Afternoon All

The dust has now settled, and we all know why we lost on Saturday to Crewe, two moments of stupidity resulting in two straight red cards, both self inflicted and both avoidable – but that football and emotions, both incidences were fouls on our players and both reacted to give the referee the opportunity to send the players off. Hopefully the club will appeal the Malcolm Ebiowei one as it was no different to Jay Williams last season. The Kellan Gordon’s red card will not be appealed.

Up until the sending offs it was a good competitive game with both sides creating opportunities, but failing to capitalise on them. Vito Mannone was having a brilliant game but was kicked in the head making a save that saw him substituted at half-time. Then the two Red Cards really spoilt the game, but the Red Devils kept the visitors at bay, even creating a couple of chances themselves  – then the referee gave the Crewe caption a second yellow card and he was off of the early bath – leaving the game 9 against 10 for the last 5 minutes and 10 minutes added time. The 9 still were keeping Crewe out but in the 95 minute they took the lead, despite an obvious foul on the keeper that the referee chose to ignore. So we lost the game, basically to our own making, plus a little help from the referee Mr Andrew Humphies – hopefully we will not see him again any time soon.

CKR gave a good match summary after the game, which he too was booked by the man in the middle for asking for some explanations for some of the refereeing decisions.

The Red Devils Diary – great news for Saturday’s edition – was a sell out – thanks to all that purchased a copy. Next issue is the Bristol match. If you buy one please give us your feedback on the publication.

Dates for your diary – League Trophy matches – our away match against MK Dons is on Tuesday 22^nd September with a 7.00pm kick off, then our first home match against Bromley is schedule to be played on Tuesday 6^th October with a 7.45pm kick off and then the final match against Brentford U21’s is on Tuesday 10^th November with a 7.30pm kick off.

All the three new kits have now been released for the supporters and I must admit that they are all very good – and I like the purple and white – takes me back to the promotion win at Tamworth in those colours – Like most of the supporters have commented the front of shirt sponsor UPTIME could have been better without the dark background, but that is the Company’s logo, however they did agree to make a change to the away kit with the black instead of the blue background.

Our first away League match is next Saturday 22^nd August with the trip to newly promoted Rochdale. Full details of the coach travel to this game together with details of our trips to both Northampton and Accrington Stanley are below. We are taking bookings for all three games from now.

Finally – are you going to Rochdale by Train – have you got your ticket yet? We have a supporter who has booked train travel to Rochdale for the game on the 22^nd August but is now unable to attend – if anyone would like to purchase his return ticket please contact me and I pass on his Email address to you – the ticket is from Redhill but all you need to do is then get a Three Bridges to Redhill return and your covered for the journey.

Our first three Away League matches coming up which we are taking bookings, again if we don’t get the required numbers on any of our coaches then we may cancel – we have to give United at least weeks’ notice if we are going to cancel. We really hope that we don’t have to cancel any coaches to the away games.

ROCHDALE – SATURDAY 22^nd AUGUST 2026 – 3.00pm k/o

We have 34 supporters already booked on. The coach departs from the Broadfield Stadium at 7.00am – cost is £50.00 – We will have a comfort/coffee break at the M6 Toll services at about 9.45am and then a buffet stop at the Fox & Hounds, Spronston Green at about 11.30am (all confirmed) – We will depart at 1.00pm to arrive at Rochdale at about 2.00pm. Coach will park up on Ings Lane about a 3 minute walk to the stadium. We will depart straight after the game from the same location. We will have a break at some point on the return journey, depending on traffic conditions – either the M6 Toll again or Warwick Services. Rochdale match tickets now available via their website ticket portal. Visiting Crawley supporters can use the Radcliffe Bar before the game if you want a pre-match drink.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN – TUESDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2026 – 7.45pm k/o

Coach departs from the Broadfield Stadium at 4.00pm – cost is £40.00. We will travel non-stop to and from Northampton for this game. Hopefully the M25 & the M1 will not be too busy for this trip.  We will leave straight after the game finishes to return to the Broadfield Stadium.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – SATURDAY 5^th SEPTEMBER 2026 – 3.00pm k/o

Coach departs from the Broadfield Stadium at 6.30am – cost is £50. We will have a comfort/coffee break at the M6 Toll services at about 9.15am and then a buffet stop at the Foresters Arms, Standish at about 11.30am (all confirmed) – We will depart at 1.00pm to arrive at Accrington at about 2.00pm. Coach will park up by the stadium. We will depart straight after the game and will have a break at some point on the return journey, depending on traffic conditions – either the M6 Toll again or Warwick Services.

TO BOOK YOUR SEATS ON ANY OF THE COACH PLEASE CONTACT EITHER ALAIN HARPER ON 07771-792346 OR VIA E MAIL  – ghcoachesat@gmail.com   OR PATRICK HARPER VIA X (TWITTER) OR FACEBOOK. WE WILL CONFIRM ALL BOOKINGS – PAYMENT IS VIA BANK TRANSFER TO OUR ACCOUNT OR WITH CASH ALL TO BE PAID BEFORE TRAVEL. WE ARE IN REDZ BEFORE ANY HOME GAME