Dermot Drummy knows things are going to plan at Crawley - because he was banned from the players’ big day out.

Town’s new-look squad went ten-pin bowling and then to an Italian restaurant on Thursday as they prepared for the new season – and told Drummy he was not welcome.

The Reds head coach, whose assistant Matt Gray went along, was delighted about it.

He told The Argus: “They didn’t want me to go. I was banned!

“I’m really pleased that we have come this far and that the group get on well.

“We’ve made such a transition from last season in many respects at the club.

“To get such a number of players in, we have done well.

“We’ve got new boys from all over the country and one from abroad (Enzio Boldewijn). But we’ve got a decent harmony.

“They are a great bunch when they train and they are starting to play the way I want.”

Drummy said today’s friendly at National League outfit Aldershot will not quite be a dress rehearsal for the League Two kick-off at home to Wycombe next Saturday.

But he added: “We are certainly getting closer to the players who will hopefully start the season.”