THE wife of former Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades has put her son forward as a candidate for the unofficial title of being the Eagles' youngest ever supporter.

Over the past two weeks, the Advertiser has told the stories of Peter London and Leela Gerwat who both attended their first games aged just five days old.

Now Novello Noades says she can top that – as her son Ryan attended his first match when only three days old.

She explained: "He was born on Wednesday September 23, 1987 at Shirley Oaks hospital.

"Ron was chairman of Palace and went to watch the League Cup home match versus Newport County on the Tuesday evening while I was in labour at Shirley Oaks.

"We had a fantastic result and won 4-0. Ron came straight on to join me at the hospital afterwards, obviously in buoyant mood.

"The press at the time tried to make out that Ron had chosen to go to the match rather than be with me which was not the case – I still have the press cuttings. We had made a joint decision based on the fact that if anything happened he was only ten minutes away.

"In any case I would have liked to have been at the match too! Ryan was born the following morning."

Three days later Novello was at Selhurst Park for a match against Ipswich Town with Ron, their two other children Kellyjane and Ross, and new arrival Ryan.

Novello, who has been married to Ron for 30 years, said: "We didn't have to cover his ears too much as unfortunately we lost that one 2-1."

Do you know of a Palace fan who saw their first game at a younger age? If so e-mail newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk or call 020 8760 7613.