Banton: Crawley can be the club where I finally settle

The well-known former Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Liverpool winger has had a nomadic existence despite his tender age of just 23.

An illustrious youth career saw him start with his local club Tottenham Hotspur and spend time at Blackburn Rovers and Leicester.

At the age of 19, he became the youngest ever English pro to transfer to the MLS, where he had a short spell with the Seattle Sounders.

He returned to England 2012 and signed for Palace and after a couple of loan spells, penned a permanent deal with Plymouth Argyle.

Since then, Crawley are now his fifth club in the space of 12 months, but the former England youth international is hoping for a fresh start.

He believes under Dermot Drummy’s guidance and style, he can settle.

Banton said: “There have been a mix of reasons, changing managers and other things, but I am just looking to bed down and push on really. I hope this is the place to do that.

“There have been all different reasons. Last year I signed at Notts County with Jamie Fullarton, who I had at Crystal Palace as my under-21 coach. He got sacked after just 13 games and the new manager just came in and he wasn’t having me.

“I know Dermot and Dermot knows me, that’s a good thing really.

“Coming into a new club having that style, hopefully I’ll come into pre-season and hit the ground running.

“Still being young, I want to play as high as possible, but if I have to play at this level the I hope to stay as long as possible.

“If I try to move then it will be up the leagues rather than another club at this level.”

The attacking midfielder also revealed teaming up with his former coach Drummy was a big pull to Reds.

He believes he fits perfectly into the head coaches’ style of football. Banton added: “I know Charles Dunn who had been on loan there last season and I know Roarie Deacon, who has just left and I spoke to them briefly.

“I am delighted to be involved. I have known Dermot for a number of years and know what sort of philosophy he will bring to the club.

“I have known him from when I was at Arsenal when I was 13 or 14, so about eight or nine years now.

“Or course the manager has a big impact, if he knows how I play and the player knows the manager, it always helps with the style of football you like to play. I like to get the ball down and playing attacking football, but is depends on the opposition - we will have to switch it up sometimes.”

On targets for next season, London-based Banton added: “As every club at this time in the season, they set out at least to get into the play-offs and push as high as you can.

“For me personally, it is to play as much as possible and help the team as much as possible.”

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