Congratulations to Crystal Palace's Nathianiel Clyne - Named The FourFourTwo 'Young Player of the Year'

On the 14th March, Crystal Palace's Nathaniel Clyne was named FourFourTwo 'Young Player of the Year ' at the 2010 Football League Awards gala dinner, held at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London.

The 18-year-old defender is ranked 17th in FourFourTwo’s Top 50 Football League Players list, making him the highest ranked representative aged 21 or under, and as a result, the ' Young Player of the Year ' for the Coca-Cola Football League, beating Nottingham Forest's Paul Anderson and Southampton's Adam Lallana to the title.

Past winners of the award include Fabian Delph, Michael Kightly and Gareth Bale.

Nathaniel, a product of the highly acclaimed Crystal Palace youth academy follows in the footsteps of team-mate Sean Scannell, who won the ' The Championship's Apprentice of the Year ' at the same event in 2009.

The Stockwell born full-back made his first-team debut for Crystal Palace on the 18th October 2008 against Barnsley aged 17, and was named ' Crystal Palace Young Player of the Year ' in 2009.

He has continued to play at the top of his game and has been a 'shinning light' for The Eagles, despite what has been a much publicised and difficult season for the South London side.

The quiet, well rounded teenager said of his award:
"It is very pleasing as there are a lot of young players out there playing first-team football. I’m very happy."

The England U19 international, paid tribute to former manager Neil Warnock – now at QPR following Palace's move into administration – for handing him the opportunity to perform on the big stage.
"He gave me my first-team debut and I owe a lot for that opportunity. He gave me a lot of confidence to perform out on the field."


The full interview with Nathaniel Clyne, can be found in the April issue of FourFourTwo magazine.


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Reaction from Palace fan's on the unofficial Crystal Palace supporters website Holmesdale.net -


Quality youngster and potential England right back. Congratulations Nat and well deserved - 'Lewisham Eagle'

Richly deserved, well done Nathan - 'we_hate_jon_fortune'

Another great talent that will be nicked from us next season! - 'Palace Passion'

Fantastic player. Not only is he great for his age, he's a very good right-back in general. Glad to see he's getting credit where credit's due! - 'Mr Fenandes'

Thoroughly well deserved Nathaniel.
You are a wonderful role model for all aspiring young footballers out there.
Every Palace fan should be very proud to have such a talented, level-headed individual such as yourself at the Club.
Onwards & upwards - the cream always rises to the top! - 'prideofsouthlondon'

Well-deserved. Would go to the World Cup if there was any justice. Better than Wes Brown! - 'Mr 110%'

New Business Partnership with 'Palace Echobet' - Helping Crystal Palace Football Club's Youth Academy

Beer Footy and Birds is pleased to announce an official new partnership with palace ECHO*BET, a way to have a punt AND benefit the Crystal Palace Youth Academy at the sametime.

In association with Echobet Ltd, who have carefully selected a number of online bookmaker affiliates, it means even if you lose your wager, you can take heart in the fact that C.P.F.C will benefit.

As part of their commitment to raise funds for the Club's developing stars Echobet are proud to be 19 year old Sean Scannell's shirt sponsor for the 2009/10 season.

A proportion of the profits earned by the Echobet affiliate scheme will be donated to Crystal Palace's Youth Academy, initially, in the form of player sponsorship for young players who have graduated - such as Sean Scannell (below).

To mark their inagural sponsorship, Echobet are putting up a signed Sean Scannell home shirt as a prize in our Winter draw. Click here to see how you can enter the competition.