End of Season Awards

I've neglected this blog over the past season or so, so what a better way to kick it off again with my end of season awards. Over the 60 odd games I've watched this season I've seen the good, the bad, and the truly truly awful, but here goes. There are a few awards - some just based on Crawley, some on the season overall.

Best Game:
My initial winner here Crawley's 3-2 win away at Colchester in March, but only as long as my beloved Reds stayed up as it seemingly would have been the gamethat went a long way in us surviving. Seeing as that went out the window t after 2pm on 3rd May, my winner for the best game I've been to is North Ferriby 3-3 Wrexham - FA Trophy Final. Not a soul gave little North Ferriby of the Conference North any hope in their Wembley final against Premier side Wrexham. 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go, super sub Ryan Kendall helped the Villagers fight back to 2-2 and shock the Welsh side. I was in the Ferriby end for this game, and let me tell you, there was pandemonium (mostly caused by me and friend Tom!) So extra time came, and Ferriby took a 3-2 lead. It was incredible. The little village just outside Hull had controlled the game from the moment they pulled a goal back and were moments away from an incredible trophy win, until Wrexham equalised at the end of extra time. Penalties loomed, and North Ferriby won 5-4 to lift the trophy. What an afternoon. 

Me and Tom as Ferriby fans for the day

Best away day:
Just a week after my Reds stuck 5 past Barnsley, a rejuvenated Dean Sunders side almost killed me. Swindon 1-2 Crawley is the winner of this one. A scintillating run from Gwion Edwards (who I love very much and which I'm sure you'll have seen if you follow me on Twitter) created the opening goal for Crawley after just 5 minutes - all well and good and the fans went a bit mental... then Swindon equalised. Cutting out the rest, lets head to the 89th minute - Bearing my mind my head was banging already from 90 minutes of constant singing, the last thing I needed was a last minute winner. Ecstasy and wild arms flailing everywhere. I ended up four rows down with my head stuck in between seats and my legs in the air. Don't ask how. I can't remember the journey home, but apparently I rang good friend Matt who'd been at Hibernian that day...

Best stadium:
Valley Parade - Bradford City. A beautiful stadium coupled with an electric Tuesday night atmosphere. Superb.

Best fans:
An unexpected winner here - Glossop North End v North Shields. Just two weeks ago I found in the Glossop end at their FA Vase Final with half of my Twitter 'fwends' in tow. So with Lostboyo and self-proclaimed 'bae' Matt, Tom, Ben, Ellis, Gibbo, Fake Gibbo, Lee and Peter. I'm not going to lie, the support was probably made up of fans from the two Manchester clubs, but they didn't half get behind their second team. Songs were sung to the tune of Brimful of Asha in ode to big Dave Young, and the classic Since I Was Young ensured it was Glossop who made the most noise around Wembley. And then there was Madness, literally. As we all sat down, one hardy Glossop 'ultra' stood up and began the opening sequence to One Step Beyond. We all knew where this was going. Mental. 

Best individual performance:
Simply for his heroics in the FA Trophy Final, North Ferriby's PE Teacher, Ryan Kendall has to win here. 

Craziest game:

A striker in goal, a 96th minute goal, tea thrown at a player, players confronting fans and managers getting angry. I'd like to think my introduction of Crawley to groundhopper Matt (@mophead_88 on Twitter by the way) was rather exciting. Crawley 2-2 MK Dons really was one of those games you'll just never forget. Read Matt's view of the day here - 

https://lostboyos.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/lost-in-crawley/

Best goal scored:
I had six options for this award. I ruled out three. So...
Gwion Edwards (Coventry v CRAWLEY)
Kieron Morris (WALSALL v Crawley)
Shane Long (SOUTHAMPTON v Villa)

The temptation was to give this award to my boy, Gwion, but as hard as it was, I think Shane Long's strike in Saints' 6-1 win over Villa last weekend (yes, I was in the away end) has taken it. After gaining possession from a poor Villa back line, Long lobbed Shay Given from 30 yards out to put the Saints 5-0 up. It was a stunning goal. Even the Villa fans were clapping.

Best team performance:
Crawley 0-4 Rochdale - It wasn't even a case of Crawley being bad; Rochdale visited the Checkatrade.com Stadium and were rampant. Slick, passing football all under the guise of Matty Done, who earned all the plaudits that day. No surprise that in the return fixture Rochdale hit us for 4 again, winning 4-1 at Spotland. Possibly the best footballing side I've seen this season!

Save of the season:
I can't remember it. It was the first day of the season at Barnsley and I remember when it happened the whole away end were in awe and thought "He's gonna be good". Brian Jensen; for your save against Barnsley, I salute you.

Celebration of the season:
I didn't want to give myself an award, but if rolling around on the floor isn't worthy of an award, I don't know what is. As the second of our three goals at Colchester win, I was soon on the floor, without a top on and with Matt's trusty flatcap on my head. If I was drunk, it would have been understandable, but I was stone cold sober. I have no idea how or why it happened, but it did, and it was a hell of a lot of fun. 

Celebrations at Colchester

So Here I Am Again: The Demise of Hereford United

So here I am again, writing about another football club who look to be at the end of their life. it felt like yesterday I was writing about Darlington, then Hinckley United. Hereford United, the club that brought us one of the greatest FA Cup giantkillings of all time when Ronnie Radford's special goal defeated Newcastle in 1972, could be gone within two weeks, after a CVA Proposal was rejected by creditors. I'm not going to write this and pretend I know the full story about the Bulls' awful demise, because I don't, and that would be wrong, but simply on what I do know - the basic facts. I'm not a Hereford United supporter, nor have I have ever been to Edgar Street, let alone Hereford, but I know it is a club at the heart of the city, with strong community ties and dedicated supporters. 

In June 2014, at the end of the Skrill Premier season, The Bulls' were expelled from the Conference due to financial irregularities; debts spiralled to £1.3m, but the club were accepted into the Southern League for the 2014/15 season. Former manager Martin Foyle headed a winding up petition against the club, however, and has been joined by former staff members and HMRC, but it has been adjourned a number of times. 

Yesterday, 14th August 2014, just two days before start of the Premier League season begins, the CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement) proposed to pay off the debts to the creditors was rejected, and the club have been given just two weeks to find major investment or face liquidation. Many fans have lambasted chairman David Keyte for the problems that have faced the club, and it looks likely that him and the Edgar Street faithful will be making their last journey to the 6000 capacity ground on the 30th August, when the Bulls host Burnham, unless something close to a miracle happens. 1st September is fast becoming the day Hereford United cease to exist.

R.I.P Hereford United. Successfully killed 2014.

Sky Blues Remain Defiant Against Sisu

Courtesy of Getty Images

Friday, March 21st, and the FA have dealt Coventry City another blow - they will not help the stricken club return home. It is just another cruel blow in a situation with little sign of an ending.

 Coventry City - a 131 year old football club that has been destroyed in just a couple of years. The Sky Blues have had their soul ripped out, their identity broken, and trodden into the ground. Coventry City are not Coventry City any more. Coventry City are simply a plaything for SISU. 
In Summer 2013, it was announced the Sky Blues would play their football 34 miles from home, at Sixfields in Northampton. A council dispute - in simple terms - has led SISU to up sticks and shift the club down the M1, alienating the club from its furious and powerless supporters. This drastic move has meant the Sky Blues have on of the lowest average attendances in the Football League, with little over 2000 fans turning up to Sixfield on a matchday. Defiant supporters, who refuse to enter the 8000 capacity stadium - some 4x smaller than the Ricoh - stand proud, saluting their heroes from the hill that surrounds the ground. They refuse to enter Sixfields. 'Not a Penny More'. Flags drape the surrounding fences, and their billowing voices sing 'Play Up Sky Blues', protesting against their apparent delusional, clueless owners...

...but SISU stand defiant. They plan to stay at Sixfields for another 4 seasons, and then build a new ground on the outskirts of Coventry. You could be forgiven for thinking the plans have gone down well with the Sky Blues supporters. Wrong. 

I for myself have witnessed the events at Sixfields as I saw Crawley play City in a 2-2 in January. Back then I wrote 'I went to Coventry/Northamton today and it just felt so wrong. Nobody at CCFC cares apart from the fans. It breaks my heart to see such a massive club being ripped apart. I've learnt a lot today and it's really opened my eyes that SISU should have never been allowed anywhere near a football club. I've never felt so sorry for a set of football supporters. The soul has been ripped out of Coventry City and it is so so wrong. Get Coventry back to the Ricoh. It is home'.

So, how did SISU become the owners of a club steeped in history only to destroy them in six long years? In 2007 Coventry were on the brink of going into administration. At the last minute, Sisu arrived on the scene and bought the club. A lot of big promises were made about re-investment in the football team to bring about a return to the Premier League but little was delivered. In 2012 the club was relegated, to League One. Following relegation, SISU stated the rent payments were unacceptable for a League One club and refused payments for 12 months. The conflict continued for 12 months. The landlords of the Ricoh Arena offered a package that included playing at the Arena rent-free for two seasons, bit SISU refused to accept, and announced they were moving the club to Northampton. 

The turmoil has not, however, impacted on City's away supporters. With sparse home crowds, and mass boycotts of 'home' games, the Sky Blues only option to watch their side is away from home. To highlight their support this season, an incredible 7'000 people travelled to MK Dons, 4'000 to Notts County and 3'500 to Wolves and 3'000 to Port Vale to name but a few. Coventry City have been thrown about like a ragdoll, but their supporters remain defiant, and protests continue. Their fans will not let their club die. 

Please, for the sake of Coventry City Football Club and it's supporters, sign this petition to 'Keep Cov in Cov'. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/59884

Stanley Denied First Win By Defiant Dons

Venue: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4585 (106 away)
Result: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Accrington Stanley
Goalscorers: Bennett (86), Odejayi (17)

On Saturday 12th October, with Crawley's trip to Bristol City postponed, I took the short trip to AFC Wimbledon as they took on Accrington Stanley in League Two. Stanley were looking for their first win of the season, while the Dons were hoping to make it five wins from their six games at Kingsmeadow. 

Jumping on a train from Horsham, via Clapham, I arrived at Norbiton Station at around 1pm and made the short walk to Kingsmeadow with a contingent of Dons fans, with the help of Alice of course (I'll put that in or she'll kill me). I soaked up some pre match atmosphere before heading into the ground.
Kingsmeadow has seen major improvements since my last visit to Kingston Upon Thames; the once compact terrace behind the goal has been transformed into a smart looking all seated structure, known as the Nongshim Stand. I decided to stand with the away fans for this game, in the far terrace in the corner. 

Kingsmeadow's Nongshim Stand

I asked some Accrington fans their views on the game to come, and their season so far. The Guilfoyle family said "it's been a disappointing start to the season and we've had a few injuries." I asked them what they thought about James Beattie's role at the club; "He's the right man for the job. There's been a lot going on behind the scenes and he just needs time to adapt. I predict a 2-1 win for Stanley today!" When asked about their prospects for the season they said "we'd hope for midtable, but 22nd will do!"

Accrington Stanley lined up as follows:
BETTINELLI, HUNT, ALDRED, ATKINSON, NAYLOR, MINGOIA, JOYCE, MURPHY, RICHARDSON, CATON & ODEJAYI.
Wimbledon lined up as follows:
WORNER, FULLER, KENNEDY, BENNETT, S MOORE, SMITH, MIDSON, L MOORE, PELL, PORTER & WESTON.

Match Action

The teams emerged from the tunnel in their traditional home colours - The Wombles in blue and yellow, with Stanley in red and white. The ref blew his whistle to indicate the start of the game, and immediately the game burst into life. Just two minutes had gone when Jack Midson forced a save from Stanley stopper Marcus Bettinelli. I'm not overreacting when I say that that is the only mentionable piece of action in the first half as far as AFC Wimbledon are concerned, Stanley dominating throughout the opening period. Within the first fifteen minutes of the match, Accrington had already seen three chances saved by Wimbledon keeper Worner, before Tom Aldred's header was caught. The early pressure finally paid off , Lee Naylor's inswinging corner finding the head of Kayode Odejayi who leapt highest to open the scoring and send the loyal Accrington faithful into jubilation. Just ten minutes later, Accrington had the chance to double their lead after a mix up in the AFC allowed Peter Murphy to clear the goalkeeper and chip towards goal, but Michael Richardson out-stretched leg failed to connect.
The turning point in the game came in stoppage time at the end of the half when a small scuffle, or handbags as you might call it, led to goalscorer Odejayi being dismissed.

Stanley celebrating opening the scoring

With Accrington leading at half time, there was no doubt that AFC Wimbledon would come out fighting in the second half. Straight from the off, the Wombles dominated the game, however a succession of corners led to nothing and Stanley could count themselves lucky as Jack Midson heading just wide. 
A stunning double save from Marcus Bettinelli to deny Midson and them Luke Moore again left Wimbledon cursing their luck. The pressure continued, and in the 86th minutes, Alan Bennett headed home a pinpoint cross to rescue a point for the Dons. Moments earlier, Michael Richardson missed the chance to win the game for Stanley, his long range strike going narrowly wide. 
In stoppage time, Wimbledon could have dramatically won the game but a fine defensive display meant that the game finished level. No doubt Wimbledon will be the happier of the two sides. 

The End For Hinckley? Or Just The Beginning?

Liquidation. A word among football fans that is feared. Liquidation means their football club ceases to exist. For one Leicestershire town today, liquidation became a reality. After 114 proud years, Hinckley had lost its football club. The cash-strapped Knitters had been wound up by the High Court. Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chesham United was the final match in a turbulent existence of Hinckley, and the DeMontfort Stadium will lie empty for the unforeseeable future. With financial constraints prompting the demise of many football clubs, we beg the question; What's going wrong?

The Knitters have taken their last breath...for now.

                                         

No doubt this article may cause a few disagreements. As a supporter of Crawley Town I have come under fire numerous times due to our alleged 'bank rolling' but personally, the situation of liquidation is very real. I could well have been supporting an 'AFC Crawley' or some kind of equivalent. My beloved Red Devils, not long ago, were just minutes from insolvency. In 2006, the club's debts had spiralled out of control, in excess of £1.8 million, at the hands of the crooked Majeeds. A rescue package from the late Bruce Winfield, who pumped hundreds of thousands into his boyhood club, had saved the Reds. Again, in 2010, the end looked very likely, with complications arising through payment to HMRC. The future for Crawley Town looked bleak. This latest setback meant that the Red Devils could have taken its last breath. The case was later dismissed by the High Court, however no more risks were to be taken; the council agreeing to lease the Broadfield Stadium to the club to ensure the long term sustainability of Crawley Town Football Club. 

As Hinckley faces its first day without a football club, for the supporters, no doubt, it is not the end. There are clear example today of how the fans have risen their teams from the ashes to form a phoenix club. Hinckley United are not alone. As fans on some outfits will tell you, this is just the beginning of a new chapter....

AFC Wimbledon are a fine example of moral victory for fans. With the FA allowing Wimbledon FC's moved to Milton Keynes, the original Crazy Gang who were bereft at the loss of their club formed their own side from scratch, and started from the bottom in the Combined Counties League. As Wimbledon FC lost its identity, and became Milton Keynes Dons, AFC Wimbledon were born. Fan's took ownership of their club, holding trials on Wimbledon Common, selecting a strong line up and found a new home at Kingsmeadow. The Dons have enjoyed a rapid rise up the leagues, achieving 9 promotions in 11 years, and now find themselves one league below their controversial incarnation MK Dons, in League Two. They have a tight knit fan base and most importantly, are fan owned. A return to Plough Lane, the original home of Wimbledon FC looks likely for AFC Wimbledon. A moral victory for fans who had their club ripped away. The love a football fan has for their club, whatever league, whichever country, will never die, The passion will never die. As AFC Wimbledon fans have shown, the end is not the end. The end is NEVER the end.

AFC Wimbledon Supporters have enjoyed the rapid rise of their side.

For the supporters Darlington FC the story is not dissimilar. Their club may not have been moved 70 miles up the M1, but they too lost their club. Darlington FC were at the heart of the Durham town. The club played at Feethams, an 8500 capacity ground in the centre of Darlington before their infamous and controversial chairman George Reynolds moved the Quakers to the Arena (it's had several names!) on the outskirts of the town. This sparked the downfall of Darlington FC. An unfeasible, unsustainable, 25'000 seater white elephant eventually cost Darlo' their existence. With the club averaging between 1500 and 2000 supporters since its grand opening, the costs to run the stadium became too much. Relegation to the Conference led to crowds dwindling further, and soon financial trouble hit the Quakers. On 21st June 2012, Darlington FC ceased to exist. Out of the ashes rises Darlington 1883....

Darlington 1883 celebrate a key goal in their promotion campaign

....Saturday 18th August 2012. Darlington 1883 play their first game in the Northern League at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland against the club they groundshare with. Darlington 1883 3-1 Bishop Auckland. They may find themselves in the lower echelons of non-league football, but yet again, the fans win. 

Chester City, Rushden & Diamonds, Aldershot and Telford United. Just a few clubs to have risen again and who are all the better for it. While Rushden & Diamonds (Or AFC as they are now known) may be an amateur side in the Northamptonshire Youth League, they are a club, and a club which without the fans would never exist. Chester FC are just one tier away from the comfortable surroundings of the Football League, and are enjoying a mixed season in the Conference. They may not be doing too well in the league but their fans have a club. Aldershot may be in more financial trouble, but their fans have a club. My point is, these fans have a club. 

I myself am unsure of the main point of this article. It seems I have been rambling on about other club's success and how they've started again but that was far from my intention. If you take anything from this article, take away the concept of fan ownership just think...If that was your club, what would you do? Hinckley United, you are far from gone. You will be back someday. It may take years, but you'll be back. Through many a defeat, that in itself is a victory. 

Last Gasp Leigh Seals Wolves Win

Venue: Molineux 
Attendance: 17406 (246 away) 
Result: Wolves 2-1 Crawley
Goalscorers: Sigurdarson (7), Griffiths (90+4), Clarke (90+1 pen) 

On Friday 23rd August, at 7.45pm, Wolverhampton Wanderers faced Crawley Town in a SkyBet League One fixture. Undoubtedly, it was a fixture that wouldn't look out of place in the FA Cup. 246 proud members of the Red Army headed up the M25, M40, M42 and M5 to Wolverhampton hoping their club could seal what would be a famous victory. 

The game started with continuous waves of Wolves pressure from the off, with Sigurdarson and Doyle both spurning chances, before the former latched onto the latter's pinpoint cross to head in the first goal of the evening after 7 minutes. Wolves continued the pressure before Crawley's Joe Walsh created the Reds' first effort of the game, dragging his shot wide from six yards out, unmarked with the goal gaping. Undeterred by that miss, gallant Crawley continued to battle against a much stronger, superior Wolves side. The impressive Nicky Adams forced Carl Ikeme into a save before Gary Alexander dragged his shot just wide of the mark. 

Away fans' view

Three years ago, Crawley Town were in the Conference while Wolverhampton Wanderers sat top of the Premier League after beating Manchester United 2-1 at Molineux. Wolves' rapid decline and Crawley's meteoric rise began to show as the Reds took control in the second half, Ikeme once again saving from Billy Clarke and Adams. The towering surroundings of Molineux proved no stumbling block for the Red Devils, although Wanderers were unlucky not to have doubled their goal advantage when a lone Sigurdarson was put through, but the striker just missed the ball. As the visitors took control yet again they became a burden on the Wolves back line, the nifty Adams causing all the problems. 

Crawley celebrate their famous goal. 

On 90 minutes Jamie Proctor combined with Billy Clarke before the Irishman's sweetly struck strike hit the back of the net via the post. The scenes in the away were jubilant; 246 fans in absolute raptures. Ecstasy. Crawley Town had surely grabbed a last gasp equaliser, to the delight of the visiting fans. 

As a deflated Wolves kicked off they immediately threw everything at the Crawley defence, and a cross from left seemed to hit Kyle McFadzean and a dubious penalty was awarded. Leigh Griffiths struck the ball the left of a diving Paul Jones and had the match for Wolves. From elation to heartbreak in a matter of moments. That's football.  

League One Preview 2013/14

Hello! I'm back, which can only mean one thing...it's that time of the year again. The time when football fans regain their normal lives. Football is back!

This year, League One has got spicier than ever, with the addition of Wolverhampton Wanderers who, not long ago, were a Premier League side, and Bristol City. Ahead of Saturday's big kick off, here's my analysis of the promotion contenders, the relegation candidates, and the team who could spring a few surprises come what May! 

PROMOTION CANDIDATES

"Embarrassing", "calamitous", "worst season in years"; just some of the ways Wolverhampton Wanderers' Championship campaign was described by fans. However, it's not hard to see why Kenny Jackett has swapped life in South London for the West Midlands. There's plenty of positives for the club. Jackett has cut down the squad size and has a flock of talented youngsters - including Scottish ace Leigh Griffiths - to take the men from Molineux forwards in League One. Wolves have a manager who has experience of promotion, and a squad with enough quality to achieve this goal. Title challengers, no doubt. 

For Peterborough United, League One in no unknown territory, having fluctuated between the second and third tier for a number of years. With the experience of getting out of the league, and a passionate manager, 'Boro should be up there come the end of the season. 

Bristol City began preparing for third tier football during April as relegation was confirmed with three games remaining of the season. This extra time to build has allowed City to make numerous changed to the squad. These changed could be key to a promotion challenge. 

Brentford have made plenty of signings and there is no doubt that we shall see the Bees near the top of the table at the end of the season. Where though? That's difficult. They've proven themselves in the play offs, and have been close to automatic promotion before, so its hard to tell. The signings of Will Grigg, Javi Venta, Conor McAleny and Martin Filio prove Brentford's intention of promotion. 

After five consecutive years in the third tier, and having never been any higher, MK Dons will look to finally gain promotion to the Championship. Towards the end of the last campaign, Dons came back strongly from a poor festive period. In contrast to this, Sheffield United fell away towards the end of the last campaign. A change of manager, and numerous signings, however, should give the Blades a shot of a bounce back to the Championship following heartbreak in the last two play off attempts.

RELEGATION BATTLERS

Favourites for relegation this season are Colchester United, who are likely to struggle at the wrong end of the table. A small and inexperienced playing squad could see the downfall of Shrewsbury Town this season. A lack of investment may lead to a return to the fourth tier.

The surprise relegation candidates this season could be the ill-fated Sky Blues, Coventry City. Fans face a 70 mile round-trip for fans next season to watch the Sky Blues as they play 'home' games at Northampton's Sixfields after financial problems forced their eviction from the Ricoh Arena. Along with the destined low crowds*, this could spell trouble for financially stricken Coventry. 

*at time of writing a reported 210 season tickets had been sold. 

Walsall have become victims of their own success after a surge up the table towards the end of last season. This success has led to the departure of highly rated Will Grigg to Brentford and Jamie Paterson to Nottingham Forest, both of whom were key figures for the Saddlers. Failure to replace the gallant strike force may spell relegation. 

A last minute winner at home to Crawley Town saw Oldham Athletic survive on the penultimate day of the 2012/13 season. It has been a season of comings and goings at the Latics, as star striker Matt Smith departed for Leeds United and 7 others released. Jean-Yves M'voto left for Barnsley and Dean Furman opted to join former manager Paul Dickov at Doncaster Rovers. The loss of so many key players could hinder Athletic's chances of survival but young gaffer Lee Johnson may make a few acquisitions before the transfer window shuts. 

A disastrous end to the last campaign saw Tranmere Rovers in freefall. Despite the signing of Ryan Lowe from MK Dons, Rovers are likely to be in the bottom quarter of the table. Of the four promoted sides, Gillingham look the most likely to struggle, with little transfer activity over the summer period leaving manager Martin Allen with a thin squad. 

THE TEAM TO WATCH

My team to watch this season is Bradford City. After a glorious 2012/13 campaign, which saw two Wembley appearances in the Play Off Final and League Cup Final, City return to League One after a six year absence, and are on the crest of a wave. The Bantams have shown intention to be successful with the signing of former Swindon man Raffael De Vita and Watford winger Mark Yeates on Bosman transfers.  Play offs are certainly not out of question for the Yorkshire outfit, made possible by the funds earned from the outstanding cup run of last year. City have also retained fans favourite Gary Jones, James Hanson, and prolific Bermudan striker Nahki Wells, key to City's recent success. The momentum from the previous campaign should provide Bradford with a healthy string of results in the third tier. With ever improving support, the Claret & Amber army could be the ones to surprise a few this season.

Crawley Town Finish Tenth in Terrific League One Campaign

When I first started writing this blog my first entry highlighted Crawley's first half of the 2012/13 season and I gave my expectations for the rest of the season. That can be found here. 

This blog post will review Town's second half of the season which saw them finish in 10th place. 

The first game of the new year came on New Year's Day at home to Colchester United. Mark Connolly's first Reds goal, along with strikes from Billy Clarke and Nicky Adams saw Crawley start the year with a 3-0 victory - a terrific bounce back from the previous game away at Bournemouth. Reading were the next visitors to the Broadfield Stadium for the FA Cup 3rd Round clash. The full report, which includes my view of Nicky Adams' 14 second goal, can be found here. Defeat at Tranmere was next for the Reds before another away defeat at Scunthorpe was sandwiched between two 1-1 draws at home to Swindon and Doncaster; both were shown on Sky Sports. 

Terrific wins away at Leyton Orient and Bury left some fans filled with belief that Crawley Town - in their first season - would reach the nPower League One Play Offs. In March, Town drew three of their four home games; a stalemate against Notts County, a 1-1 affairs with Carlisle and Stevenage. The Red Devils' first home win since New Years Day came against Crewe with Jamie Proctor scoring both. 

April, the final month of the season. One last push. Come on Crawley, you can do it. 

Of the final seven games, four were away ties for the Reds. A disappointing 3-0 defeat to Shrewsbury opened the month on Bank Holiday Monday before an army of Reds' fans travelled to stadium:mk as Crawley took on MK Dons. A drab 0-0 was the final result. Two 0-0's? In the space of a month? Blimey, times do change! Next was a game which wouldn't have looked out of place in the FA Cup a few years ago. Crawley Town visited Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United. United themselves were still in the mix for an automatic promotion place. I was unfortunate that I couldn't make this game but the radio was on and I was tuned in at home. What I heard was truly unbelievable. "BILLY CLARKEEE...OH ITS IN! CRAWLEY HAVE THE LEAD!" screamed Reds' Player commentator John Barnett. I must admit, I jumped around the house! Ten minutes later...this happened. "Crawley break again. It's Billy Clarke, he's into the box, across to HAYES! 2-0 TO CRAWLEY!". The 186 away fans were sent into delirium, no doubt. Possibly the greatest victory in Crawley Town's league history?

Poolie Penguins

Next was a home game against Coventry City - another 2-0 victory for the Reds. Coventry and Sheffield United both defeated by tiny 'non league' Crawley? Nothing like ending a season in style, eh?. The final away trip of the season saw the Red Army venture up to Oldham before Reds ended the season with two home game. Mike Jones' first Town goal sealed victory against Preston North End before Hartlepool's penguins invaded Sussex (as well as a couple of nuns!) Already relegated Pools really know how to have a party! A drab game came to life in the second half with four goals. Two fantastic strikes from United's Andy Monkhouse cancelled out Jamie Proctor's opener before Proctor himself scored late on to secure a 2-2 draw. 

So, what a season it has been. I've travelled up and down the country watching my beloved football team with some fantastic people and enjoyed every moment. From Portsmouth to Birkenhead (or Carlisle if you could afford it) I watched my side put on a show and rip up League One. Richie Barker led his men in a memorable season in our League One debut and for that I will be forever grateful. 

Right, I'm signing off for the summer. See you in August, but for now - keep up to date on Twitter!