Payout dismissed as a publicity stunt

Speaking ahead of the clash, he said: “At the end of the day it’s a PR stunt.

“If I was in the same shoes I would look to do the same thing.”

And he dismissed claims that it could be construed as disrespectful, saying: “If anything it’s an added incentive (to catch them).”

Manager Richard Money was equally unmoved, saying: “Good luck to them. What they (Crawley) are doing is extraordinary.

“It’s nothing to do with is. They did the same with Burton.”