Peter Simpson’s record of 165 goals for Crystal Palace, set 89 years ago in 1935, remains unbeaten. The club has produced many iconic players, including the renowned strike duo Ian Wright and Mark Bright, and Wilfried Zaha, who was a key figure before moving to Galatasaray.
Let’s delve into the legends of Crystal Palace, from all-time top scorer Peter Simpson to the famous “Team of the Eighties” and Wilfried Zaha. Once you’ve determined your favorite among these legends, you can cast your vote.
Despite never winning a major trophy, Crystal Palace has consistently produced standout players, often emerging from the talent-rich areas of south London. The club’s first star, Scottish forward Peter Simpson, joined in 1929 and scored 165 goals over six prolific years, a record that still stands.
The current team is led by star midfielder Eberechi Eze, who represented England at the Euros.
Johnny “Budgie” Byrne, known for his talkative nature, rose through the youth ranks to earn his first England cap in 1961 while Palace was still in the Third Division. He later joined West Ham, playing alongside World Cup winners like Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters, before returning to Palace to complete his century of goals.
Goalkeeper John Jackson, nicknamed “Stonewall” for his resilience, made 222 consecutive appearances in the 1960s and was a key player in the team that achieved promotion to the top flight in 1968. He was also part of the squad that secured a famous 5-0 victory over Manchester United in 1972.
Jim Cannon, a central defender and captain, holds the club record for appearances with 660 games between 1973 and 1988. He was a cornerstone of Terry Venables’ exciting “Team of the Eighties,” which won promotion in 1979 in front of a record 51,000 fans at Selhurst Park.
Vince Hilaire, a skillful winger, made his debut at 17 in 1977 and became one of the first black players to gain prominence in the game, overcoming significant racism. He was a fan favorite, earning the Player of the Year award during the promotion season.
Hilaire’s teammate, left-back Kenny Sansom, went on to become one of England’s finest defenders with Arsenal and the national team.
Striker Dave Swindlehurst scored the crucial second goal against Burnley that secured Palace’s promotion. He recalls the unforgettable explosion of noise from the fans.
Palace enjoyed further success, reaching the FA Cup Final in 1990 and finishing third in the top division the following year. The partnership of Ian Wright and Mark Bright was highly acclaimed, with Wright’s rise from a south London background to a star at Arsenal serving as an inspiration for future generations. His thrilling goals, including two in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Manchester United at Wembley, epitomized the excitement of the Premier League era.
Bright continues to serve the club as a respected ambassador, often seen alongside chairman Steve Parrish.
Future England managers Gareth Southgate and Chris Coleman forged a strong bond at Palace in the 1990s, helping the club compete in the Premier League and reach cup semi-finals.
Kenny Sansom, alongside Southgate and Coleman, exemplified Palace’s resilience as they faced challenges from more prominent clubs while maintaining their top-flight status and competing in cup semi-finals.
Alongside him was left-back Kenny Sansom, who would go on to become one of England’s greatest defenders, achieving notable success with Arsenal and the national team.
Striker Dave Swindlehurst scored the crucial second goal against Burnley, securing Palace’s promotion. He describes the crowd’s roar as unforgettable, sending shivers down his spine.
Since then, Palace has had some memorable moments. They reached the FA Cup Final in 1990 and finished third in the top division the following year.
The strike duo of Ian Wright and Mark Bright gained national recognition before Wright moved to Arsenal. His journey from a young black kid in south London to a top scorer at Arsenal has been an inspiration for many. Wright’s dazzling goals, including two in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United at Wembley, brought excitement to the fans and matched the vision of creating a globally captivating Premier League.
Mark Bright, Wright’s partner in attack, remains involved with the club as a respected ambassador, frequently seen with chairman Steve Parrish.
Future international managers Gareth Southgate and Chris Coleman formed a close bond at Selhurst Park in the 1990s as Palace battled against bigger clubs to maintain their Premier League status and reached cup semi-finals.
In 2002, striker Andy Johnson joined Palace. After taking 10 games to score his first goal, he went on to net an impressive 85 goals in 160 games. Johnson became a fan favorite, particularly after scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over rivals Brighton. In the 2004-05 season, despite Palace’s relegation, he scored over 20 goals, earning a call-up to the England squad under Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Palace’s current unbroken run of 11 years in the Premier League has been marked by the influence of Wilfried Zaha. A local talent, Zaha initially left Palace after helping them secure promotion in 2013 but returned after a challenging spell at Manchester United. Zaha was the standout player until his move to Galatasaray in 2023, amassing 90 goals and 76 assists in 458 appearances for Palace, often playing in a defensive setup to ensure the team’s survival.
Zaha’s natural skill and dribbling ability made him a fan favorite and a key player in Palace’s run to the 2016 FA Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester United.
