Billy Gilbert
Defender
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Biography
Date of birth
10/11/1959
Signed
Billy Gilbert was one of several of the ‘79 promotion-winning squad who began life in south London as part of the FA Youth Cup-winning side of 1977.
READ MORE: Palace's strongest FA Youth Cup XI over time
In October ’77 his first-team selection came about due to injury to Ian Evans and it was not long before the Lewisham-born defender became a regular fixture in Terry Venables’ starting XI.
A partnership with Jim Cannon in the promotion-winning 1979 side helped the club reach the top-flight with the best defensive record in its history.
Gilbert only missed five games out of the club’s 84 played in the First Division during his time at Selhurst Park and then continued in the side in the lower division until he left in 1984 - a year in which his performances were rewarded with the Player of the Season trophy.
READ MORE: Remembering Palace's 'Team of the Eighties'
| Signed from | Youth Team |
| Debut | v Blackpool 4/10/77 |
| Managers at Palace | Terry Venables, Ernie Walley, Malcolm Allison, Dario Gradi, Steve Kember, Alan Mullery. |
| Appearances | 273 |
| Goals | 4 |
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