When Crystal Palace Under-18s face Manchester United on Friday night (17th April, 19:00 BST), it will mark the club’s first appearance in an FA Youth Cup semi-final for over 30 years.
Palace’s 4-3 aggregate win over Blackburn Rovers in 1996/97 remains a landmark moment in Academy history, and the first leg at Selhurst Park produced a starting XI packed with talent, future professionals, and stories that would go far beyond youth football.
As the next generation prepare to write their own chapter, we look back at the side that last carried the Eagles into the final four of the competition.
Born in Durban, South Africa, Ormshaw began his career at Ramblers FC before moving to England at 16 to join Palace’s youth set-up. A promising young 'keeper, he progressed through the ranks but never made a senior appearance for the Eagles.
After leaving Selhurst Park, he went into non-league football with Maidenhead United before returning to South Africa in 2001 with Ajax Cape Town. His career continued across the South African top flight with Silver Stars and Lamontville Golden Arrows, alongside spells in the domestic game.
Originally an outfield player at the School of Excellence, Ormshaw’s switch to goalkeeping proved decisive in shaping his career. He is also the son of former AmaZulu defender Jimmy Ormshaw.
A highly rated youth international, Hibburt captained England schoolboy sides featuring future stars including Michael Owen and Wes Brown and even faced a Brazil team containing a young Ronaldinho at the old Wembley.
He rose through the Palace Academy and earned a first-team debut away at Bolton Wanderers, where he impressed despite a difficult era for the club. He also featured in European competition, including the Intertoto Cup.
Injuries, however, halted his momentum and after spells at Brentford and FC Dallas, he moved into coaching, working in non-league football to support released academy players.
Carlisle joined Palace’s youth set-up in 1996 and went on to make 46 league appearances for the club, scoring three goals. A versatile midfielder, he later featured for Swindon Town on loan before departing in 2002.
His career continued in the Football League with Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient and Exeter City, where he played a key role in their 2008 play-off run, scoring in both legs of the semi-final.
After further spells with Torquay United and Truro City, Carlisle moved into coaching, eventually returning to Exeter in a full-time staff role and later working as an assistant manager at multiple clubs including Bath City where he is now.
Kennedy progressed through Palace’s youth system in the mid-90s and signed professionally in 1997 after impressing at youth level and in the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup.
Despite his promise, he never made a senior appearance for the Eagles. A double hernia injury disrupted his progress, and after spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Brentford, he rebuilt his career in Welsh football with Barry Town.
He later enjoyed success in Europe and domestic competition in Wales before moving into fitness coaching after retiring.
Woozley turned professional at Palace in 1997 and made over 20 league appearances in his breakthrough season. A solid defender, he went on to play for clubs including Torquay United and Oxford United.
After briefly stepping into management at Crawley Town, he retired from professional football at 27 and joined the Fire Service while continuing to play in non-league football.
He later captained Windsor & Eton and Slough Town, becoming a respected leader across the non-league system.
One of the standout names from the group, Mullins went on to enjoy a long and successful professional career.
A Palace academy graduate, he made 246 appearances for the Eagles before playing over 100 games for West Ham United and also representing Portsmouth, Reading, Birmingham City and Notts County.
After retiring, he moved into coaching, working at Watford’s academy and later becoming head coach at Colchester United. He has since held various development roles, most recently working with Fulham’s U21s and international teams.
Stevens’ Palace story is less widely documented but he was part of a talented youth cohort during the mid-1990s, alongside players such as Gareth Southgate and Steve Rogers in earlier academy groups.
He was named Development Player of the Year and highly regarded within the system, but like many at the time, competition for first-team places was intense and he ultimately did not make a senior appearance for the Eagles.
A hardworking midfielder, Graham progressed through the Palace youth ranks and featured in the side that won the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup in 1996/97.
He made his senior debut in 1999 and went on to feature for Brentford and Crawley Town before becoming a key figure in non-league football with Margate, AFC Wimbledon and Croydon Athletic.
Later in his career he took on player-coach responsibilities, building a reputation as a leader across the non-league game.
Martin rose through the youth system and made his senior debut in 1999, going on to score twice in a 1999/00 campaign that saw him make 18 appearances for the Eagles.
After leaving Palace, he played for Torquay United and Hereford United before building a long career in non-league football with clubs including Sutton United, Dulwich Hamlet and AFC Wimbledon.
He later moved into coaching, focusing on youth development and school football programmes, and is now based at Whitgift, where he continues to work in the education and development game.
One of Palace’s most iconic academy graduates, Morrison made an immediate impact, scoring a last-minute winner on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in 1998 at Selhurst Park.
He went on to become a prolific striker for the club, scoring 113 goals in total across two spells and becoming one of Palace’s all-time leading scorers.
Morrison also played in the Premier League with Birmingham City and represented the Republic of Ireland over 30 times internationally, scoring key goals throughout his career.
Born in London but raised in Ireland, Folan joined Palace as a teenager and progressed through the academy before making his senior debut in 1998 and featuring in European competition.
After leaving in 1998, he joined Brentford, helping them win the Third Division title, before continuing his career in Irish football with Bohemians and Galway United.
Persistent injuries disrupted his momentum, but he remained a respected figure in Irish domestic football.
