Introduction to Crawley Town Legendary Players
The Legacy of Crawley Town
Crawley Town’s journey through the English football pyramid has been rapid and eventful. Founded in 1896, the club spent over a century in non-league football before gaining promotion to the Football League in 2011. Their rise included a memorable FA Cup run and back-to-back promotions, elevating them briefly to League One.
Despite financial volatility and managerial churn, the club has remained in the EFL and continued to produce or recruit key figures who left a lasting mark. This list celebrates those individuals who defined eras—on the pitch—through achievement, loyalty, or influence during Crawley’s ascent and consolidation as a League club.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Players
This top ten isn’t just about goals or appearances. Each player has been judged based on the scale of their impact within their specific context—be that a crucial promotion, a standout cup run, or influence during key survival campaigns.
Given Crawley’s relatively short Football League history, the rankings also consider the quality of opposition faced, the significance of individual performances, and the player’s connection with the fanbase. Players from both the non-league era and EFL period are eligible, provided their contribution helped shape the club’s modern identity.
Top 10 Greatest Players in Crawley Town History
From non-league icons to Football League record-breakers, these ten players helped define the Crawley Town story across different eras and competitions.
10. Ashley Nadesan (2019–2023)
Ashley Nadesan spent four productive seasons with Crawley Town, making 144 league appearances and scoring 26 goals after joining from Fleetwood Town in 2019. A quick, hardworking forward, Nadesan was capable of playing as a central striker or wide in a front three, offering versatility and relentless energy. He finished as the club’s top scorer in the 2021–22 League Two campaign with 13 goals and was a consistent attacking threat during his time at the Broadfield Stadium.
One of his most memorable performances came in the 2022 FA Cup third-round victory over Premier League side Leeds United, where he both scored and assisted in a historic 3–0 win. Nadesan’s attitude, athleticism, and ability to deliver in big moments made him a firm favourite with supporters. He departed for Gillingham in 2023, but his contribution to some of Crawley’s most memorable recent results ensures he retains a lasting place in club folklore.
9. Lewis Young (2014–2021)
Lewis Young gave outstanding service to Crawley Town across seven years, amassing 213 league appearances primarily as a right-back or wing-back. Joining in 2014 from Bury, he brought pace, defensive discipline, and energy to the flanks, becoming a key figure during Crawley’s stabilisation in League Two following their relegation from League One. Younger brother of England international Ashley Young, Lewis carved out his own respected career, noted for his leadership and work ethic.
Despite battling injuries, he remained a consistent performer and often captained the side. After retiring from playing in 2021 due to injury, Young transitioned into coaching and briefly served as caretaker manager in 2022. His loyalty, professionalism, and smooth shift into a backroom role cemented his status as a modern club stalwart—someone who embodied the Crawley Town values both on and off the pitch.
8. John Maggs (1962–1999)
John Maggs is Crawley Town’s all-time appearance holder, having played over 440 games for the club across two spells as goalkeeper. His career with the Reds began in 1963 and stretched across 14 years, establishing him as one of the club’s most durable and dependable players. Renowned for his safe hands and consistency between the sticks, Maggs was a central figure during a key era of stability for Crawley in the Southern League.
His leadership qualities and calm presence made him a natural captain, and his influence extended well beyond his playing days. After retiring, he went on to manage the club and later became chairman, making him one of the few figures in Crawley Town history to serve in all three major roles. Maggs’ dedication over decades ensured that his name is permanently woven into the club’s legacy—a symbol of loyalty and long-term service to the badge.
7. Matt Tubbs (2010–2012)
Matt Tubbs enjoyed a phenomenal goalscoring spell at Crawley Town between 2010 and 2012, hitting 49 goals in just 65 league appearances. Signed from Salisbury City, Tubbs was an instant success, finishing as the top scorer in the 2010–11 Conference Premier season with 37 goals as Crawley romped to the title. His clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and ability to create chances out of nothing made him one of non-league’s deadliest forwards.
He was also instrumental in the club’s headline-making FA Cup run, scoring against Derby County and helping set up the fifth-round tie at Manchester United. Tubbs continued his form into League Two before earning a transfer to AFC Bournemouth in January 2012. Though his time at the club was short, it was era-defining. Without his goals, Crawley’s rapid rise through the divisions might have taken a very different path.
6. Sergio Torres (2010–2014)
Argentine midfielder Sergio Torres became a cult hero during his four seasons with Crawley Town. Signed in 2010 after leaving Peterborough United, Torres quickly established himself as the creative heartbeat of the side. He made 130 league appearances, playing a key role in Crawley’s 2010–11 Conference Premier title win and their subsequent promotion from League Two the following year. Torres had an eye for a pass, a relentless work rate, and a flair that made him a fan favourite.
His most iconic moment came in the FA Cup third round, when he scored the winning goal against Derby County in front of a packed Broadfield Stadium. He also featured in the famous Old Trafford tie later that season. Torres embodied the club’s ambition and energy during their rise to League One, and his emotional connection with the supporters helped cement his legacy as one of the Reds’ most cherished figures.
4. Glenn Morris (2016–2022)
Glenn Morris was Crawley Town’s standout goalkeeper of the EFL era, making 257 league appearances over six seasons after joining from Gillingham in 2016. Known affectionately as “The Cat,” Morris was a model of consistency and reliability between the posts, winning Crawley’s Player of the Season award three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019). His shot-stopping ability, command of the area, and leadership from the back earned him widespread respect and admiration from fans and teammates alike.
Morris was instrumental in several survival campaigns and consistently ranked among the division’s top-performing goalkeepers. He remained first choice into his late 30s before eventually departing in 2022. His performances helped define a period of stability for Crawley in League Two, and he is regarded as one of the club’s best-ever signings. Dependable, composed, and thoroughly professional, Morris left a legacy few keepers can match at the Broadfield Stadium.
4. Danny Bulman (2006–2009, 2010–2014, 2017–2022)
Danny Bulman stands as one of the most influential figures in Crawley Town’s rise through the leagues, featuring across three separate spells at the club and making over 350 appearances. First joining on loan from Stevenage in 2006 before signing permanently, Bulman was a tenacious, all-action midfielder known for his consistency, leadership, and relentless work ethic. After a stint with Oxford United, he returned in 2010 and played a vital role in Crawley’s 2010–11 Conference Premier title-winning season, as well as the 2011–12 League Two promotion campaign.
His ability to shield the defence, dictate tempo, and break up play became invaluable during this golden period in the club’s history. Bulman returned again in 2017, playing well into his 40s and becoming the oldest outfield player in the Football League before retiring in 2022. His longevity, loyalty, and influence in both non-league and the EFL cement his legacy as one of Crawley’s all-time greats.
3. Dave Haining (1965–1977)
Dave Haining made over 300 appearances for Crawley Town between 1966 and 1977, becoming a key figure both on and off the pitch during a transformative era for the club. A dependable defender, Haining played throughout Crawley’s rise in the Southern League, helping to establish stability and competitiveness during a period of ambition and restructuring. His no-nonsense defending and calm temperament made him a consistent starter over more than a decade.
Following his playing career, Haining took on various roles including manager, coach, and secretary—contributing to Crawley Town’s development at every level. He later became a vice president of the club, underlining his enduring connection and service. Few individuals have given so much across so many different capacities. Haining’s legacy is not only defined by longevity but by a deep-rooted commitment to Crawley Town through thick and thin, earning him enduring respect among supporters and peers alike.
2. Brian Gregory (1982–1984)
Brian Gregory made a huge impact at Crawley Town during a prolific two-year spell from 1982 to 1984. Signed from Dartford, the experienced striker quickly established himself as a lethal finisher, netting 52 goals in just 72 league games. He was the club’s top scorer in back-to-back seasons and played a decisive role in Crawley’s promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 1984.
Gregory’s sharp instincts in front of goal, physical presence, and intelligent movement made him a constant threat to opposition defences. Despite the brevity of his stay, his goal return remains one of the best ratios in club history. His exploits in the early 1980s laid the groundwork for Crawley’s progression up the non-league pyramid. In an era before widespread media coverage, Gregory’s goals made headlines and packed terraces, earning him lasting admiration from those who watched him lead the line with such ruthless efficiency.
1. Terry Robbins (1984–1986)
Terry Robbins was a goal machine for Crawley Town during a remarkable two-year spell between 1984 and 1986. Signed from Maidstone United, Robbins scored a club-record 33 goals in the 1985–86 season and hit 60 league goals in just 84 appearances overall. His partnership with fellow forward Brian Gregory defined Crawley’s attacking threat in the mid-80s. Robbins was known for his strength, positioning, and clinical finishing—often scoring crucial goals in tight contests.
His contributions helped establish Crawley as one of the Southern League’s most feared attacking sides and laid the foundation for the club’s continued push up the non-league ladder. Although he departed for Welling United in 1986, Robbins’ impact was indelible. For many long-time supporters, his goal tally and consistency across two seasons still represent the benchmark for strikers in red. He remains one of the most revered figures in the club’s pre-Football League history.
Comparison of Crawley Town Legends
Playing Styles and Contributions
Crawley Town’s best players span several generations, each shaped by the demands of their era. Terry Robbins in the mid-1980s thrived in the physical, direct nature of the Southern League, where his strength and positioning were key to dominating defences. By contrast, Ashley Nadesan operated in a more expansive, modern League Two system, relying on pace, pressing, and tactical flexibility. Similarly, Dave Haining’s role as a traditional centre-back in the 1970s involved grit and aerial battles in lower-tier non-league football, while Dion Conroy’s success came from composed distribution and positioning in the EFL.
Goalkeepers offer a sharp contrast too—John Maggs was a long-serving custodian in the semi-professional era, whereas Glenn Morris faced higher technical standards in League Two, delivering consistently against full-time professionals. These differences underline how Crawley’s greats reflect both evolution in the sport and the club’s dramatic rise through the football pyramid.
Impact on Club Success
Many players on this list were central to pivotal chapters in Crawley’s history. Glenn Morris and Sergio Torres were vital during League Two survival and promotion pushes, while Matt Tubbs and Dannie Bulman were central to the club’s back-to-back promotions from the Conference Premier to League One. Bulman, in particular, bridged eras and was a key presence in both non-league dominance and sustained Football League competitiveness.
Earlier figures like Brian Gregory and Terry Robbins propelled Crawley into higher regional divisions with prolific goalscoring, while Charlie MacDonald’s firepower helped secure the Dr Martens League title. Others, like Lewis Young and Michael Kuipers, brought consistency and leadership in transitional phases. Across decades, these players were often not just contributors, but standard-setters at critical moments in Crawley Town’s progression.
Records and Achievements
Individual Honours and Awards
Glenn Morris’ run of three consecutive Player of the Season awards (2017–2019) reflects his extraordinary consistency in goal. Sergio Torres remains a cult hero not just for his winning goal against Derby County in the FA Cup, but for his impact over multiple promotion campaigns.
Matt Tubbs was named in the 2010–11 Conference Premier Team of the Year as top scorer, while Danny Bulman earned multiple end-of-season accolades and was the club’s oldest-ever player upon retirement. Charlie MacDonald and Terry Robbins both set goalscoring benchmarks during their short but explosive spells—Robbins notably scoring 33 goals in a single season, a club record at the time.
Club Milestones and Championships
Several players were at the heart of Crawley Town’s greatest team achievements. John Maggs remains the club’s record appearance holder with over 440 games, while Bulman and Torres were both key figures in the 2010–11 Conference title-winning squad. Glenn Morris played a major part in the club’s EFL consolidation, helping secure multiple mid-table finishes. Matt Tubbs led Crawley to a historic FA Cup fifth-round appearance and was their top scorer in their first Conference-winning season.
At earlier stages of the club’s rise, Terry Robbins and Brian Gregory drove promotion pushes in the Southern League, their goals pushing Crawley into the national spotlight for the first time. Together, these players represent every major high point in the club’s history.
