Same here, I had a Burnley-supporting mate while at school in SE London. He didn't have any affinity with the town at all. Because of that I've always followed their results. They were a biggish club then as it wasn't that long since their title win. They brought through some good players...
Sam's a Northerner who likes to work at northern clubs. Palace were a handy device to get him over the loss of the England job. I can see him going back to Sunderland