Crystal Palace completed the £400,000 signing of Brentford central-defender Darren Powell on Friday. Twenty-six year-old Powell finalised his move in time to be included in the squad for Saturday's opening fixture of the new season.

Trevor Francis was delighted to see the transfer concluded: "We have been working hard to complete

this transfer over the last few days and I am very pleased to have someone of Darren's quality coming into the Club ready for the first match."

Darren played 148 games for Brentford since joining from Hampton and collected both a Third Division championship medal and The Player Of The Year trophy.

* This season's Le Coq Sportif home and away kits are now available from the Selhurst, Sutton and Croydon club shops. The new Croydon club shop has only just opened on the third floor of the sports department of the Allders store and a variety of Palace leisure wear is on sale.

* The Crystal Palace matchday programme has been further improved and will now be 80 pages in size. The new programme will be on sale inside and outside the ground priced £2.50.

* Dave Swindlehurst's reserves coasted to a 4-0 victory against Crawley Town last week. Palace striker Steven Kabba bagged all four goals at the Broadfield Stadium.

The starting line-up was as follows: Kolinko, Hunt, Frampton, Surey, Antwi, Berhalter, Routledge, Watson, Williams, Kabba, Rubins.

* Supporters will once again have the chance to show off their football skills at half-time and win exclusive prizes.

The McCarthy Toyota half-time challenge will give one lucky fan the opportunity to win a Toyota Yaris.

To take part all you have to do is purchase a matchday programme and look out for the lucky number announced at the match.

August 14, 2002 12:30