Boss mulls over two options when it comes to finding Phillips replacement

Steve Davis says the club will consider two options when it comes to adding another goalkeeper to their ranks. With Steve Phillips not having his contract extended this summer and Alan Martin leaving in the January transfer window, young Ben Garratt is the only senior goalkeeper left on the club’s books.

Phillips, 36, was also the club’s main goalkeeping coach for the first-team, as well as coaching the younger groups in the Academy and Crewe Alexandra boss says he may look for another version of Phillips to assist with the coaching responsibilities. His other option would to bring in another young goalkeeper to challenge Garratt for the number one spot and also appoint a coach.

Steve told crewealex.net: “We have two options really when it comes to a goalkeeper. We could look to appoint another one like Steve, who can coach but who can also play.

“Steve was a great servant for the club but he was finding it hard to play. He is at that transitional period of his career, whether to continue playing or retire and focus on his coaching. We felt that Steve could no longer play at his level on a consistent basis if we needed him to. That is not to say he couldn’t continue playing.

“We need a goalkeeper who can play but also coach. The other option would be to appoint a goalkeeping coach and bring in another young goalkeeper to offer Ben that competition he will need.

Steve added: “It is something we are looking at and we have not earmarked a replacement for Steve yet.”