New owners at Crawley

7:23pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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Crawley have been taken over by former owner John Duly and new Lincolnshire-based company Prospect Estates Holdings Limited.

Reds have named Duly as part of a consortium of businessmen to have bought the club from Chas and Azwar Majeed.

The club claim Duly will be part of the new board of directors, which will also include chairman Victor Marley, local hairdresser Phil Jarman and businessman Tom Scott.

But it is believed Duly's role in the takeover was minimal and his involvement is related to the money he was owed by the club from the last buy-out.

Duly sold the club in 2005 to the Majeeds' company, The SA Group, and was still owed a significant amount from the deal.

Duly, who owns East Grinstead-based company Woodcock coaches, bankrolled Crawley into non-league's top flight for the first time in their history in 2004 and any involvement he has in the club will be popular with fans.

Prospect Estates Holdings Limited were only formed today (Tuesday) and have their address in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Crawley boss Steve Evans had two spells over nine years as manager of Boston United but has denied any involvement in the takeover.

Marley said: "It is an exciting time for everyone at Crawley. The newly formed board of directors, once finalised, offer local businessmen who have a real desire to take this football club forward."