CRYSTAL Palace defender Damien Delaney has hailed former boss Dougie Freedman for believing in him last summer after his release from Ipswich Town.
And in Friday's 12-page Wembley pullout in the Croydon Advertiser, plus Ian Holloway's column, Delaney reveals what was going through his mind last year and how close he came to quitting the English game.
"I had played against Dougie a few times and then he had also tried to take me on loan a couple of times too," said Delaney, who was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad on Wednesday morning.
"I knew from speaking to people in the game what kind of guy he was. He had to do a bit to get my head back on because I'd made my mind up what I was going to do.
"He's a really good guy and I will forever be indebted to him – I never thought I'd be playing in a play-off final."
For the interview in full with the defender, do not miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser, including a whole load of interviews from current and past players, board members and columnists.
And in Friday's 12-page Wembley pullout in the Croydon Advertiser, plus Ian Holloway's column, Delaney reveals what was going through his mind last year and how close he came to quitting the English game.
"I had played against Dougie a few times and then he had also tried to take me on loan a couple of times too," said Delaney, who was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad on Wednesday morning.
"I knew from speaking to people in the game what kind of guy he was. He had to do a bit to get my head back on because I'd made my mind up what I was going to do.
"He's a really good guy and I will forever be indebted to him – I never thought I'd be playing in a play-off final."
For the interview in full with the defender, do not miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser, including a whole load of interviews from current and past players, board members and columnists.
