Main News

THIS IS CRAWLEY DOWN FOOTBALL CLUB'S GENERAL NEWS PAGE. Individual Team News, Fixtures, Results & Match reports can be found on the TEAMS Pages..... COLOURS:- Ist XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI:- Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks Youth XI: ................. Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks Change Kit: ............... White Shirts, Black or White Shorts, Black or White Socks MANAGERS/Coaches 2011-2012 Season 1st XI: ................... Darren Guirey, John Maggs 2nd XI: .................. Phil Major, Mick Buckingham 3rd XI: ................... Mark Tilley, Tim Penlington Youth X1 ............... Derek Bradley and Glyn Pearce Coach: Ian Payne, Mick Buckingham Junior Managers U6 to U16 see respective Team Web Pages.

Archive Date	Archive News
21/Aug/2011	Crawley Down are delighted to announce that former Crawley Town & Horsham Town Manager John Maggs has joined the Club in a Business role and has also been appointed as Assistant to Darren Guirey. The appointment brings in a wealth of experience and will help the Club to maintain its current status as a Senior A Club in the County. Darren Guirey is delighted with the new appointment and is looking forward to working with John during the current season. Ian Payne has also joined the Club as Coach and will work closely with Darren & John.
20/Jul/2011	Crawley Down FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Major as Reserve Team Manager for 2011-2012 season. Phil brings a wealth of experience of both Youth and Reserve Team football to the Havens having decided to make the move from East Grinstead Town FC having spent many years in Youth and 2nd XI Managerial & Coaching positions. With the Anvils 2nd XI now playing Suburban League Premier Football Phil will be working to consolidate their position in that league and working to bring on players through the youth set up. Crawley Down Chairman Brian Suckling stated that with Phil Major on board with us we now have a very strong and complete management & coaching structure throughout the club. The appointment builds on our successes from last season and can only enhance our position as a Ryman League Club.
28/May/2011	CRAWLEY DOWN FC Senior Club Presentation Evening Saturday 28th May 2011 The Annual Presentation for the Senior section of Crawley Down FC was held at The Haven Centre Crawley Down on Saturday 28th May. The evening coincided with the Champions League Final between Man Utd and Barcelona, which meant that several modifications had to be made to the timings on the night. Before the match, held on the big screen in the Social Club, all guests sat down to a fish & chip supper and at half time a wondrous array of gateau’s were served. The presentations resumed after the match. The Sponsor a Player draw run by George Russell was won by Tom Burton and Sponsors John & Jenny Arscott. Chairman Brian Suckling thanked everyone for their efforts during the season and commended all the Teams for outstanding performances this year both on and off the field. The 1st teams performance this year was outstanding bearing in mind it was only our 2nd season in Sussex County Division One and although like every team at the start of the season we hoped to do well, but I don’t think anyone would have envisaged such a margin of victory in the league of 15 points and winning it with 6 matches still to play. We also had great runs in all the cups reaching 3 Semi Finals and winning the SCFA RUR Cup. Of the field we also had a magnificent season in terms of getting the ground ready for Step 4 Football and had it all completed in such a short time. 2 weeks was the actual window we had after all the applications for Planning permission etc etc had been agreed and we were allowed to go ahead. The facility upgrade was however approved by the FA on the 31st March and our promotion to the Ryman League was eventually secured if we won the League. So Ryman Isthmian South next season another brilliant season under our belts and all to do next season to consolidate ourselves at that standard. Without doubt we will give it our all on and off the field. The 2nd Team won praise for a magnificent 1st season in the Suburban League South finishing 6th overall and with a few more results going their way they could well have been challenging for a promotion place. The 3rd XI maintained their position in the Mid Sussex League finishing mid table and the Ladies also improved on their performances of the previous year again finishing in a mid table position. Brian stated that the New facilities at the Club have helped to bring about a fantastic feeling in the Club at all levels and results this season have again proved that. With further improvements facilities wise he hoped the Club would continue to improve at a pace. He went on to thank all Committee Members and helpers for their tremendous hard work during the season. The 2010/11 awards were presented as follows: Ladies XI: Top Goalscorer: Charlie Cooper, Most improved Player: Holly Palmer, Players Player: Becky Hambly, Managers Player: Natalie Waller. 3rd XI: Players Player: Adam Aylward & Stefan Williams, Managers Player: Adam Amos, Top Goal Scorer: Stefan Williams & Josh Alcock. 2nd XI: Players Player: James Upton, Managers Player: Leon Wallace, Top Goal Scorer: Andrew Tuckey. First X1: Players Player: Tom Burton Managers Player: Ashley Jones Top Goal Scorer: Tom Burton, Supporters Player: Ashley Jones. A special award was also made to Nick Sullivan for scoring over 100 goals in his playing career with the Anvils. Long Service awards were presented to: Shayne Goldsmith & Sam Cane for 200 Appearances. Dan Sullivan & Mark Aldred for 300 Appearances, and for a massive 500 appearances a brilliant achievement for Adam Aylward. The Crawley Down Club award was presented to 1st Team Manager Darren Guirey for his outstanding achievements this year. A nice touch at the end came from Ashley Jones & Tom Burton on behalf of the 1st XI squad presenting a gift to the Committee Members and Match day Team support staff. Very much appreciated.
21/May/2011	CDFC Junior Presentation Report 2010/2011 Over 300 Parents and Children attended the Crawley Down FC Junior Presentation Evening on Saturday evening May 21st in the Haven Centre Hall. The Trophies & Medals were presented by 1st Team Captain Ashley Jones who got a momentous round of applause when he was invited on stage. A superb Barbecue was provided by the Under 8 Manager & Master Chef Darren George & his team. There was also a massive raffle of over 30 prizes all donated by Parents & Club Officials & a cash team card draw. Vice Chairman Mick Martin introduced the itinerary for the evening and gave an overview of the success of the Senior Side who gained promotion to the Ryman League South after winning the County League by a clear 15 points and also winning the SCFA RUR Charity Cup. Both Trophy’s were on display. The Junior section had another very good season with the U12’s coming joint top of the Mid Sussex League and the U8 Hammers getting through the season losing only two matches. They also won the ‘Young Team of The Year’ in the Surrey & Sussex Newspaper groups Sports awards 2010. The U14’s played in the Sussex Sunday Youth League for the first time and found the competition very tough but they held their own and look forward to competing in this competition again next season. The U11 Youth side finished mid table in the Mid Sussex League and the U11 Hammers competed in the Crawley League and had a great 3 match unbeaten run at the end of the season. The Under 16’s playing their last season in Junior Football bow out after finishing mid table and will now have the chance to trial for the U18 team next season. A new Management Team is already in place to take them to the next level. Trials for the U18’s are Mon 13th & 20th June 6:30pm at The Haven see the Crawley Down FC website for further details. You must register your attendance prior to the trials taking place. www.crawleydownfc.com. Not forgetting the little ones from U5’s to U8’s who all did brilliantly well and as usual drew the most applause stepping up for their Medals & Trophy’s. The Steve Blackwell Memorial Trophy was won by U9 Player Kai Wheel. The U9’s also finished Mid Table in the Mid Sussex ‘a’ League The Managers together handed out over 90 Medals and shields and presented by Ashley Jones after a short talk by all the Managers and Coaches for the age groups 5 to 16 years. The highlight of the evening was the U12 team being presented with the Team of the Season award, which was received by Manager Dave Hollands from Mick Martin and Ashley Jones.
21/Jan/2011	PRESS RELEASE MONDAY 24th JANUARY 2011 DULY COUP FOR ANVILS Crawley Down Football Club, currently in second spot in the Sussex County League Division 1 and striving for promotion to the Isthmian League are delighted to announce that former Crawley Town Managing Director, Steve Duly has agreed to join them as a Football & Business Advisor* on a voluntary capacity. With a wealth of knowledge gained in over a decade of working in the Non League Football arena, following his time at the Broadfield Stadium with spells at Basingstoke Town as General & Commercial Manager and until July 2010 was Chief Executive at Farnborough Football Club, Duly will assist in the commercial, operational and ground development areas of the business. Duly is no stranger to the club having played in goal for the youth section some 25 years ago, and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead commenting “I have been out of football since leaving Farnborough in the summer and have missed working in the environment, having met Brian (Suckling) and listening to the clubs plans for the future, this is an exciting time for the club. I will assist in any way possible, but fundamentally we must look at increasing revenue streams to facilitate the construction of the ground development plans in place and to give the club a solid footing for whenever promotion to the Isthmian League is achieved, the current economic climate has made this a challenging time for football clubs at all levels, but we will be speaking to local businesses and selling them the vision we have, a village based club, with smaller populations and businesses will always have to work harder to achieve their aspirations, but we must look up to clubs such as Histon and see what they have accomplished and use this as our benchmark. North Sussex is enjoying a successful time at the moment, with Crawley Town in prime position to achieve football league status, and Crawley Down vying with Three Bridges for the Sussex County League title, the progress made by Crawley Down over the last few years has been fantastic, especially for a club in its relative infancy compared to our more established neighbours such as Bridges and East Grinstead, but the hard work of the last few years has seen the club move forward and we now look to achieving the next step.” Crawley Down Chairman Brian Suckling added “This a fantastic appointment for The Anvils! Steve has a wealth of experience in non-league football and is very well known locally after his successful time with Crawley Town FC. Steve has volunteered his time with us and I see this as a hugely important corner piece in our future progression. As a club we have achieved much in recent times but we are realistic and know that the next step will be challenging for us all but with Steve’s knowledge and passion for grass roots football Crawley Down Football Club will continue to succeed” Local businesses wishing to discuss opportunities available can contact Steve via e-mail at steveduly@crawleydownfc.com or call on (07922) 666621.
08/Dec/2010	Guirey: Weather could harm promotion chances DARREN Guirey fears a fixture pile-up could harm his side's bid to win promotion to the Ryman League. The Crawley Down boss thinks he had the best team in the Sussex County League - but is concerned the cold snap will see the Anvils with a huge number of games to play in the spring. Although Down are currently second in the Division One table they have played four less games than third placed Pagham - and could well be playing three times a week to catch up by the end of the season. He said: "I've always said that you need a squad of 18-20 good players to win the league. "The 16 I have got are really good players, who I think could hold their own in the Ryman League, but it does leave us a bit light on numbers. "We have a few away over Christmas and if we can find some quality players who are available we'll try and bring them in." Guirey, who led the Anvils to two cup finals in their first season in division one last term, admits his role in the dressing room has changed as his side become more accustomed to the top flight of County League football. "Last season was all about convincing everyone that we were good enough to compete at this level," added Guirey. "But this year it is more important to keep the players focused and that they are not becoming complacent. "We have become a big scalp in this league and teams want to beat us."
08/Apr/2010	Crawley Down's Ground Facilities pass the FA's Ground Grading (F) for Step 5 Clubs. Sussex County League Div 1
27/Oct/2009	FA CHARTER STANDARD COMMUNITY CLUB AWARD RENEWAL Crawley Down are delighted to announce the renewal by the National FA of their FA Charter Standard Community Club Award. A letter from the FA states: I am delighted to inform you that the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award renewal for Crawley Down FC has now been approved. The Charter Standard Community Award provides your club with the recognition for the quality of provision for members. It therefore goes without saying that we expect our Charter Standard Clubs to continue to offer this high level of provision, which you have achieved to obtain this award and to follow the FA guidelines for Child Protection and Best Practice. Les Howie National Development Manager (Clubs & Coaches) The FA The Executive Committee at Crawley Down would like to thank all Crawley Down Officials, Managers, Coaches and Helpers in continuing their excellence in providing Coaching, Child Protection & best practice in all areas of the Club. Without doubt this award continues our achievement of being one of the best organised and well run Clubs in the Country and one of only ELEVEN Charter Standard COMMUNITY Clubs in the County of Sussex.
25/May/2007	Musco Lighting finally commissioned the Floodlights at The Haven Centre on Friday evening the 25th May 2007. The big switch on came at 9:30pm The only words that can describe it after a 10 year hard slog was brilliant.
19/Apr/2007	Musco Lighting completed the Foundations for the New Floodlights at The Haven Centre.
24/Feb/2007	MSDC Capital Grants Committee have approved a 39.6K grant towards the upgrading of facilities at the Haven Sportsfield for Crawley Down FC. The grant is of course subject to the FSIF approving CDFC's funding application and the Club itself adding it's own cash injection so that the Project target budget is reached. This is great news for the Club who are now confident that the Project can be completed during the Summer period and ready for the start of the 2007/2008 Season.
12/Jan/2007	PLANNING PERMISSION FOR FACILITIES UPGRADE GRANTED MSDC north area planning committee unanimously approved Planning Permission for Crawley Down FC to upgrade their facilities at The Haven Centre to comply with the FA's ground grading requirements for Sussex County League Division One Football. The permission allows the Club to add facilities such as Floodlighting, Seated Stands for 100+ spectators and a standing enclosure also for 100 people. A Hard standing area will also be laid surrounding the entire pitch. Both the hard standing area and the stands will be accessible for disabled use. The Pitch will be enclosed by a 2.4 Mtr perimeter high fence, which will be accessible via gates for casual use when the Club is not using the facilities. This is brilliant news for the Club and the community of Crawley Down and is the culmination of some 8 years of negotiations with the MSDC, WPC and the FA to give the Community an arena, which could be used by many other activities as well as its prime use for Football. The Club now has to concentrate its efforts on obtaining funding to enable the Project to be started as soon as possible and we are of course interested to here from or talk to any local businesses or individuals who may be interested to help towards the Club meeting its target of 100k+ The Club wish to thank all those involved in the project including the huge support from the local Community and Press during the Public consultation period and also the MSDC, WPC, SCFL, FA and Ward Councillors for their advice and support during this period. Further information: Chairman Brian Suckling 07831 294445
01/Sep/2006	Public consultation period has been a great success for the Club virtually all correspodence has been very positive and the backing of both the Community and organisations within the Community has been fantastic.
19/Jul/2006	NOTICE MSDC, WPC and CDFC Give notice of a Public Consultation Period from Monday 24th July 06 to Monday 21st August 06 For proposed enhancements to facilities at the Haven Sportsfield Crawley Down. The proposals are for enhanced facilities for Sport and leisure activities to include a Skate Board Area. A display will be at The Haven Centre in the main foyer from Monday 24th July 2006 to Friday 28th July 2006 between 7pm and 9pm and again on Saturday morning 29th July 2006 between 10am and 12noon. Officers will be on hand to explain the proposals and take any questions. A Comments book will be available for individuals to express their views of the proposal. The proposal is in Partnership with the CDFC and both MSDC and the WPC. A Plan will also be available to view at the WPC offices and MSDC.