New Crystal Palace board member Eddie Izzard has revealed it was not an off the cuff decision to sign up with Championship outfit.

Izzard, an Eagles fan since 1969, was unveiled as an associate director at Selhurst Park on Monday, to complete his 40-year journey with the club  from the terraces to the boardroom.

And the stand-up comedian, who celebrated his 50th birthday earlier this month, is up for the challenge.

"With Dougie Freedman as our manager and the new young players coming up through our academy - I hope Crystal Palace will be pushing forward to new heights with all of them succeeding to the best of their ability," he said.

"All I really want is for Crystal Palace to win every game from now until the end of time. That's all. I know that's a tough thing to ask, but that really is what I want.

"You see, I've been a fan or a supporter of Palace since 1969. At times I've been a fan and at times I've been just a supporter because I'm afraid I'm a bad loser and if we don't win games - I don't deal with it well.


"I tend to swear in front of children and shout at televisions in pubs. I know everyone has to deal with this and I've tried to mature my behaviour as my life has progressed, but in this one area I am still like the teenager I was in the 70s, living and dying every week for the football games I was playing myself or watching Palace play.
 

"So I have circled the idea of trying to do something to help Palace for years and now I'm in. What I can actually do - I'm not sure. But if you know anything about me, I am determined and I don't like to give in."