Ted and Chris trying very hard not to get vertigo in the stand at Hereford

Ted Covey didn’t quite make all 46 matches, but he and his wife Chris proved to be the most regular CTSA customers this season. Chris managed the distinction of attending many, many more away matches than home matches, only making her Broadfield league debut against Hereford; and even then having to sit opposite Ted- divided by the entire width of the pitch as she made her debut in the East Stand.

I caught up with the couple during the long trip up to Accrington to discuss the ebb and flow of the league season. There follows an official “Ted and Chris Review of the Year!” They both made the trip to Port Vale (2-2) for the opener. Ted said, “we played very well that day and I was very disappointed that we didn’t win. But we’ve made up for that disappointment since”. During the early part of the season both particularly enjoyed the away wins at Aldershot (1-0) and AFC Wimbledon (5-2).

During their Christmas holiday they missed a couple of games. Ted said, “If I had to miss a home game I’m pleased it was the home match with Gillingham. I’d rather miss the defeats than the victories”. But it was a rare missed game.

We discussed our spring slump- though it seems a little churlish to call it that, given we didn’t lose many at all. Ted commented, “there were a few disappointing results along the way, we weren’t losing many but didn’t seem to be picking up many wins. It was a little concerning. Chris added, “I was gutted when we drew with Macclesfield, letting in two goals in the last five minutes. We shared a very disappointed coach on the way home, it almost felt like a defeat”.

It all came good on Saturday 17th March when we started a 4 match winning streak. Both really enjoyed the one nil away win at Gillingham (1 -0) 3 days later, though not the long walk back to the coach afterwards. Say what you like about Gillingham (please do), but it’s hardly photogenic- it makes Stevenage look pretty!

Bradford- a long journey, a wonderful match, and a cup of overpriced warm mud

Of course, on the morning of our victorious visit to Underhill for our match against Barnet (2-1), Steve Evans left the club. Chris commented, “I was really shocked that he had left, I thought he might have stayed to the end of the season. Though we’ll probably never know what went on behind the scenes.” Ted added, “he was shown around the new stadium and his mind was apparently made up. Mind you I did read in the paper that he said he was just in Rotherham to do some shopping! Perhaps someone should have introduced him to County Mall!”

Automatic promotion all came down to a win at Accrington Stanley (1-0). Both were very confident of the correct result and as they say the rest is history.

Chris said, “I would like to thank you to CTSA for all their hard work which has enabled us to travel around the country and attend loads of games. Clarkes coaches are wonderful and the drivers are a friendly bunch.

In turn, we would like to thank both of them for their custom this season and are pleased that they are happy with our service. We look forward to having a pre match beer with them in the stadium bar at Fratton Park or Griffin Park or at MK Dons!

Words and Pictures by Colin Bowman, CTSA Press

Inspector Andy Kundert, the Emergency Planning Officer for Sussex Police, is conducting a survey on the policing of our favourite sport (anyone who said “Darts” at that point is either on the wrong site or Dan Palmer). He has asked the CTSA if we would be willing to canvas the views of our members on the subject, and, of course, we felt it was in our best interests to be involved.

So, I attach the survey below.

Football Policing Questionnaire

Please feel free to download it, fill it out and email it back to chairman@ctfcsa.co.uk or, if it’s easier for you, to drop it in at the Football Club for the attention of Chair, CTSA- and we will make sure it gets to Andy. Your responses will be treated in the utmost confidence.Thanks for your help.

Welcome to our "Spot the Sober Supporter" competition! Best of luck!

After a late Crewe equaliser against Torquay last Saturday Reds fans travelled to Accrington Stanley yesterday knowing that victory would secure promotion into N Power League One. Not put off by the early morning rain or the long distance 6 packed Clarkes of London coaches set off from the Broadfield at 7.30am.There is no getting away from the fact that Accrington in Lancashire is a long way but with little traffic on the roads we were soon eating up the miles. Travelling in convoy around the M25, up the M1 and up the M6 we arrived around 1pm.

James and Callum in an outfit inspired by Scott Davies. This is how Scott likes to relax away from the Broadfield.....!

On coach three I caught up with a couple of ‘sheep’ who were making the journey. James Weeks and Callum Guy from Southampton were wearing a Scott Davies inspired outfit. James explained, “we were tweeting Scott asking for fancy dress suggestions and he tweeting back a photo of him wearing this exact same costume a few years ago.” James and Callum are Broadfield regulars. Callum revealed, “we travelled up on the train this morning from Southampton and got a lot of strange looks!” Well done to the boys for making the effort- I am sure the BBC and press will be featuring them over the next couple of days.

"Can you see us on the tv, Mum!"

On arrival we were greeted by the BBC Late Kick Off cameras and reporter. A party atmosphere ensued as around 200 lined up for a sing song and interviews. It really got the afternoon off with a bang and the BBC boys stayed with us all afternoon. Steve Coppell arrived in the car park and graciously signed autographs, it was lovely to meet him and he even posed for a photograph with one of our more regular customers.

The Crown Ground is your typical lower league stadium complete with a huge away open terrace, tidy little Grandstand and tumble down stand on the other side. Most of the 630 away fans spilled onto the open terrace and started to make their presence felt. Around 100 choose the tiny covered seating area.

Mr Reginald T Red and friends

At around 2pm everyone was thrilled when our own Reggie the Red turned up on the pitch. He got a standing ovation. While he was “talking” with some youngsters I managed to get a few “words” from him. He intimated, “this is my first away game of the season and I am looking forward to the action”. As to the journey up he said, “it was a long way but I slept for most of it”. He then cheekily predicted a five nil win for the Reds. Honestly, he was in great form all afternoon hopefully we will see him at away games next season. Oh, and for my next interview- “Sooty- the Wilderness Years”.

It was getting a bit chilly come kick off but fortunately the rain held off. During the first half it is safe to say that we were lucky not to go behind. With Accrington only playing for pride they put in a massive effort creating 4 or 5 excellent chances. Scott Shearer made 2 wonderful saves to keep us in the match.

After the final whistle he needed those dark glasses....!

During the half time interval Steve Leake (indeterminable age), a Reds fan for 55 years wisely said, “they have had a few chances but we all need to relax, get the ball on the floor and start passing, one goal is all that we need.” Steve is available for soothsaying and lottery predictions at a CTFC Academy office near you from Tuesday!

Crawley came out all guns blazing applying intense pressure for 20 mins. Scott Neilson produced the telling moment when he steered a 20 yard shot just inside a post. Even though it was at the other end it sparked immediate delirium on the away terrace. With tails up and encouraged on by the rampant away support the team dug in to secure a famous away victory.

Wahey! We're going to......Hartlepool......!

The promotion party got underway as the players and club officials all came out to share some wonderful moments with the fans. With champagne flowing, dancing and community singing it was really lovely to be a part of it. These are the types of occasions that stay with you forever.

All too soon we were back on the coaches heading back to West Sussex, arriving around 10.45. David O’Doherty of West Green is a regular traveller with CTSA and is a Crawley Town fanatic. Summing up his thoughts on the way home, he said, “when Scott scored the winner I was jumping up and down hugging my dad, it seemed like an eternity until the final whistle”.  He added, “I really wanted to be here today to see us get promoted, I’m so glad I came.” As to next season David is really looking forward to visiting some of the bigger grounds to come like Fratton Park and the Ricoh Arena. He said, “I hope we get Walsall at home first game and start with a big win”!

David and dad

The day was far from over as around 200 happy Reds fans packed into Reds bar. The place erupted when all the players emerged through the door at around midnight. A huge party ensued while players and fans discussed the days events.

It was here that Tyler Jones (18) of Pound Hill, a West Stand season ticket holder was rewarded for being one of only 3 Reds fans to have attended every single league game this term. We have him photographed with most of the team and with the Gaffer, Craig.

The next manager of Crawley Town and Craig Brewster.......!

Well, that is it for another season here at the Broadfield. Its been a real blast following you guys around over the last 9 months. I would like to thank the fans for all their comments, Clarkes of London who have been brilliant but most of all the 11 other CTSA board members who have been fantastic. It has been really lovely to share this dramatic journey with you all.

Enjoy the summer holidays and see you back here in August.

Words and Pictures from Colin Bowman, CTSA Press Officer

A star is born!

Smiley Happy People!

Craig Brewster and Dan Harvester....

"Colin, about your application for the managers job.......I'm afraid it's a no........"

"Silpa Winfield's Red and White Army!"

That young blond boy from the Sound of Music poses with Mrs Balboa...

Lots of people doing the twist!

We tried to have him locked up.....but he escaped. Sorry.

Sick of being in the background, Travel Ken decided to raise his profile.....Colin and Simon were also convinced to join the new CTFC boyband...

Three people having far too much of a good time!

The World Professional Darts Association tag team in training....

Nearly Scouse Alf looking for a Wetherspoons......

The Accrington Fonz....

Steve and Steve before the game

Why does it always rain on me.....don't you just love the drought?

More to follow tomorrow, but here are a few to start with……….!

All aboard the promotion express! All coach seats are now sold for tomorrow, so here’s how the day will shape up…

Travel Ken and his Urban Posse strike a pose!

We have six coaches leaving the Broadfield Stadium at 0730 sharp- but the coaches will be ready to board from just after 0700. If you have booked but haven’t yet purchased your coach ticket, Travel Ken and His Urban Posse will be selling  them before departure- we will not be taking any payments on the coaches, so buy before you board. Once you’re on board- and once we’re on the M25- we’ll be making you tea and coffee (or hot chocolate) and selling raffle tickets at £1 per strip. We have four signed shirts to raffle, profits going to our Community Soccer Schools project.

We’ll be stopping at Warwick Services en route for around 45 minutes, and expect to be there at around 0945. At this point the raffle will be drawn, and each coach will have a list of winning numbers so you can check your tickets.

We will then head up the M6 Toll Road, and expect to arrive in Accrington at around 1330 or so (but of course we might be slightly earlier or slightly later depending on traffic, even Travel Ken can’t control the roads). We’ll have a football sweepstake scratchcard as usual, so you can win yourself £20.Oh, and when we arrive the BBC Late Kick Off programme will be waiting to interview us- they were going to be travelling up with us but an ill cameraman put paid to that idea…….

After the game we’d like you to return to the coaches as soon as you can, but obviously there may be a few celebrations to be had so we do anticipate a short delay on departure! We will find the FA Cup Final commentary on the radio as you wouldn’t want to miss Chelsea’s second defeat this week, before proceeding back down the M6 toll road and eventually arriving at Warwick Services again- but this will be a relatively short stop as we want to get you all home at a reasonable hour.

With good luck and a following wind (particularly if Andy T and Dan have been at the KFC again), we hope to be back at the Broadfield somewhere around 11PM.

Alcohol: Whilst we all have our vices (Travel Ken has an entire shed full), and we all like a drink, our coaches are one place where alcohol is not allowed. This isn’t us being unreasonable, it’s the law! Football coaches can be stopped and searched by Her Majesty’s finest boys in blue, and if they find any alcohol on board the entire coach can be turned around and sent home. On that basis, anyone who brings alcohol onto our coaches may find they have a long walk home! Thanks for your cooperation.

See you all in the morning- thanks again for all your support!

Let's see how many of these we can fill!

Hi all, now well into coach five and we can add still more. Could we ask that, if you want to guarantee your seat, you book by Wednesday? We may be able to squeeze you in after this point but it gets a little difficult. So to make sure, CALL NOW! You can book directly at the football club during office hours. You can also call, text or email Travel Ken on 07843124845, or via travel@ctfcsa.co.uk. 

By the way, we’ll have the BBC Late Kick Off Team travelling with us on coach one and staying with us for the day. I’ve attached them specially to Travel Ken so that’ll be an experience they’ll remember for their entire lives!

Take Care
Ian- Chair, CTSA

There’s no getting away from it, yesterday was dreadful. But as of now, it is officially ancient history. We are in third place in the League on merit. Our team have earned 81 points so far. Three more will guarantee promotion. If we’re to get those points, our lads need our help.

Help the lads to promotion by cheering them on in Accrington!

What was our best performance of the season so far? Away at Hull, perhaps? And where was our biggest away support of the season? You guessed it. THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE!

On Saturday we travel to Accrington Stanley. We’re currently taking bookings for the fourth coach. We can take many more. If we win on Saturday, this game will be talked about for years. And when someone asks, “where were you when……,” how will you feel if the answer is “at home in front of the tv?” If you have a choice, you need to be in Accrington. We can take you.

Coaches will leave the Broadfield Stadium at 7.30 AM, and the cost of travel is £20 for members, £25 for non members.

You can book directly at the football club during office hours. You can also call, text or email Travel Ken on 07843124845, or via travel@ctfcsa.co.uk.

We have coaches of exceptional quality. We’ve kept costs as low as we possibly can- indeed, we’re currently breaking even on travel over the season, as we’ve calculated our prices to ensure as many travel as possible. We believe we have the lowest prices of any official travel provider in our League- yet we’re using coaches provided by the reigning Coach Operator of the Year.

Let's see how many of these we can fill on Saturday!

When you use the CTSA for your away travel needs, there are a few things you can be sure of:

1. An exceptional service.

2. The best prices we can possibly bring you.

3. That CTSA board members are dedicated only to doing the best for their football club and its supporters. We are all volunteers- even your coach stewards pay for their coach tickets.

4. Any profits made from any CTSA activity go directly to benefit your community and your club.

Thanks for your continued support.

If you watch from the West Stand- or see the highlights on the Football League show- you will no doubt be aware of a ‘bell’ accompanying every home goal. That will be CTSA Vice Chairman Paul Prendergast with his favourite instrument!

Paul P- minus bell

We caught up with him and his lovely wife Anna during the short hop to the Daggers last week.  Paul has been a Reds fan for 14 years ever since he moved to the area from London. Before then he was a regular at Stamford Bridge and freely admits to continue watching out for the Blues scores. He explained, “after moving to Crawley I wanted to support the local team and starting watching them in the Beazer Homes league.”  In all that time Paul has used the exact same seat in the West Stand (D89)  and is a proud season ticket holder. He says, “I really love my seat, there is a great view of the action and of the dug outs- not that I ever have any dialogue with the opposition manager!”

He fondly recalls the trip to Welling when we secured promotion to the Conference but cites the home AFC Wimbledon match last season as his “stand out” memory. He explained, “the ground was packed and there was an electric atmosphere, we went on to win three-one, it was a night of emotion which I will never forget”.

Paul currently sponsors Dean Howell here at CTFC and is looking forward to getting his shirt at the end of the season. Matt Tubbs though is his favourite ever Reds player.

The CTSA cabin and Captain Haddock!

As to his current role of Vice Chairman of CTSA he said, “I really enjoy being part of the team and would happily continue if re-elected at the next AGM in July”.  He added, “CTSA gives the fans a voice within the club, and members share some great benefits like travel and club shop discounts, plus we put funds back into the community through schemes like our Soccer in Schools programme, Easter Egg event and giving to the Centre of Excellence”. He added, “the Chairman and another board member have regular meetings with Alan Williams to discuss the current issues, so ensure that there is an effective and professional dialogue between the club and the supporters- and the club are very open to our suggestions”.

Back to the BELL!  He said, “it has been coming to the Broadfield for 6 years now”.  He joked that it has its own season ticket. He bought three bells on Ebay for £20 but only one of them is ever taken out. It can be revealed that it has only made one away trip this season, to our first league outing at Port Vale, as many away clubs won’t let it in! Paul may get some grief about it on match days and on the forum, but he says, “it’s water off a ducks back! The bell has been coming for longer than many of the supporters. I’ve also got an old wooden football raffle and I’d like some other instruments if I can get them. I shall be the CTFC one man band!”  Expect to hear the bell against Hereford, but our sympathy if you sit next to it!

Paul is confident of automatic promotion over the next few days. “I think we can get the points needed come 5th May and look forward to League One action next season- which would be wonderful!”

Words and pictures from Colin Bowman, CTSA Press Officer

Not a lot of point publishing a match report five days after the event, though Colin did write one. So we shall let the pics speak for themselves. Let us know what you think they’re saying, and we shall recommend you change your medication! Pics from Colin B, CTSA Press Officer.

Left to right- not sure, Barmy Barry, No Nonsense Neil...

James and Barmy Barry pointedly about to mow down a young person in flagrant breach of instructions...

Ian the coach three football sweepstake winner!

Travel Ken AKA the Dagenham Fonz....

The burgers must have been better than the pies!

The new CTFC boyband- the Unwanted!

A bevy of CTFC beauties and a very plain girl in the middle of the back row!

Phil Taylor (just out of shot) gets very annoyed when these chaps sit in front of the dartboard...

Who said the back of our heads is our best feature?

CTFC- fans of tomorrow, today (well, Saturday actually)

April showers- torrential rain actually. Peter Bellamy suggesting we play a song by Neil to commemorate the visit of the Cobblers (Just for you Peter…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB0UZN83N-w). Three Crawley goals, including one that the goalkeeper threw into the net. The largest footballer ever seen at the Broadfield Stadium- unless you know different? The CTSA Press Officer pointing his camera at everything that moved (and a few things that didn’t). Three fourth officials. Reggie giving us some real half time entertainment. The odd moment of second half panic. Into the third promotion slot on goal difference.

Here are the pics, courtesy of Colin B. See you all at Dagenham!