Walsall’s retained list was ruthless. Releasing several of their key features, a huge rebuild is underway with Lee Grant at the helm. Now, Priestley Farquharson has put pen to paper with one of the West Midlands side’s League Two rivals.
Farquharson joined the Saddlers from Newport County in 2019, after establishing himself as one of the division’s finest defenders with the Exiles. He made 59 appearances for Walsall and was an imposing presence in both boxes, returning six goals during his spell at the Bescot.
While their last two season’s have been defined by second-half collapses, at their best Walsall were a defensively stern team that were physically difficult to cope with for any opposition side. The 29-year-old was pivotal to this and will be a great asset for any League Two side.
Former Walsall Defender Joins League Two Rivals
The defender has joined Crawley Town on a two-year-deal, after the Reds have accelerated their transfer dealings in recent days.
Working his way up the pyramid in recent years, he featured for Billericay Town, Hayes and Yeading United, and Connah’s Quays Nomads before joining Newport County. He has since made over 100 appearances in League Two, becoming a trusted, established defender at the level.
As previously mentioned, he is an imposing figure at either end of the field. Standing at 6ft3, he has always returned well on the goalscoring front, with five goals and four assists in the 2022-23 season for Newport.
He will be pivotal to Colin Kazim-Richards’ plans for the 2026-27 season, given that the Reds conceded too many goals last season and were largely fortunate to survive with a 40-point total, a tally that would more often be met with relegation to the National League.
How Will Farquharson Impact Crawley Town?
Crawley have been without stability for several years now.
Either battling relegation or part of a shock promotion challenge, player turnover has been extreme for the club. Next season will demand a settled core and stability in the middle of League Two, after an incredibly turbulent last four years for Crawley fans.
Colin Kazim-Richards was fortunate to lead the club to survival, but cannot be blamed for what he inherited late into the season. Next year will be an opportunity for the young manager to show what he is really capable of, with the opportunity to build a side in his image and bring some stability to The Broadfield Stadium.
And Farquharson is a good step towards stability. With plenty of League Two experience under his belt and respectable goal returns from defence, he has every opportunity to become a firm asset for the Red Devils next season.
What Has Been Said?
On making the switch to the Sussex club, Farquharson said:
“I am buzzing to be here. I am so happy that the deal was done so early, as I can now get ready to lock in for the season.
“My conversations with the Manager were really positive, and we understood each other straight away. We have the same morals, and he knows what he can get out of me, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Likewise, his new manager expressed excitement about his new addition, commenting:
“Priestley brings a wealth of experience, and his physical presence is excellent.
“His qualities and strengths are exactly what we’re looking for. For me, I want one of the best defenders in the league, and Priestley has the attributes to be that.
“He’s a major aerial threat at both ends of the pitch, whether defending or attacking. His resilience as a character also stands out. Coming from non-league football and progressing through the England setup before becoming an EFL defender says a lot about his determination and character.
“He also brings valuable versatility and experience. It’s a great addition for us because he gives the team something different. Opponents will now have another aspect of our game to consider when they’re preparing to play against us. So, yes, we’re really pleased to have Priestley.“
