.

Crewe have been in the football league since 1921 but have never been in the top flight, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. Indeed, they hold the record for finishing bottom of the league (eight times). So, this was a relative golden period for the Railwaymen under their legendary manager Dario Gradi (whom in two spells managed Crewe for a combined 26 seasons).

Crewe's first came early in the first half, a delightful chip by Paul Tait from outside the box. The second was a more straight forward affair, Steve Macauley left unmarked in the box to volley in from a free-kick.

The trophy cabinet may not be bulging at Gresty Road but at least Crewe fans can say they were once Champions of England.

Unofficial Champions of England: Crystal Palace 1-0 Norwich City, 23/11/1999

Mathias Svensson scores the winning goal

Norwich City, under manager Bruce Rioch, enjoyed a relatively lengthy run as champions defending their title five times, They saw off challenges from Stockport County, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Swindon Town and Ipswich Town.

Game six brought them to Selhurst Park to face a struggling Crystal Palace side, back under former manager Steve Coppell, who hadn't been able to get their season started.

It took until the last minute before Swedish striker Mathias Svensson was the first to react to Terry Phelan's cross to win the game and the English Championship for Crystal Palace. The Eagle's second championship and first since 1994.

Unofficial Champions of England: Sunderland 1-0 Crystal Palace, 16/03/1994

Sunderland, the first two time Unofficial Champions

Since winning the Unofficial English Championship, promotion chasing Crystal Palace had seen off challenges of Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion.

All was good until Palace made the long trip north to Roker Park for a Division One encounter. A solitary goal from Phil Gray was enough for Sunderland to reclaim the UEC title.

Sunderland had become the first two time Unofficial Champions.

Unofficial Champions of England: Crystal Palace 4-1 Bristol City, 22/02/1994

Dean Gordon equalises for Crystal Palace

Since winning the Unofficial English Championship from Liverpool, Bristol City had retained it for four matches in games against Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Sunderland and Charlton Athletic.

Game 5 brought them to a swamped Selhurst Park to play table-topping Crystal Palace. It started well enough for City when Mark Shail nodded them ahead on 21 minutes. The joy was short-lived however as Palace equalised through a Dean Gordon penalty just a few minutes later.

Crystal Palace took the lead in the second-half when the Bristol goalkeeper made a bodge of trying to clear the ball outside the area and John Salako had an empty net to lob the ball into.
Then Chris Armstrong got a brace to seal the game for the Eagles.

Palace already looked good bets for promotion from Division One and now they were the English Champions as well.

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