| Roy Jennings | |
| Fullname: | Roy Thomas Edward Jennings |
| Birth Date: | 31 December 1931 |
| Birth Place: | Swindon, England |
| Death Place: | Crawley, England |
| Position: | Centre half |
| Youthclubs1: | Swindon Town |
| Youthclubs2: | Southampton |
| Years1: | 1952–1964 |
| Clubs1: | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Caps1: | 276 |
| Goals1: | 22 |
| Years2: | 1964–1969 |
| Clubs2: | Crawley Town |
| Caps2: | 156 |
| Totalcaps: | 432 |
| Totalgoals: | 22+ |
| Nationalteam1: | England youth |
| Manageryears1: | 1968–1970 |
| Managerclubs1: | Crawley Town |
Roy Thomas Edward Jennings (31 December 1931 – 21 October 2016) was an English professional football player and manager.
He played as a centre half for Swindon Town, Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Crawley Town, making over 500 career appearances. He also managed Crawley Town for two years.
Born in Swindon, Jennings initially played for Swindon Town as an amateur.[1] While at Swindon he represented Wiltshire and also England youth.[2] While studying accountancy he was spotted by a scout for Southampton,[2] playing for them as an amateur.[3]
Jennings signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in May 1952.[1] Initially a full back, he primarily played for Brighton as a centre half.[1] [2] He scored 22 goals in 276 League appearances,[3] and 22 goals in 297 appearances for the club in all competitions.[1] 13 of his goals were penalties.[1] At Brighton he was known for as "a firm fans' favourite due to his strong aerial presence and physical style of play."[1] He won promotion with the club to the old Second Division.[2]
Jennings joined Crawley Town on a free transfer in 1964, after being released by Brighton.[1] [2] He scored 38 goals for Crawley, all penalties, in 220 appearances in all competitions.[2] 156 of his appearances were in the league.[4] He made his last appearance for Crawley in 1969.[2] He also managed the club between 1968 and 1970.[2] He was the club's third ever manager, and won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 1969.[2]
After retiring from football, Jennings remained in Crawley, and became a partner in an accountancy firm, and also served as a magistrate.[1] [2]
He died on 21 October 2016, at the age of 84.[1]