Exeter City return to St James’ Park, looking to continue their impressive home form in EFL Sky Bet League Two and bounce back from defeat last time out.
Here’s all that you will need to know about Saturday’s opponents…
- Nickname: The Red Devils
- Year Founded: 1896
- Honours: Southern League Cup: 2002-03, 2003-04 Southern League: 2003-04 Conference: 2010-11
Crawley Town were founded in 1896 under the original name of Crawley Football Club. After an unfortunate disbanding in 1935, the club reformed a few years later and started playing their football in Brighton and Hove District League. The club turned professional in 1962, where they gained acceptance into the Southern League two years later.
The club would spend almost all the time between the 1960’s and 1990’s in the Southern League, before gaining promotion to the Conference in 2004. Six years later, Crawley would win the Conference and enter the Football League for the first time in their history.
Remarkably, they would mark their first Football League season with a promotion, something that many other clubs haven’t been able to achieve. Despite a valiant effort however, they would spend three seasons in League One, before returning to League Two in 2015, where they have played their football since.
Last Time Out
Crawley Town 2 Stevenage 0 | February 22, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
Crawley secure a comfortable win against the bottom side, as a first half goal from Bez Lubala and a late second half goal from Ashley Nadesan secure the three points.
The Manager
John Yems
Current Crawley manager John Yems was appointed as manager at the Red Devils in December 2019, following the sacking of Gabriele Cioffi. The former Newcastle United scout signed a new deal at Crawley a short while ago, where he committed to the club until 2023.
Yems history in management is a fairly short one. He started as manager of Horsham in the 1990’s, before taking on coaching roles at Fulham and Millwall. In 2006 he was appointed as caretaker manager at Crawley, where he was sacked at the end of the season. Yems also was assistant to Paul Tisdale at The Grecians back in 2008 but left a year later due to difficulties with commuting from Sussex.
The Ground
- Name: Broadfield Stadium (The People’s Pension Stadium)
- Capacity: 6,134
- Year Opened: 1997
- Address: The People's Pension Stadium, Winfield Way, Crawley, RH11 9RX
The Broadfield Stadium was constructed in 1997, following Crawley’s decision to vacate from their previous home of Town Mead, where they spent 48 years at. The stadium is also used currently by the Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s team, who have had a tenancy at the stadium since 2018. The East Stand recently went through a development phase, where new turnstiles and new floodlights were installed.
The record attendance at the Broadfield Stadium stands at 5,880, when Crawley were defeated 3-1 by Championship side Reading. The stadium is the third smallest in the league, as it just edges EFL new-boys Salford City as well as Forest Green Rovers’ New Lawn.
One to Watch
Ollie Palmer (14 Goals, 3 Assists)
Epsom born striker Palmer started his career at Woking in 2010, where he made 20 appearances, scoring two goals. After loan spells at St Albans City and Boreham Wood, he joined Havant and Waterlooville, where he has so far made the most appearances at a singular club, with 37 goals in 69 games.
Before joining Crawley in 2018, Palmer had spells at Mansfield Town, Grimsby Town, Leyton Orient, Luton Town and Lincoln City. So far this season he has scored an impressive 14 goals as well as chipping in with 3 assists.
Most recent meetings
Crawley Town 0 Exeter City 1 | November 23, 2019 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
A late goal from Dean Moxey gives Exeter City the three points.
Exeter City 1 Crawley Town 3 | April 19, 2019 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
The visitors seal all three points, as the playoff chasing Grecians are defeated at St James Park, despite a goal from Ryan Bowman in the second half.
Crawley Town 1 Exeter City 1 | October 23, 2018 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
The Grecians steal a point late on in the game, as Lee Holmes’ 79th minute goal cancels out Felipe Morias’ second half strike at the Broadfield Stadium.
Head to Head
- Exeter City wins: 5
- Draws: 4
- Crawley Town wins: 3
Ticket News
There are currently less than 300 seats left for the match, so if you want to sit we recommend you book in advance!
The Grecians have been in superb form at the Park, winning TEN of their sixteen home matches so far and have only been beaten once, way back in September.
Click here to find out more and buy tickets!
