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Crawley Town F.C.

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Crawley Town
Crawley Town crest
Full nameCrawley Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Reds,[1] Red Devils
Founded1896; 128 years ago (1896)
GroundBroadfield Stadium
Capacity6,134
ChairmanDave Pottinger
ManagerMark Yates
LeagueLeague Two
2014–15League One, 22nd (Relegated)
Websitehttp://www.crawleytownfc.com/
Current season

Crawley Town Football Club is an association football club founded in 1896, and based in Crawley, West Sussex, England. Crawley play in Football League Two, the fourth tier in the English football league system, having been relegated on the last day of the 2014–15 season following a 1–2 defeat at home against Coventry City. The club's home ground is at Broadfield Stadium. First promoted to the Football Conference in 2004, the club survived a financial crisis to win promotion to the Football League in the 2010–11 season. In the same year they reached the 5th round of the FA Cup, where they lost to Manchester United 1–0.

History

Early years

Formed in 1896, Crawley Town became founding members of the West Sussex Football League that year, joining the Junior Division.[2] They remained in the West Sussex league for five years before transferring to the Mid-Sussex League, winning the League in only their second season

They stayed at this level until they entered the Sussex County League in 1951 before switching again five years later to the Metropolitan League, which was a competition for both professional and amateur sides. Crawley retained their amateur status and went on to win the Metropolitan League Challenge Cup in 1959.

Crawley turned semi-professional in 1962 and the following year they joined Division One of the Southern League. In 1969 they were promoted to Premier Division of the Southern League but the joy was short lived as the following season they were relegated back to the first division where they remained until the 1983–84 season when they were promoted as runners-up.[3]

The club have enjoyed many cup successes, winning the Sussex Professional Cup in 1970, the Gilbert Rice Floodlight Cup in 1980 and 1984, the Southern Counties Combination Floodlight Cup in 1986, and the Sussex Senior Cup in 1990 and 1991. The Sussex Floodlight Cup was won in three consecutive years from 1991 to 1993 and also again in 1998–99.[3]

Despite several cup successes, Crawley's most successful cup run at the time was in the 1991–92 season when they reached The FA Cup third round proper and played local rivals Brighton, losing 5–0 in front of 18,301 at the Goldstone Ground.[4]

In 2004 The Red Devils signed off their 20-season stay in the Premier Division of the Southern League by wrapping up the championship in convincing style, ending up 12 points clear of the field and adding their second successive League Cup success and the league's Championship Match trophy. The title was wrapped up with four matches remaining, as a 3–0 victory at Welling United sparked emotional celebrations from a large travelling contingent. Crawley would now be playing in the Football Conference, the highest level of non-League football, for the first time in their history.

Conference

A final position of 12th in their first season in the National Division was an amazing achievement for the club who finished as the highest ranked part-time team in the country. Crawley also retained the Sussex Senior Cup by defeating Ringmer.

In 2005 the SA Group bought the club and made the decision to go full-time for the first time in the club's history. Although this was necessary in order to allow them to compete in the division,[5] it led to the departure of several key players, including fans' favourite Charlie MacDonald and goalkeeper Andy Little, who were unable to give up their day jobs to play full-time.

The 2005–06 season didn't start well for Crawley as the club found themselves 3rd from bottom and out of the FA Cup after a shock defeat to Braintree Town. Francis Vines was subsequently sacked and replaced by former Chelsea FC manager and player John Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer.[6] Things got worse for Crawley and as attendances dropped so too did the club's income; the club's owners were forced to slash the players and staff wages by 50% due to lack of funds. Several key players left the club, including captain Ian Simpemba, Simon Wormull and record signing Daryl Clare; it looked certain that relegation was on the cards.[7] However five straight wins through March and April saw the club climb the table to 17th place and remarkably beat the drop by 10 points. The club were docked three points at the end of the season for breaching the annual playing budget but this had no effect on the final standings and Crawley's league status was safe but they later went into administration.[8]

In August 2006 it was announced that the club would fold due to their debts, and they came within an hour of the liquidation deadline. However, a last-minute rescue package saved the club and allowed them to carry on playing, albeit with a 10-point deduction for entering administration.[9]

Crawley started the 2006–07 season by winning their opening three games and all but wiped out their 10-point deduction. The following month, however, the club's form dipped and this led to John Hollins and Alan Lewer losing their jobs. The news did not go down well with the fans as the pair had stuck with Crawley when others decided to leave and they had managed to lift the club off the bottom despite a 10-point deduction. They were replaced by players Ben Judge and David Woozley with the help of John Yems, the former Fulham FC and Millwall FC coach.[10] Life started well for the trio who picked up 10 points from a possible 12. Crawley finished 18th in the division and managed to beat the drop after securing the point they needed on the final day of the season.

For the start of the 2007–08 season a new regime was put into place which included Victor Marley as club Chairman and Steve Evans as manager, with Paul Raynor as assistant. The season didn't get off to the best of starts as the club was docked six points due to their financial standing. Crawley finished the season in a respectable 15th place, and were runners-up in the Sussex Senior Cup, despite the club's financial position and points deduction.

In April 2008 Prospect Estate Holdings Limited took control of Crawley after buying it from the SA Group in conjunction with former owner John Duly. The club's financial worries were over and the club could look to build again and start the 2008–09 season on a level playing field.

FA Cup run & Football League

In 2010 Bruce Winfield announced that he and Susan Carter had become majority shareholders and had attracted new investment for the club, some of which came from overseas.[11] The investment allowed manager Steve Evans to start rebuilding the squad, which saw 23 players signed over a six-month period including Matt Tubbs, for £70,000[12] Sergio Torres for a record £100,000,[13] and Richard Brodie for an undisclosed fee,[14] the fee paid is estimated at a new Conference record of £275,000.

The investment paid off as Crawley were challenging for promotion to The Football League and embarked on a remarkable F.A Cup run having beaten Championship Derby County 2–1 in the 3rd round, followed by a 1–0 win at League Two side Torquay United[15] in the 4th round and setting up a dream tie at Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the 5th round.[16] Crawley lost the game 1–0 in front of 9,000 Crawley fans and were denied a draw in the 93rd minute when Richard Brodie's header hit the bar.[17]

Crawley's cup run and the death of owner Bruce Winfield,[18] didn't halt their progress in the league as just 19 days after Winfield's death Crawley secured the Conference title by beating Tamworth 3–0 and reaching The Football League for the first time in the club's history.[19]

They once again enjoyed success in the FA Cup which saw them beat Championship teams Bristol City[20] at home and Hull City[21] away both 1–0. They suffered a 2–0 defeat against Stoke City in the 5th round. This was Crawley's first Premier League opposition played at the Broadfield Stadium.

Crawley finished the year of 2011 top of League Two; a positive start to their first campaign in league football. However, despite continued success in the FA Cup, form slipped. Between 17 December 2011, and 13 March 2012, Crawley won just two league games out of a possible fourteen. Many argued the sales of Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett for £800,000[22] and £1,100,000[23] respectively, as well as failing to reach a deal over Andy Drury[24] contributed to their dip in form. Three Crawley players were involved in a post-match brawl[25] against Bradford City, including former club captain Pablo Mills (suspended for six matches) and fellow defender Claude Davis (suspended for four matches). Five players from both clubs were suspended in total[26] equalling the record for the most dismissals in an English game. Consequently, Crawley were fined £18,000.[27] Following an F.A. inquiry into the events that took place, Kyle McFadzean[28] was handed a four-game suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct. All three players have since released apology statements, and were all fined two weeks wages.[29] Despite apologising,[30] Mills was stripped of his captaincy for not befitting the role of a club captain.[31] He was released by the club at the conclusion of the 2011/12 season.

On 9 April, it was announced that Steve Evans had parted company[32] with Crawley to take up a post at Rotherham United. Evans revealed "In my opinion, how far can I take Crawley Town? League One certainly, but beyond that I was not so sure". Evans had previously admitted frustration over the departures of Matt Tubbs and Tyrone Barnett. Assistant Manager Paul Raynor also left the club with immediate effect.[33]

On Saturday 5 May Crawley secured League One promotion, courtesy of a 67th minute Scott Neilson strike against Accrington Stanley.

It was announced on 12 May, that Crawley were in talks to appoint Sean O'Driscoll as their new manager. Under a tight budget at Doncaster Rovers he achieved promotion to the Football League Championship in his first full season. He was appointed as manager four days later. But, he left on 12 July, to become the new manager of Nottingham Forest, meaning that he never took charge of Crawley for a single game.

On 7 August 2012, Crawley appointed Bury F.C. manager Richie Barker as their new manager.[34]

On Sunday 3 May 2015, Crawley were relegated to League Two, following a 1–2 defeat at home to Coventry City.

Financial problems

Although Crawley Town FC had been in administration in the late 1990s, trouble began in March 2006 when the club's players and staff were made to take a 50% pay cut and the entire squad was put up for sale; Crawley went into administration in June of that year.[7] It was revealed by local newspaper The Argus several days later that the Chairman Chas Majeed was an undischarged bankrupt and therefore banned from holding a high position within the club.[35] Majeed later resigned from his post but remained on in some capacity.

The Reds' fans started a "Red Card" campaign in order to remove Chas Majeed and his owner brother Azwar Majeed from the club. It was revealed that the club was around £1.1million in debt with nearly £400,000 due to HM Revenue and Customs, and the Majeeds claimed they were owed £700,000 by the club. By July of that year the debts were closer to £1.4 million, including money owed to current and former staff, and an offer of 25p in the pound was rejected by the creditors. With HM Revenue and Customs unwilling to move on their demand and being the biggest creditor (the Majeeds were unable to vote on the matter despite being owed money), it looked unlikely that the club would be saved.

By August 2006, only one bid had come in for the club which was from the current owners; it was rejected by three to one; the administrators were therefore obliged to liquidate the club and it was announced that the club would fold later that day.[36] However, a couple of days later, in one final attempt to rescue the club, the creditors met again to decide on a final offer. The creditors were split and so the administrator voted in Crawley Town's favour, allowing them to start the new season. The creditors would meet 14 days later to decide on an offer of 50p in the pound. The club was told that if the offer was rejected then the club would fold there and then, and there would be no going back.[36] By September 2006 the club's debt was at £1.8 million making former/current players and staff the biggest creditors and giving hope that a rescue bid would be accepted. The offer of 50p in the pound was later accepted and Crawley Town were able to continue playing for now, though this didn't stop HM Revenue and Customs from trying to wind up the SAGroup (Majeed's company) over unpaid taxes.[37] Azwar Majeed was later jailed for tax fraud relating to his various other businesses.[38]

In May 2007, it was confirmed that all of Crawley Town's debts had been cleared. However, complications arose and as a result Crawley were given a six-point penalty for the new season and a transfer embargo was put in place because of financial irregularities.[39] It is believed that Crawley failed to confirm to the league that the debts had been paid.

After a short period of stability, Crawley Town ended up in the High Court in London to face a winding-up order on 17 February 2010; again this was because of money being owed to HMRC. The hearing was adjourned until 17 March 2010.[40] The latest setback appeared to be the end of Crawley Town, as the club had very few assets to sell in order to satisfy the debt. However, the case was later dismissed by the High Court as the club proved the debt had been paid.[41]

In a move that showed confidence in the new management, on 29 March 2010 Crawley Borough Council agreed to lease the Broadfield Stadium to Crawley Town F.C., and to help secure the long-term sustainability of the club.[42]

Ground

Broadfield Stadium

Crawley Town FC spent 48 years at their Town Mead home until the land was sold to developers in 1997. The club then moved to the Broadfield Stadium, about two miles across town. The stadium has a capacity of 5,996 people, and is owned by Crawley Borough Council.

In January 2012 the application for the new 2,000-seater East Stand (and facilities including new turnstiles and Premier League standard flood lights) was accepted by Crawley Council.[43] The upgrade is required to meet the League rules which require a minimum 5,000 capacity stadium. After just one week of construction, the new East Stand was completed on 2 April 2012, bringing the total capacity of the Broadfield Stadium to 5,500. Upon completion, Crawley's first game with the new stand was against League Two side Crewe Alexandra on 6 April. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with a new record crowd of 4,723 (previously 4,522).[44][45]

The record attendance reached 5,880 on Saturday 5 January 2013 when Crawley Town hosted Reading in FA Cup[46]

In August 2013 it was announced that the club had agreed a sponsorship deal with the online trades comparison company Checkatrade to rename the stadium as The Checkatrade.com Stadium. although it is still known as the Broadfield by many [47]

Rivalries

Crawley Town supporters view AFC Wimbledon as their biggest rivals in a 2012 survey.[48] This is partly due to their relatively close proximity, and partly due to their frequent meetings since 2009. The two sides did not play each other between 2012 and 2015 due to Crawley's promotion to League One. However Crawley's relegation during the 2014–15 Football League One season means the two sides played each other on 15 August 2015 which the Dons won 2–1 after going a goal down.

Players

As of 12 October 2015

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF Ireland EIR Lanre Oyebanjo
3 DF England ENG Christian Scales (on loan from Crystal Palace)
4 MF England ENG Simon Walton
5 DF England ENG Joe McNerney
6 DF England ENG Sonny Bradley (captain)
7 MF Wales WAL Gwion Edwards
8 MF England ENG Jimmy Smith
9 FW England ENG Lee Barnard
10 MF England ENG Luke Rooney
11 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Conor Henderson
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 GK Wales WAL Callum Preston
14 FW England ENG Lewis Young
15 FW Ireland EIR Shamir Fenelon
16 DF England ENG Jon Ashton
17 MF England ENG Bobson Bawling
18 FW England ENG Matt Harrold
20 FW England ENG Roarie Deacon
21 GK England ENG Karl Leonard
22 MF England ENG Ross Jenkins
23 DF Northern Ireland NIR Liam Donnelly (on loan from Fulham)

Backroom staff

Position Name
Manager England Mark Yates
Assistant Manager England Jimmy Dack
Head Physio England Paul Wilson
Head of Medical and Sports Science England Rob Edwards
Performance Analyst England George Lawtey
Chief Scout England Lil Fuccillo
Club Doctor England Dr. Jerry Hill
Kit Manager England Simon Minihane

Directors & non-playing staff

President England Les Turnbull
Chairman England Dave Pottinger
Director England Michael Dunford
Director England Sue Carter
Director England Ian Carter
Director England Dave Pottinger
Associate Director England Matt Turner
Chief Executive England Michael Dunford
Company Secretary England Alan Foot
Commercial Manager England Ewan Dunlop
Accounts Manager England Kelly Derham
Media Manager England Bruce Talbot
Stadium Manager England Peter Wimshurst
Ticket Office Manager England Sophie Harding

Honours (first team)

  • Mid Sussex Senior League 1902–03
  • Montgomery Cup 1925–26
  • Sussex Intermediate Cup 1927–28
  • Metropolitan League Challenge Cup 1958–59
  • Highest Placed Amateurs Award 1961–62
  • Sussex Professional Cup 1969–70
  • Southern League Merit Cup 1970–71
  • Gilbert Rice Floodlight Cup 1979–80, 1983–84
  • Southern Counties Combination Floodlight League 1985–86
  • Sussex Senior Cup 1989–90, 1990–91, 2002–03, 2004–05
  • Sussex Floodlight Cup 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1998–99
  • Roy Hayden Trophy 1990–91, 1991–92
  • William Hill Senior Cup 1992–93
  • Southern League Cup Winners 2002–03, 2003–04
  • Southern League Championship Trophy 2003–04, 2004–05
  • Southern League Champions 2003–04
  • Conference National Champions 2010–11
  • Football League Two promotion, 2011–12

League positions

Season Division Position Notes
2002–03 Southern League 7  –
2003–04 Southern League 1 Champions
2004–05 Conference National 12  –
2005–06 Conference National 17 3 point deduction
2006–07 Conference National 18 10 point deduction
2007–08 Conference National 15 6 point deduction
2008–09 Conference National 9  –
2009–10 Conference National 7  –
2010–11 Conference National 1 Champions
2011–12 Football League Two 3 Promotion
2012–13 Football League One 10  –
2013–14 Football League One 14  –
2014–15 Football League One 22 Relegation

References

  1. ^ "BBC Sport – Football – Crawley boss Evans calls for focus ahead of FA Cup tie". BBC News. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Shoreham F.C. – Early football in Shoreham and the 'Glory Years". Shoreham History Portal. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/History/0,,11025~2410209,00.html
  4. ^ "Crawley Town FC". Sussexcountyfc.milbint.com. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  5. ^ Published on Tue Jul 26 18:03:37 BST 2005. "NEW OWNERS REVEAL PLANS – Sport Video highlights". Crawley Observer. Retrieved 18 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "Lowly Crawley sack manager Vines". BBC News. 24 October 2005.
  7. ^ a b Oliver, Pete (6 March 2006). "Crawley squad have wages slashed". BBC News. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  8. ^ "Crawley placed in administration". BBC News. 5 June 2006.
  9. ^ "Crawley Town (football),Football,Sport". The Guardian. London. 12 April 2011.
  10. ^ Published on Monday 30 October 2006 12:47 (30 October 2006). "Reds Sack Hollins And Lewer – News". Crawley Observer. Retrieved 20 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Chadband, Ian (28 January 2011). "Crawley Town's owner, Bruce Winfield, on his lifelong passion for the club others love to hate". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  12. ^ "Tubbs completes Crawley transfer". BBC News. 1 July 2010.
  13. ^ "CRAWLEY Town have broken their transfer fee record for the second time in a month after securing the signature of winger Sergio Raul Torres". This is Sussex. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  14. ^ "Crawley land York striker Brodie". BBC News. 1 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Torquay 0–1 Crawley Town". BBC News. 29 January 2011.
  16. ^ Sales, Dan (31 January 2011). "Red Devils v Red Devils". The Sun. London.
  17. ^ "FA Cup: Crawley Town Lose 1–0 To Man U". News.sky.com. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  18. ^ Talbot, Bruce (21 March 2011). "Crawley Town in mourning after Bruce Winfield dies (From The Argus)". Theargus.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  19. ^ Alexander, Jeremy (11 April 2011). "Crawley dreams realised as they gain promotion to Football League – Jeremy Alexander". The Guardian. London.
  20. ^ "BBC Sport – Crawley Town 1–0 Bristol City". Bbc.co.uk. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  21. ^ "BBC Sport – Hull 0–1 Crawley Town". Bbc.co.uk. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  22. ^ GMT (30 January 2012). "BBC Sport – AFC Bournemouth sign Crawley Town striker Matt Tubbs". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  23. ^ Swan, Peter (29 February 2012). "BBC Sport – Tyrone Barnett out to justify record fee". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  24. ^ "Andy Drury still has a future at Ipswich as Crawley end interest – Latest News – Green Un". Greenun24.co.uk. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  25. ^ "Bradford vs Crawley Fight brawl march 2012 – BBC News Report". YouTube. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  26. ^ GMT (28 March 2012). "BBC Sport – Bradford v Crawley player brawl: FA launches investigation". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  27. ^ "Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: Football :: FA fine Bradford and Crawley". Daily Star. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  28. ^ GMT (2 April 2012). "BBC Sport – Crawley defender Kyle McFadzean handed three-match ban". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  29. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,11025~2721915,00.html
  30. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,11025~2704916,00.html
  31. ^ "Crawley Town strip Pablo Mills of captaincy after Bradford brawl". The Guardian. London. 4 April 2012.
  32. ^ Sky Sports http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11750/7660930/Evans-takes-Rotherham-reins. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,11025~2728287,00.html
  34. ^ "BBC Sport – Crawley Town appoint Bury's Richie Barker as new manager". Bbc.co.uk. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  35. ^ "Crawley Town FC Chairman is bankrupt (From The Argus)". Archive.theargus.co.uk. 10 March 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  36. ^ a b "Crawley Town". Clubs In Crisis. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  37. ^ "Crawley creditors back rescue bid". BBC News. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  38. ^ "Ex-football boss jailed for fraud". BBC News. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  39. ^ "Crawley Town". Clubs In Crisis. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  40. ^ gebrey. "Crawley Town given breathing space after winding up order is adjourned". Thisissussex.co.uk. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  41. ^ "Crawley Town and Farnborough in court today " Football Management". Footballmanagement.wordpress.com. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  42. ^ Published on Mon March 29 14:17:19 BST 2010. "BREAKING NEWS: Crawley Town FC to lease ground from council – Video News Reports". Crawley Observer. Retrieved 18 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ [1]
  44. ^ Events (3 April 2012). "Stand or East Stand? | Crawley Happy Times Online". Crawleyhappytimes.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  45. ^ [2]
  46. ^ "Royals through to FA Cup fourth round". The Reading Chronicle. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  47. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/checkatrade.com-stadium-417951.aspx
  48. ^ https://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/2012-football-rivalry-census-results/
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