Chapter 93: Heroes Return to Crawley
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The sun set over Crawley, casting a golden light as the open-top bus carrying the FA Cup champions drove through town.
Fans filled the streets, dressed in red, cheering loudly from sidewalks, pubs, rooftops, and windows echoing the excitement of Wembley.
Red scarves waved like flags, banners flapped in the wind, and kids sat on their parents' shoulders, their faces painted with proud red stripes.
Crawley Town, the impossible victors who'd defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup Final, were home, and the town pulsed with a joy so fierce it felt like it could split the sky.
The bus crept through the packed streets, the air thick with chants of "Craw-ley! Craw-ley!" and the soulful, defiant strains of Sweet Lowdown Glory, sung with raw, unshakable passion.
Max stood tall at the front, clutching the FA Cup trophy, its silver surface gleaming like a star in the fading light.
