Crawley Town’s pre-season preparations have taken a dramatic turn with the announcement that chairman and CEO Preston Johnson has stepped away from his role at the club.
Johnson, a key figure since WAGMI United took over in 2022, cited a difference in vision with the club’s new lead investors as the reason for his departure. The change marks a significant shift at Broadfield Stadium, just over a year after Crawley secured an unlikely promotion to League One under Johnson’s stewardship.
Vision Split Behind the Scenes
Johnson had originally stepped back after Crawley’s Wembley play-off triumph in 2024, only to return in a combined chairman and CEO role ahead of the club’s League One campaign. His leadership was closely associated with data-driven recruitment and a disruptive strategy that mirrored the approach taken by fellow WAGMI project club, Wrexham.
However, Crawley have now confirmed that directors Daniel Khalili, Ryan Gilbert, and Maxwell Strowman are the new lead investors. In an official club statement, there was a subtle but pointed response to Johnson’s departure. While thanking him for his “innovation, leadership, and commitment,” the club also made it clear that future recruitment will rely not solely on data, but on a combination of experience, instinct and analytics.
That phrasing reflects the philosophical divide now at the heart of Crawley’s next chapter. WAGMI’s hands-off, tech-driven model is being replaced with a more conventional strategy, one rooted in football fundamentals. The club appears keen to distance itself from its past image without entirely rejecting the progress made under Johnson.
What Comes Next for Crawley?
While supporters wait for more clarity about the club’s financial position and ownership structure, the immediate focus remains on football. Crawley’s pre-season form has been encouraging, with several new signings impressing already, and the squad shaping up for what will be a demanding League One campaign.
Whether the new leadership group intends to invest heavily or opt for sustainability is still unclear. With the club reportedly carrying over £8 million in debt, decisions in the coming weeks will be critical. Supporters, meanwhile, are calling for transparency and clarity regarding the long-term direction and ambition under the new board.
Wrriter’s View
Preston Johnson’s departure closes a fascinating chapter in Crawley Town’s modern history. His unconventional approach wasn’t perfect, but it helped the club overachieve and fostered a renewed sense of belief.
The new regime faces a difficult balancing act: move forward with stability, yet retain the ambition that defined the last two seasons. If they can blend footballing experience with some of the innovation WAGMI introduced, Crawley might just keep rising.
But the first priority is clarity. Fans deserve to know who is really in charge and what they want to achieve. Only then can this next era truly begin.
