Manager Evans reveals Crawley Town are in great shape
CRAWLEY Town manager Steve Evans insists the club are on the right track despite last week's FA Cup exit.
He said: "We are all disappointed to have gone out of the best cup competition in the world, especially given we had enough clear-cut chances to have progressed comfortably.
"Every player and manager wants a cup run and everything that comes with it but if you don't score more goals than the opposition you are out.
"Our exit from the competition will have no bearing on what happens with the team or the finances associated as (co-owner) Bruce Winfield did not budget for any FA Cup monies.
"Given that we went out of the competition after a replay then from a financial point of view the club budgets, in respect of the team, look healthier than what they did before we played AFC Wimbledon."
Evans praised the contribution of Bruce Winfield and Susan Carter, who have recently become co-owners of the club along with his father-in-law Tom Scott and chairman Vic Marley.
"Both are infectious characters who have a real desire to take this football club forward and it would be fair to say they have done that in abundance in what is a relatively short time period.
"They have recently appointed a new director of operations (Alan Williams) and I would expect everyone will become much more accountable as they continue to develop the strategy to take us forward.
"When Bruce Winfield tells me we are in a healthy financial state I believe it.
"No-one here at the club underestimates how difficult it is in these difficult economic times and there will always be issues but earlier this year Bruce Winfield led the board in putting a very robust business plan in place and that has been adhered to fully.
"These owners will not shy away from making the difficult decisions and no-one knows that better than me.
"I had to accept a substantial reduction in the playing budget and sell players at key times but deep down I knew it had to be done in the best interests of CTFC.
"A win over Mansfield Town on Saturday week would most likely put us in the top eight of the Conference Premier and that simply would be quite wonderful, it would certainly be game-on!
"We have some wonderful supporters but sadly not enough of them on a regular basis and therefore the total burden on any shortfall cannot always lie at the cheque books of the club owners."
Evans revealed the club has raised over 250,000 from the sale of players over the last few months, including Jon-Paul Pittman, Jake Wright and Jamie Cook.
"In simple terms our transfer dealings have been outstanding but very much needed for a club of our size in the competition we are playing week in week out."
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Weather for Crawley
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
