Terry Long RIP

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

It's with a heavy heart I have to write these notes about Terry Long who died of dementia yesterday, aged 86.

He signed for Palace from Wycombe Wanderers in 1955 and over the next 14 years broke every appearance record for Palace going, racking up 470 in all competitions, playing mainly at wing half but also slotting in at right back when called upon. He played in Div 3 South, Div 4, Div 3 and Div 2 - there was some clamour from fans for Bert Head to pick him for a game in 1969/70, Palace's first season in the top flight, to complete the set, but Bert resisted. Instead Terry settled into the coaching staff and then joined Orient and I believe Millwall at some point working as No2 to George Petchey.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Terry in about 2000, when he treated me like an old mate and regaled me with tales of life in Div 3 S and onwards. A lovely bloke and a gentleman and I shall never forget the friendship he showed to me, a mere fan.

He also played for Palace against Real Madrid in 1962, scoring the third Palace goal (in a 3-4 loss) with a 30-yard pile-driver past Araquistain. The goal I show below was from 2 feet out, against QPR in 1967, not quite as spectacular, but it gave Palace 2 points against table-toppers Rangers - and it was the last of his 18 goals for Palace.





RIP Terry, a top player and a true gent. Never to be forgotten.

[Cpfc jim]

Just read this and phoned my dad he's gutted loved Terry long and was at the Madrid game too young to see him in action but even my boy knows what a large part of our history he crafted god bless Terry