CRYSTAL Palace manager Ian Holloway proved a huge success when he paid a visit to a Beckenham school yesterday.

The Eagles' boss talked to the children of Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham, for around 40 minutes, taking a number of questions at the end.

Mr Holloway was asked to speak to the children by their volunteer football coach, John Wales, and willingly accepted.

Mr Wales, 45, who lives in Beckenham High Street, recently set up the school's first football team in ten years, and said: "Ian's talk went exceptionally well.

"He was quite inspirational with the children - he was sincere and had a really good manner.

"He taught some important life lessons - he told the children that while they're probably never going to be the best at something, they should always keep going.

"The children couldn't stop smiling - it is something that will live long in the their memories."

The Palace boss talked to a total of 250 children, aged 7 to eleven.

Mr Wales, an FA qualified coach who gives up his free time to coach the school's under 11 team, hopes to build a lasting relationship between the schoool and the club.