10 Greatest Crystal Palace Players in Football History [Ranked]

Since their promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs in 2013, Crystal Palace have solidified their status as a consistent top-flight club. They've spent most of these seasons comfortably mid-table, with a notable achievement being their FA Cup final appearance in the 2015/16 season. This marked their second time in the final of the prestigious competition, the first being in the 1989/1990 season.

Founded in 1905, Palace has produced some remarkable talents over the years, despite never securing a major trophy. These players have captured the hearts of fans with unforgettable performances and crucial goals in key matches. Some spent their entire careers at Selhurst Park, while others had impactful stints at other clubs. With that in mind, here are the greatest Crystal Palace players in football history.

Ranking Factors

• Impact at the Club: Evaluating each player's overall contribution to the team during their time.
• Memorable Moments: Highlighting goals scored or key saves made in significant matches.
• Legendary Status: Players who are still remembered fondly by fans, with chants echoing through Selhurst Park.
• Trophies and Promotions Won: Including promotions from the second and third tiers.

10. Andy Johnson

Years at the club: 2002-2006

Andy Johnson joined Crystal Palace from Birmingham City in 2002 and made an immediate impact, netting 11 goals in his first season in the First Division, including a hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion. The following year, he helped the Eagles secure Premier League promotion through the play-offs, finishing as the division's top scorer and earning the club's Player of the Year award.

In the Premier League, Johnson continued to shine, scoring 36 goals over two seasons. Notably, in the 2004/05 campaign, only Thierry Henry scored more than Johnson, who tallied 21 goals in 37 appearances to play a crucial role in Palace's survival. Johnson left for Everton in 2006 for £8.5 million, but his contributions in the early 2000s have cemented his status as a Palace legend.

9. John Jackson

Years at the club: 1964-1973

John Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Crystal Palace's history. Nicknamed 'Stonewall' by the club's supporters, Jackson played a pivotal role in helping the team achieve promotion to the top flight for the first time in the 1968/69 season. He was a constant presence in the side, making crucial contributions as they finished second in the league, conceding just 47 goals in 42 matches.

Jackson was also part of the legendary team that delivered one of Palace's most memorable victories, a stunning 5-0 win against Manchester United on 16th December 1972. After nine years and 388 appearances at Selhurst Park, Jackson left the club in 1973, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a Palace icon.

8. Julian Speroni

Years at the club: 2004-2019

Julian Speroni is another iconic goalkeeper who made his mark at Crystal Palace in both the Championship and the Premier League. He arrived at the club in the summer of 2004, during a season that saw Palace relegated back to the Championship after a brief spell in the top flight. However, Speroni was a steadfast presence for the Eagles, helping them secure their return to the Premier League in 2013 after a long absence.

During his time at the club, Speroni was named Player of the Year three times, in 2007/08, 2008/09, and 2009/10. His consistency continued into Palace's first Premier League season in eight years, where he claimed the Player of the Year award once again in the 2013/14 campaign, as Tony Pulis' side finished 11th. Speroni made a total of 405 appearances for the club, keeping 112 clean sheets, before departing in 2019, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Palace's greatest-ever goalkeepers.

7. Mark Bright

Years at the club: 1986-1992

Mark Bright joined Crystal Palace in November 1986 and quickly formed a dynamic partnership with Ian Wright under the management of Steve Coppell. In the 1987/88 season, Bright netted an impressive 24 goals, though Palace narrowly missed out on the play-offs in the Second Division. The following year, Palace secured promotion back to the top flight, triumphing over Blackburn Rovers in the play-off final.

Bright made an impact in his first Premier League season, scoring 12 goals in 36 appearances, including a memorable brace at Old Trafford as Palace defeated Manchester United 2-1. Under Coppell, the Eagles finished comfortably above the relegation zone, allowing them to focus on the FA Cup. Bright scored in the famous 4-3 win over Liverpool in the semi-finals, but Palace were ultimately defeated by United in the final replay at Wembley.

The following season, Bright helped Palace win the Full Members' Cup, marking his first silverware at Selhurst Park. Bright left the club in 1992, having scored 113 goals in 286 appearances, solidifying his place as one of the club's greats.

6. Vince Hilaire

Years at the club: 1977-1984

Vince Hilaire made his Crystal Palace debut at just 17 years old while the club was in the third tier. After promotions in 1977 and 1979, Hilaire emerged as one of the standout players of the Eagles' 'Team of the 1980s.' Over the course of his six-year stint at Selhurst Park, he made 293 appearances, becoming a fan favourite thanks to his flair, skill, and trickery on the wing. Hilaire was voted the club's Player of the Year in both 1979 and 1980.

In 1984, he left Palace to join Luton Town, but his legacy at Selhurst Park remains intact, particularly for his key role in helping the club rise from the third tier to the top flight in just three years. One of his most memorable contributions came in 1979 when his assist for Ian Walsh in a match against Burnley secured promotion to the First Division, a moment still fondly remembered by fans.

5. Attilio Lombardo

Years at the club: 1997-1999

Attilio Lombardo's time at Crystal Palace may have been short, but it was undeniably impactful. In the 1997/98 Premier League season, he became the club's most influential player, scoring five goals in 24 appearances. Despite his efforts, Lombardo couldn't help the Eagles avoid relegation. In March of that season, he briefly took on the role of caretaker player-manager after Steve Coppell became Director of Football.

Though many expected Lombardo, a Champions League finalist, to leave Palace following their relegation, he chose to stay. However, due to financial difficulties, he was eventually forced to leave in January 1999, moving to Lazio. Despite making only 49 appearances for the club, Lombardo's legacy was solidified when Palace supporters voted him into the Centenary XI in 2005.

4. Jim Cannon

Years at the club: 1973-1988

Jim Cannon stands as the first one-club man on this list. Born in Glasgow, he joined Crystal Palace as a youth player in 1970 and went on to spend his entire playing career at the club, retiring in 1988 after making over 600 appearances. Cannon made his debut on March 31, 1973, against Chelsea, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2-0 win.

Over the next 15 years, he became a cornerstone of Palace's defense, playing a key role in the team’s two promotions in three years that took them from the third tier to the top flight in the late 1970s. By the time he left the club, Cannon had made 660 appearances, the most by any player in Crystal Palace's history.

3. Ian Wright

Years at the club: 1985-1991

Ian Wright joined Crystal Palace in 1985 from semi-professional side Greenwich Borough. Over his 277 appearances for the Eagles, he netted 117 goals, making him the third-highest scorer in the club's history, behind Edwin Smith and Peter Simpson. Wright formed a formidable partnership with Mark Bright, helping Palace secure promotion to the top flight in the 1988/89 season, where he scored an impressive 33 goals across all competitions.

After a heartbreaking loss in the 1990 FA Cup final, Wright played a crucial role in Palace's Full Members' Cup triumph in 1991, scoring twice in extra time during the final against Everton at Wembley. In September 1991, he was signed by Arsenal, bringing an end to his successful six-year tenure at Selhurst Park.

2. Wilfried Zaha

Years at the club: 2010-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2023

Wilfried Zaha is a modern-day legend at Crystal Palace, having had four separate spells at the club. His first stint came between 2010 and 2013, with the Ivory Coast international making his first-team debut in March 2010. It wasn't until the 2010/11 season that Zaha became a regular starter, and he truly broke through in the 2011/12 campaign, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists across all competitions.

His standout performances in 2012 caught the attention of some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, including Manchester United. In January 2013, United secured a deal for Zaha but immediately loaned him back to Palace, where he played a crucial role in helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.

After a challenging stint at Manchester United, Zaha returned to Crystal Palace on loan in 2013 and 2014, before making his permanent move back to Selhurst Park in 2015. From 2015 to 2023, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s top wingers, playing a key role in keeping Palace afloat season after season. By the time he left the Eagles in 2023, Zaha had made 458 appearances, scoring 90 goals and providing 52 assists.

1. Geoff Thomas

Years at the club: 1987-1993

Geoff Thomas captained Crystal Palace during the club's most successful period, earning the top spot on this list. In the 1989/90 season, he played a pivotal role in leading the Eagles to the FA Cup final and ensuring their survival in the top flight. As an all-round midfielder, Thomas was crucial both defensively and offensively, scoring four goals and shielding the backline.

The following season, Thomas was named Palace's Player of the Year as the club finished third and won the Full Members' Cup. After 249 appearances and 35 goals, he left for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1993 and also earned a senior England cap. After retiring, Thomas was diagnosed with leukaemia, which he bravely overcame. He raised thousands for leukaemia charities and was honored with an MBE in June 2021 for his charity work and contributions.