Crystal Palace’s academy has produced elite youth sides across multiple eras, from double FA Youth Cup winners in the 1970s to modern U18s packed with future internationals. These are the standout “best XI” lineups drawn from club and FA retrospectives.
1977–78 FA Youth Cup Winners XI
This side won back‑to‑back FA Youth Cups in 1976–77 and 1977–78 and formed the spine of the future “Team of the Eighties”.
Suggested XI (4-3-3 based on club FA Youth Cup history):
- GK: David Fry – Conceded only three goals in 10 games en route to the 1978 Youth Cup win.
- RB: Paul Hinshelwood – Versatile defender who would later become a first‑team regular.
- CB: Jim Cannon – Future club appearance record-holder, cut his teeth in early-70s Youth Cups.
- CB: Billy Gilbert – Highly rated young centre-back from the same era.
- LB: Kenny Sansom – Captain of youth and senior sides, later an England regular.
- CM: Peter Nicholas – Key midfield organiser in the Youth Cup wins and later senior promotions.
- CM: Steve Kember – Earlier academy graduate and club stalwart, often referenced in youth‑to‑first‑team stories.
- AM: Steve Mackenzie – Creative midfielder highlighted by the FA in its Youth Cup history feature.
- RW: Vince Hilaire – Electric winger, two‑time Palace Player of the Year as a senior.
- LW: Terry Fenwick (higher up the pitch in youth days) – Versatile left‑sider who became a top‑flight defender.
- ST: Dave Swindlehurst – 81 senior goals; spearhead of this youth generation.
All-Time FA Youth Cup XI (Club Selection)
Crystal Palace produced an official “strongest FA Youth Cup XI over time”, built purely from academy players’ youth‑cup performances and later careers.
Club’s FA Youth Cup XI (from the CPFC feature):
Modern U18 / Academy Stars XI
Recent years have seen Palace’s Category 1 academy produce a conveyor belt of talent, even if Youth Cup runs have been shorter.
Modern “Best Youth Team” XI (circa 2010s–2020s, based on academy honours and youth coverage):
- GK: Joe Whitworth – Academy graduate and 2024 Development Player of the Year; regular in U18/U21 sides.
- RB: Nathaniel Clyne – Twice Young Player of the Year (2009, 2010); key academy success story.
- CB: Martin Kelly (academy stint) or David Boateng-type graduate – representing consistent U18 leadership roles.
- CB: Richard Shaw – Won Young Player of the Year in 1986; long senior career.
- LB: Tyrick Mitchell – Came through U18s to become a Premier League regular.
- CM: Ben Watson – 2006 Young Player of the Year; central to mid‑2000s youth and first-team midfields.
- CM: Jonny Williams – 2013 Development/Young Player of the Year and age-group standout.
- AM: Jesurun Rak‑Sakyi – 2022 Development Player of the Year; prolific at U18/U21 level.
- RW: Michael Olise* – Not full homegrown, but polished in Palace’s development setup as a teen arrival.
- LW: Eberechi Eze* – Likewise developed further in U23/first‑team transition at Palace.
- ST: Victor Moses – Highly rated academy forward; Youth Cup participant before Premier League career.
*Eze and Olise are hybrid picks, representing how the modern academy/development structure now blends internal and external youth recruitment.
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