David Crown was born in Enfield in 1958, played representative football for Essex Senior Schools and made his first team debut for Grays Athletic whilst still at school. 

During Crown's time with Grays he was a regular in their Athenian League team before moving to Walthamstow Avenue and then into the Football League with Brentford in 1980. Although a late starter in the professional game he scored regularly from an orthodox wing position for all his league clubs. From Brentford he moved to Portsmouth, had a loan spell with Exeter City then came to Reading on a free transfer in 1983.

During his two seasons at Elm Park he was virtually ever-present totalling 101 first team games and 17 goals. He played a vital role in the side that won promotion to Division Three in 1983-84 and became something of a cult figure with the fans. So much so that a Reading Sunday League Side, the Dave Crown Steamers, was formed by supporters and named in his honour. He was elected their president and watched them play on occasions.

In July 1985 David was on the move again, this time to Cambridge United and surprisingly on another free transfer. Further spells followed at Southend United, where he was an integral part of the Shrimpers' 1989-90 Fourth Division promotion team and Gillingham. By the end of his Football League career Crown had amassed 474 League appearances and 192 League goals, a fine total for a player whose main assets were his pace and anticipation.

He dropped into part-time  football in 1993, playing firstly for Dagenham and Redbridge and then with Purfleet, where he was coach and Assistant Manager. In recent years he was Assistant Manager at Southend United before leaving to work as an accountant

Taken from Reading v Grays Athletic FA Cup 1st round matchday programme - 18/11/00 and updated