Who is Scott Lindsey? Crawley Town’s coach who’s turned around the League Two side's fortunes

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 11 Apr 2024 18:27 BST
• 6 min read

Scott Lindsey is a name you might not have heard of yet - but it’s slowly emerging alongside some of the other top coaches in League football.

He has slowly built his career up - most prominently, as a coach, taking on the job at Crawley Town and taking them from relegation fodder last term to contenders of the League Two playoffs.

Here FootballTransfers takes a look at the 51-year-old's legacy so far.

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Who is Scott Lindsey?

Lindsey's journey in football began at the non-league level, where he showcased his skills before making a move to Gillingham in July 1994. Following his stint there, Lindsey ventured through various clubs such as Dover Athletic, Sittingbourne, and Ashford Town.

Among his last clubs was Sittingbourne, competing in the Isthmian League Division One South, before he transitioned into a dual role as player and coach with Folkestone Invicta, marking the beginning of his journey into football management.

Ascending through the ranks, Lindsey assumed the position of Technical Development Coach at Gillingham, then became a first-team coach and even served as caretaker manager at Lincoln City. Despite departing in 2011 due to the club's relegation, Lindsey's expertise found a new home as the under-18s manager at Swindon Town in 2014. It’s been a huge trajectory since then.

In 2016, he accepted the role of assistant manager at Forest Green Rovers, and then he landed an appointment as assistant manager at Swindon Town once again in July 2021, eventually ascending to the position of head coach in June 2022.

His tremendous work there earned him the job at Crawley Town, taking up the reins in January of last year.

Why is Scott Lindsey considered to be so good?

Indeed, despite joining when the team looked destined for the drop, he would keep the club up after a strong run of form towards the end of the season with survival confirmed after a 0-0 draw against Walsall. The club would finish in 22nd place, their lowest finish since their relegation from League One in 2015, but it’s been this season that Lindsey has shown his prowess as a coach.

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In the first few months of this campaign, Lindsey was nominated for the EFL’s September Manager of the Month for League Two, as the club earned five wins and one draw with the team ending the month in 2nd place.

Right now the club are in seventh spot, which is a remarkable turnaround from their woes of last season. It’s all the more reason why many are scratching their heads at the fact Lindsey was omitted from the EFL League Two Manager of the Season award. Mansfield Town’s Nigel Clough, Crewe’s Lee Bell and MK Dons’ Mike Williamson are nominated, but Lindsey has not been recognised for his achievements with the Reds.