Youngsters

The Palace academy has been one of the standout successes of the last 10 years with many top-class players emerging into the first team.

Ben Watson and Tom Soares both became integral members of the squad and secured big money moves to Premiership sides Wigan and Stoke.

Wayne Routledge and John Bostock (the youngest player ever to play for the club at 15 years and 287 days) also moved into the top flight and they look set to be followed in the not too distant future by Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and Nathaniel Clyne.

By all accounts there are yet more youngsters waiting in the wings to take their place.