December 23 2009

Andrejs Rubins

Where are David Amsalem, Bobby Kellard, Derek Possee, Steve Lovell and Andrejs Rubins now?

Andrejs Rubins (2000-03)

The speedy Latvian winger made just 31 appearances in three seasons but will be remembered most for scoring two stunning long-distance goals. The first was a 30-yard shot after a run from inside his own half against Leicester in the Worthington Cup, which was voted the Palace goal of the season. He got another howitzer in the semi-final first leg against Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Rubins left for Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League on a free transfer in 2003 but quit three months later without playing a match. The Latvia international enjoyed two seasons with Russian outfit Shinnik Yaroslavl and returned to Spartak Moscow in 2005.

But he failed to command a regular place and was farmed out on loan to former club Shinnik Yaroslavl, then Latvian side FK Liepajas Metalurgs. Now, aged 31, he plays for Azerbaijani champions Inter Baku.

Steve Lovell (1977-83)

Welsh right-back/midfielder came up through the ranks at Palace and was part of the club's glorious youth side of the time. He spent six years at Selhurst Park, gaining the first of six caps for his country.

Cash-strapped Palace let him go on a free transfer to Millwall in 1983 where he was switched up front and found the net on a regular basis for the Lions. He had a stint on loan at Swansea, then a full-time move to Gillingham - where he was top scorer for four seasons - and a loan spell AFC Bournemouth.

Lovell then turned out for nine non-league clubs in as many years. He was player-manager at Sittingbourne in 1995/96 then boss at Gravesend. He worked as Football in the Community Officer for Gillingham, before returning to management with Hastings, Sittingbourne and Ashford Town where he is at the helm today.

David Amsalem (1998-99)

Terry Venables lured the Israel national captain to Selhurst Park by from Beitar Jerusalem for £800,000 in 1998. He turned out to be a total flop and was released after just 12 matches. The defender was bought via a third party and the Israeli FA later claimed Beitar Jerusalem did not receive the transfer fee.

Amsalem joined Hapoel Haifa in January 1999 where he stayed until the end of the season. He returned to Beitar Jerusalem and spent eight-and-a-half seasons there before retiring in July 2009, aged 37, to become the club's assistant coach.

Bobby Kellard (1963-65 & 1971-73)

Bobby Kellard was signed from Southend United, aged 20, and helped Palace win promotion to the Second Division as runners-up. The combative midfielder moved onto Ipswich in November 1965 and had spells with Portsmouth, Bristol City and Leicester.

He rejoined Palace at the start of 1971/72 as a replacement for the departed Steve Kember and was made skipper. The Edmonton born player lost the captaincy and asked for a move which resulted in getting dropped from the side.

Kellard went back to Pompey, had a loan stint with Hereford United, and moved to South Africa in 1975 to play for Durban City, then Cape Town City. A return to England followed with a switch to Torquay United and then Chelmsford City.

He became player-manager in January 1976 and did the job until May 1977 when he turned out for Grays Athletic. Kellard ran a taxi company in Southend and was later an antiques dealer, while working as joint-manager of Harlow Town. The 66-year-old now lives in Spain.

Derek Possee (1973-74)

The pacey winger arrived at Palace with the task of helping them stay in the First Division after enjoying a successful time with local rivals Millwall. He was manager Bert Head's last signing as Palace ended a ended a miserable campaign with relegation. The Southwark-born star finished the following season as second top scorer under new manager Malcolm Allison.

He left for Leyton Orient and remained with the O's for three years. Possee switched to St Patrick's Athletic in October 1977, and shortly after moved to Canada and the Vancouver Whitecaps, helping them win the Soccer Bowl in 1979, and remains in Vancouver to this day.

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