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Crawley Town F.C.

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Crawley Town
Crawley Town crest
Full nameCrawley Town Football Club
Nickname(s)Red Devils, The Reds[1]
Founded1896
GroundBroadfield Stadium
Crawley
Capacity4,996 (1,150 seated)
ChairmanVictor Marley
ManagerSteve Evans
LeagueConference National
2009–10Conference National, 7th
Current season

Crawley Town Football Club is an English football team from Crawley, West Sussex. They compete in the Conference National division of the Football Conference, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system.

History

Formed in 1896 Crawley Town began life in the West Sussex League where they remained 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 5 years later to the Metropolitan League. The league 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 the Southern League First Division. In 1969 they were promoted to Premier Division of the Southern League but the joy was short lived as the following they were relegated back to the first division where they remained until the 1983-84 season when they were promoted as runners-up.

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 1998/9.

Despite several cup successes, Crawley's most successful cup run at the time was in the 1991-1992 season when they reached the The FA Cup third round proper. During the cup run they defeated Third Division Northampton Town at home 4-2 in the First Round. They since reached the 4th round in the 2010-2011 season after beating Derby at home. The club enjoyed a money-spinning tie with Football League neighbours Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground in front of 18,301 fans.

The following year, 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 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.

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,[1] 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 2005-2006 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 replace by former Chelsea FC manager and player John Hollins and his assistant Alan Lewer. 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.[2] 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 deducted 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.

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.

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. 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 deducted 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. The season started well for Crawley who sat at the top of the table for much of the opening of the campaign; they then hit a bad patch but they did manage to remain in the play-off places for most of the season. However, 2009 got off to bad start for Crawley as they were deducted four points for fielding an unregistered player (Isaiah Rankin). On 26 January 2009 Crawley announced that they would appeal against the decision and therefore the points deduction was put on hold.[3] The appeal was heard on 28 February 2009,[4] and the points deduction was reduced to just one point. Crawley finished the season in ninth place.[5]

Crawley entered the 2009-10 season full of optimism, and after a long-awaited period of stability the club were hoping for their most successful season in the conference to date with a push for a play-off place. Crawley's ambition took a blow before a ball was even kicked when it was announced that key players Jake Wright and Jamie Cook had transferred to Brighton and Oxford respectively.[6][7] Taking just 10 points from their opening 8 games, things didn't start well for Crawley. An impressive 1-0 win away to Cambridge was followed up by a 4-1 thumping at home to Gateshead, and summed up Crawley's early inconsistent form. Things did pick up for Crawley and by 13 February they had secured 17 points out of a possible 21, putting them back in with a chance of making the playoffs.[8] The highlight of their good form was a four-minute hat-trick scored by Charles Ademeno in the 3-2 away win against Grays on 28 December 2009.[9] Crawley finished the season in 7th place, their highest ever position.

Ground

Broadfield Stadium

Crawley spent 48 years at their Town Mead home until the land was sold to developers in 1997. The club then moved to the impressive Broadfield Stadium, about two miles across town. The stadium has a capacity of 4,996 people, and is owned by Crawley Borough Council. The home league game against Weymouth in Crawley's 2003-04 title winning season saw a new record crowd of 4,522, who watched a 2-1 Crawley victory against the eventual runners-up.

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.[2] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[11] 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.[12] Azwar Majeed was later jailed for tax fraud relating to his various other businesses.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15] The latest setback appeared to be the end of Crawley Town, as the club has 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.[16]

On 29 March 2010, Crawley Borough Council agreed to lease the Broadfield Stadium to Crawley Town F.C., a move in recognition of the confidence in the new management and to help secure the long-term sustainability of the club.[17]

A new era

At a press conference on 1 July 2010, co-owner Bruce Winfield said that all of the club's debts had been cleared. He further revealed that friends and business acquaintances of his had come onboard as passive shareholders and so the club had money in the bank. Manager Steve Evans had also been told to assemble a squad that could get into The Football League.[18][19] On the 7 December 2010, Crawley pulled off a giant killing feat by beating Football League One side Swindon Town 3-2 in the FA Cup 2nd round replay match at Swindon's County Ground, taking them into the third round of the competition for the second time in their history [20] and provided an exciting home tie against Championship side Derby County which was played on the 10th January 2011. Goals from Craig McAllister in the first half and Sergio Torres in injury time guiding Crawley to a 2-1 win, to set up a 4th round tie with Torquay United, the first time they have been to this stage in their history.

Rivals

Notable former players

A list of former players who have played at a higher level than Crawley, (eg The Football League) for at least one year, or has been Crawley's club captain for at least one full season.

Players

As of 8 January 2011.[21]

Current squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Netherlands NED Michel Kuipers
2 MF Scotland SCO Simon Rusk
3 DF England ENG Sam Rents
4 MF England ENG David Hunt (on loan from Brentford)
5 DF Scotland SCO John Dempster
7 MF England ENG Ben Smith
8 MF Argentina ARG Sergio Torres
9 FW England ENG Matt Tubbs
10 MF England ENG Josh Simpson
12 GK England ENG Nick Jordan
14 FW Scotland SCO Craig McAllister
99 FW Scotland SCO David Wier
15 MF England ENG Dannie Bulman
16 DF Wales WAL Glenn Wilson
17 MF England ENG James Dance
18 FW England ENG Jamie Cook
21 MF England ENG Byron Napper
22 DF England ENG Pablo Mills (club captain)
23 DF England ENG Dean Howell
26 MF England ENG Scott Neilson
27 DF England ENG Kyle McFadzean
29 FW England ENG Richard Brodie
30 GK Scotland SCO Scott Shearer

Paul "Millwall" Richardson

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
6 DF England ENG Danny Hall (at Forest Green Rovers until 7 February 2011)[22]
11 MF Scotland SCO Steven Masterton (at Eastbourne Borough until 8 February 2011)[23]
20 MF England ENG Chris Flood (at Dorchester Town)[24]
28 FW England ENG Ben Wright (at Hayes & Yeading United until the end of the 2010–11 season)[25]

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, 2002-2003 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, 2004–2005
  • Southern League Champions 2003-04

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/NEW-OWNERS-REVEAL-PLANS.1096139.jp
  2. ^ a b "Crawley squad have wages slashed". BBC News. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  3. ^ http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/Crawley-Town-appeal-against-points.4913546.jp
  4. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.net/newsdetails.php?ID=1058
  5. ^ http://www.englishfootball.info/conference/table/
  6. ^ http://crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1219
  7. ^ http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/crawley/sport/crawleytown/Jamie-Cook-makes-deadline-day-switch-Oxford/article-1303921-detail/article.html
  8. ^ http://crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1441
  9. ^ http://crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1373
  10. ^ http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2006/3/10/208759.html
  11. ^ a b http://www.clubsincrisis.com/Club_Detail.asp?Key=102
  12. ^ "Crawley creditors back rescue bid". BBC News. 30 August 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  13. ^ "Ex-football boss jailed for fraud". BBC News. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  14. ^ http://www.clubsincrisis.com/crawley_town.html
  15. ^ http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/crawley/news/Crawley-Town-given-breathing-space-winding-order-adjourned/article-1841616-detail/article.html
  16. ^ http://footballmanagement.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/crawley-town-and-farnborough-in-court-today/
  17. ^ http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/BREAKING-NEWS-Crawley-Town-FC.6188154.jp
  18. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPewsBrt4i0
  19. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwNM8aDC4g8&feature=related
  20. ^ http://www.crawleytownfc.com/newsdetails.php?ID=1764
  21. ^ "Players". Crawley Town F.C. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  22. ^ "Rovers Sign Central Defender". Blue Square BET Premier. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  23. ^ "CTFC - Posted 8th January 2011". Crawley Town F.C. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  24. ^ "CTFC - Posted 8th January 2011". Crawley Town F.C. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  25. ^ "Hayes and Yeading sign Crawley Town striker Ben Wright". BBC Sport. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.

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