Eagle-eyed footy fans may have noticed a huge tifo unveiled in the Crystal Palace end on the FA Cup final yesterday (Saturday, May 17).
The Eagles’ emotional victory saw them send Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City back to the north trophyless after South London’s Eberechi Eze put one in the back of the net in the 16th minute.
But right at the start there was the aforementioned tifo of a man holding his two sons circulating the stands, and it turns out there’s a very moving reason behind it.
The image was of Mark Wealleans and his kids celebrating back in 2011, after Darren Ambrose scored his famous goal against Man United.
Mark died of cancer in 2017, aged 49 five months after his diagnosis. He is survived by his two sons who were revelling in Palace’s glory yesterday after they won their first ever piece of major silverware, securing themselves a place in Europe next season.
Taking to X, Crystal Palace wrote: “After Darren Ambrose’s 40 yard screamer against Manchester United in 2011, the cameras panned to the away end, amidst 3,000 supporters jumping for joy, found an adrenalised red-and-blue clad supporter, Mark Wealleans, screaming with passion whilst holding up two young Palace lads who – then nine and six years old – responded by bursting into tears.
“Tragically, Mark Walleans, a proud south Londoner and Season Ticket holder, lost his life in February 2017, aged just 49, five months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“His two kids are in the crowd today continuing the Palace supporting tradition.”
Palace won 1-0 yesterday, thanks to a 16th minute goal from Eberechi Eze.
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