Despite being among the frontrunners for the vacant Gillingham managerial position following Neil Harris’ departure, Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsey remains steadfastly committed to his current role.
After Harris left Gillingham, Lindsey quickly emerged as a leading candidate, with bookmakers giving him 2/1 odds to take over.
Lindsey, who played for Gillingham in the mid-90s, has achieved remarkable success at Crawley Town.
Last season, he steered the team to safety when they appeared doomed, and now they currently hold fifth place in League Two, just three points behind the leaders, Notts County. This performance has defied preseason predictions of Crawley facing relegation.
Despite the increasing attention and speculation about his future, Lindsey insists that maintaining focus on his current job is not a challenge for him. In a recent press conference, he stated, ‘Not hard at all. I just focus on my job.
That’s why I am in this position—I am fully dedicated, work tirelessly, and am unwaveringly committed to my current role. I do not pay attention to external factors; I am not active on social media.
I possess a single-minded determination and a clear understanding of my responsibilities.’
Lindsey acknowledges the nature of the industry, recognizing that success can attract interest from other clubs.
However, he emphasized, ‘I have always maintained from the beginning that, internally, within our dressing room, we know what we are capable of achieving.
Being linked to another job does not alter anything. We continue to focus on our current responsibilities at Crawley Town, aiming to perform well and win as many games as possible.’
He is aware of the precarious nature of managerial positions in football, as Neil Harris’ departure followed Mark Hughes’ exit from Bradford City.
Lindsey understands that managers are often judged by results, saying, ‘I am fully aware of how football works. If the results are not favorable, clubs tend to make changes.
That’s the reality of our industry. I am no different; every game feels like a must-win, and the pressure is part of the job. There’s an old saying in management: ‘You are only ever five results from getting the sack.”
Lindsey remains resilient, undeterred by the possibility of adverse results affecting his role with Crawley Town.
He draws strength from personal challenges, noting, ‘Considering some of the difficulties I’ve faced in my personal life, nothing in my professional career can be as daunting. I lost my wife to cancer nearly four years ago, and nothing can compare to that.
While job security is important, it’s essential to remember that it’s just a job. While success is our goal, and I am highly motivated, there are more significant challenges in life.
We recently witnessed a fan’s tragic death at a Leyton Orient match, which puts things into perspective. Nothing is more significant than that.’
Lindsey’s thick-skinned attitude and perspective on life’s challenges equip him to handle pressure gracefully. If he faces a period of heightened scrutiny and pressure in his managerial role, he remains undaunted, saying, ‘I can handle it; it’s no worse than what I’ve experienced.’
Looking ahead, Crawley Town is set to face Wrexham on Saturday and Sutton United on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy. Their match with Morecambe on October 14 will be postponed due to international call-ups.
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