If Pembo's distribution had been somewhat better he could have been a top player. Athletic, strong, great commitment and stamina but his passing out of defence was woeful at times.

Big chest and massive boobs

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Sold him to Coventry for £850K rising to £1.2 Mill after 60 apps.

Yep, couldn't get a regular spot in our team but manages to play for England, beggars belief

John Sewell had two nicknames...Shovel because of the way that he kicked the ball and.. Duke because he was well groomed.
He was captain but in truth only average in ability.

Bert Howe was known as chopper and his nickname said all that needs to be said about him....way way down the pecking order.

Hudgell (sold to Sunderland for a british record full back fee),Clyne,Humphrey,Pemberton,Ward ,all good players.

Butterfied..OK but not very good at reading the game.

Paul (Doris or Fish)Hinshelwood to me his reputation exceeds his actual ability.

My god we've had a few good full backs and some have been so veratile many posters have confused them for others and in other positions.
David Payne played at wing half when in the reserves and played for England U23 as such, but Bert Head converted him to a very decent back. Bert Head went to Norwich/scunthorpe to buy Mel Blythe and put him in againt Manure in Palace's debut 1st Division match as an extra full back(!), who scored the firstever top div goal for us. But he was originally a centre forward who went on to play at centre half, going to Southhampton for loads to be their captain and then coming back for a short time.
Terry Fenwick was another half-back who became a very useful full baqck and played for England V Argentina, in the hand of god game. But Marydonna did skin him for the second goal,
Doris was a centre forward who made his debut and scored against Cardiff in Palace's relegation season. Turned into another fantastic full back, though his reputation rather elevates his skill. My favourite.
John, the Duke, Sewell came to Palace from Charlton as a very 'clean' right back and had to endure several 'on the pitch' slatings from the Palace left back, Eddy Presland. But it served him well and I remember many an Arsenal fan wanting him up at Highbury.
Don't ever rember Billy Gilbert at full back, but as a centre back alongside Petern Nicholas. A very hard set up.
John Pemberton was a real comic book player. Best memmory was his bolt down the wing to sling over the cross that Bright converted for the first goal that contributed to a memorable Palace victory in the semi-final v L'pool.
Marc Edworthy was a very decent player who went to Coventry for less than he was worth, but very accomplished full back.
Butter's amazing. Very skillful and that hat-trick! Left Palace as an end of career move. may have been premature as he still gives good service I think. Possibly the most loved of them all.
Peter Wall was a right back recommended by Bill Shankly at 'Pool, Bill's cousin Hynes having appeared for us over several seasons. Peter was a very accomplished defender, smooth and silky. Ironically he broke his leg against that very team in a 1-0 win for the Eagles. So bad was the break that the Scousers actually stopped the game and called over their own physio. Those nearby fans say they heard the crack. Just unlucky tho'.
Poddy Mullighan came from Chelski and put in some very nice displays. Poddy played for the Republic of Eire and left us with lots to give.
Emerson Boyce was a sound back from Luton. Having been bankrupt Luton dropped from the league, the FA had his registration, I believe, and Palace stepped in. Another gem.
When Palace went into the Prem under Alan Smith they had a black full back called Gordon who was very efficient, but didn't raise the pulse. He scored a fanatastic 40 yarder for a 1-0 win late in the season, but Palace were up by then,a very fancy team with an efficient full back.
Palace neede a fill-in for a couple of matches and the Birmingham Mark Dennis filled in, but played anywhere at the back, He was booked and sent of a record number of times, a real fire cracker that could be spoonerised as Dark Menace and you wouldn't be wrong.
John Humphry, Nat Clynne and the current lad are a level above the rest on skill alone, and although Humps was hard and Ward looks every bit the International (may become a half-back in time), Clynne is the man I would say is best.

Been watching Palace since early 80s. Best right back in my opinion was John Humphrey, certainly for the first 2 seasons he was with us. His decline was quite click though.

John Humphrey
Nathaniel Clyne
Joel Ward
Marc Edworthy
Emmerson Boyce
John Pemberton
Danny Butterfield

Edited by Stuart Shave (24 Feb 2014 9.39pm)