In this article we will be discussing and reviewing how relegation favourites Crawley Town managed to shock the country and get promoted to League One.
History
Crawley have spent most of their history in the non league system but in the past 15-20 years have become a Football League side. In 2010-11 under the guidance of Steve Evans, Crawley won the National League title for the first time in their history gaining promotion to the EFL. The club would win another promotion the season after as they won back to back promotions to become a League One side for the first time in their history. After 3 years in League One, Crawley Town were relegated back to League Two where they remained for 9 years. In 2022 the club were taken over by WAGMI United who had grand ambitions to win promotion to the Premier League
First Season Struggles Under Wagmi
Despite the injection of funds and new players, Crawley Town started the 2022-23 season poorly and on the 9th October they decided to sack their manager Kevin Betsy. Matthew Etherington would take charge of the club but would only last for 3 games before resigning due to a disagreement with the board. Fans had become frustrated with the new owners and demanded that WAGMI would leave their club. The WAGMI board decided to appoint Scott Lindsey as the clubs 3rd manager of the season. Lindsey had been coaching for a few years in the lower leagues of England and had recently been the Swindon Town manager before leaving for Crawley. Despite periods of uncertainty, Crawley would stay up in League Two being 3 points clear of 23rd place Hartlepool United.
2023-24 Promotion
In the summer, Crawley were placed as favourites to be relegated and were tipped by many to drop to the National League for the first time since their 2011 promotion. This wasn’t helped by the key departures of many first team players such as Dom Telford who had scored 15 goals the previous season who departed for League Rivals, Barrow AFC. Their recruitment on the surface seemed to be risky. Many of Crawley’s signings had been from the National League or America and had no prior EFL experience. However despite all the odds stacking up against them, Crawley found themselves second in the table following an impressive start to the season. Crawley’s form continued throughout the season and after more impressive business in the January window, they secured a playoff spot on the final day of the season. Crawley would have to play against promotion favourites MK Dons who were tipped by many to win the playoffs. Crawley Town however would destroy MK Dons 1-8 on aggregate setting up a final against Crewe Alexandra. Crawley would dominate the match against Crewe and with 2 goals from their star man Danilo Orsi, would win promotion back to League One.
My Thoughts
Overall despite not liking Crawley Town very much, you have to be proud of what they have achieved. Despite being favourites to be relegated, they have shocked the whole league by being one of the best football sides and have won promotion to League One for the first time since 2015.