Played For Both: Palace & Millwall

Club

10 Jul 2025

With Crystal Palace set to face fierce South London rivals Millwall in a friendly this Saturday, we take a look back at the unique connections between these two clubs through the stories of five players who have worn both shirts.

The Eagles get their season underway in earnest this Saturday (12th July, 12:00 BST) against our fellow South Londoners – and with the match being played behind closed doors, Palace TV+ is the only way to watch our start to the 2025/26 season.

There have been 99 competitive games against the Lions, the most recent of which coming just last year, in the fifth round of our FA Cup winning campaign.

Ahead of Saturday's game, we revisit the careers of five players who have pulled on the shirts of both Palace and Millwall.

Jason Puncheon

(Millwall 2010-11 [loan], Palace 2013-14 [loan], 2014-19)

Puncheon made 153 competitive appearances for the Eagles, proving to be an essential part of Palace’s continued presence in the Premier League.

Most notably, he scored the opener in the 2016 FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester United, smashing in a half-volley to give Palace the lead.

However, in a twist of fate, Jason Puncheon's future club was infamously on the receiving end of his brilliance back on New Year's Day 2011. While on loan at Millwall, he fired a hat-trick at The Den against Palace. Little did the travelling Eagles know that day the impact he would eventually have at the club.

Shaun Derry

(Palace 2002-05 / 2007-08 [loan] / 2008-10, Millwall 2013 [loan] )

Former Palace captain Sean Derry has had many memorable moments in red and blue.

The midfielder was integral to Palace's 2004 Premier League return, playing every minute of the play-off final and assisting Darren Powell's last-gasp equaliser in the semi-final.

He was named captain in his second spell at the club, playing every minute of the 2009/10 Championship season.

Across his 20-year career, where Derry made 567 competitive appearances, fans might remember that seven of these appearances were for Millwall, during a short loan in 2013.

Andros Townsend

(Millwall 2011 [loan], Palace 2016-21)

Andros Townsend and Jason Puncheon proved to be a potent combination for Palace in the Premier League, but both players also featured for Millwall during their 2010/11 season.

Both arrived at the Den on short-term loans from Tottenham and Southampton respectively, and would go on to make a combined 321 Premier League appearances for the Eagles.

Among Townsend’s 26 Premier League goals, the most memorable came for Palace: a stunning 30-yard volley against Manchester City in December 2018.

Nominated for the 2019 FIFA Puskás Award, it's arguably Palace’s best-ever Premier League goal.

Romain Esse

(Millwall 2022-25, Palace 2025-)

Romain Esse became Palace’s first signing of 2025, signing for the club from Millwall on the 18th January.

A product of the Millwall academy, Esse shone in South London – scoring six goals in 61 appearances in blue and white.

He had a brilliant start to life in SE25 as well, scoring with his very first touch in the Premier League, just 30 seconds after coming on against Brentford last season.

At just 20 years old, there is still so much to come from the young winger.

Kevin Muscat

(Palace 1996-97, Millwall 2003-05)

53 league appearances for Palace, 53 league appearances for Millwall – Kevin Muscat was a consistent presence for both clubs.

He was part of the Palace team that first won promotion to the Premier League in 1997 and made nine appearances in the top-flight for the Eagles.

After a five-year spell at Wolves and a season at Rangers, Muscat then returned to South London by joining Millwall in 2003.

He helped the club make history in 2004, captaining the team on the majority of their run to a first-ever FA Cup Final appearance. Muscat missed the 3-0 defeat against Manchester United in the final, but was still presented with a runners-up' medal.

Further connections:

While the list above (and indeed below) is by no means exhaustive, other players to have represented both clubs include:

Calvin Andrew
Tony Craig
Chris Day
Jermaine Easter
Andy Frampton
Ricardo Fuller
Owen Garvan
Lewis Grabban
Paul Ifill
Matthew Lawrence
Dave Martin
Jonathan Obika
Mark Bright
Andy Roberts
Richard Shaw
Ryan Smith
Dave Tuttle
Jamie Vincent
Darren Ward
Noel Whelan

The list of those who've worn both shirts also features prominent names like Paul Hinshelwood, a Palace stalwart with 276 appearances from 1973-1983, and Chris Armstrong, who netted 31 goals in 87 games for the Eagles - after spending the 1991/92 season at Millwall.

Match Details

Crystal Palace v Millwall
Friendly
Saturday, 12th July, 12:00 BST
Available only on Palace TV+

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