Crystal Palace’s captaincy history is defined by hard‑working leaders who embodied the club’s underdog spirit, from Geoff Thomas in the glory years to Marc Guéhi lifting the FA Cup in 2025. These skippers have led Palace through promotions, cup finals and modern European nights.
Geoff Thomas: Mr Captain Fantastic
Geoff Thomas is widely regarded as Crystal Palace’s greatest captain, wearing the armband from 1987 to 1993 during the club’s most successful era. He led Palace to promotion in 1988–89, the 1990 FA Cup final and a third‑place top-flight finish in 1990–91, the club’s best ever league position, earning multiple Player of the Year awards and later a place in the Centenary XI. Thomas also won nine England caps while at Palace, underlining how his leadership and all‑action midfield style transcended club level.
Mile Jedinak and the CPFC 2010 Revival
Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak captained Palace through the club’s modern rebirth, taking the armband during the CPFC 2010 ownership era and leading the side to promotion via the 2013 Championship play-offs. Renowned for his physicality, aerial dominance and free‑kick threat, he became a symbol of resilience as Palace survived and then stabilised in the Premier League, famously lifting the Asia Cup with Australia during his time at Selhurst. In 2020s retrospectives and club events he has been honoured with “Outstanding Contribution” awards, reinforcing his status as a modern captaincy icon.
Joel Ward, Luka Milivojević and Quiet Leaders
Long-serving defender Joel Ward has been one of Palace’s most dependable figures, serving as vice-captain and later club captain for long spells in the mid‑to‑late 2010s and early 2020s. His versatility across the back line and professionalism made him a natural leader in dressing rooms overseen by multiple managers. Midfielder Luka Milivojević also captained the side under Roy Hodgson, leading by example with penalty goals and tactical discipline in several seasons of comfortable Premier League survival.
Marc Guéhi: Lifting the FA Cup
Centre-back Marc Guéhi represents the new generation of Palace leadership, becoming the club’s youngest regular captain in a decade when he wore the armband in 2021–22. By 2025 he had earned 23 England caps while at Palace and captained the club to its first major trophy, lifting the FA Cup after the 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley. Club interviews emphasise his calm personality, high standards in training and comfort representing both Palace and England in high-pressure environments.
Notable Palace Captains Table
| Captain | Era as Captain | Position | Key Achievements as Palace Captain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Thomas | 1987–1993 | Central Midfielder | Led Palace to 1990 FA Cup final, 1990–91 third-place top-flight finish, promotion in 1989; widely rated club’s greatest captain. | Profile |
| Jim Cannon | 1970s–1980s (long spells) | Centre-back | Record 660 appearances; captained side through promotions and relegations, pillar of “Team of the Eighties” build-up years. | Records |
| Mile Jedinak | 2011–2016 | Defensive Midfielder | Skipper for 2013 play-off promotion and early PL consolidation; cult hero for leadership and set-pieces. | Legacy piece |
| Joel Ward | 2010s–2020s | Full-back | Long-serving leader and stand-in captain, key figure across multiple managers in PL era. | Club records |
| Luka Milivojević | 2017–2022 | Midfielder | Regular captain under Hodgson; led Palace through stable mid-table seasons, prolific penalty taker. | Leadership analysis |
| Marc Guéhi | 2021–present | Centre-back | Youngest regular Palace captain in 10 years; captained club to 2025 FA Cup win and first major trophy. | Captaincy feature |
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