FORMER Reds boss Steve Evans said late former owner Bruce Winfield would have been smiling down on Crawley at Accrington.
Evans, now Rotherham manager, forged a close bond with Winfield during his time at the Broadfield Stadium, and said back-to-back promotions would have delighted the man dubbed the club’s saviour after his investment and know-how rescued the club from the brink of extinction.
Winfield died last March, aged 61 after a long battle with cancer. And during Saturday’s post match celebrations, Crawley fans sang his name.
“I know Bruce will have been watching the boys with the biggest smile on his face,” Evans said.
Evans could barely contain his pride at seeing his old team finally clinch promotion in dramatic style.
He kept abreast of the scoreline from Accrington during his new club’s game against Northampton and was delighted when Scott Neilson netted the winner.
“I am immesnely proud,” he said. “Back to back promotions, whatg an achivement. “I am so proud to see that my team has delivered success and I wish the club every success in League 1. “I left with six matches to go and with four of those games against teams in the bottom half, and perhaps promotion should have happened one or two weeks ago. But that does not matter now. The squad has shown its character.”