Ranking Crystal Palace's Top 5 Players of All Time

Thousands of players have pulled on the Crystal Palace shirt throughout the club’s 109-year history. Many have been long forgotten, but a special few have made a lasting impression. The likes of Jim Cannon, Geoff Thomas and Ian Wright rank among the best to have called Selhurst Park home.

Compiling a list of this sort is never easy. Comparing players from across different eras is a difficult task. Every fan has their favourites and it can be hard to escape subjectivity.

This list takes into account ability, longevity, impact on team success and overall contribution to the club. Players from across every decade have been considered.

In ascending order of rank, here are Crystal Palace’s top five players of all time.

The following players can consider themselves somewhat unlucky to have not made the cut:

Kenny Sansom, John Salako, Peter Simpson, Andy Johnson, Ted Smith, Peter Taylor, Don Rogers, Steve Kember, Johnny Byrne, Nigel Martyn.

At No. 5 in the list is Vince Hilaire. The tricky winger was a key part of Palace’s famous “Team of the 1980s.”

Born locally, Hilaire was always likely to be a fan-favourite. His speed and skill on the wing caused full-backs numerous problems. He was also a great crosser of the ball and provided the delivery for Ian Walsh’s key goal in the promotion face-off with Burnley in 1979.

Hilaire made 293 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 36 goals. His longevity and contribution to Palace’s rise from the Third to First Division confirms his place in the list.

At No. 4 is Attilio Lombardo, the “Bald Eagle.” The Italian arrived in south London from Juventus in 1997. Even 27 years on, nobody really knows why. It is not often that Palace sign players who have started in Champions League finals. 

Lombardo played only 48 times for the Eagles. Even in such a short space of time, he dazzled the Selhurst Park crowd. Possessing an exquisite first-touch and fantastic range of passing, Lombardo was key in Palace’s battle against the drop. He scored some great goals too, including this effort where a superbly-weighted touch on his chest put him through one-on-one. 

That fight against relegation was unsuccessful. Somewhat absurdly, though, the hugely-talented midfielder stayed as Palace dropped into the second-tier. He even managed the club alongside Tomas Brolin for a couple of months in 1998.

On natural ability alone, Lombardo is probably Palace’s best ever player. However, the briefness of his spell counts against him. Nevertheless, the “Bald Eagle” is more than worthy of his place in the top five.

Crystal Palace signed Ian Wright from Greenwich Borough and sold him to Arsenal. In between, he netted 117 times in 277 games for the Eagles.

That record makes him Palace’s third highest-scorer of all-time. Mere numbers do not do Wright’s achievements justice, though. Many of his strikes were of huge importance. His stunning brace in the 1990 FA Cup final against Manchester United is one of Palace’s greatest moments. 

Wright would probably be even higher in the list were it not for some controversial moments. The striker enraged Palace fans when he taunted them while playing for Arsenal in a match that saw the Eagles relegated. Many have not forgiven him. It is antics like those that have cost him a place in the top two.

That notwithstanding, Wright correctly goes down as one of Palace’s best ever players. No one has scored more post-war goals for the club. The fact that they came during Palace’s glory days of the early 1990s only strengthens his case.

Jim Cannon is Mr. Crystal Palace. Despite being born in Glasgow, Cannon spent his entire career at Selhurst Park. He is the club’s all-time record appearance maker, having played 663 games in 16 seasons.

A rugged and reliable centre-back, Cannon made his debut against Chelsea in 1973 aged 19. He was commanding and fearless, and he even scored the second goal in a 2-0 win.

By 1974, he was a regular. He would not give up the position until 1988.

Cannon played under seven managers in three different divisions. He was employed as left-back and central midfielder as well as centre-back. Cannon represented stability and continuity as an ever-present figure at the club.

He was also a fine footballer. His combination of ability and permanence see him placed just ahead of Wright, Lombardo and Hilaire. Had Cannon played in a more successful Palace side, he may have been No. 1.

Geoff Thomas is Crystal Palace’s best ever player. Thomas captained the Eagles throughout their greatest period in history. He fully deserves the No. 1 spot.

The midfielder was a success in each of his six seasons. In his debut campaign, he won the Player of the Year award. The following term, he played an integral role in the club’s promotion to the First Division.

1989-90 was the best yet, as Thomas skippered the side to the FA Cup final against Manchester United. He won the Player of the Year trophy again the next season as Palace finished third in the top-flight, their best ever league placing.

Thomas was a huge influence in the centre of the park. He could pass, tackle and get up and down the pitch. He was the perfect all-rounder.

Geoff Thomas tops the ranking for a combination of all the key attributes that this list considered. He spent six years in south London and won nine England caps, evidence of his great ability. As captain and leader, Thomas made a huge contribution to Crystal Palace during their greatest years.

He is the No. 1 player to have ever worn the red and blue shirt.