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Williams dreaming of promotion with Crystal Palace

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PALACE ace Jonny Williams says he wants to play in the Premier League after witnessing the goal that took the Eagles to the top flight in 2004.

At just 19 years old, the creative midfielder has played more than 35 times for the first-team and believes it would be a "special moment" for him and his team-mates to play against the best week in, week out.

"The main aim for me is to play in the Premier League and to get promoted with Palace would be unbelievable."

"I remember I went to the play-off final in 2004 with my dad and my brother and Palace went up through Neil Shipperley's goal.

"To be there to witness that was so good, so to think it could happen this year, next year or the year after, I just don't know, but we're hoping it's this year.

"It would be a really special moment for everyone at the club so we're hoping the last 13 games will be good."

Meanwhile, Williams admits the support received from the Palace fans on a personal level has a special place in his heart after returning from a broken leg last year, just months after making his debut at 17 years old in 2011.

"The fans are unbelievable and I can't speak highly enough of them," he said.

"The reception I got when I came back from my injury was ridiculous – it was a really special moment that I'll never forget.

"The support they gave me against Watford recently and all the times I've been injured has been great.

"Whenever I've come on, they're singing and it's just unbelievable to think I've come all this way.

"I can't thank them enough for all the support they've given me."

Having watched a number of Palace sides over the years, you'd have thought he started his Eagles journey as a fan, but Williams revealed there was another London club he had his eye on from an early age.

But maybe that had something to do with the player voted as the best to ever play for them.

And he got to meet his idol after picking up the man-of-the-match award in a 2-2 draw away at Watford.

"I supported Chelsea as a young kid because Gianfranco Zola was my favourite player," said Williams.

"I had the shirts with his name and number 25 on the back.

"To play against Watford the other week, and he's their manager, that was pretty special.

"I got to meet him after the game and he's a legend – he's my idol.

"In recent years, I've looked up to Barcelona's Andres Iniesta and he's different – he's a joke when it comes to how good he is.

"But ever since I started playing for Palace, I always went to watch them at Selhurst Park.

"I'm pretty much a Palace fan now to be honest and it's really nice to be playing for the first-team after watching them over all those years."

Williams dreaming of promotion with Crystal Palace


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