Crawley Town co-owner Preston Johnson lauded the players and coaching staff following their impressive 2-0 victory over Crewe in the League Two play-off final at Wembley, which secured the club’s promotion to League One for the first time since 2015. Goals from Danilo Orsi and Liam Kelly sealed the win, capping off a season of remarkable turnaround for Crawley.

Johnson, alongside co-chairman Eben Smith, celebrated the triumph and reflected on the club’s journey since they took over in April 2022. Speaking on Sky after the match, Johnson expressed his amazement and joy at the achievement. He remarked, “I don’t actually think it’s real. I am not speechless very often in my life. Last year was the complete opposite feeling to this now. Last year I felt we were stripping the happiness and joy from the fans, so for them to find joy in their club again means the world to me. It’s incredible what this team, these players, the coaching staff have pulled off.”

The ownership group, WAGMI United, has been noted—and sometimes criticized—for their heavy reliance on data and analytics, a strategy praised by manager Scott Lindsey throughout the season. When asked about the secret behind Crawley’s remarkable turnaround, Johnson credited their approach, saying, “One thing I have had confidence in my whole life is data and analytics, we bet on that in the summer with a coach and manager instilling a new culture and that was a pretty good marriage. But you also have to be fortunate for things to go your way, and they did.”

This blend of analytical strategy and strong leadership has evidently paid off, leading Crawley Town to a historic promotion and restoring joy to their fans.