10th October - Trust launch set for Sunday

CRAWLEY TOWN players from down the years are set to gather in town this Sunday for a unique reunion.

Former Reds who played as far back as the 1960s are getting together at Oakwood FC to mark the official launch of the club's Supporters Trust, the Devils Trust.

A trust team featuring such Town Mead and Broadfield Stadium favourites as Cliff Cant, Tony Vessey, Tommy Warrilow, Danny Carroll and Simon Wormull will take on a team representing the Sussex non-league football website Nomad Online at Tinsley Lane .

The historic match kicks off at 2pm, but fans are advised to arrive from 1pm onwards in order to honour the players who have given the club such sterling service over the years.

Former managers Tony Elkins-Green, Dave Haining, John Maggs, Ted Shepherd, Tony Vessey, Colin Pates and Billy Smith are planning to be there to share memories with their former players and the Reds fans and one or two of them will be returning to the Red Devils dugout to take charge of the legendary side.

The team will wear a specially commissioned Devils Trust Legends kit, sponsored by local charter company, Air Partner.

Trust spokesman Phil Agius said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support for the match from the players and as the day draws nearer you can sense a real buzz among the ex-Reds – it's a day no Crawley fan will want to miss.

“Viv Jeffery, for example, is travelling down from Lincolnshire to play and everyone we have spoken to is really looking forward to a great day reviving memories of some wonderful times at the club and helping the trust to build for the future.”

A special souvenir programme has been printed to mark the occasion and there will be a prize raffle and fund-raising auction, for which the trust have had some excellent lots donated, including signed shirts and footballs from clubs across the country. There will also be a disco in the clubhouse afterwards, while fans will have a chance to meet the players – including former heroes such as Ian Payne and Warren Bagnall who are unable to play but are going along to cheer their colleagues, while Crawley MP Laura Moffatt is has also kindly agreed to support the occasion.

Admission to the game is £5 and £2 for concessions. Ample parking is available at the ground, but if it is particularly wet, fans might prefer to park in Manor Royal and walk to Oakwood. Air Partner have kindly allowed use of their 100-space car park in Gatwick Road .

The current provisional squad for the CTFC Legends, which could still have more famous names added, is: Paul Adam, Nigel Brake, Steve Breach, Cliff Cant, Danny Carroll, Steve Duly, Mark Ford, Dave Gates, Viv Jeffery, Conrad Kane, Scott Mean, Umberto Oliva, Dave Palmer, Gary Richards, Andy Riley, Dave Shepherd, Ian Simpemba, Lee Turner, Tony Vessey, Tommy Warrilow, Ali West, Simon Wormull.

For details on how to get to Oakwood FC visit either their website or the guide to their ground on Nomad Online.