The 2015–16 season will be Crawley Town's 120th season in their history and their first season back in League Two since being relegated from League One the previous season.[1] Along with League Two, the club also competed in the FA Cup, League Cup and League Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
Background and pre-season
The 2014–15 season saw Crawley relegated from League One after three seasons at the level, having finished 22nd.[2] Manager John Gregory left his role at the end of the season, whilst interim manager Dean Saunders, who had managed the club from December 2014 as Gregory was recovering from heart surgery, was appointed as manager of Chesterfield.[3][4] Crawley instead appointed Mark Yates as manager on a two-year deal.[4]
Pre-season friendlies
On 5 May 2015, Crawley Town announced a friendly against Brighton & Hove Albion on 22 July 2015.[5] On 6 May 2015, Crawley added a trip to Burgess Hill Town on 15 July 2015 as part of their pre-season schedule.[6] On 12 May 2015, Crawley Town announced a third friendly, they will visit Maidstone United on 25 July 2015.[7] On 27 May 2015, Crawley Town announced another two friendlies against Reading[8] and Nuneaton Town.[9] A day later the club confirmed Fulham will visit on 18 July 2015.[10] On 16 June 2015, Crawley Town announced they will visit Whitehawk during pre-season.[11]
Crawley started the 2015–16 season with a 1–1 away to Oxford United – Gwion Edwards put Crawley ahead with a second-half header before Oxford equalised shortly after.[18] A 2–0 defeat at Peterborough United eliminated Crawley from the League Cup in the first round.[19] Back in the league, Edwards gave Crawley a first-half lead in their first home match, again with a header, before two second-half AFC Wimbledon goals consigned Crawley to a 2–1 defeat.[20]
^Talbot, Bruce (8 March 2016). "Rooney leaves Reds". crawleytownfc.com. Crawley Town F.C. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2021.