The first article of this brand new feature for TEB on goalkeepers was much talked about on social media.
Let us be clear, we know there are better players out there than the ones our writers have chosen, but we wanted to choose our ‘favourites’. Those players that do not always make the headlines but are so well thought of by fans. Choices can be personal and will have a lot to do with differing age groups.
Now is the turn of the right back position which you will see below have much more varied selections than the goalkeeping choices.
MARC EDWORTHY – Not sure I can remember a truly exceptional right back while I have been following Palace, but there have been loads of decent, hard working professionals who have worn the shirt. Edworthy was one of those. Like Suckling, he was a key cog in a promotion season and was a consistent performer in the following, awful season. He always worked hard and always had the support of the fans. Nudged ahead of the likes of Danny Butterfield and John Pemberton, for me.
DANNY BUTTERFIELD – Picking a right back was one of the toughest choices when naming my favourite Palace XI. Nathaniel Clyne originally edged it but, for that hat-trick against Wolverhampton Wanderers alone, Butterfield gets the nod. The former Grimsby Town man needed very little time to settle in at Selhurst Park and was a mainstay in the Eagles’ side for the best part of seven years. Ever dependable and versatile, Butterfield is one of a number of players to make it into my team who played in the survival Sunday game against Sheffield Wednesday.
DANNY BUTTERFIELD – Where to begin with our floppy haired full back? The joker of the dressing room and a quality player on the pitch. He first introduced himself to the Palace faithful by staring for Grimsby Town as they thrashed us 5-2 at Blundell Park, prompting Trevor Francis to ‘swoop’ for the full back. Over the following eight seasons Danny had many highs and lows in red and blue, including six goals in our 2003/04 promotion season. The most notable of which was twenty-five yard volley to see off Gillingham after Cedric Berthelin had twice saved penalties. Palace stories do not get any less bizarre over time do they? Anyway, the most preposterous of tales was left until last. His six minute hat-trick means we do not remember him for his brilliant crossing, hard working style or love of the club, but a crazy fourth round replay.
NATHANIEL CLYNE – There are so many good things to say about Nathaniel ‘Nate’ Clyne. He is one of our own who worked his way through the academy ranks until breaking into the first team in 2008. He was an absolute superstar and as the cliché goes, had potential written all over him. This kid was set to be something special. Many, if not all, Palace fans were gutted when Nathaniel signed for Southampton. It was a huge move for him, which three years later saw him sign for Liverpool. Let us also not forget, he is also an England international, with thirteen caps currently to his name. The boy from Stockwell has done good. Yes, all of this is pretty impressive, considering the guy is only twenty-five years of age. Is there more to come from him? Only time will tell. However, Nate Clyne, is my all time favourite right back pick for one reason, and that my dear reader, is for THAT Millwall tweet.
JOEL WARD – Again, another player bought in by Dougie, and someone who has made a success of themselves by working hard under our various managers. Ward is not the best right back, but he is a hard worker. He has a few tricks in his locker too which I am sure training with Zaha helps with that! The meteoric rise this club has experienced in recent years is in part down to him, and his consistency in that position means he is nailed on for a starting spot every week. He has seen off competition from several other players, and like others in this team, is a model professional. He is a good looking chap too, but that has nothing to do with his ability. Wardy is a club stalwart who will be fondly remembered for some time by fans of my generation.
JOHN PEMBERTON – One moment in time overrides many others in my time as a Palace fan. As described by John Motson on the BBC one day in April 1990, that lovely run right at the start of the second half by this man was arguably the catalyst in one of, if not the best game in the history of the club. He was so much more than that though, a very likable character who wore his heart on his sleeve. I recall seeing him stretchered off away at Everton and was more distraught about that than the loss on the long way home.
If you missed our choice of goalkeepers, have no fear, you can find out what our writers said here about our gloved wonders. Our next instalment of this feature will be online during the next international break with selections for the centre back position.
