whats your opinion on crawley town

[Fef]

... Bruce Winfield has been involved with Crawley for many many years, I know this to be fact.
....

and

... as for the administration I can't really comment but I thought that was the majeeds, if it was, bruce wasn't involved back then, he didn't want anything to do with them. If it was after the majeeds went, then I can't comment why Bruce didn't bail them out.

So, was he involved with the Majeeds or not? How long has he been involved? There seem to be vast holes in the fabric of Crawley's ownership and finances; if I were a Crawley fan (and not a plastic), I would feel very uncomfortable right now.

From the Guardian article on the previous page:

Asked about their spending, on transfer fees and players' wages said to be around £100,000 a year for some, Carter replied: "How many clubs actually spend what they make in income? Very few. It's a problem in football; we're only doing what other clubs are doing."

This is saying 'we are non-sustainable, and proud of it'. I feel sorry for the suppliers and other creditors who will lose out when they go into administration again.

 

[middletoenail]

I dont hate the club really, its more the town that I cant stand.

But you live in Haywards Heath, Sussex's dullest commuter town (with the possible exception of East Grinstead)

I am actually from Burgess Hill so I would have thought that is progression?

If you are trying to say that Haywards Heath is on some kind of par with Crawley then you either have some allegiance to Crawley or you cant afford to live in a decent part of Haywards Heath.

 

[wehatepalace]

So, was he involved with the Majeeds or not? How long has he been involved?

He was involved with Crawley long before I was even born, back in the old Town Mead days, but when the Majeeds came along if you remember they took total control of the club, Bruce amongst others were forced to step away, and then once the Majeeds had gone, he got involved again.

 

[chucky1973]

I've had first hand up close experience of the man, both when he was Boston United's manager and then with Crawley Town. He's unbelievable, he's been up for assault I don't know how many times, punched an opposing teams player, physically threatened officials both during and after games, abusive to opposing teams directors and officials (I witnessed this first hand from the Crawley Town directors box), and has a crime sheet longer than the Falmer station queue at 5pm on a Saturday. He may well have passion for the club, and know how to switch tactics halfway through a game, but that doesn't stop him being a complete moron.

As i said in my opening statement......a tosser.

 

[willingdon_seagull]

Couldn't care less about them...

This! Scum town, mostly scum fans - period!

 

[chucky1973]

I am actually from Burgess Hill so I would have thought that is progression?

If you are trying to say that Haywards Heath is on some kind of par with Crawley then you either have some allegiance to Crawley or you cant afford to live in a decent part of Haywards Heath.

All towns have shit areas, some of Haywards Heath behind the town centre is awful and downright pikey, some areas going out towards Lingfield are very nice, same for Crawley, a couple of dreadful areas to live, but at the same time some very nice areas that I would have no problems in moving too.

 

[chucky1973]

This! Scum town, mostly scum fans - period!

Oh dear, school holidays still on are they.

Willingdon? stunning....not

 

[chucky1973]

I know

there are some fcuking plums on this site, probably never even been to Crawley or know how to get there.

 

[Storer 68]

I've had first hand up close experience of the man, both when he was Boston United's manager and then with Crawley Town. He's unbelievable, he's been up for assault I don't know how many times, punched an opposing teams player, physically threatened officials both during and after games, abusive to opposing teams directors and officials (I witnessed this first hand from the Crawley Town directors box), and has a crime sheet longer than the Falmer station queue at 5pm on a Saturday. He may well have passion for the club, and know how to switch tactics halfway through a game, but that doesn't stop him being a complete moron.

Managerial career
Boston United - Following his retirement from playing, Evans went into "off pitch activities" and became chairman of Corby Town in 1994.[citation needed] He was only at the club for months where the manager prior to his arrival had been sacked and the one he employed resigning.[citation needed]

Evans started his managerial career with Stamford in 1994,[5] who he led to the United Counties Football League Premier Division title and to promotion to the Southern Football League.[6] After resigning as Stamford manager he was appointed manager of Boston United in October 1998.[6][7] He managed Boston to promotion from the Southern Football League to the Football Conference in 2000 and subsequently to the Football League in 2002. Both promotions have since been overshadowed by revelations of off-the-field cheating.[8]

Evans was suspended by Boston as manager on 4 July 2002 after a much-publicised Football Association (The FA) investigation into "contract irregularities".[9] He later resigned as manager of the club in September 2002, after still being suspended by the club.[10] He was found guilty by The FA in December 2002 of impeding an FA inquiry into contract irregularities.[11] Evans was also suspended from the game for 20 months in January 2003 for involvement of the affairs of Boston,[12] in which players' contracts lodged with the FA contained false salary details.[citation needed] Evans was further accused of impeding the inquiry and fined £8,000.[8] Evans lodged an appeal against charges in May 2003,[13] but The FA rejected his appeal later that month and the punishment stood.[14]

An announcement was made on 20 February 2004 that Evans would return as Boston's manager on 2 March.[15] In September 2005, Evans and four other people connected with Boston appeared in court, denying fraud charges.[16] In November 2005, Evans was given a £1,000 fine, suspended for a year, after admitting to using insulting or abusive words to the match official in a match against Peterborough United in October 2005.[17] On 11 February 2006, he was escorted from Grimsby Town's stadium Blundell Park by Humberside Police at half-time,[18] after he berated the fourth official after being incensed when Grimsby goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall appeared to handle the ball outside his area and was immediately spoken to by a police officer after a complaint of alleged foul and abusive language. After the match Boston chairman Jon Sotnick accused the football authorities of waging a "conspiracy" against his manager.[19] In October 2006, Evans was linked with the vacant Darlington managerial vacancy, but Boston chairman James Rodwell and Evans both denied the link.[20] Also in October, Evans was sent from the dugout after an altercation with Wycombe Wanderers player Tommy Doherty.[21] After pleading guilty to conspiracy to evade tax, on 3 November 2006 Evans received a one-year suspended sentence and a £1,000 fine.[3] Despite these events, Evans kept his manager's position at Boston, a decision that angered the Boston United Supporters' Trust.[22]

In March 2007, Evans was left with only 11 professional footballers for the relegation clash with Bury.[23] Although players were back from suspension, Evans was left frustrated after players such as Barnsley's on-loan striker Nathan Joynes quit the club, which left him with just 12 fit senior players and he was forced to put 16 and 17 year olds on an incomplete substitute's bench.[24] After drawing 1–1 in their penultimate match of the season against relegated Torquay United,[25] Boston needed a win against relegation rivals Wrexham to avoid the drop out of league football.[26]


On 5 May 2007 Boston faced Wrexham in a win or bust situation, and things were looking good for the team when Francis Green opened the scoring for Evans' outfit, who lead 1–0 at half-time, but in the second half United conceded a penalty kick, which Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine converted, and so was the goal that sent Boston down. Two late goals from Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor rubber-stamped Wrexham's survival and saw Boston lose 3–1.[27] On 8 May 2007, Evans pledged his commitment to the club despite their relegation and return to non-League football.[28] However, on 27 May, Evans and his assistant manager Paul Raynor resigned from Boston with immediate effect.[29] Evans' two occasions as manager combined at Boston made him the club's second longest serving manager behind Fred Tunstall, who had three occasions as manager of the club in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.[30] He managed the team on 354 occasions, which resulted in 145 wins, 99 draws and 110 losses.[31]

Crawley Town This section requires expansion.

On 29 May 2007, two days after resigning from the Boston managerial post, Evans took over as Crawley Town manager.[32] He has been sent from the dugout numerous times, which resulted in a ten match ban during the 2008–09 season.[33] He verbally accepted a new three-year contract with Crawley in February 2011.[34] During the 2010-11 season, Crawley reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, beating Swindon Town of League One, Derby County of the Championship and Torquay United of League Two. In the fifth round they were drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Crawley lost this match 1-0 but earned over £1 million for this match alone. Evans stated afterwards "I think we have done our football club proud and we wanted to go away with some respect" and "We have had a fantastic run in the competition and we could not have wished it to finish anywhere else". On 9 April 2011 Crawley clinched promotion to Football League Two for the 2011-12 season.

Managerial statisticsAs of 16 August 2011.
Team Nation From To Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % Ref
Stamford England 1994 October 1998 ? ? ? ? ?
Boston United England October 1998 4 July 2002 186 92 53 41 49.5 [31]
Boston United England 2 March 2004 27 May 2007 168 53 46 69 31.5 [31]
Crawley Town England 29 May 2007 Present 222 106 56 60 47.75 [35]
Total 576 251 155 170 43.58

 

[Mackenzie]

No opinion either way on them really, although I do wonder why they are bothering throwing all that money at a team that will only ever attract a couple of thousand spectators

Good luck to 'em though I guess.

 

[willingdon_seagull]

This! Scum town, mostly scum fans - period!

Just my opinion - and plenty would not disagree! Wouldn't live there if you paid me!

 

[Bold Seagull]

As i said in my opening statement......a tosser.

That clears it up, I thought you said he had a reputation for being a tosser. As you've now said, it's not a reputation, he is a first class with honours tosser!

 

[chucky1973]

That clears it up, I thought you said he had a reputation for being a tosser. As you've now said, it's not a reputation, he is a first class with honours tosser!

lol, Reputation as in i dont know him personnally so cant judge for myself!! but from I have read yes a Tosser!! (but a clever one!!)

 

[Bold Seagull]

Managerial career
Boston United - Following his retirement from playing, Evans went into "off pitch activities" and became chairman of Corby Town in 1994.[citation needed] He was only at the club for months where the manager prior to his arrival had been sacked and the one he employed resigning.[citation needed]

Evans started his managerial career with Stamford in 1994,[5] who he led to the United Counties Football League Premier Division title and to promotion to the Southern Football League.[6] After resigning as Stamford manager he was appointed manager of Boston United in October 1998.[6][7] He managed Boston to promotion from the Southern Football League to the Football Conference in 2000 and subsequently to the Football League in 2002. Both promotions have since been overshadowed by revelations of off-the-field cheating.[8]

Evans was suspended by Boston as manager on 4 July 2002 after a much-publicised Football Association (The FA) investigation into "contract irregularities".[9] He later resigned as manager of the club in September 2002, after still being suspended by the club.[10] He was found guilty by The FA in December 2002 of impeding an FA inquiry into contract irregularities.[11] Evans was also suspended from the game for 20 months in January 2003 for involvement of the affairs of Boston,[12] in which players' contracts lodged with the FA contained false salary details.[citation needed] Evans was further accused of impeding the inquiry and fined £8,000.[8] Evans lodged an appeal against charges in May 2003,[13] but The FA rejected his appeal later that month and the punishment stood.[14]

An announcement was made on 20 February 2004 that Evans would return as Boston's manager on 2 March.[15] In September 2005, Evans and four other people connected with Boston appeared in court, denying fraud charges.[16] In November 2005, Evans was given a £1,000 fine, suspended for a year, after admitting to using insulting or abusive words to the match official in a match against Peterborough United in October 2005.[17] On 11 February 2006, he was escorted from Grimsby Town's stadium Blundell Park by Humberside Police at half-time,[18] after he berated the fourth official after being incensed when Grimsby goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall appeared to handle the ball outside his area and was immediately spoken to by a police officer after a complaint of alleged foul and abusive language. After the match Boston chairman Jon Sotnick accused the football authorities of waging a "conspiracy" against his manager.[19] In October 2006, Evans was linked with the vacant Darlington managerial vacancy, but Boston chairman James Rodwell and Evans both denied the link.[20] Also in October, Evans was sent from the dugout after an altercation with Wycombe Wanderers player Tommy Doherty.[21] After pleading guilty to conspiracy to evade tax, on 3 November 2006 Evans received a one-year suspended sentence and a £1,000 fine.[3] Despite these events, Evans kept his manager's position at Boston, a decision that angered the Boston United Supporters' Trust.[22]

In March 2007, Evans was left with only 11 professional footballers for the relegation clash with Bury.[23] Although players were back from suspension, Evans was left frustrated after players such as Barnsley's on-loan striker Nathan Joynes quit the club, which left him with just 12 fit senior players and he was forced to put 16 and 17 year olds on an incomplete substitute's bench.[24] After drawing 1–1 in their penultimate match of the season against relegated Torquay United,[25] Boston needed a win against relegation rivals Wrexham to avoid the drop out of league football.[26]


On 5 May 2007 Boston faced Wrexham in a win or bust situation, and things were looking good for the team when Francis Green opened the scoring for Evans' outfit, who lead 1–0 at half-time, but in the second half United conceded a penalty kick, which Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine converted, and so was the goal that sent Boston down. Two late goals from Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor rubber-stamped Wrexham's survival and saw Boston lose 3–1.[27] On 8 May 2007, Evans pledged his commitment to the club despite their relegation and return to non-League football.[28] However, on 27 May, Evans and his assistant manager Paul Raynor resigned from Boston with immediate effect.[29] Evans' two occasions as manager combined at Boston made him the club's second longest serving manager behind Fred Tunstall, who had three occasions as manager of the club in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.[30] He managed the team on 354 occasions, which resulted in 145 wins, 99 draws and 110 losses.[31]

Crawley Town This section requires expansion.

On 29 May 2007, two days after resigning from the Boston managerial post, Evans took over as Crawley Town manager.[32] He has been sent from the dugout numerous times, which resulted in a ten match ban during the 2008–09 season.[33] He verbally accepted a new three-year contract with Crawley in February 2011.[34] During the 2010-11 season, Crawley reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, beating Swindon Town of League One, Derby County of the Championship and Torquay United of League Two. In the fifth round they were drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Crawley lost this match 1-0 but earned over £1 million for this match alone. Evans stated afterwards "I think we have done our football club proud and we wanted to go away with some respect" and "We have had a fantastic run in the competition and we could not have wished it to finish anywhere else". On 9 April 2011 Crawley clinched promotion to Football League Two for the 2011-12 season.

Managerial statisticsAs of 16 August 2011.
Team Nation From To Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % Ref
Stamford England 1994 October 1998 ? ? ? ? ?
Boston United England October 1998 4 July 2002 186 92 53 41 49.5 [31]
Boston United England 2 March 2004 27 May 2007 168 53 46 69 31.5 [31]
Crawley Town England 29 May 2007 Present 222 106 56 60 47.75 [35]
Total 576 251 155 170 43.58

and that's just a summary of his misdemeanors! there is a lot more not covered in that Wiki entry I can assure you. his assistant Paul Raynor is just as bad, like his little yes man lap dog. the two of them would be hilarious if they weren't so obnoxious.

 

[chucky1973]

Managerial career
Boston United - Following his retirement from playing, Evans went into "off pitch activities" and became chairman of Corby Town in 1994.[citation needed] He was only at the club for months where the manager prior to his arrival had been sacked and the one he employed resigning.[citation needed]

Evans started his managerial career with Stamford in 1994,[5] who he led to the United Counties Football League Premier Division title and to promotion to the Southern Football League.[6] After resigning as Stamford manager he was appointed manager of Boston United in October 1998.[6][7] He managed Boston to promotion from the Southern Football League to the Football Conference in 2000 and subsequently to the Football League in 2002. Both promotions have since been overshadowed by revelations of off-the-field cheating.[8]

Evans was suspended by Boston as manager on 4 July 2002 after a much-publicised Football Association (The FA) investigation into "contract irregularities".[9] He later resigned as manager of the club in September 2002, after still being suspended by the club.[10] He was found guilty by The FA in December 2002 of impeding an FA inquiry into contract irregularities.[11] Evans was also suspended from the game for 20 months in January 2003 for involvement of the affairs of Boston,[12] in which players' contracts lodged with the FA contained false salary details.[citation needed] Evans was further accused of impeding the inquiry and fined £8,000.[8] Evans lodged an appeal against charges in May 2003,[13] but The FA rejected his appeal later that month and the punishment stood.[14]

An announcement was made on 20 February 2004 that Evans would return as Boston's manager on 2 March.[15] In September 2005, Evans and four other people connected with Boston appeared in court, denying fraud charges.[16] In November 2005, Evans was given a £1,000 fine, suspended for a year, after admitting to using insulting or abusive words to the match official in a match against Peterborough United in October 2005.[17] On 11 February 2006, he was escorted from Grimsby Town's stadium Blundell Park by Humberside Police at half-time,[18] after he berated the fourth official after being incensed when Grimsby goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall appeared to handle the ball outside his area and was immediately spoken to by a police officer after a complaint of alleged foul and abusive language. After the match Boston chairman Jon Sotnick accused the football authorities of waging a "conspiracy" against his manager.[19] In October 2006, Evans was linked with the vacant Darlington managerial vacancy, but Boston chairman James Rodwell and Evans both denied the link.[20] Also in October, Evans was sent from the dugout after an altercation with Wycombe Wanderers player Tommy Doherty.[21] After pleading guilty to conspiracy to evade tax, on 3 November 2006 Evans received a one-year suspended sentence and a £1,000 fine.[3] Despite these events, Evans kept his manager's position at Boston, a decision that angered the Boston United Supporters' Trust.[22]

In March 2007, Evans was left with only 11 professional footballers for the relegation clash with Bury.[23] Although players were back from suspension, Evans was left frustrated after players such as Barnsley's on-loan striker Nathan Joynes quit the club, which left him with just 12 fit senior players and he was forced to put 16 and 17 year olds on an incomplete substitute's bench.[24] After drawing 1–1 in their penultimate match of the season against relegated Torquay United,[25] Boston needed a win against relegation rivals Wrexham to avoid the drop out of league football.[26]


On 5 May 2007 Boston faced Wrexham in a win or bust situation, and things were looking good for the team when Francis Green opened the scoring for Evans' outfit, who lead 1–0 at half-time, but in the second half United conceded a penalty kick, which Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine converted, and so was the goal that sent Boston down. Two late goals from Chris Llewellyn and Michael Proctor rubber-stamped Wrexham's survival and saw Boston lose 3–1.[27] On 8 May 2007, Evans pledged his commitment to the club despite their relegation and return to non-League football.[28] However, on 27 May, Evans and his assistant manager Paul Raynor resigned from Boston with immediate effect.[29] Evans' two occasions as manager combined at Boston made him the club's second longest serving manager behind Fred Tunstall, who had three occasions as manager of the club in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.[30] He managed the team on 354 occasions, which resulted in 145 wins, 99 draws and 110 losses.[31]

Crawley Town This section requires expansion.

On 29 May 2007, two days after resigning from the Boston managerial post, Evans took over as Crawley Town manager.[32] He has been sent from the dugout numerous times, which resulted in a ten match ban during the 2008–09 season.[33] He verbally accepted a new three-year contract with Crawley in February 2011.[34] During the 2010-11 season, Crawley reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, beating Swindon Town of League One, Derby County of the Championship and Torquay United of League Two. In the fifth round they were drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Crawley lost this match 1-0 but earned over £1 million for this match alone. Evans stated afterwards "I think we have done our football club proud and we wanted to go away with some respect" and "We have had a fantastic run in the competition and we could not have wished it to finish anywhere else". On 9 April 2011 Crawley clinched promotion to Football League Two for the 2011-12 season.

Managerial statisticsAs of 16 August 2011.
Team Nation From To Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % Ref
Stamford England 1994 October 1998 ? ? ? ? ?
Boston United England October 1998 4 July 2002 186 92 53 41 49.5 [31]
Boston United England 2 March 2004 27 May 2007 168 53 46 69 31.5 [31]
Crawley Town England 29 May 2007 Present 222 106 56 60 47.75 [35]
Total 576 251 155 170 43.58

you have too much time on your hands lol!!

 

[BHAFC_Pandapops]

bleh. i hate the way when they got to old trafford supporteurs du plastique had scarves saying the pride of sussex, as if they thought a one off game of fortune was always going to happen. furthermore, i look forward tohe day when they ask us for a groundshare but we dont give it to them, because the further they go up in the league, the more capacity they need.

BHAFC_Pandapops

 

[chucky1973]

bleh. i hate the way when they got to old trafford supporteurs du plastique had scarves saying the pride of sussex, as if they thought a one off game of fortune was always going to happen. furthermore, i look forward tohe day when they ask us for a groundshare but we dont give it to them, because the further they go up in the league, the more capacity they need.

BHAFC_Pandapops

building is just about to start on a temp east stand which will be fine for the club for years to come, with regard to the scarfs, a very good marketing ploy that made then £1000's so hats of to them. amd all clubs have plastic fans. I sit next to a Tottenham fan at the amex.

 

[blue2]

who?

 

[Scampi]

I am actually from Burgess Hill so I would have thought that is progression?

If you are trying to say that Haywards Heath is on some kind of par with Crawley then you either have some allegiance to Crawley or you cant afford to live in a decent part of Haywards Heath.

I have a soft spot for Crawley, was based there when I was working abroad regularly, nice decent working poeple. When we were last looking for a house we went to Haywards Heath but crossed it off our list, because it was so f***ing expensive and so bloody boring. It's the definition of a dormitory town, with as far as i can tell nothing of interest, and the people were so up themselves. At least Burgess Hill has a decent leisure centre. In the end we moved to Denton because we could buy a huge house near the sea, rather than a 3 bedroom rabbit hutch.

 

[Caveman]

They rose from nothing to league football quickly didn't they? I wonder if any outsiders had a bet before large investment was made.....