Pardew began his playing career in non-league football, appearing at five different clubs outside of the football league while he worked part time as a glazier. Soon he would win himself a transfer to second division club and promotion hopefuls, Crystal Palace in a £7500 move.
This move could have been the highlight for Pardew, but he had much loftier ambitions. He would help the club to gain promotion back to the First Division in 1989, before playing a key role as Palace stunned English football to reach the final of the 1990 FA Cup. Pardew scored the winning goal as Palace stormed past Liverpool in a historic win for the club. They would go on to draw the final with Manchester United before losing in the final replay.
Even after falling agonisingly short, Pardew was able to help the club to a third place finish and their highest in history the following season. Overall, he would enjoy 128 …