Thoughts of a lifelong fan: Let's get behind the players from the start

Crawley Town, the team I have followed, despaired over, celebrated with and still love with 100% of my heart that is allocated to things other than those that really matter in life, have signed twelve new players for the start of this season to replace the number that have either departed of their own volition, been released at the end of their contracts or have been returned to their parent clubs.

The 10th player through the door was Klaudio Krasniqi on a one-year deal with an option for an extra year. He is a 25-year-old midfielder and joins us after playing in the Gibraltar Football League as , no doubt, you will have read on the club website or in this paper. He is a product of Bromley's academy, so presumably is known by Jude Arthurs. He played for Glacis Utd and Bruno’s Magpies whilst on the rock, in both domestic and UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds, and had also played for Erith & Belvedere, Phoenix Sports and FC Kent United between leaving Bromley and moving to Gibraltar. After a successful trial period, where he impressed in the two behind-closed-doors' friendlies and in training with the Reds, CK-R was keen for him to sign.  

The eleventh new player is Malcolm Ebiowei, signed on a two-year deal. After academy football at three different clubs, Malcolm made his senior breakthrough at Derby County under the tutelage of Wayne Rooney. He made 18 appearances in the Rams' first team during the 2021/22 campaign, and quickly attracted attention from the Premier League, with Crystal Palace securing his signature on a five-year contract. 

During his time at Selhurst Park, Ebiowei continued his development through a series of loan spells, gaining valuable first-team experience across England and Belgium, featuring for Hull City, Oxford United, and RWD Molenbeek, where hopefully he will have gained a lot of experience which will make him a good addition to our ranks 

And then, at last, we signed ex-Palace goalkeeper Jackson Izquierdo who played in the EFL Trophy for the Eagles whilst going through their academy and was released at the end of last season. He is, despite the exotic surname, English and is 21 years old.  

In the starting lineup against Eastleigh there were five of last year's squad and six newcomers, whilst on the bench were six of last year’s squad, four newcomers and two triallists against a team that finished last season just10 places lower than Crawley Town in the pyramid structure. Dion Pereira slammed the ball home after smart play by Duke-McKenna and Adeyemo just before a “hydration” break and that is how the first half ended, with the Red Devils up by one goal. 

As is the way with pre-season friendlies, eleven changes were made to the team at half time and as the games went past the hour mark, it was still only one nil to Crawley, despite having the majority of the game and Di Biase going close on two occasions. The game finished one nil to Crawley and now it’s Oxford United, before the home game against Reading. 

Good luck to each and every one of the CTFC squad of 2026/2027. Let’s get behind them from the start.