Crawley Town FC - The Reds

Crawley Town are a team who have been around for over 100 years, have yo-yoed up and down the leagues, and seen numerous players come and go. Currently playing in the SkyBet League 1, Crawley have recently had great success, with back to back promotions from the Conference National, finishing as champions, and then gaining promotion from third place the following season in League 2. Now, it will be my turn to get The Reds even further, aiming for the Premier League.


This story will evolve very much around Football Manager, with little storyline and alot of results. My style may show some aspects to that of MCFCDAP and his A "Kinky" Comeback, so credit to him for some of the layout, although I will also aim to alter them to become my own. The story will feature monthly updates following The Red Devils, with the odd update with the storyline.



Throughout this story I will follow, and become Richie Barker. The 38-year-old enjoyed spells as a striker with clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Rotherham Unitd and Mansfield Town, managing to score around 125 goals in almost 500 games. He since took a turn into management, becoming manager of Bury FC in 2011, and then left in August 2012 to join Crawley Town, where I will begin my journey, with the use of Pr0's update.

Good luck

Good luck Kane

G'luck

Wellsy1498, AlexTHFC and Rablador: Thanks guys!

Good luck mate

28th July 2012 - Evans Departs For Rotherham


Crawley Town manager Steve Evans has resigned from his post as manager of Crawley Town, having taken over in 2007. Evans saw Crawley rise from the Conference, and having recently secured promotion to the SkyBet (formerly nPower) League 1, he felt he had done everything he could for the club, and after five years moving on was the best thing to do.

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, and now Assistant Manager Paul Raynor is also leaving the club with immediate effect.



7th August 2012 - Crawley Appoint Barker


Crawley Town have announced 38-year-old Richie Barker as their manager for the upcoming 2013/14 season. Barker has been given a one year contract with the promise that it will be extended if he pleases the board. Barker was a manager many people didn't consider taking the role, with favourite Sean O'Driscoll becoming manager of Nottingham Forest instead, despite being in advanced talks with The Red Devils.

Barker previously managed Bury FC, working up from manager as the Youth Team to the First Team. With eight games left of the season, Barker led Bury to six consecutive victories and promotion to League One during his time with the Manchester club, but has said he is delighted to be able to achieve even more with Crawley Town.

Sean Evans? Don't you mean Steve Evans? Anyway, good luck Kane!

Lucas_C: Thanks

Louis O. : Aha, yes I do. I blame Sean O'Driscoll for that. Too many S's! And thanks.

Good Luck

A great start to the story Kane. I am sure this will end up just as good as your United one, if not better! Good luck!

imdxvid: Thanks!

Jamesg237: Thanks, although as I'm taking a totally different approach to this, I cannot compare this to Moyes' Boys...

13th August 2012 - Crawley Announce New Kits


Crawley Town have today unveiled the new kits for the 2012-13 season. The club have kept with the traditional colours for the home, away and third kit. However, the Reds have ditched Puma and decided to take up an offer from Nike, due to increase in revenue.

All three kits will also feature the same sponsor, but instead of 32Red, the sponsor used on the leaked kits, they are sponsored by a fairly unknown website, called The Red Card. It is unknown why Crawley have changed from well known sponsors to much smaller ones, but the fans like the use of smaller sponsors.



17th August 2012 - Barker Brings In Williams


With Crawley Town without an assistant manager, Richie Barker took matters into his own hand, and has bought in Anthony Williams. Barker and Williams worked together at Bury in 2011 and 2012, and with the departure of Barker from Bury, Williams decided to also step down. The Welshman previously played as a goalkeeper, most notably for Hartlepool United, alongside manager Richie Barker.

Barker said he was delighted Williams agreed to join him again, and the Crawley board have expressed their happiness at the appointment, saying they couldn't have found someone better.

Summer 2012 Transfers


Having previously played for Olympique Marseille, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, the Paris Saint-Germain youth product has signed for Crawley Town after becoming a free agent at the end of the last season, due to his release from Doncaster Rovers. The 34-year-old right back is expected to be a key player for the squad next season.

From: Free Agent
Price: Free

The 19-year-old has joined from Manchester United on a season-long loan, yet to feature for the club’s senior side. Switching from one set of Red Devils to the other, Johnstone is expected to feature mainly on the bench, but play most cup games, with a possible permanent move depending on his performances.

From: Manchester United
Price: Loan

Noselli has only managed to ply in trade in the lower leagues of Italy, but now has made the move aged 32. After 4 years with Serie B side Sassuolo, Noselli was made a free agent and snapped up by Barker. Barker has already told the media he expects to Noselli to be a key player for the Reds, who will feature often.

From: Free Agent
Price: Free

24-year-old Gonzalez is somewhat of a transfer coup for Crawley Town. Signing from Real Madrid, Gonzalez can bring key experience he picked up with Castilla, and will look to lead from the back. The centre back has become a fan favourite, having sold double the amount of shirts on the official club website than the next favourite, Sergio Torres.

From: Real Madrid
Price: £140k

Fer is another player coming from the Spanish leagues, having previously played for Atletico Madrid. Aged 23, Fer was unable to play for the first team back in Spain, but regularly featured for the C and B team, but requested to be transfer listed due to disputes with manager of the B team. Fer is expected to feature regularly as a defensive midfielder.

From: Atletico Madrid
Price: £110k

Frenchman Didier Domi is the final player to join Crawley Town in the SkyBet League 1. Domi last played for New England for one season in 2011, but was a free agent before being signed by Barker. Having played for PSG, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Olympiacos, the left back can provide vital experience to the side.

From: Free Agent
Price: Free



Pre-Season Friendlies


Saturday 21st July 2012 – Southend United 2-3 Crawley Town

Crawley kicked off pre-season in a fine fashion, coming back from going 2-0 down after just 13 minutes. With Craig Reid finishing in the 1st minute, followed by Barry Corr in the 13th, the game looked over already with Southend dominating early on. Nevertheless, Nicky Adams struck on the 14th minute to give the Reds some hope, which was reconciliated by Josh Simpson on the 38th minute with a fine volley from 18 yards.

Central midfielder Andy Drury completed the comeback in the 43rd minute with a vital touch from a cross from Mike Jones. The game was overlooked by an injury in the 86th minute, with Jamie Procter falling to the ground awkwardly, but medics confirmed he would only be out for 2 days, with Crawley Town winning their first pre-season game.

MOTM – Josh Simpson

Tuesday 24th July 2012 – Bristol Rovers 2-3 Crawley Town

Crawley picked up another 3-2 away from home, although this time with a more secure performance. Despite Bristol Rovers going 1-0 up within 15 minutes, new boy Alessandro Noselli scored just 17 minutes into his debut. Mike Jones grabbed the next goal with 10 minutes left of the first half, a simple finish from 12 yards, meaning Crawley went into half time 2-1 up.

Billy Clarke managed a 30 yard screamer on the hour mark, almost securing the victory, only for Rovers midfielder Alfie Santos to pull one back just 3 minutes after coming on as a substitute. However, it wasn’t enough, as Crawley would hold on to win two out of two.

MOTM – Alessandro Noselli

Saturday 28th July 2012 – Newport County 2-3 Crawley Town

Newport suffered at the hands of Crawley, who picked up yet another 3-2 away win. And this time, they took the lead, with Noselli scoring on the 31st, and 40th minute, a quick-fire double meaning he now has 3 goals in just 2 games. Crawley went into half time with a solid lead, which was dampened just one minute into the second half with striker Danny Crow chipping the goalkeeper.

Michael Flynn then put the pressure of Crawley, with a goal 10 minutes after that of Crow. From that moment on, Newport pushed hard to try and get the goal to take the lead, meaning Crawley were able to push on the counter attack and secure a third goal, thanks to Sergio Torres, giving Crawley their third victory of pre-season.

MOTM – Alessandro Noselli

Saturday 4th August 2012 – Billericay Town 0-4 Crawley Town

Both Alessandro Noselli and Crawley Town continued their fine form with a win over non-league Billericay Town. Noselli once again opened the scoring, this time with a perfectly timed header from a free kick in the 15th minute. Andy Drury doubled the lead just after the hour mark, leading to Crawley sitting back.

Billericay decided to push hard and try and grab a goal, but let Mike Jones score in the 81st minute and Nicky Adams just 3 minutes later securing an easy win for the Sussex side, also completing pre-season with four wins out of four.

MOTM – Habib Beye

Good start to the season, and nice signings too. But that Noselli...he doesn't sound like he'll ever score to me