Crawley caretaker says ‘really tough time’ for club amid John Yems allegations

Lewis Young praised his Crawley players’ integrity after a difficult end to the season that culminated in a 3-3 draw at Oldham.

With manager John Yems leaving the club amid allegations that he used discriminatory language and behaviour against his own players, assistant manager Young has taken the reins and watched on as Crawley – with their own uprightness questioned by outsiders – fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to grab a Sky Bet League Two draw.

“The last few weeks have been really tough for us to deal with as a group and also for me as a young coach,” said Young. “I think I’ve dealt with things that some coaches don’t have to deal with in five, 10 or 20 years.

“We had a bereavement on the way up yesterday, so it’s been a really tough time but, ultimately, we’ve stuck together as a group. We’ve just tried to keep their spirits up and focus on what we can control, which is playing football.

“I’m restricted in what I can say about what’s going on, and there are things going to be said that we’d say are wide of the mark.

“There will be a time when we’re able to speak and say our part, we know as individuals in that dressing room what we stand for and what we won’t stand for.

“Ultimately I’m stuck not being able to say too much and for the last few weeks I’ve tried to stay calm with what’s going on but we as individuals inside of it, who are living it, know that there are certain things we wouldn’t have stood for.

“It’s been a tough few weeks with a lot of noise questioning our integrity, and that’s really hurt, but the boys know what we would and wouldn’t stand for. Hopefully the investigation will shine some light on some of the claims.”

Supporters of already relegated Oldham had protested about controversial owner