Crystal Palace play Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kyiv in the Conference League on Thursday evening. Only one player has ever represented both clubs: Steve Vickers.
Crystal Palace embark on an exciting Conference League campaign with an opening match away in Poland against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv.
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season to land themselves a spot in Europe, and the Eagles go into this game in fine form.
Last time out, Crystal Palace scored a 97th minute winner against Liverpool to win the game 2-1, now finding themselves in 3rd place of the Premier League table.
Dynamo Kyiv meanwhile sit 2nd in the Ukrainian top flight and are unbeaten in their last 39 league games. Palace meanwhile are unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions.
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Who is Steve Vickers? The only player to play for Crystal Palace and Dynamo Kyiv
Crystal Palace and Dynamo Kyiv have never played each other before. But they do have one thing in common: Steve Vickers.
According to FBREF, Vickers played just the one game for Dynamo Kyiv whilst playing six for Crystal Palace during a loan move from Middlesbrough in 2001.
Vickers played a full 90 for Kyiv in 2003, in the twilight of his career which began way back in 1984 with Spennymoor United, before moving to Tranmere Rovers a year later.
He spent eight years at Tranmere, making more than 300 appearances before joining Middlesbrough in 1993. The defender, now aged 57, spent another eight years with Middlesbrough making over 250 total appearances, before spells with Palace, Birmingham City, and then Dynamo Kyiv.
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What Steve Vickers said about his time at Crystal Palace
Vickers’ time at Selhurst Park was short-lived. He was at the club during the 2001/02 season but uncertainty over Steve Bruce’s future at the club (he was sacked on November 2nd) played a part in him not securing a permanent move to the club, despite Vickers enjoying his time in South London.
Speaking to Sky Sports way back in the 01/02 season, Vickers said: “I enjoyed my loan spell at Crystal Palace but it looks as though a Palace move is off for good. It is a pity it did not work out with Palace. I left there on a high but I am now in limbo at Middlesbrough.”
Then Boro boss Steve McClaren didn’t favour Vickers who joined Birmingham City on loan for the second half of the 2001/02 season, eventually signing for the club on a permanent basis.
Crystal Palace’s game against Dynamo Kyiv kicks off at 5:45pm on Thursday afternoon and will be shown live on Amazon Prime and TNT Sports.
