Cheerleaders on the defensive after angry comments on web

WHETHER you love them or loathe them, the new cheerleaders for Crystal Palace FC have certainly brought a touch of glitz to Selhurst Park.

But not everyone is impressed by The Crystals, who have been subjected to an internet hate campaign from fans referring to them as strippers who merely perform “pole dancing on grass”.

Group members have responded by saying they hope to dispel the myths and show they do more than shake pompoms and prance around to pop music.

Cheerleader Laura Howes, 19, loves being a dancer but her main focus is studying for a law degree at Bournemouth University.

She volunteers at the Citizens Advice Bureau and hopes to become a human rights barrister because “there is so much injustice in the world”.

She said: “I think people look at someone and think they know what they’re like. But everybody has their own little twists.

“I say don’t judge on first appearances.”

The Crystals were formed when the club held open auditions in December to find dancers who would bring a touch of glamour to Selhurst Park.

They replaced the former Palace Crystals, who had been at the club for more than a decade.

Cheerleader Amie Latter, 23, is a huge Palace fan and has been a season ticket holder for three years.

Amie, who works as an investment management assistant, said: “The comments are quite nasty sometimes but you have to take the good with the bad.

“Being a cheerleader for Crystal Palace is amazing. Every time I’m standing on the pitch I get star-struck. It’s great to be a part of the club.”

Sharon Lacey, marketing manager for Crystal Palace, said the cheerleaders work hard to put on the best show.

She added: “The girls are excellent and they’re passionate about what they do. They do it off their own bats and don’t earn a penny.”