You didn't read what I wrote did you? And fortunately we'll never find out. But if you think us being above Crawley is some sort of natural order that could never have been threatened, well I sort of envy your cosy naivety.
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How big is the gap between BHA & Crawley?
- Thread starter Steve Foster
- Start date
seagullsovergrimsby
#cpfctinpotclub
The gap is a chasm , Crawley see Palace as their local rivals now.
The Birdman
New member
Mo Gosfield
Well-known member
- Aug 11, 2010
- 6,316
Good luck to Crawley but I fear that they will struggle to maintain this status. Their potential will always be squeezed between BHA and London. Their fanbase is probably smaller than Wycombe and their stay in Div1 is always short.
portslade seagull
Well-known member
If they pick up as many injuries as we have they would be nadgered
I'm not sure. They really ought to be able to sustain league football as their hinterland is substantial: Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Horley, East Grinstead & Reigate are all substantial population centres within ten miles of their ground. I quite like Crawley, but they'll probably never be a true threat to us, in the same way as Accrington is never going to be a threat to Blackburn or Burnley.
Agree.
Thing is. If you lived in Horsham or Reigate would you really want to support Crawley when you could hop in the car and get to the Albion or - dare I say it - Palace respectively?
Dunno. They are definitely picking up support in Crawley itself. This is very unscientific but my friend's son plays for Maidenbower Colts (a youth team in Crawley) and I go and see him play occasionally. He's at u13 or u14 level now and when I first went to watch him when he was about 9 I didn't see one Crawley shirt, all the kids (and parents) were in the usual bog-standard Prem shirts. Recently though I've noticed a fair few Crawley tops being worn, amongst the kids and on the sidelines.
Like I say, unscientific and I wouldn't offer it up as conclusive proof that people from Crawley and its hinterland have permanently adopted their local team, but if they can maintain their current level their bubble may not burst just yet.
Seasidesage
New member
Although it is a dramatic overreaction. I see every fan that turns up to watch them as one potentially lost to us (despite the fact that Crawley has never been an Albion town)
They will never be a threat to us, but the day they return to the minor leagues cannot come too soon for me...
They will never be a threat to us, but the day they return to the minor leagues cannot come too soon for me...
Well as a Palace fan ST holder, I have seen Crawley more than Palace this season!! mainly because as of today we have not yet played at 3.00 on a sat (got to wait for Nov 9th for the 1st home 3.00 oclock!!) and so far they have been doing cracking deals...anyone with a prem season ticket can get in the west stand for £10 and the cup game the other night was £5.00!! which is cheaper than East Grinstead in the county league.
They have a long way to go, but me and a few of my Palace mates are going to watch them and really enjoy it to.
They have a long way to go, but me and a few of my Palace mates are going to watch them and really enjoy it to.
chucky1973
New member
my daughter is at a local primary school, 5 mins from the ground. 2 years ago, visits by the club never happened. they have now had 2 in 6 months, give out tickets and memorabillia. They are doing the things they never did well and good luck to them. They will never be rivals, but I do hope they can keep improving that gate.
The Birdman
New member
This is why we should continue to try and build our fan base and not take our eye of doing the free tickets for schools and youth football clubs etc The potential is still very good or Brighton.
Very few people in Horsham would watch Crawley over BHA or a London club. I think they would probably rather watch Horsham in the Ryman league than Crawley in L1.
Steve Foster
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #35
In playing terms maybe not that much? Crawley "reserves" drew 3-3 with our development squad earlier today. (Essam, Sinclair and Torres scoring)
http://www.crawleytownfc.com/n.....08049.aspx
In facilities and finance terms, there's no comparison.
http://www.crawleytownfc.com/n.....08049.aspx
In facilities and finance terms, there's no comparison.
Steve Foster
Well-known member
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Or, indeed, on Tuesday.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,869
5 years ago we were struggling in league 1, shit ground and 7k crowds. A lot can happen in a few years
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Article in the Argus today says that Crawley are keen to work more closely with the Albion after patching up their relationship with the Seagulls. The links between the clubs became virtually non-existent during Steve Evans' rein at Crawley (the article suggests Evans' abrasive character may have played a part in putting off Albion sending their squad players or youngsters up the A23 for important experience). However, now that Martin Hinshelwood, Steve Coppell and Richie Barker are at the club (and with ex-Crawley Simon Rusk being Albion's youth team coach) things have been smoothed over. Apparently Richie Barker has already held talks with Nathan Jones about the possibility of taking players on loan (with one thought to be George Barker) - it might have happened already if not for all the injuries at the Albion.