It was the vision and financial backing and support of Dario Gradi by the then Crewe board of directors that saw Crewe's role in the British game change forever. Since his arrival in 1983, Dario Gradi has transformed Crewe Alexandra from a struggling Fourth Division side into an established Football League side based on solid foundations and a thriving youth policy.
Many people rightly state that Dario's achievements have been even more remarkable because along the way he has been forced to sell his better players! Gradi's vision noticed that the Cheshire area and the neighbouring cities of Liverpool and Manchester provided a good catchment area for young talent.
Gradi saw the potential and his dedication to the youth policy and shrewd transfer strategy saw a steady improvement both on and off the pitch. Dario recalls:
"I remember when I first came here. I could go into a shop unrecognised and hear people say 'I don't know why they bother with the kids, he's only got to find a good one and Manchester United will nick him.' Well they can't. We find the kids and they remain loyal to us. It's hard work, but I love it."
The Alexandra Stadium has become a haven for scouts and managers, waiting to see if the club have yet another youngster up their sleeves. Of course, everyone in football knows that Crewe are renowned for producing home grown talent. Whenever Crewe are mentioned in the media, the words Dario, Academy, Johnson, Murphy, Lennon Ashton and Platt are never too far behind. We are proud of their achievements in their game and the trick is to find the next one.
It is usually the aim of most clubs to use the period of scholarship to develop and improve their chosen young players, so that one day they could become good enough to play in the first team. The experience of playing in front of larger crowds or in a cup-tie situation is beneficial to younger players. Results and winning Youth leagues are secondary to their overall development.
Over the last few years, the Crewe youngsters have already played at grounds such as Highfield Road, Goodison Park, The Stadium of Light, The Riverside and Highbury and that will only assist them in their development. As Dario Gradi states:
"It is not are aim to go out and win the Youth Cup every year, of course it would be nice too, but we have to go about it the right way and approach their footballing education to give them every chance of making it as a professional.
"We won't just put bigger, more physical boys in our sides to win matches. We will try to play the game the right way and our approach play will always be with style and involve passing the ball."
It is a philosophy that has seen the likes of Rob Jones, Danny Murphy, David Platt, Seth Johnson, Geoff Thomas (all England), Lennon (Northern Ireland) and Robbie Savage (Wales) go on to represent their countries at the highest level.
The development of young talent at the Crewe Academy is crucial for our future progress as a club. The sale of past graduates Dele Adebola (to Birmingham City), Danny Murphy (to Liverpool), Gareth Whalley ( to Bradford City), Rob Jones (to Liverpool), Seth Johnson (to Derby County), Rob Hulse (to West Brom), dean Ashton (to Norwich) and Billy Jones (to Preston North End) has allowed the club to survive and invest towards a stable future.
Overall their transfer fees have raised in the region of £20 million - allowing us to construct the training ground complex at Reaseheath, assist with the development of the Soccer Centre at Shavington and the superb air Products Stand at the Alexandra Stadium. The next stage of our development saw the construction of the Academy Air Dome and astro-turf at the trainign ground - a compulsory requirement of the FA Premier Academy League.
In 1998, Crewe Alexandra became a recognised footballing Academy. This privileged position allowed the club to extend and improve the Centre of Excellence format, which had run for many years. It also allowed our younger players to compete against some of the most renowned clubs in the country - including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
The main aim of the Football Academy is not only to produce players of outstanding footballing ability, but also at the same time allow players to achieve their educational potential. Based at the club's training complex at Reaseheath, the Academy players are subjected to intense training programmes designed to convert them into future first-team players.
Young players understand that if they elect to come to Crewe, it is the aim of the Alex coaching staff to provide them with the best possible chance to secure a professional contract. At Crewe if you are good enough, the club will give you the chance to prove it at first-team level. For example Danny Murphy made his debut at just 16, Dean Ashton made his debut at 16, so did Billy Jones and Seth Johnson at 17.
In fact nearly half of Crewe's first-team squad is made up of players, who have progressed through the youth ranks at the club. It is truly a fantastic return. As Dario says:
"I hope the Academy helps our players develop as young men as well as footballers, and I would never stand in the way of their future if the right move came up for them at a decent price."
