Crewe boss says winger wanted to progress his career.

Steve Davis has told the club’s official web-site that Crewe Alexandra couldn’t stand in the way of Ryan Colclough when Wigan Athletic submitted a bid yesterday. The Latics were the only club to place a concrete bid in for the talented forward and Colclough was eager to progress his career at a club potentially pushing for promotion to the Championship.

Davis although disappointed to be losing one of his better players in the January transfer window admits that the deal suited all parties and the club policy not to stand in our Academy graduates way is paramount to attracting youngsters for the future.

On signing his new contract in the summer there was a verbal agreement made between the club and his representatives that if a suitable offer came in for Colclough and he wanted to leave then the club would grant him a transfer. 

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “It all happened quickly yesterday and it was completed last night. The discussions started on Wednesday night and it progressed throughout the day, but with every deal it is never completed until it is all finalised.

“Of course, it is disappointing to lose one of your better players but that is what we have to do at Crewe. It has been happening ever since I came here as player under Dario back in 1983 and it’s our business model because we are Football League club and have to sale to keep us ticking over. We don’t have the resources of a big club.

“It is our policy to produce our own players through our Academy and give them an opportunity to play and when the opportunity comes for them to move on, then we don’t stand in their way. We felt it was the right club for Ryan and so did he. 

“Ryan moves on with our best wishes and it gives someone else an opportunity. If we don’t have one that is ready within our own ranks then we will look to bring in one or two in to give us a boost.

“That’s football and you have to accept these things and move on.”