Alan Pardew welcomes new investment at Crystal Palace

21 November 2015 13:46

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is excited by the prospect of American Josh Harris and business partner David Blitzer becoming investors at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles and co-chairman Steve Parish have agreed a deal in principle with Harris, the owner of the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, to sell a sizeable shareholding after starting talks over a year ago.

And Pardew - approaching a year in charge of Palace - has received the news well.

He said: "I welcome it, I think it will be great for this football club.

"If you look at Steve Parish's record of what he has done here he has called it right more times than he has got it wrong, and that's why we are growing as a club and I would like to think that is why he has got this right as well.

"That's why I think if you are a Crystal Palace fan it is big news for you."

Pardew added that since arriving at Selhurst Park, he has been kept in the loop about the possible boardroom changes.

"Since I have come to the football club I knew that these guys were potentially involved in the club," he said.

"I have met them and I am excited by the fact that they are excited to be involved in the Premier League.

"They are thorough, I have met them and their knowledge of sport is strong.

"They understand how transfers work, they understand about stats but of course all the little tiny nuances that we have in football, that's what they don't get and that's where me and Steve come in to try and guide them."

Pardew - whose side are preparing to face Sunderland on Monday - does not see problems being caused by new faces above him.

"These are not new owners. These are new investors under Steve's leadership and it's that relationship that is the most important for me," he said.

"If you was honestly asking me the question if Steve was not in the process, if he was being removed I would be very nervous.

"I think in Steve they have someone they can trust to invest their money wisely because all investors want a return.

"They want to see their money grow, otherwise there is no investment. They'll be listening and trying to add to the finance of the club so we can move along as quick as we can."

Source: PA