CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish returned to his old school, Colfe's, in Lee, last week to give an inspirational talk to pupils and teachers about how to make a success of your life.
Parish, 48, who joined the school in 1976, talked about his time at Colfe's and how it has shaped him and still influences him now, leading him to be successful in business and financially secure enough to buy a Football Club.
He gave the boys and girls, packed into the school's Beardwood Theatre, tips and advice on how to make a success of your life.
Steve bought Crystal Palace FC in 2010 and sold his advertising company Tag in 2011.
He said: "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Colfe's and am extremely grateful to the school."
"It encouraged me to express my opinions and gave me a level of education and confidence which I didn't appreciate and realise how valuable it was until I left school and met other people in the real world.
"I didn't go to university and while my parents wanted me to go into the insurance business, I realised that this really wasn't what I wanted to do; it was a pivotal moment and I haven't looked back.
"It is so important to do something you enjoy and love, come to terms with what you're good at, and persevere at it."
Asked by one of the pupils why he bought Palace, he said: "I've been a Palace fan since I was four years old because they had a better kit at the time than other teams!
"Co-owning the club was a real dream for me and I am very proud of the club and what we've achieved in getting into the Premier League.
"It's great to meet the next generation of Colfeians who are so passionate about the game."
Connor Macdonald, 12, from Welling, who has started Year 7 football training with the school, said: "I enjoyed the talk because Steve Parish was successful in a sport that I really enjoy, even though he said he'd never played football!
"I liked that he also went to Colfe's, because it made me think that I could achieve great things too."
Accompanying Steve was Chairman of the Old Colfeians FC, Gary Warner, who was at school with Steve and they have remained good friends ever since.
He said: "It's been 30 years since Steve and I were at Colfe's and we just felt like we'd come home.
"Colfeians are still so friendly, down to earth and confident; it hasn't changed.
"The Old Colfeians FC is entering a new and exciting stage and I would urge the younger Colfeians, to join us when the leave school, and keep the ties and continuity with the school."
