In May 1996, Nash was signed by Crystal Palace manager Dave Bassett for an initial fee of £35,000 (rising to £45,000 after ten first-team games, and including a 10% sell-on fee), in what was a club record transfer for Clitheroe. He made his professional debut in the First Division on 21 September, in a 6–1 victory at Reading.
In May 1996, Nash joined Crystal Palace under manager Dave Bassett for an initial fee of £35,000 (rising to £45,000 after ten first-team games and including a 10% sell-on clause), setting the club's transfer record at Clitheroe. He debuted in the First Division on September 21st, scoring six goals in a match against Reading.