Player who left Crystal Palace in 2015 is now back at Selhurst Park as a staff member

At Selhurst Park, if you put your all into Crystal Palace, you’re usually remembered positively.

Upon departing the Eagles, players liken Andy Johnso served as an ambassador for the team, and others who have worked for Crystal Palace include Paddy McCarthy, Shaun Derry, and Julian Speroni.

Another beloved Crystal Palace employee has now resumed work at Selhurst Park.

Stuart O’Keefe is the one who has recently gone back to work at Crystal Palace as a staff member in the academy.

The 33-year-old, who joined the Eagles in 2010 after moving from Southend United, made 51 appearances before joining Cardiff City in January 2015, under the direction of Alan Pardew.

In the 2013 Championship Play-Off final match against Watford, O’Keefe rememberedably put up an incredible display. Shining at Wembley, he replaced the injured Kagisho Dikgacoi in just the 17th minute as we won 1-0.

The Eye man also netted the goal that guaranteed our first three points in the Premier League after we defeated Sunderland 3-1 in August 2013 by curling a beautiful strike in off the crossbar.

O’Keefe did sign a contract with Chatham United of the Isthmian Premier Division recently, but it’s likely that he will balance this commitment with his training at the Crystal Palace academy.

O’Keefe was a totally devoted squad member who stepped up at key times, despite not being the most glamorous football player Crystal Palace fans have ever seen.

As previously mentioned, the Englishman gave an outstanding performance in the Championship Play-Off final victory over Watford, particularly considering that he had to replace Dikgacoi due to an unexpected injury.

After a superb first touch, O’Keefe nearly opened the score with a low, driven effort. He also shown the nasty side required to win these important games by kicking the ball in Almen Abdi’s face.

He told the South London Press in July 2023, “I have so much time to talk about the club,” indicating that he still has positive memories of his time at Crystal Palace. I adore it. What I got out of it and the memories I have of it—what an amazing location.

It is a testament to all those associated with that football team that the team has been able to establish itself in the Premier League for such an extended period of time. Finding a team that succeeds and endures for 10, almost eleven, years is uncommon. I’m proud of it.

Welcome back to Selhurst Park, O’Keefe.