Saturday’s friendly with East Grinstead Town is the first of the pre-season schedule and the first time new Head Coach Harry Kewell will be in the dugout for the Reds.
Working alongside his assistant Warren Feeney, Kewell and the coaching staff have been training with the side for two weeks now in preparation for the new season.
Along with the arrival of the new management, the club has also recruited seven new players.
Dutch duo Thomas Verheydt and Moussa Sanoh have both signed from Jupiler League clubs MVV Maastricht and RKC Waalwijk respectively.
Dannie Bulman has returned for a third spell with the Reds, whilst former Arsenal man Mark Randall has also made the move to West Sussex.
Forward Panutche Camara has taken the step up to League Two from non-league Dulwich Hamlet, whilst loanees Cedric Evina and Dennon Lewis signed temporary deals from Doncaster Rovers and Watford respectively.
The Opposition
East Grinstead finished 17th last season in the Isthmian League South, the highest finish in the club’s 127-year history.
Manager Matt Longhurst, who joined the club in November 2015, briefly left to become assistant manager at Hastings United before returning after just two weeks.
He is a firm believer in giving youngsters a chance. Last season Grinstead regularly fielded a side whose average age was under 23 and he is keen that the club develop their own players through a strong youth system.
But there is always room for experience and among his signings this summer is Allan Tait, a player Reds fans will be familiar with from his time when Crawley were playing non-league football.
Previous Meetings
Crawley visited East Court around this time last year for a preseason friendly, and ran out 9-2 winners.
The victory never looked much in doubt with goals coming from a trialist Fisayo Adara, Billy Clifford, Jordan Roberts, Jimmy Smith, two from Jason Banton and a hat-trick from Lewis Young - his first goals for the club.
In Support of Young Epilepsy
Saturday’s match will be played in support of “Young Epilepsy”, a local charity devoted to offering support, care and education to children afflicted with epilepsy.
Both sets of players will wear t-shirts during the warm ups as a display of support, as well there being a raffle and bucket collection for those who wish to contribute.
Follow the link for more information this Saturday’s sponsored charity - https://goo.gl/cRbRxj
When and where?
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at East Court stadium in East Grinstead.
Address: East Court, College Ln, East Grinstead RH19 3LS.
Tickets are available at the gate on the day for £6 (Adults) and £3 (Seniors and U18s).