The 2016–17 season started strongly for the Reds and fans liked the new strategy put in place by the new manager Dermot Drummy. However, Dermot Drummy and his assistant Matt Gray were both to see the door after a year in charge after a very worrying dip in from which would see Crawley fight the relegation zone. After drawing at home to Carlisle United 3–3 after captain Jimmy Smith's late goal, Crawley would be kept in the EFL League Two at least another season. On 4 May, the club sacked assistant Matt Gray and head coach Dermot Drummy after under a year in charge.