Crawley Town Football Club: Introduction
Crawley Town Football Club, nicknamed “The Red Devils,” is a professional football club based in Crawley, West Sussex, England. They currently play in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1896, the club has a long history of competing in non-league football before eventually reaching the Football League in 2011.
The town is 28 miles south of London so has many other football teams close by. The staff here at the Football Fan Base wishes the club and supporters every success in the future. So, here’s our overview of the club.
Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.
Key Facts:
- Founded: 1896
- Stadium: Broadfield Stadium (Capacity: 6,134)
- Nickname: The Reds and The Red Devils, so Manchester United look out!
- Current League: EFL League Two (2023–24 season)
- Chairman: Preston Johnson
- Manager: Scott Lindsey
History of Crawley Town Football Club
Early Years and Non-League Football
The club was established in 1896 and initially played in regional leagues, including the West Sussex League and the Sussex County League. Crawley Town spent much of its early history in the non-league football structure. Indeed, it wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century that the club began to find success.
- 1963: The club joined the Southern League, which marked their step into a more competitive semi-professional level.
- Late 1990s and early 2000s: Crawley moved through various non-league divisions, gradually becoming a stronger side in the Southern League.
Rise Through the Ranks
Crawley Town’s fortunes began to improve significantly in the early 2000s when the club began to attract investment and better players. They achieved promotion to the Conference National (now known as the National League) in 2004, the highest level of non-league football at the time.
- 2004–05: Promotion to the Conference National.
- 2010–11: Crawley Town had their most successful season to date. With Steve Evans as manager and financial backing from their owners, Crawley finished top of the National League and gained promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history.
During the 2010–11 season, Crawley Town also enjoyed a famous FA Cup run, reaching the fifth round where they faced Premier League side Manchester United at Old Trafford, narrowly losing 1-0.
Football League Years
- 2011–12: Crawley Town made their debut in League Two (fourth tier). The club performed well and secured promotion to League One (third tier) by finishing third in their inaugural Football League season.
- 2012–2015: The club spent three seasons in League One before being relegated back to League Two in 2015.
Since then, Crawley Town has remained in League Two, often battling for mid-table stability or survival. They have earned a reputation as a resilient team with a loyal fan base.
Ownership Changes
Crawley Town has experienced several changes in ownership in recent years:
- 2015: The club was sold to Turkish businessman Ziya Eren, under whose leadership the club remained stable in League Two.
- 2022: The club was purchased by the WAGMI United group, a consortium of American investors led by Preston Johnson and Eben Smith. WAGMI United has a background in cryptocurrency and web3, and their ownership has sparked interest and curiosity around the club’s future direction.
Crawley Town Football Club: Stadium
Broadfield Stadium (also known as the People’s Pension Stadium) is the home of Crawley Town FC. It has a modest capacity of 6,134 and has been the club’s home since 1997. The stadium, located on the outskirts of Crawley, has undergone several renovations to meet Football League standards.
Notable Moments
- FA Cup Run 2010–11: Crawley’s run to the fifth round of the FA Cup, including a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, remains a standout achievement in the club’s history.
- Promotion to the Football League: The 2010–11 season saw Crawley Town win the National League. Moreover, they secured their first-ever promotion to the Football League.
- Promotion to League One: Finishing third in League Two in 2011–12 gave Crawley a memorable back-to-back promotion, seeing them compete in League One for the first time.
In brief, the club came into existence in 1896 but have never reached any dizzy heights in this time. Obviously, for most of their time, they have played in the leagues below the main English league system. But winning the Conference got them into the fourth tier, so that’s a start.
Although Crawley Town has some minor honours to their credit, they have been champions of some lower leagues. For example, they have won the Southern League in 2004 and won the Southern League Championship Trophy twice.
Crawley Town Football Club: Key Managers
- Steve Evans: The most successful manager in the club’s modern history, leading Crawley to promotion to the Football League in 2011 and a deep FA Cup run.
- John Yems: Yems guided the club through the COVID-19-impacted seasons of 2020 and 2021, helping to stabilize the team in League Two.
Recent Developments
- Under Scott Lindsey, appointed in early 2023, Crawley Town is focusing on consolidating their position in League Two and aiming for potential future promotions.
- The ownership under WAGMI United has generated interest due to its unconventional background, but their impact is still being assessed in terms of long-term success.
Crawley Town Football Club: Fan Base and Culture
Crawley Town’s fan base is small but passionate. The club’s supporters, many of whom are local, are known for their dedication. The team’s rise through non-league football to the Football League has cultivated a strong community spirit. Of course, their fans have given their support to the club through various challenges.
Rivalries
Crawley Town’s main local rivalry is with Brighton & Hove Albion, although the clubs rarely meet due to the league difference. However, more direct competitive rivalries have developed with teams like Aldershot Town and AFC Wimbledon, especially during their time in non-league and lower league football. The fans also like their team to beat Swindon Town.
Future Outlook
With the new ownership group WAGMI United, Crawley Town is expected to explore more innovative approaches to growing the club, possibly leveraging digital technologies and cryptocurrency. The club’s future remains intriguing, especially with ambitions to return to League One and establish themselves more prominently in the Football League.

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**Information updated on September 6, 2024.