Celebrate the emergence of one of Crystal Palace's most memorable teams with the Crystal Palace 1987–88 Home Retro Football Jersey. Under manager Steve Coppell, the Eagles competed in the Football League Second Division and finished sixth with 75 points, recording 22 victories and scoring an impressive 86 league goals. Although Palace narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs, the campaign represented an important stage in the club's development. The foundations established during this period would lead to promotion to the First Division in 1989 and further success in the years that followed.
The season was particularly notable for the outstanding attacking partnership between Ian Wright and Mark Bright. Wright scored 23 goals across the campaign, while Bright finished as the Second Division's leading league scorer with 24 goals, contributing 25 in all competitions. Their pace, movement and finishing ability made Palace one of the division's most dangerous attacking teams. Midfielders Geoff Thomas, Andy Gray and Alan Pardew provided valuable support, while experienced players including Jim Cannon contributed to the team's competitive performances. Together, this developing squad helped establish the foundations of an exciting era at Selhurst Park.
The home jersey features Crystal Palace's traditional red-and-blue vertical stripes, complemented by a distinctive red polo-style collar that captures the character of late-1980s English football. The club crest is displayed on the chest, reinforcing the Eagles' identity. The design is associated with the Andrew Copeland shirt sponsorship used during the earlier part of the campaign, before the club introduced Fly Virgin sponsorship in February 1988. Its classic striped appearance, traditional collar and connection to the early Wright–Bright partnership make this retro jersey a particularly meaningful collector's piece for Crystal Palace supporters and enthusiasts of vintage English football shirts.
Please refer to the size guidance on this product page for detailed measurements.
Crystal Palace 1987-88 Home Jersey
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Size Guidance (Retro Jersey)
Size Chest (in) Length (in) Rec. Height (ft/in) Rec. Weight (lb) S 39 28 65–67 121–132 M 41 28 67–69 132–154 L 43 29 69–71 154–176 XL 44 30 71–75 176–198 XXL 46 31 75–79 198–220 Note: All sizes are for reference only. Manual measurement may result in an error of ±1 inch.
IN BETWEEN SIZES?
That's easier said than done. Because what do you do if you are in between two sizes?
Well, that's up to you. Do you like a tight fit? Go for the smaller size. Loving a loose fit? Go for the larger size.
TOP FIT
If your body measurements for chest and waist result in two different suggested sizes, order the size from your chest measurement.
Season Information
Information
Details
Season/Year
1987–88
Club
Crystal Palace Football Club
Country
England
Competition
Football League Second Division, FA Cup, League Cup
League Position
6th – Second Division
Manager
Steve Coppell
Home Stadium
Selhurst Park
Key Players
Ian Wright, Mark Bright, Geoff Thomas, Andy Gray, Alan Pardew, John Pemberton, Gary O'Reilly
Kit Type
Home
Primary Colours
Red and blue
Collar
Red polo-style collar
Shirt Sponsor
Andrew Copeland (early season); Fly Virgin (from February 1988)
Club Identity
The Eagles
Historical Significance
Early development of the celebrated Wright–Bright attacking partnership and Palace's progress towards top-flight promotion
The 1987–88 season represented an important stage in Crystal Palace's development under Steve Coppell. Competing in the Football League Second Division, the Eagles finished sixth, narrowly missing the promotion places. The campaign featured the growing influence of Ian Wright and the arrival of Mark Bright, whose attacking partnership would become one of the most celebrated in the club's history. With players such as Geoff Thomas, Andy Gray and Alan Pardew contributing to the squad, Palace continued building the foundations of the team that would secure promotion to the First Division in 1989.
Rec. Player Printing Options
For the Crystal Palace 1987–88 home jersey, traditional number-only printing is the most historically appropriate choice. English Football League clubs used match-specific shirt numbers during this period, before permanent squad numbering became standard. Player names may be offered as optional modern customisation, but they were not printed on the original match shirts.
Best Printing Choice: WRIGHT 10
Other Strong Options: BRIGHT 9 / THOMAS / GRAY / PARDEW / CANNON
Printing
Recommendation
WRIGHT 10
Ian Wright was one of Palace's most exciting attacking players, scoring 23 goals across the campaign. Number 10 is an iconic choice associated with his early Palace career.
BRIGHT 9
Mark Bright was the Second Division's leading league goalscorer with 24 goals, finishing with 25 in all competitions. An equally strong choice directly connected to the season's achievements.
GEOFF THOMAS
A talented and influential midfielder who would become a central figure in Palace's subsequent promotion and top-flight success. Match-specific number confirmation recommended.
ANDY GRAY
An experienced attacking midfielder whose creativity and versatility contributed to Palace's developing team under Steve Coppell. Match-specific number confirmation recommended.
ALAN PARDEW
A hardworking midfielder who later became an important member of the Palace side that reached the 1990 FA Cup final. Match-specific number confirmation recommended.
JIM CANNON
One of Crystal Palace's greatest long-serving defenders, representing continuity between different generations of the club. Match-specific number confirmation recommended.
DETAILED RECOMMENDATION
We recommend WRIGHT 10 as the best printing choice for the Crystal Palace 1987–88 Home Jersey. Ian Wright was emerging as one of the most exciting strikers in English football, scoring 23 goals during the campaign and forming a formidable partnership with Mark Bright. His attacking ability and legendary association with Crystal Palace make him an outstanding choice.
BRIGHT 9 is an equally compelling alternative, celebrating the Second Division's leading league goalscorer with 24 goals. GEOFF THOMAS represents the team's growing midfield strength, while JIM CANNON honours one of the club's greatest servants.
For maximum historical authenticity, traditional number-only printing is recommended.
