Clubs: Slough Town, Brighton and Hove Albion, Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers

International honours: Wales
Caps won at Palace: 19

Eric Young was Palace's superb six foot three inch defender signed from local rivals Wimbledon in 1990 but he was also effective in an attacking role at free-kicks.

He was always a terror to opponents in their own penalty areas, while the sight of his huge frame bearing down on them in readiness for a Palace free-kick or corner was a daunting one. As a defender Eric was magnificent and, wearing the headband that made him instantly recognisable, he was soon nicknamed 'Ninja' by Palace's admiring fans. Thus, it was with Eric at centre-half that the Eagles won the Full Members Cup at Wembley in 1991 and achieved its best-ever final placing of third in the top-flight.

Unusually Eric's international career with Wales came late but once he had been selected he became a regular and was a key member if the side that so narrowly missed qualification for the 1994 World Cup Finals.

Statistics

	Games	Goals
1990/1991	47	4
1991/1992	41	2
1992/1993	47	6
1993/1994	51	5
1994/1995	18	0
Total	204	17

Source: Crystal Palace Player by Player Since 1960, Rev. Nigel Sands (Sporting and Leisure Press 1996)