A cheerleader who defected from Crystal Palace's arch-rivals will make her début against her old club.

Kate Fletcher was originally a cheerleader for the Gully’s Girls, Brighton's cheerleaders, but just over a month ago she decided to join the Crystals, the cheerleaders of Crystal Palace.

She is now gearing up for her first performance with the new squad, which just so happens to be the match against Albion on December 1.

Miss Fletcher said one of the reasons she left Gully's Girls was not liking the bitter rivalry between the two teams, especially as her sister Kim is a Crystals member.

The cheerleader is also an aspiring singer and said the move to London would help with her music commitments.

She said: “I was not comfortable with the rivalry.

“I did not think it was a professional atmosphere.

“I watched my sister at the Crystals for the past few years and they look great on the pitch and there is a great atmosphere.

“They confirmed I was in the squad last week which is really great.

“It is the right move for me.”

The 20-year-old is now facing her first performance having been training with the Crystals for the past month.

And in a twist of fate she will be strutting her stuff in front of the Albion fans she used to wow as the Eagles take on Brighton on December 1.

She added: “I am really looking forward to Saturday.

“A lot of Albion fans have been supportive. They have been really lovely and gracious and have been wishing me well.

“It is very much appreciated. I can see it might be a problem for some but I do not think it will be awkward.”

Since she left the Gully’s Girls have since been replaced with an as yet unnamed street dance unit featuring the girls and a troupe of boys.

Miss Fletcher agreed with the decision to refresh the group.

She said: “I think they look great and it is always good to spice up what you do on the pitch. Good luck to them.”