Dermot Drummy

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Hendon legend- and former Crawley Town manager- Dermot Drummy, yesterday. Dermot, who turned out 348 times for the Greens, was only 56 years old, and our love and sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time.

During his time at Hendon he scored a goal at Wembley Stadium in the 1988 Middlesex Charity Cup Final- (Watch it here)-and after his playing career came to an end he went on to considerable coaching success at Chelsea FC, leading the youth team to an FA Youth Cup triumph in 2010 and the under 21 side to the Under 21 Premier League title in 2014.

Amongst the tributes from the great and good of our game was one from Crawley Town General Manager Bruce Talbot. Bruce, a respected journalist and author who also looks after Communications for our very own East Grinstead Town, wrote on social media:

‘Struggling to come to terms with the news about Dermot. One of the nicest, most humble and genuine guys I’ve ever come across in football, who had time for everyone at the club from the star player to the cleaner.”

These sentiments are echoed on the Crawley Town supporters Facebook group, from which the headline picture is taken, with permission from Steve Herbert. It features Dermot flanked by Rob Lowndes (left) and Steve himself, and shows Dermot taking time out from his schedule to attend a charity football tournament organised by the Crawley Town Supporters Alliance, which was raising money particularly for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice.

RIP Dermot. And thanks for some wonderful memories.