Crawley Wasps have new home after agreeing deal

Crawley Wasps will play their first-team home games at Horley Town this season.
By Mark Dunford
Published 22nd Sep 2020, 08:58 GMT
Updated 22nd Sep 2020, 11:11 GMT
Horley Town chairman Mark Sale (left) with Wasps players Naomi Cole and Sarah Wignall and Wasps manager Dave Cole.Horley Town chairman Mark Sale (left) with Wasps players Naomi Cole and Sarah Wignall and Wasps manager Dave Cole.
Horley Town chairman Mark Sale (left) with Wasps players Naomi Cole and Sarah Wignall and Wasps manager Dave Cole.

The deal begins this Sunday (September 27) when MK Dons visit The New Defence (kick off 2pm).

Wasps host title rivals Watford on October 11, with the likes of Portsmouth, Cardiff, Plymouth, Oxford, Gillingham and Yeovil all to visit Horley later in the season.

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Crawley Wasps start season with dominant victory over Hounslow

Wasps chairman Jack Ayles (left) with Horley Town chairman Mark Sale.Wasps chairman Jack Ayles (left) with Horley Town chairman Mark Sale.
Wasps chairman Jack Ayles (left) with Horley Town chairman Mark Sale.

Wasps chairman Jack Ayles said: “I’m delighted we’ve got an agreement in place with Horley, a club very local to Crawley, with a fantastic pitch and facilities.

“I’d like to thank everyone at East Grinstead Town, where we played last season, for the support we received.

“The talks between ourselves and Horley have been very positive and we’re all excited for the season ahead at The New Defence, starting with the visit of MK Dons this weekend.”

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Horley Town chairman Mark Sale added: “Crawley Wasps have created a buzz locally with their performances over the last couple of seasons.

“We’re thrilled that they will be bringing the third tier of women’s football to Horley, and I know our club and our town will get behind them.

“Jack and his board and Dave Cole and his players have been very complimentary about what we have to offer, and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action.”

The New Defence, off Court Lodge Road in Horley, opened in 2003 and has a capacity of 1,800. The club play in the men’s Southern Combination League.

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Wasps – who have played at Oakwood and Three Bridges in recent years – won back-to-back promotions in 2018 and 2019, and now play in the FA Women’s National League, two divisions below the Women’s Super League. They were top when the 2019-20 season was voided.

Entry to the MK Dons game is strictly by online ticket purchase ONLY (£5 adults, £3 concessions/U16s). Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/crawley-wasps to book.

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Related topics:MK DonsWatford