Former Crystal Palace captain Joel Ward has been revisiting the club's historic FA Cup victory, describing the experience as a "whirlwind" fairytale that has since propelled him into television.
From Wembley Glory to TV Punditry
Joel Ward played a pivotal role in Crystal Palace's first-ever major trophy win last season, as the Eagles stunned Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in a classic final at Wembley. Now a free agent after signing for Swansea City, the 36-year-old defender has transitioned into punditry for TNT Sports and features prominently in their new documentary.
The broadcaster's film, titled 'The FA Cup: The People's Story', premiered on Friday 8 January at 22:00 on TNT Sports 1 and is available on-demand via discovery+. It showcases Palace's 2025 heroics alongside other iconic moments in the competition's history, including Everton's 1966 win and Sunderland's 1973 triumph.
A Day of Unforgettable Emotion
In an exclusive interview, Ward reflected on the profound personal and collective significance of that day in May, which marked the end of his 13-year stint at Selhurst Park. Despite being on the bench, he was made a central part of the celebrations by manager Oliver Glasner and club captain Marc Guehi, whom Ward praised as a "role model and remarkable individual".
"It was nice to relive it because the whole time was a bit of a whirlwind," Ward told Mirror Sport. "When you roll the tape back, all the memories and emotions come flooding back. The feeling around the club, the journey everyone went on - including the fans - was just electric."
The occasion was made even more poignant by the birth of his daughter just two days before the final and his son walking out as a mascot at Wembley. "It definitely doesn't get any better," he admitted.
The Making of a Modern Classic
Ward, with obvious bias but clear justification, regards last year's final as one of the all-time greats. "It had a little bit of everything," he recalled. "Moments where you had your head in your hands, gasping and then also times when you were jumping off your seat. There were so many different waves of emotion."
He credits Glasner with transforming the team's mindset upon his arrival. "He challenged us to change our mindset on what we can do... he wanted us to achieve special things and he was someone who strived for excellence and standards," Ward said. The Austrian manager has now delivered the first major trophy in Crystal Palace's history.
Reflecting on his reduced playing role, Ward expressed gratitude for how he was included: "I remember having a conversation with the manager and he wanted me to be involved, be part of it with the lads."
The People's Cup and a New Broadcasting Era
The documentary delves beyond the pitch, exploring the powerful social commentary and what the victory meant to South London. Ward emphasised the unique magic of the FA Cup, calling it a symbol of "hope" for underdogs.
This film is part of a new four-year deal for TNT Sports' FA Cup coverage, which sees them become the competition's primary broadcaster. This season, they will show 22 live games from the third round alone, with over 50 matches in total on TNT Sports and discovery+. The increased TV revenue provides a significant windfall for lower-league clubs.
Coverage innovations include an FA Cup first: a live Saturday afternoon Goals Show presented by Matt Smith, Steve McManaman, and Fara Williams, covering multiple concurrent ties. Key third-round fixtures like Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace and Tottenham vs Aston Villa will also be broadcast on the BBC.
For Joel Ward, 2025 was "an incredible year, an unforgettable year and one that will go down in the history books and last forever." His story, and that of his club, now forms a central chapter in the enduring legend of the world's oldest domestic football competition.
