Steve Davis praises defender after his Crewe career comes to and end by mutual consent

Steve Davis has praised the service of Adam Dugdale after his long association with the club came to an end today. Crewe Alexandra have agreed to cancel his contract by mutual consent.

The 27-year-old graduated through the Alex's youth academy, but left the club in 2007 to ply his trade in non-league at Droylsden and Barrow before retuning to the Alex in the summer of 2010.

During the last four-and-a-half years, Duggy has twice helped the club reach Wembley Stadium twice for the 2012 play-off final and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final a year later, although he sadly had to miss the 2-0 win over Southend United due to personal reasons.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “I spoke to Adam last week and he wanted to leave and secure his future. He had six months of his contract remaining and wanted to secure a longer one. We couldn’t offer him that at the moment and he has left purely for family reasons.

“He felt he wanted to go and we said we wouldn’t stand in his way. He has made the decision in the best interest of his family and there should be no regrets.

“He owes us nothing because he has been a fantastic servant to this football club both on and off the pitch. He has helped us but we have also helped him. We have helped him have a career in the professional game after he was originally released as a kid.

He added: “Dario bought him back from non-league and Duggy has always appreciated that and the chance we gave him. He has a given this Football Club a great deal over the last four and half years and everyone wishes him well.”