Can Palace Beat The Deduction Curse?

As we close in on the crucial stage of the season, Vital Palace takes a look at what previous points deductions has meant to teams.

2008/2009 Season

The 2008/2009 Coca-Cola League Two season began with two teams already facing a mammoth of a task just to survive in the division.

Luton Town began their campaign with a massive 30 point deduction enforced by the Football League.

The Hatters were originally docked ten points for paying agents via a third party, but were then imposed with a further 20 point penalty after the club failed to satisfy the Leagues' insolvency rules.

Town went onto finish the season on 26 points and were relegated out of the Football League and into the Blue Square Premier.

Rotherham United also began their League Two season in the negative column.

The Millers were imposed a 17 point deduction by the League again after being unable to meet the Leagues' requirements regarding administration.

However, much against the odds, under the guidance of Mark Robins, Rotherham finished a creditable 14th in the league standings.

Another team who weren't so lucky during last seasons campaign was Southampton.

The Saints were deducted 10 points after their holding company, Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, went into administration - a deduction which confirmed their relegation to League One.

2009/2010 Season

As the recession continued to hit all strokes of life going into the new decade, football was no exception.

Chester City were the first team of the season to enter financial problems.

The Blue Square Premier outfit looked like they weren't going to begin the season on time but the Football Conference decided they could begin, but with a massive 25 point deduction to their name.

However, the Conferences' decision to allow Chester to continue was to no avail for the club as on 10 March 2010 the club were wound up.

The recession persisted in its attempts to disrupt football right through to the highest level when, in March 2010, Portsmouth were issued a nine point deduction for entering administration.

Although, not officially relegated, Portsmouth will no doubt be playing in the Championship next season.

Palace

There was also another team which entered administration this season.

That's right, Palace officially went into administration on 26 January and were docked ten points just two days later.

The deduction meant Paul Hart's side dropped from a playoff chasing ninth to 21st - just three points above the relegation zone.

The Eagles currently sit 20th with one point more than Sheffield Wednesday who occupy the final relegation place.

A fantastic 3-1 win at Watford followed by a strong display at Middlesbrough and a hard fought 3-1 victory at home to Preston has meant that Palace have climbed from 22nd and four points from safety.

The London based club now face QPR and West Brom at home along with a tough trip to Derby before what could be a relegation decider at Sheffield Wednesday on the last day of the season.

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