The run-down on our opponents in League One this season
LAST SEASON
The 2013/14 campaign was Yeovil Town's first ever season in the Championship and unfortunately their stay in the second tier of English football was short lived as they finished bottom of the league – but put up a good fight.
The campaign began brightly with Ed Upson scoring the winner in their 1-0 away victory over Millwall on the opening day. However, the next time the club picked up the three points was two months later against Nottingham Forest. Back-to-back wins over Watford and Blackpool at the end of 2013 gave Yeovil hope of remaining in the Championship but the team found three points hard to come by in 2014, winning only five times. Their fate was sealed following a 2-0 defeat at Brighton.
THE MANAGER
Gary Johnson is in his second spell with Yeovil after originally departing the club in 2005 to take up the reigns at Bristol City. In his first stint as Yeovil boss, Johnson led the Somerset club from the Conference to League One in two consecutive seasons. After five years at Bristol City – which included losing a play-off Final to Hull City – Johnson was installed as manager of Peterborough United in 2011.
His time at London Road lasted less than a year and he made the short move to Northampton Town. His spell at Sixfields came to an end after less than a season and he returned to Yeovil in March 2012 and in his first full season steered the Glovers into the play-offs, where they beat much fancied Brentford in the final. Gary has a wealth of coaching experience across the globe and in the past has managed Latvia, Kettering Town and Cambridge United.
As a player, Gary made a handful of appearances for Crawley after starting his playing days at Watford. He failed to make a real impact with the Hornets and went on to play local non-league football in Cambridgeshire before moving into coaching.
VISITING THE GROUND?
Huish Park has been the home of Yeovil Town since 1990 and holds just under 10,000. Reds fans are likely to be housed in the Radio Cabs Stand, an uncovered terracing end behind the goal.
SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR
A few of Yeovil's players from their League One play-off success have confirmed they will be departing this summer.
Goalkeeper Marek Stech and highly rated right back Luke Ayling are now available – although the latter will only leave if compensation is paid as he is under-24. Giant centre back Byron Webster – who previously worked under Johnson at Northampton – also looks set to depart. Central midfielder Ruben Palazuelos mat head back to Spain after his contract came to an end, whilst experienced left back Jamie McAllister has been released after making over 70 appearances over two seasons. Joe Ralls returned to Cardiff City following the end of his season-long loan.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Back in 2012-13, Reds were unfortunate not to pick up a win against Yeovil in the two games played. The home match in November 2012 saw Reds have 25 shots without finding a breakthrough before a David Hunt own goal in the 90th minute sealed the visitors' 1-0 win.
The game at Huish Park was an excellent watch for the neutral. Yeovil raced into a 2-0 first half lead thanks to Webster's powerful header and Paddy Madden's neat finish. However, with Yeovil aiming to extend their seven-match winning streak Reds battled back and reduced the arrears when Joe Walsh headed past Stech just after half time. Matt Sparrow's 20-yard strike made it 2-2 in the 62nd minute and both sides could have won the game late on as Mike Jones hit the post for Crawley after Madden did the same for the hosts.
PLAYED FOR BOTH...
Andy Lindegaard joined Crawley on loan from the Glovers back in 2005 and helped cement Reds' place in the Conference despite difficult circumstances. He appeared 12 times for Crawley during the 2005-06 campaign, scoring once before returning to Yeovil. Between 1999 and 2007 Lindegaard made over 150 outings for the Glovers before spending two seasons at Cheltenham Town.
He left Whaddon Road in 2009, had another brief spell at Yeovil before ending his playing days at Truro City. He now has his own fitness company in the south west.
Other players to have represented both Yeovil and Crawley include Chris Giles, Conor Clifford and Ben Smith.
WHAT THE BOOKIES THINK
Yeovil Town are 9/2 with Sky Bet to win promotion from League One in 2014/15.
