Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Stuart Burgess
Guest(s)
Release Date
4 September 2025
Duration
79 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by London regular Stuart Burgess to revisit the brilliance of Crystal Palace between 1987 and 1991.
Guided by Steve Coppell, Palace rebuilt with smart recruitment, including scouting non-league gems like Ian Wright, whose late-blooming rise to stardom transformed the team. Alongside Mark Bright, Wright formed one of English football’s most effective and culturally significant strike duos — “Wright and Bright.”
The conversation relives Palace’s thrilling run to the 1990 FA Cup final, including their shock win over Liverpool and their dramatic showdown with Manchester United, a match that cemented Coppell’s reputation as one of the brightest young managers in the game. Beyond results, the episode explores how this Palace side reflected a changing England — diverse, resilient, and unafraid to challenge tradition.
Takeaways
Steve Coppell’s innovative management and eye for non-league talent
The rise of Ian Wright and his partnership with Mark Bright
Palace’s thrilling run to the 1990 FA Cup final
The cultural impact of a diverse and fearless squad
How Coppell’s Palace helped redefine the club’s identity in English football
Crystal Palace 1987–1991: Rise of South London Pride
Between 1987 and 1991, Crystal Palace experienced the most successful spell in their history — a rise built not on money, but on vision, character, and togetherness. When Steve Coppell took over in 1984, the former Manchester United winger was the youngest manager in the Football League. By the end of the decade, he had forged a side capable of beating anyone in England.
Promotion in 1989 marked the start of something special. Palace combined the raw finishing of Ian Wright and Mark Bright with the leadership of Geoff Thomas, the creativity of John Salako, and the defensive grit of Andy Thorn and Eric Young. At a time when English football was struggling for identity after the Heysel ban, Palace represented a working-class revival — tough, honest, and impossible to bully.
The 1990 FA Cup run became the stuff of legend. The semi-final against Liverpool, a 4–3 extra-time classic, remains one of the greatest in the competition’s history. At Wembley, Wright’s late brace forced a replay against Manchester United — a game many still feel Palace could have won. The following season, Coppell’s men finished third in the league — above Liverpool and Arsenal — cementing their place in football folklore.
This was a team of contrasts: aggression and artistry, flair and ferocity. Coppell’s quiet intelligence held it all together. He nurtured homegrown players, inspired loyalty, and gave Palace fans something they had never truly felt before — sustained belief. The dream faded as stars were sold, but for a fleeting moment, South London ruled the top flight.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Coppell’s appointment and youth-driven rebuild
Promotion from the Second Division in 1989
FA Cup Final run in 1990 and the 3–3 thriller vs Manchester United
Third place in Division One (1990–91) — Palace’s highest-ever finish
The Wright & Bright strike partnership
Cultural identity of Selhurst Park and South London football
The 4–3 FA Cup Semi-Final victory over Liverpool (1990)
The 3–3 FA Cup Final vs Manchester United — one of Wembley’s great cup finals
Finishing third in Division One in 1990–91, ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal
Wright’s two goals in the FA Cup Final replay despite injury comeback
Notable Manager
Steve Coppell
Notable Players
Ian Wright, Mark Bright, Geoff Thomas, John Salako, Andy Gray, Nigel Martyn
Style of Play
4-4-2, direct, counter-attack, physical, compact, transitional
Steve Coppell’s Palace side were masters of balance — direct and disciplined, yet capable of explosive attacking football. Their foundation was a sturdy 4-4-2 built around defensive organisation and rapid transitions.
The back four, led by Andy Thorn and Eric Young, were physical but composed, protecting goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, whose shot-stopping became legendary. In midfield, Geoff Thomas embodied Palace’s spirit — box-to-box, fearless, and relentless — supported by the energy of John Pemberton and the delivery of John Salako on the wings.
In attack, the partnership of Ian Wright and Mark Bright defined Palace’s identity. Wright’s movement and finishing instincts paired perfectly with Bright’s strength and aerial dominance. The side thrived on counter-attacks: winning second balls, breaking quickly down the flanks, and capitalising on chaos.
Set-pieces were another weapon. Coppell’s Palace scored countless goals from corners and free-kicks, using their physical presence to unsettle opponents. Despite being labelled a long-ball team by critics, they were more nuanced — efficient rather than crude. Coppell’s background as a technical player informed his demand for control in key moments.
Palace’s football was honest, intense, and emotionally charged — a reflection of the fans who packed Selhurst Park. It wasn’t pretty, but it was powerful, and for a brief spell, it took them to the very top of English football.
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