We’re back on the road this Saturday after our biggest win of the season against Colchester United last weekend. We face Crawley Town who have lost their last three games.

In the Dugout

62-year-old John Yems had his first managerial role in 1992 at Horsham where he spent three years. In 2006 he joined Crawley Town as a joint caretaker manager before being sacked at the end of the season. In February 2008 he became assistant manager at Exeter City but left only a year later. His next significant role was back at Crawley in December 2019 where he has remained since.

Man with the Armband

30-year-old George Francomb is Crawley’s skipper having been with the club since 2018. His youth career began with Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 where he spent six years with the Premier League side before moving to Norwich City in 2008.

He made his professional debut in 2009 before going on loan to Barnet, Hibernian and AFC Wimbledon. He signed permanently for the Dons in 2013 and made 181 for them across six years before leaving for Crawley.

The midfielder has appeared in 11 league games this season picking up three assists and one yellow card. In the Reds’ last game, Francomb scored an own goal to give bottom of the league Scunthorpe United the opener in a game his side went on to lose.

He was unable to lead his side out for the opening game of the season as he was suspended due to him being sent off in the final game of last season.

Star Man

Ghanaian Kwesi Appiah has been Crawley’s stand out man this season. He began his career in 2008 at Ebbsfleet Town and has played for numerous clubs in his 14-year career. He is the Reds’ top scorer with six goals in all competitions having only joined in the middle of August. The 31-year-old striker has scored in his last two games despite his side losing both.

Last time out and recent form

In Crawley’s last five outings they have one victory and four defeats. The Reds were hammered 4-0 at home to Leyton Orient in the Papa John’s Trophy before three league defeats to Sutton United, Exeter City and Scunthorpe United. Their win came away at Rochdale where a single Appiah goal was the difference.

Crawley’s most recent game was away at bottom side Scunthorpe who were gifted the lead through Francomb’s own goal on 32 minutes. The Iron doubled their lead on 55 minutes as Jake Scrimshaw found the net. Appiah halved the deficit after 73 minutes but the Reds could not find an equaliser and lost the game 2-1.

Their Home

The Broadfield Stadium or The People’s Pension Stadium has a capacity of 6,134 and was opened in 1997. The stadium has hosted Brighton & Hove Albion Women’s team since 2018.

Directions if you are driving

Exit the M23 at the Pease Pottage, junction 11. Take the third exit (see brown sign for Stadium) and the ground is on your left at the bottom of Brighton Road, approx 2 mins from the M23 junction. 

There are free parking options available that are a just a few minutes’ walk from the Stadium on Brighton Road.

Please note that there are no accessible bays at any of these free car parks.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

We have 22 parking spaces for disabled supporters, 10 of which are hatched side and rear. 19 of these are for home fans and three for away fans. Blue badge holders arriving at the stadium get free parking provided they are in the car and display their badge.

There is also a designated bay where disabled fans can be dropped off, if required, and the driver can then park or return to pick up after the game. There are three away fans disabled bays sold on a first-come first-served basis.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Crawley Train Station is the closest to The People's Pension Stadium but you can also get there from Three Bridges or Gatwick Airport stations.

There is a taxi rank outside Crawley station, some of which are wheelchair accessible, you will be charged by the mile.

PLUSBUS: You can add the bus travel to your rail ticket for less than the price of paying on the bus. Just ask to add Plusbus when buying you rail ticket to Crawley, Three Bridges or Gatwick.

Buses from Crawley Rail Station: Cross the road outside the station to Crawley Bus Station. Go to Stop A and catch Fastway 10 to the Stadium.

From Three Bridges Rail Station: Follow signs to stop C near the station and catch Fastway 20 to the Stadium. 

From Gatwick Airport: From either terminal follow the signs saying 'Local public buses Metrobus'. Catch either Fastway 10 or Fastway 20 southbound in the direction of Broadfield/Bewbush to the Stadium.

ARRIVING BY BUS

The Stadium is easily accessible by bus from all over Crawley and many parts of Sussex and Surrey. Buses stop right outside the entrance to the car park.

Fastway 10 serves the Stadium every seven minutes and drops you right outside. There are 12 buses an hour which go past the Stadium so you will never have to wait long for a service.

Fastway 20 (Gatwick South Terminal only) serves the Stadium every 20 minutes.

Routes 271 & 273 now provide an hourly direct service from Brighton, stopping near the stadium on the A23.

All Fastway buses are wheelchair accessible.