Dan Crowley: Notts County boss Luke Williams says people should respect midfielder's faith

Dan Crowley joined Notts County on a two-year deal in June

Notts County boss Luke Williams says Dan Crowley deserves greater respect after the midfielder faced some criticism for sharing his religious beliefs in a post-match interview.

The 26-year-old spoke after scoring in Saturday's win against Bradford.

He went on to thank Jesus when handed the man-of-the-match award.

"If you don't agree with his choice of religion, okay, but judge him as a human being on the pitch and the way he lives his life," Williams said.

"We should all respect that.

"And I'm not talking about religion, I'm taking about principles and the way he lives his life.

"He made a refence to his faith in a post-match interview and I think he received some unkind comments.

"You may think 'religion is maybe not for me', or someone else has a different faith, that is fine. But he is doing things in a great way and I'm so happy we have him here with us."

Crowley scored one goal, set up another and played a part in two more as Notts beat the Bantams 4-2 to help them move back into the League Two automatic promotion spots.

The former Birmingham City midfielder - who spent time at Arsenal as a youth player and featured in the Dutch top-flight with Willem II and the Go Ahead Eagles - has scored nine goals and created four in all competitions this season.

Williams said Crowley should be praised for "lighting the place up" for high-flying Notts and for being "an incredible guy who looks out for people".

'Ferocious and caring'

The Magpies boss says Crowley's religious devotion - one he shares with team-mates John Bostock and Junior Morias - "is a positive thing" to have around the club.

"These three guys, they train so brilliantly. The way they communicate with people, they are such caring people," Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"They are ferocious on the pitch, they are competitors and put their bodies on the line, but they have this incredible mixture.

"We have seen over the years bad examples of footballers, and they are there to be shot at and that is part and parcel of being a footballer.

"He [Crowley] is not out drinking, gambling and making a terrible example.

"He is making the best example - play on the pitch with passion and flare, then be humble and kind off the pitch. We should really embrace that more."

Former Tottenham midfielder Bostock, founder of the 'Ballers in God' group, says he was a "bit surprised" by the "kerfuffle" Crowley's post-match acknowledgement made.

"Our faith is not just a part of us, the cherry on top of the cake, it's the ingredients of what makes us up," Bostock said.

"Dan has been on a journey with ups and downs and he is loving his football. What sustained him was his faith.

"People ask him about scoring and his highs, and it would be like he is being untrue to himself not to mention and give credit to his faith."