Clubs: Crystal Palace, Derby County, West Ham United, Sunderland, Wimbledon, Colchester United, Peterborough United (L)
Dave Swindlehurst was Palace's big, strong goalscorer as the club forced its way back to the First Division limelight from the obscurity of the Third Division between 1974 and 1979.
Brave and accurate in the air, Dave consistently proved his ability to find the net at all levels, but perhaps the goal for which he will be best remembered by Palace fans of the period was that which he scored against Leeds in January 1976 when Third Division Palace dismissed the mighty Yorkshire side on the way to the FA Cup semi-final. It was a gloriously struck header that arrowed its way into the top corner of Leeds' net to settle the Fourth Round tie.
In spite of his physique, and like many bug strikers, Dave was a sensitive fellow and pre-match tension was a real problem for him in his earlier days, but he overcame that worry successfully and went on to make a substantial contribution to Palace's return to the big-time.
Statistics
|
|
Games |
Goals |
|
1972/1973 |
2 |
0 |
|
1973/1974 |
9 |
0 |
|
1974/1975 |
43 |
15 |
|
1975/1976 |
54 |
19 |
|
1976/1977 |
51 |
13 |
|
1977/1978 |
43 |
12 |
|
1978/1979 |
46 |
15 |
|
1979/1980 |
30 |
7 |
|
Total |
278 |
81 |
Source: Crystal Palace Player by Player Since 1960, Rev. Nigel Sands (Sporting and Leisure Press 1996)
