Crawley Town boss gives verdicts on high-profile departures - and arrivals

Crawley Town manager John Yems admitted he would have liked to have kept Ollie Palmer and Panutche Camara after the pair moved to clubs in League One.
Crawley manager John Yems / Picture: GettyCrawley manager John Yems / Picture: Getty
Crawley manager John Yems / Picture: Getty

Striker Palmer has signed for AFC Wimbledon, while Plymouth won the signature of midfielder Camara. Both players had turned down new contracts offered by Crawley after the 2019-20 season was curtailed.

Camara, who made 103 appearances for the Reds after signing from non-league side Dulwich Hamlet in 2017, said the club ‘helped me to grow as a player and most importantly, as a man’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Palmer, whose 14 goals made him the Reds’ top scorer last season, thanked the club for the ‘unforgettable memories made over the last two seasons’.

Yems said: “They were approached by other clubs. We would have liked to have kept them both but obviously we couldn’t do that. We wish them all the best for the future.

“You don’t like losing goalscorers but it gives someone else an opportunity to score goals. It opens up the opportunity for other players to step in and gives everyone a chance.”

Crawley have so far made six signings ahead of the upcoming season — centre-half Tony Craig from Bristol Rovers, full-back Archie Davies following his release from Brighton and Hove Albion, former Reading midfielder Tyler Frost, ex-Derby winger Zaid Al-Hussaini, forward Sam Ashford from Hemel

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hempstead Town and midfielder Sam Matthews after he was let go by Bristol Rovers.

“I’m really pleased with the players we’ve got in at the moment,” Yems said.

“I know most of them. They bring a lot of enthusiasm. They’re good assets to add to the squad.

“I’ve known Tony for years. He’s a leader who’s played over 600 league games. I think he’ll be a great influence for the younger players.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve signed boys who have played league football so let’s hope they will make a difference. We’re always on the lookout for decent players. In the current climate, with Covid, you’ve got to be so careful but we are always keeping eyes and ears looking. You never say never.”

Crawley returned to pre-season training last week and Yems admitted there was ‘loads of rustiness’ like ‘every other club has’.

He added: “The lads have responded very well and everyone can’t wait to get started.

“It’s a tough season for everybody next year, just on survival. We don’t know whether there’s going to be crowds. It’s about getting everyone, the team and supporters, fit and healthy. That’s my major concern.

“We can’t wait to see the Crawley fans and I bet they can’t wait to come back into the club.”