September 5 2013

Steve Parish (Photo: www.racingexposure.com)

Holmesdale Radio got an exclusive from Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish just as the transfer window was closing, Chris Hambling reports.

The Holmesdale Radio team had been live since 9pm on deadline day trying desperately to keep up with events as they occurred.

We had made a request to Chairman Steve Parish to see if he could pop onto the show for a quick chat some time after the window shut so we could hopefully get some idea of the truth behind the rumours as well as get some insight into the window itself.

As ever, Steve Parish went above and beyond anything we expected – the clock struck 11 and he was straight in touch and ready to update the significant number of eager listeners on the day's events.

Parish revealed straight away that although the window had shut, the day was far from over. "(It's been) pretty hectic. We're actually still not done...I called you now otherwise it would have been too late!

"We're still looking at a box-to-box centre midfielder (which turned out to be Adlene Geurdioura) and a striker (Cameron Jerome).

"You can get a little extension to do the paperwork if you agree the basic terms of the deal and that’s what we have just filed."

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendter had been a rumoured "in" for some time and was filmed arriving at the training ground.

It was sadly a move that didn't go through and Parish explained why that was: "Nicklas Bendter obviously was the big one.

"We thought we had that done (a while ago) and then Podolski got injured and Arsenal had second thoughts, which was fair enough.

"Then they were trying to get another striker in and it didn't come off so unfortunately Nicklas couldn’t sign for us and remains an Arsenal player."

Aside from the Bendtner deal, it had emerged during the evening that bona-fide club legend Andy Johnson was on the way to the club.

Just before 11, the news came in from some areas that the deal had broken down.

Steve revealed the truth: "It’s not happening. I don’t think we could agree a fee with QPR. We have three deals going on so I am not completely over the top on it but we had a deal done and it was all agreed and then at the last minute it wasn't."

Parish was delighted though on the signings that the club had be able to make: "In the Championship we wouldn't have had the money to be able to sign one of the these players. I'm absolutely ecstatic we've been able to sign all of them."

On discussing that the window had closed he added: "Now the window is shut we have to look at a few contracts – people who only have a year left – that's what we're trying to do.

"The way I am I am a bit flat. Knowing what I know now I think I could have done it better.

"We've signed so many players and it's such a huge learning curve – we could have done an even better job of it.

"I shouldn't be flat – but the players we have got have added quality. I need to reflect on it – we're just trying to do our best for the football club.

"The people that are still there tonight are the same – Phil Alexander, Chris (Poulson), Alex Manos – everybody cares so much about trying to keep us in this league as it's the only place to be.

"All in all I'm satisfied – I am really, really hoping we’ll be alright."

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