Steve Davis says young players will miss out on going out into the non-league

Steve Davis admits that the formation of the new Elite Player Performance Plan Under-21 leagues has created a more competitive edge at youth level, but he has explained to the club’s official web-site that it has prevented some of younger players going out on loan to non-league clubs.

Davis is a champion of non-league football, having gained invaluable experience as a player and manager of Nantwich Town and a past player/coach with Northwich Victoria.

The Alex boss told crewealex.net: “I was talking to a couple of lads from Vauxall at the North West awards the other night and we were discussing the fact that with the formation of the Under-21 league, clubs cannot really allow their younger players to go on loan to the non-league.

“That is certainly the case with us, because they are usually playing most weeks and we just don’t have the numbers. The Under-21 games a lot more competitive now than the old reserve games but I think some of the younger lads will miss going into the non-league and play against men.

“They miss out on those competitive games against older pros, where it matters. It is invaluable to them and I think young players do benefit from it. The likes of Harry, Westy, AJ, Kelvin have all been out at some point and it did them good. It’s a shame.”