CRAWLEY:

Never heard owt like this in my life, Statement on twitter from Crawley owner.

Ahead of the match, club co-chairman Preston Johnson issued the following statement:

“It’s no secret that this season hasn’t gone the way any of us who care about the club had hoped or expected. After a half season of consistently unacceptable results, it has become clear that significant changes are required to set things right, both on and off the pitch. We now have two big opportunities to begin the necessary transformation by appointing a new permanent manager and reshaping our squad in the impending January transfer window. And while achieving the type of reset that our football performance and culture needs is unlikely to occur overnight, the importance of this moment cannot be overstated.

That is why I have opted to fly back to the UK and take a more direct, hands-on role during this crucial period, especially as we remain actively engaged in the recruitment of an experienced and proven manager to guide the club forward. It is imperative that we use these next two games to gather as much information about our current squad as possible to inform our actions in the transfer window. That includes selecting players who have received fewer opportunities in league contests to date, to ensure that our football operations team can properly evaluate them in this setting. I look forward to working collaboratively with Darren and the staff to ensure that we are utilizing this interim period as effectively as possible to set the club up for a productive January and, most importantly, for greater success in the long-term.

I know that many supporters are disappointed and angry about the current state of the club. I hear you, and I share your frustration and take responsibility for that. Crawley fans deserve a team and a club that makes them proud on the pitch and in the community — and I remain deeply committed to ensuring we live up to that responsibility.”

Forgot to add.

Crawley Town Football Club can confirm that assistant coach Darren Byfield will take charge of the team for today’s match against Stevenage and Monday’s game with Newport County. Club co-chairman Preston Johnson will also be in the dugout to show his support to Darren, the staff and the players.

Well Stevenage are 2 up at the mo, so can't see Crawley getting bugger all tonight.

Thought Darren Byfield was still playing at Reddish United (South of Brum) but Crawley are really in Deep Shit as you say.

What manager would touch them with a barge pole…..DOH am I stupid or what, there’ll be a queue a mile long, there’s always some one willing to humiliate them selves.

Matthew Etherington must be high on the list of managers who wasn't there long enough to have his own key cut. What was it? Two games.

Is two games enough to judge anyone…? I suspect he was the victim of being the manager who replaced the fan’s candidate, so whoever came in was going to get it in the neck.
It tells me the owner’s will sacrifice someone else to save themselves, looks like Etherington was the flak jacket and took the bullets for the owners failings.

moght be better to keep a manager and somehow get rid of the owners by making the place as toxic as the fans can for them. they are the problem at crawley not the manager or players. when we played them they had a few lads who would walk into our team.

3

Fans Fav: Lewis Young 6 League games, W3 D2 L1 and sacked.

Going by the Bunker they gunna finish 24th.

Thanks Grayhoundend for stat - 3 games for Etherington. Not exactly a ringing endorsement and strangely nice to see it happen elsewhere than Pools.

pity pools never got rid of dave jones as quickly as that. might have avoided 4 seasons of non league.