Crawley Town

Let’s take a trip into the world of regional leagues! Crawley Town was founded in 1896 and kicked around leagues like the West Sussex League, the Mid Sussex League, and the Brighton, Hove and District League for decades—all while remaining an amateur club. They turned semi pro in 1962 and joined the Southern League—levels 7 and 8 of the pyramid.

Along the way, they won a bunch of Cups with fantastic names: Sussex Professional Cup, Gilbert Rice Floodlight Cup, Southern Counties Combination Floodlight Cup, Sussex Senior Cup, and the Sussex Floodlight Cup. The biggest accomplishment was making the third round proper of the 1991-92 FA Cup, drawing Brighton and Hove Albion, which were then in the second tier. Crawley Town lost, 5-0.

Still a part-time team, they made the Conference in 2004. Now known as the National League, that’s the highest level under the Football League. In 2005 new owners took them professional, but the team struggled, attendance plunged, and a year later they came within hours of folding. But they survived, and in 2007 they beat relegation by a single point.

New ownership arrived again in 2008, and the climb was on. In the 2010-11 FA Cup, they made a dream run to the fifth round proper, beating teams from the Championship and League Two along the way, and they drew Manchester United away. With 9,000 Crawley fans in the stands—undoubtedly the most ever assembled anywhere—they lost 1-0 after hitting the crossbar in injury time. They carried that momentum to the Conference championship and their first-ever spot in the Football League.

They have actually spent two seasons in League One, includinglast season, when they were relegated by a single point. Otherwise they have established themselves as a stable League Two outfit. 

2024–25 SEASON: 21st in League One (relegated), 2nd Round FA Cup, 2nd Round League Cup

2025–26 SEASON: League Two (relegated in 2025)

AFC Wimbledon is supposed to be their rival, but having been to both grounds, we can’t imagine it’s too intense.

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Nothing in particular

You’ll know what level of football you’re visiting when you see the club shop and it’s the size of a food truck—maybe. Broadfield Stadium, is the perfect little League Two ground. It holds 6,134 people, with seats on each side and terraces behind each goal.

The away fans will be in the north end, and the rowdy home fans in the south. Sit in the south end because you might as well stand with the lads and have a go at the opposing keeper. There’s a sweet note on the team’s website that if you’re coming out for the first time, you should call for help finding the best seat—in a 6,000-seat ground!

TOURS: None

GETTING THERE: Broadfield is one mile from the Crawley station, so it’s a pretty easy half-hour walk. You can also catch bus 10 from Stop A outside the station or take a taxi for a few pounds. The latter could be helpful for getting the cabbie’s number to use after the game, though there is a taxi rank at the stadium.

PUBS: The Redz Bar at the stadium is pleasant and welcoming to all ages and both sets of fans. The New Moon is a nice pub less than ten minutes’ walk away; it has billiard tables, TVs, and food. Up by the station, The Railway is nice enough. Just north of the station, in the little town center, look for better options at the White Hart and the Brewery Shades.

GRUB: That little downtown area is the place to look for pregame lunch or postgame dinner. If you’re in the mood for Caribbean food, check out Turtle Bay, which is a chain but pretty good. Otherwise, it’s all the usual options: kebab, Indian, Thai, Italian, etc.

AROUND TOWN: It’s a nice enough little town, but honestly, even Wikipedia doesn’t list any attractions. Think of going to Crawley Town in three different contexts: as a chill day away from the chaos of London, a stopover on the way to Brighton on the coast, or a landing day if you’ve arrived at Gatwick Airport, which is on the edge of town.