Crawley Town to make four new signings

Crawley Town manager John Gregory expects to make at least four more new signings.
Crawley's Andy Drury is congratulated after scoring the equaliser agianst Shrewsbury (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGPPP00420130915183430Crawley's Andy Drury is congratulated after scoring the equaliser agianst Shrewsbury (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGPPP00420130915183430
Crawley's Andy Drury is congratulated after scoring the equaliser agianst Shrewsbury (Pic by Jon Rigby) ENGPPP00420130915183430

It follows a busy transfer period when he made three new signings last week but lost star midfielder Andy Drury, who was sold to League 2 newcomers Luton Town for £100,000 on Monday.

Gregory admits he is now looking for a new creative central midfielder having been surprised by Drury’s exit.

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Gregory said: “Legally we had to tell him if we had any offers which matches our valuation of him and allow him to speak to the club. He had another year to go on his contract and he has a very good pay packet at Luton. It was the pound sign which decided it.

“I am very disappointed we have lost him - we were the ones who put that in his contract (a buy-out clause) and it’s come back to bite us.

“I’d rather we had the player but I’m sure the accountant is happy. The club is a bit healthier.

And he added: “We established him as a central midfield player. Richie Barker used him as a winger on either side.

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“We noticed he had the ability to be very creative in the centre of midfield.

“I’ve built the team around Andy Drury this season and low and behold it’s not going to be.

“He had the highest number of assists for us last season - he’s a creator of goals and wears the No.10 shirt.

“He was a class footballer who could always see a pass better than others.

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“He was a warrior who could look after himself on the pitch.

“But we have to get on with it and I’m sure in a short time we will find someone to take his place. In fact I started looking six months ago because I thought he could go.”

Also this week Billy Clarke joined League One rivals Bradford while fellow forward Jamie Proctor signed for Fleetwood.

Both players’ contracts at Crawley expired on Tuesday July 1, Clarke wasn’t offered a new deal while Proctor turned an offer down.

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Reds were being linked with a move for Swansea’s Gwion Edwards.

The winger impressed on loan at the end of last season and Gregory has expressed an interest in bringing him back.

Several clubs are also interested, with reported offers from Rotherham, Bradford and Port Vale.

Gregory added: “I expect to make at least four to six more signings but none just yet as these things take time.”