Malcolm Allison saw Crystal palace enjoy a decent campaign during the 1975 – 1976 season as they finished off the term in a fifth position finish and they embarked on their finest ever run in the FA Cup as they reached the semi finals of the cup competition, however, they suffered defeat against eventual winners, Southampton in the last four of the cup competition. They met Liverpool the following year in the third round, however suffered defeat against the reds. Terry Venables was installed as the new man in charge at Crystal palace in 1976 and the future England manager guided the Eagles in to second division as they earned promotion via a 3rd position finish by the end of the campaign.
Palace adjusted well to life back in the second division as they finished off the 1977 – 1978 campaign in a very respectable ninth position finish. Venables guided Palace back in to the top flight by the end of the 1978 – 1979 season as the eagles were crowned second division champions. They crashed out of the FA Cup in the fifth round as they suffered defeat against Wolves. Venables saw palace gini9sh their 1979 – 1980 campaign in a very decent 13th position finish in the first division, their highest ever finish. They crashed out of the third round of the FA Cup, suffering defeat against Swansea City FC. Kenny Sansom was beginning to establish himself as a fine player at Selhurst Park while Jim Cannon was in fine form for the club.