Tommy Black

Black began his career with Arsenal as a trainee, where he played alongside his older brother Michael. He was a regular in Arsenal's 1998 FA Premier Youth League-winning side, and was later sent out on loan twice for one month with Carlisle United and for a month with Bristol City. He made just two first team appearances for Arsenal, one in the League Cup against Middlesbrough on 30 November 1999 which Arsenal lost on penalties, and the other in the Premier League in a 1–0 win against Everton on 29 April 2000. Unable to break into the Arsenal first team, Black signed for Crystal Palace in July 2000 for £500,000. Black played regularly and was well liked at Palace, receiving the Division One Player of the Month award in December 2002. After Palace were promoted a loan bid came in from Leeds United for both Black and Dougie Freedman – both were rejected. However, he did join Sheffield United on loan for a month in December 2004, scoring once against Coventry City, and in January 2006, still unable to break into the first team, he went out on loan again, this time to Gillingham, where he scored five goals and was an instant hit with the fans. Nevertheless, Gillingham did not purchase him, and Black later had the choice of another loan move, to either Bradford City or Brentford. Black chose Bradford, after Brentford withdrew their bid through lack of funds, but his spell at Bradford was cut short after just six games, when he broke a rib. Black was released by Palace in May 2007…

Crystal Palace

Football League First Division play-offs: 2004