Shaun Derry back at Crystal Palace – former Eagles captain takes on academy coaching role

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Former Crystal Palace captain Shaun Derry is back at the club – taking on the role of professional development coach in their academy.

The 41-year-old played 226 matches in two spells for the Eagles.

Derry has managed at Notts County and Cambridge United and was part of Karl Robinson’s backroom team at Oxford United.

“It means the world to me,” he said. “This is a club that gave me a brilliant opportunity as a player, as a 24-year-old and I spent two or three years here, experienced some brilliant highs and some lows along the way. Then coming back as a 30-year-old as a different type of player and again witnessing some incredible moments. I can tell a story to the younger players and hopefully that will be valuable for them.”

Academy boss Gary Issott said: “It’s a fantastic appointment for us. Shaun’s CV, he’s played in the Premier League, he’s been a league manager in both League One and League Two and he’s also been an assistant manager. What he brings is a real experience that’s going to be invaluable to the academy and our senior players within the set-up.

“We always try to re-invest in former players, and Shaun really feels strongly about the football club. Supporters can connect with players from the club and it’s great that the young players can see them as role models as well.”