Crawley believe their signing of Teddy Jenks is “a real coup” as they kick off the League Two season.

Reds are in Cumbria to face Carlisle at the beginning of what appears a new era for the West Sussex club.

They are under the banner of crypto sports company WAGMI United and former Arsenal under-23s coach Kevin Betsy takes charge of them for the first time in competitive action.

That feel of changing times was furthered yesterday when Glenn Morris, a mainstay of the side in goal in recent seasons, joined Gillingham on loan until January.

Morris was one of several players to agree new deals just before the change of owners at Crawley.

The veteran keeper signed a two-year contract in April, a decision which now appears to be totally at odds with the thinking of the current ownership and coaching team.

Ten players signed new contracts at that time.

Betsy has been putting his own stamp on the squad in more recent times.

They appear to be playing more football from the back and, for what it is worth, results were excellent in pre-season until last week’s 3-2 defeat at Aldershot.

Jenks is highly-regarded by Albion and had a period as a first-team regular in the Scottish top flight with Aberdeen last season.

Betsy said: “Teddy is a real coup for the football club.

“He is a very talented and highly rated player at Brighton and Hove Albion.

“He is an England youth international and has gained some very good experience in the senior game with Aberdeen last season playing against the likes of Rangers.

“He is a very dynamic midfielder.

“He can score goals and create chances and has really good physicality.”

Betsy revealed Albion staff such as technical director David Weir and player pathway manager Gordon Greer will have had several options to sift through before giving Jenks the green light to head up the A23.

He added: “There were a large number of highly-rated clubs that were in for Teddy. I would like to thank Brighton’s loans manager Gordon Greer, first-team manager Graham Potter and chairman Tony Bloom for their help with this deal and for allowing us to have Teddy’s services for the season.”

Reds lost defender Jordan Tunnicliffe to Wrexham but there have been plenty of incomings.

Much is expected of former Newport striker Dom Telford, who agreed a three-year contract as a free agent, while ex-Swindon defender Dion Conroy is on board having signed a two-year deal.

Travis Johnson will also be set for Crawley’s trip north, and teenager James Balagizi – a season-long loan signing – could feature, together with goalkeeper Corey Addai.

Crawley were this week being quoted as long as 13/2 for promotion and were generally 25s for the title.

William Hills have had them as short as 5/1 for relegation but you could get as high as 11s if you really wanted to back Reds for the drop.

Such struggles do not look likely.

There is a longish-term ambition for Crawley to go marching upwards through the divisions.

Betsy sees it as a step at a time.

He said: “We have had a fantastic pre-season on and off the pitch and and now it is time to show the hard work we have done.

“We have got a really good blend of experience and youth which will help us on our journey this season.

“We are really excited to see how they play and how they gel.

“We have got some real quality.”

Reds are delighted to see season ticket sales pass the 1,000 mark.

League action starts at home next Saturday when Leyton Orient visit and there is also a Carabao Cup tie at Broadfield versus Bristol Rovers a week on Tuesday.