This snippet from a clickbait article got me thinking:

'The Ivory Coast international might go down in history as the best player to appear for the South London side, and his attacking influence is really needed as the club are lacking a threat upfront without him.'

This, obvz, is about Zaha and his return to fitness.

So what truth does it hold?

Who is our greatest player in history?

Lombardo?
Byrne?
Salad?

You thoughts.

So I manage a Workshop which provides a safe learning environment for blokes struggling with PTSD and other mental health issues. Being a Palace fan isn't listed yet.

Lombardo made 47 appearances and stuck with us following relegation.

It's an interesting question, but it's a bit like asking who is the greatest racing driver of all time?

The era when they raced or, in this case, when they played, has an influence I think. Lewis Hamilton looks good in the record books, but the car he drives is far better than the others and a darn sight safer than cars in the 50s and 60s. So, although the record books don't show it I would vote for Fangio as the GOAT simply because of his skill in a fragile car with absolutely no safety features whatsoever. Stirling Moss a close second.

As for Palace's GOAT I'm thinking of how the game was played on a pitch of mud on a rainy day with a leather ball weighing gawd knows how much more than today's beach balls. Johnny 'Budgie' Byrne would get my vote, although I don't remember much about him. Don Rogers, as suggested by Midland is a good candidate.

But my favourite player of all time, although not necessarily the greatest, was Vince Hilaire. Local lad, great on the ball and a real entertainer. Magic.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

If you base it on what they achieved for Palace then it's difficult to look past Wilf, even if he's less exciting than he used to be.

Wilf
Wright
Bright
Thomas
Martyn

I only started going in the late 80s.

Edited by TheBigToePunt (06 Mar 2021 11.38am)

True but statistics don't tell you everything as if I recall most of his appearances and goals were in the second tier as he broke his leg and missed half of his single season in the top league

Sansom for me, Rogers for the sheer excitement to watch but Sansom went on to have a stellar career for club and country