Year option on Billy Waters and Liam Nolan not to be taken up by the club
Crewe Alexandra Football Club has taken up the further year option on defenders Oliver Turton and Jon Guthrie, but has decided not to take up a similar option on Billy Waters and Liam Nolan. The two youngsters will become free agents when their current contracts expire this summer.
Turton, 22, made 49 appearances last season, scoring once in the 5-1 defeat at Preston North End back in March. Turton’s versatility has seen him establish himself as a key member of Steve Davis’ first team and he has played in both full-back positions and in midfield this season.
Jon Guthrie also possesses the ability to play at left-back or in his preferred position of centre-half. The 22-year-old featured in 30 games last season and has now amassed over 50 first-team appearances for the club since joining us from non-league outfit Pewsey Vale back in the summer of 2012.
20-year-old Billy Waters progressed through the Academy ranks at the club to make 30 first team appearances for the club. 21 of those games came this season and Waters began the campaign in fine form scoring in successive games against Barnsley in both the league and in a 2-0 victory at Oakwell in the Capital One Cup. Waters also scored an important goal to earn the Alex a point at Yeovil back in September.
March.rdWith the loan signings of Nicky Ajose, Uche Ikpeazu and the permanent signing of Lauri Dalle Valle, the young forward found his chances limited in the second half of the season and his final involvement came as a late substitute away at Rochdale on 3
Liam Nolan also came through the club’s Academy and made 29 first team appearances under Steve Davis. He featured in 16 games last season, and his last involvement came as a late substitute in a superb 3-1 win at Coventry. The 20-year-old midfielder made 9 starts during the last campaign but found his chances becoming more limited due to the emergence of James Jones and the loan capture of Jamie Ness from Stoke City.
Crewe Alexandra would like to congratulate Ollie and Jon on their contract extensions and we would like to thank Billy and Liam for their service and we wish them every success with their future careers.
The club is currently still in talks with those other players whose contracts are set to expire this summer.